Haniya stayed in her room for a long time after that. She didn't know how much time had passed—minutes, maybe hours. Her phone lay beside her, screen lighting up again and again with notifications she refused to open. The world outside felt too loud, too cruel.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Haniya?" Kashvi's voice was careful. "Can we come in?"
She wiped her face quickly and opened the door. Vivaan, Harsh, Kashvi—and Aarav—were standing there. The moment Aarav saw her red eyes, his chest tightened.
"What happened?" Vivaan asked gently, the teasing tone completely gone for once.
Haniya stepped back and let them in. She sat on the bed, fingers twisting into the edge of her sleeve.
"I think… it's time I tell you everything," she said quietly.
No one interrupted.
"That guy in the video… Reyansh," she continued, swallowing hard. "He's my brother."
Everyone froze.
"My real brother," she added. "Not my boyfriend. Not anything like that."
Harsh's eyes widened. "Wait—your brother?"
"Yes," she nodded. "We fought. Badly. That clip only showed the worst part."
Aarav moved closer instinctively. "Why didn't you tell us before?"
"I didn't want my family involved," she replied. "I wanted to live like a normal player. Just… Haniya."
Vivaan ran a hand through his hair. "Then why does he hate me—" he stopped himself, correcting, "—hate Aarav so much?"
Her phone buzzed again. The name on the screen made her flinch.
Ayaan.
Vivaan immediately leaned forward. "Another guy? Bro—"
She didn't even look at the screen and placed the phone face down. "He's not 'another guy' like that."
Aarav stiffened slightly but stayed quiet.
"Ayaan is my brother's best friend," Haniya said. "And someone who helped me when I was at my lowest."
Kashvi noticed her hands shaking and gently held them. "Slow down. We're here."
Haniya took a deep breath.
"When Aarav and I broke up years ago," she began, "I was completely shattered. Ayaan helped me recover. He protected me like family. When my dad sent me to London, he was there too."
Aarav's jaw tightened, but he didn't look away from her.
"He never forced anything," she continued. "But he… started liking me. And when I wanted to come back to India, to gaming, to this team—he helped me."
Her voice cracked. "But there was a condition."
The room went silent.
"I promised him," she whispered, "that I would step away from Aarav. That eventually… Aarav would be with his sister."
Everyone stared at her.
"What?" Harsh said under his breath.
Vivaan's mouth fell open. "That's insane."
Aarav felt like the ground shifted under his feet. "You… promised to give me to someone else?"
Tears finally spilled. "I was desperate. I didn't think I'd fall in love with you again like this."
Her phone rang again. Ayaan's name flashed on the screen, persistent.
Kashvi asked softly, "Why aren't you picking up?"
"I don't know," Haniya replied honestly. "I don't know how to face him anymore."
Another call came—this time from her mother.
She looked at Kashvi helplessly. "Can you… put it on speaker? I feel too weak."
Kashvi nodded and answered.
"Haniya?" her mother's worried voice filled the room. "What is happening? I saw the video. Reyansh is furious."
Haniya tried to stay strong. "Mom… we just argued."
"He crossed a line," her mother said firmly. "But so did you, beta. You shouldn't have met him alone."
Tears gathered again, but Haniya forced a smile into her voice. "I know."
"You don't have to choose between family and love," her mother added gently. "And no one owns your future."
Haniya closed her eyes, a tear slipping free. "I'm trying, Mom."
After the call ended, silence returned.
Aarav finally spoke, his voice low but steady. "Why didn't you tell me about the promise?"
"I was scared," she admitted. "Scared you'd hate me."
He sat beside her, taking her hand carefully. "I'm hurt. But I'd rather know the truth than lose you in silence."
Vivaan clapped his hands once. "Okay. One thing's clear—this mess is bigger than gossip."
Harsh nodded. "And you're not facing it alone."
Kashvi smiled softly. "Family drama, promises, ex-history—we'll survive."
Haniya looked at them, overwhelmed. For the first time since the video, she felt a little less alone.
But outside that room, the rumors were still growing.
And the truth—now finally spoken—had only just begun to change everything.