The bus hummed steadily as it moved through the highway lights, carrying the Rangers toward their next match destination. The seats were almost full, bags stuffed overhead, jackets tossed carelessly across laps. The mood was relaxed, the kind that comes after a win but before the weight of the next challenge truly settles in.
Vivaan leaned forward from the seat behind Aarav and Haniya, a mischievous grin already in place. "So," he said loudly, "garden time is officially a thing now?"
Harsh immediately joined in. "Yeah, man. We leave you two alone for five minutes and suddenly the plants start witnessing romance."
Haniya rolled her eyes, but her lips curved into a smile. "You both need hobbies."
Vivaan gasped dramatically. "Excuse me, teasing you is my full-time job."
Harsh nodded. "Especially after that kiss."
Aarav glanced sideways at Haniya, smirking. "Which kiss?"
Haniya elbowed him lightly. "Don't you dare."
Vivaan practically bounced in his seat. "Oh, he dares. He definitely dares."
Laughter spread through the bus, even from those pretending not to listen. Haniya shook her head, trying to hide her embarrassment, but she wasn't really upset. For the first time in days, the teasing felt normal—safe.
As the noise continued, Haniya noticed Kashvi sitting quietly by the window a few rows ahead, her head resting against the glass. Her eyes looked tired, distant.
She leaned closer to Aarav. "Kashvi doesn't look okay."
Aarav followed her gaze and nodded. "Go sit with her."
Haniya stood and carefully made her way forward, sliding into the empty seat beside Kashvi. "Hey," she said softly. "You okay?"
Kashvi forced a small smile. "Yeah. Just… tired."
Haniya studied her for a moment. "This isn't just tired."
Kashvi sighed, eyes still on the passing lights. "I miss my mom. A lot. I didn't think it would hit me this hard."
Haniya's expression softened immediately. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I didn't want to sound weak," Kashvi replied quietly. "Everyone's dealing with something."
Haniya reached out and held her hand. "Missing your mom doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."
Kashvi chuckled faintly. "You always say things like that."
"Because they're true," Haniya said. "You know, when things get overwhelming, I imagine going home too. The smell of food, random scoldings… all of it."
Kashvi smiled this time, genuinely. "I'd give anything for her cooking right now."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Kashvi spoke again. "Do you think Anamika will try something again?"
Haniya exhaled slowly. "I don't know. But I trust Aarav."
Kashvi looked at her. "You weren't always this calm."
"I learned," Haniya replied. "Loving someone doesn't mean guarding them from the world. It means trusting them in it."
Kashvi nodded, thoughtful. "You've changed."
"Yeah," Haniya said softly. "I had to."
A few seats back, Aarav was scrolling through his phone, glancing up every few seconds toward Haniya. Finally, his phone buzzed.
Aarav: Aren't you coming back?
Haniya saw the message and smiled to herself. She typed back quickly.
Haniya: Relax. I'm not running away.
She turned to Kashvi. "I'll go back. But if you need anything, I'm right there."
Kashvi squeezed her hand. "Thanks. Really."
Haniya stood and walked back, slipping into her seat beside Aarav. He looked at her with mock seriousness. "I was about to send a search team."
She laughed. "Drama king."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I just like knowing where you are."
She met his gaze, her smile softening. "I'm right here."
Outside the bus, in a different part of the city, Aira sat in her hotel room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her phone lay on the table beside her, open to photos and clips from the recent match.
"So this is her," she murmured. "Still standing. Still smiling."
She picked up her phone and dialed a number. "I'm going to see him," she said firmly into the call. "Soon."
Back on the bus, the chatter slowly faded as the journey stretched on. One by one, players leaned into seats, eyes closing. Haniya rested her head lightly against Aarav's shoulder. He adjusted himself so she was comfortable, resting his cheek gently against her hair.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"For what?" he asked.
"For being steady," she replied.
He smiled, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "Always."
The bus continued forward, carrying them toward a destination that promised more than just a match—truths, confrontations, and choices that could no longer be delayed.