The days pass, and Aarohi can't shake the feeling that something's changed. Every time she walks into class, she finds Aryan sitting there, quietly observing, as if he's always one step ahead. Meera, of course, is always with him now, talking, laughing—something Aarohi never imagined would happen so quickly.
At lunch one day, Aarohi finally decides she can't stand it anymore. She walks up to Meera and Aryan, a confident smile playing on her lips.
"I'm challenging you," she says, locking eyes with Aryan. "Basketball. Tomorrow. I bet you can't keep up."
Aryan's expression remains calm, almost amused. "You're on."
Meera looks between the two, sensing the tension, but she stays quiet, watching the challenge unfold. Aarohi smirks, knowing exactly how to take control.
"I hope you're ready to lose," Aarohi adds, already confident.
Aryan smiles, a hint of mystery in his eyes. "We'll see about that."
As they leave the cafeteria, Aarohi feels a spark of excitement, a mix of pride and competition. Meera watches them go, her eyes soft but filled with something unreadable.
The next day, the basketball court feels different. The air is thick with anticipation as Aarohi ties her sneakers with determination. She's been practicing nonstop, ready to prove herself, to prove that no one can outplay her.
Meera stands off to the side, watching the scene unfold. She can feel the tension between Aarohi and Aryan, the unspoken challenge hanging in the air. She hasn't seen Aarohi this focused in a long time, and something tells her it's more than just about the game.
Aryan, wearing a simple T-shirt and shorts, steps onto the court with his usual calm demeanor. He doesn't look nervous, doesn't seem to care about the stakes. Aarohi glares at him, her eyes sharp with focus.
"I hope you're ready to lose," she says, bouncing the ball lightly.
Aryan smirks. "We'll see."
The game starts. Aarohi is fast, relentless, using every trick she knows to keep Aryan on the defensive. But Aryan? He's smooth. He moves with effortless grace, always one step ahead, responding to her moves like he's already predicted them.
The first half is intense, Aarohi pushing herself harder than ever, but Aryan stays cool, never rushing, never faltering. Meera watches from the sidelines, her eyes flickering between the two. She sees Aarohi's frustration building as the game goes on, but Aryan doesn't show an ounce of it.
In the final moments, it's a tie. Aarohi's out of breath, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, but she's not ready to give up. She charges at him, aiming for the ball—but Aryan, with a flick of his wrist, spins around her and sinks the final shot.
Aarohi stands still for a moment, catching her breath. There's a flash of surprise in her eyes, but it quickly fades. She walks up to him, offering a hand. "You're good. I'll give you that."
Aryan takes her hand with a small, knowing smile. "You're not so bad yourself."
Meera, watching quietly, smiles softly. She can feel the shift between them. The tension, the rivalry—it's still there, but something else is starting to grow.