---
Soft sunlight filtered into the dorm room as Haniya slowly woke up, her head heavy and her body sore. The room was silent—Kashvi and Aarav were nowhere to be seen. She pressed her forehead with her palm, recalling last night—the dance, the conversations, the strange dizziness, and the closeness she had felt with Aarav. Frustration rose in her chest.
"I don't think my plan will succeed like this," she whispered to herself.
She got up, showered quickly, and dressed neatly, tying her hair tightly as if to regain control. Determined, she stepped into the hallway and froze.
Aarav was there, leaning against the wall, talking to Harsh and Vivaan. The moment he saw her, his posture softened.
But Haniya didn't even look at him, walking past him without a glance.
Vivaan whispered to Harsh, "Bro… she didn't even give you half a second."
Harsh smirked. "You definitely messed up."
Aarav ignored their teasing and tried to move closer, but she brushed past him again, faster this time. His jaw tightened.
They entered the dining hall where breakfast had been prepared—parathas, omelets, and fresh fruit. Everyone chatted and laughed, but the tension between Aarav and Haniya was palpable. Aarav tried to catch her eye several times. She refused every attempt.
Just then, the team manager entered, clapping his hands.
"Good morning, everyone! Practice officially starts today. We will finalize your positions for the Indian MOBA Champion League after today's assessment. Finish breakfast and get ready."
Excited chatter filled the room as players prepared for practice. Haniya walked past Aarav without looking at him, her expression unreadable.
Harsh whispered dramatically, "Bro, she's ignoring you harder than harsh reality."
Vivaan added, "You need damage control ASAP."
Aarav didn't respond. His eyes followed her disappearing figure. His chest tightened. Something was definitely wrong.
---
Gaming Room Assessment
The team gathered in the gaming room, high-end PCs casting a neon glow across the room. The manager and head coach stood at the front.
"Alright, show us what you've got. Today we finalize your official positions," the coach announced.
One by one, players began their trial matches.
When it was Haniya's turn, the entire room shifted. Her movements were precise, lightning-fast, and flawless. Every jungle rotation, every gank, every escape was perfectly executed. Even other players kept glancing at her screen in amazement.
Vivaan whispered, "Bro… she's insane. Not normal skill—this is god-tier."
Harsh nodded, wide-eyed. "A jungler with assassin reflexes… we're winning this league."
The coach exchanged a glance with the manager—both impressed.
Aarav observed quietly, unable to look away, even though Haniya continued to avoid his gaze. She was extraordinary.
---
Final Positions Announcement
After the assessments, the manager called everyone together.
"Congratulations! Your official roles for the Indian MOBA Champion League are finalized."
Haniya – Jungler (Fighter / Assassin)
Everyone nodded in agreement, impressed by her performance.
Aarav – EXP Laner (Fighter / Tank)
Aarav stayed calm, satisfied with the role.
Kashvi – Mid Laner (Mage)
She grinned, "Yes! Finally!"
Vivaan – Roamer (Tank / Support / Fighter)
Vivaan flexed dramatically. "Time to protect the squad!"
Harsh – Gold Laner (Marksman)
Harsh flicked his hair. "Obviously."
Everyone laughed. Except Haniya, who still didn't look at Aarav, which unsettled him more than he wanted to admit.
---
Haniya Approaches Aarav
The team had just started settling into their setups when Haniya suddenly walked straight toward Aarav. Her steps were deliberate. Whispers rippled across the room.
Vivaan whispered, "Uh… what's she doing?"
Harsh smirked, "Looks like trouble—or maybe an apology? Ha!"
Haniya stopped in front of Aarav and calmly asked,
"Can you tell me the dates of the matches? I need the timings to plan rotations."
Everyone froze. Even Aarav was slightly shocked. But he stayed calm, leaning slightly closer and holding her gaze.
"Sure," he replied smoothly. "The first match is on the 12th… then the 14th and 16th. Each game starts at 6 PM. We have two-hour practice sessions before that."
Haniya listened intently, asking about rotations, break times, and strategy adjustments. Aarav answered each question carefully, maintaining eye contact.
Vivaan and Harsh started whispering excitedly, "Did you see that? She's talking to him! And standing right in front of him!"
"Bro, he's sweating a little… but he's holding it together!"
Finally, Haniya stepped back slightly, a faint smirk on her face.
"Don't think I forgive you," she said softly.
Aarav's chest tightened. A wave of sadness passed through him, but he controlled his expression.
Haniya returned to her station beside Kashvi and began coordinating and strategizing for the practice session.
Meanwhile, the team manager called Aarav aside.
"As the team leader, I need to discuss some final strategies with you," he said quietly.
Aarav nodded and walked toward the manager.
As he passed Haniya, their eyes met. She held his gaze for a long, intense moment. Finally, she broke eye contact and focused back on her gameplay, her expression calm yet unreadable.
The rest of the team watched, whispering among themselves. The quiet tension between Aarav and Haniya had shifted the entire room. Everyone knew something important had just happened.
--