ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙᴇᴀᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴀʟʟᴡᴀʏꜱ

.Victory༊˚

AUTHOR'S POV :

Both teams, Ishan's and Yash's, took a 10-minute break to catch their breath and regroup. Nidhi and Avni made their way to Ishan's team, handing out water bottles and handkerchiefs while wishing them good luck.

Nidhi encouraged, "You all better win!"

Aaron responded with confidence, "Of course we will."

Ishan added with a determined grin, "We will definitely win."

Avni, slightly skeptical, said, "Don't be so overconfident. Yash's team is equally good."

Ishan shot her a curious look, "Do you want Yash to win?"

Avni was taken aback, "What? Why would I?"

Ishan reassured her, "Then trust us. We will definitely win... for sure."

With a nod and a final exchange of encouragement, the teams took their positions. The final match was about to begin.

Nidhi and Avni stood in the front row, with Nidhi holding signboards for Ishan’s team while Avni focused on the court. Ishan frequently glanced at Avni, and Yash stared at them.

The final match was fiercely contested. Both teams played aggressively, with each side making impressive plays. With only a few seconds left on the clock, the score was tied. Ishan, determined, dribbled past defenders and made a stunning shot just before the buzzer.

The ball swooshed through the net, securing the win for Ishan's team. The crowd erupted in cheers as Ishan's teammates celebrated wildly.

Nidhi jumped and hugged Avni in excitement, and Avni hugged her back. They then went towards Ishan’s team to congratulate them.

Nidhi said, "I was so tense, but you made the shot just in time!"

Aaron replied, "We told you we'd win."

Ishan remained silent and stared at Avni, waiting for her response.

Avni noticed and said, "Well played. Congrats."

Just then, Neha approached and said, "Congratulations, Ishan. I knew you would win."

Ishan ignored her and said, "Let's go, Aaron."

Ishan and Aaron walked toward the stage, where the principal was waiting to present their prizes and trophy.

After collecting their prizes, everyone packed their bags and headed towards the exit gate.

Yash approached Avni and said, "Can we talk for a moment?"

Avni glanced at her friends and said, "Sure."

They walked a bit farther. Yash said, "We lost the match."

Avni replied, "But you played really well."

Yash smiled and said, "I'm not upset. At least I got to see you today."

Avni stayed silent, so Yash added, "I'll text you. Please reply. Bye."

He waved and then walked away.

Nidhi, Aaron, and Ishan joined Avni.

Nidhi said, "He's really into you."

Avni replied, "I don't think so. Let's go."

Avni headed to the bus stop while Ishan took his bike. Once she reached home, she freshened up and sat down to study.

After two hours of continuous studying, Avni took a break and realized her phone had been on silent the entire time.

She checked Nidhi's message, which had been sent 1.5 hours ago: "Did you talk to that Yash?"

Avni replied, "No," and thought about Yash.

She checked her Instagram messages and saw one from him sent two hours earlier:

"Hi, this is Yash."
"Did you reach home?"
"Studying?"
"Let's meet sometime."
"Bye."

Avni sighed and replied, "Sorry, I didn't check my phone."

Yash replied quickly, "It's okay. Let's meet this weekend?"

Avni replied, "I don't think I can. Sorry."

Yash replied, "It's alright."

Soon after, Avni received another text on Instagram, this time from Ishan.

Ishan wrote, "Talking to him?"

Avni thought, "How does he know? Weird."

She replied, "Yeah."

Ishan thought, "So she is really talking to Yash."

And replied, "I see."

Avni put her phone down and returned to her studies. Meanwhile, Ishan stared at his phone, thinking about Avni. His thoughts were interrupted by a notification from the group chat, where Nidhi had shared photos from today's match.

The next day at school, everyone was gossiping about Ishan's looks and talent from yesterday's match photos. Avni met Nidhi, and they walked toward the classroom together.

Avni noticed something and asked, "You look happy. Did something happen?"

Nidhi replied, "Is it?"

Avni nodded. But before Nidhi could say more, Aaron and Ishan joined them.

Aaron said, "Ishan will give a party in the school cafeteria today."

Ishan asked, "Why ? What's the occasion?"

Aaron replied, "What do you mean by why? To celebrate yesterday's win."

Ishan responded, "I didn't win alone. You were there too. The whole team won."

Aaron rolled his eyes and said, "Come on."

Ishan added, "I haven't written anything in my notebook from the past two days. I don't want to get scolded by the teacher."

Then, looking at Avni, he said, "Let's study in the library after school?"

Ishan then looked back at Aaron and asked, "Have you written anything?"

Aaron shook his head negatively in response.

Nidhi said, "Sounds good. Let's study after school. Avni, will you join us?"

They all looked at Avni, waiting for her response.

Avni replied, "I will see."