The next day didn't feel normal.
At least not for Aditya.
Something had changed inside him.
And he couldn't ignore it anymore.
The Beginning
Practice started again.
Same ground.
Same people.
But his focus—
was only on one person.
Priyanka.
She was laughing.
Talking to Abhi.
Again.
Casual.
Comfortable.
Too comfortable.
Aditya looked away.
Tried to focus.
But failed.
Every time he looked back—
she was smiling.
And it bothered him.
More than it should.
The Break
After an hour, everyone took a break.
Some sat on the grass.
Some went to get water.
Priyanka stood near a tree, scrolling her phone.
Alone.
Aditya walked toward her.
Not slowly.
Not casually.
Direct.
"Priyanka."
She looked up.
"Hmm?"
"We need to talk."
His tone—
serious.
Different.
She nodded.
"Okay…"
They moved a little away.
Away from everyone.
Away from the noise.
The Confrontation
"Why were you laughing with Abhi like that?" he asked.
Priyanka frowned.
"What?"
"Since yesterday… you've been with him a lot."
She looked confused.
"And? He's my friend."
"I know that."
"Then what's the problem?"
Aditya ran his hand through his hair.
Frustrated.
"I don't know… I just—"
"You just what?"
She stepped closer.
Trying to understand.
But also slightly annoyed.
"Why are you reacting like this?"
That question—
hit him.
Because he didn't have a simple answer.
Or maybe—
he finally did.
The Moment
He looked at her.
Properly this time.
No hiding.
No jokes.
Just truth.
"I don't like it."
Silence.
Priyanka blinked.
"Why?"
A pause.
A deep breath.
And then—
he said it.
"Because I don't like seeing you with anyone else."
Her expression changed.
Softer now.
"I don't like it when you smile like that with someone else."
His voice dropped.
More honest.
More real.
"Because you're not just anyone to me, Priyanka."
Her heart skipped.
"And I'm tired of pretending like you are."
Silence surrounded them.
But it wasn't empty.
It was full.
Full of everything unsaid till now.
The Confession
He took a step closer.
Not breaking eye contact.
"I like you."
Simple.
But heavy.
Real.
"And not as a friend."
Another pause.
"If you're okay with it…"
His voice softened.
"…I want you to be mine."
Time felt slow.
Priyanka looked at him.
Really looked at him.
No teasing.
No confusion.
Just emotion.
And then—
a small smile appeared.
"You're late."
Aditya blinked.
"What?"
She smiled a little more.
"I thought you'd never say it."
His expression changed.
Relief.
Surprise.
Happiness.
All at once.
"So…?"
She nodded.
Softly.
"Yes."
The Shift
For a second—
neither moved.
Just stood there.
Smiling.
Feeling it.
Finally.
Then Aditya let out a quiet breath.
Almost like a weight was gone.
"Good," he said.
Trying to act normal.
But failing.
Priyanka laughed lightly.
"You were jealous, weren't you?"
He looked away.
"No."
"You were."
"…maybe a little."
She smiled.
"Idiot."
But there was warmth in it.
Ending Scene
When they walked back—
something had changed.
Not visible to everyone.
But real.
Abhi noticed.
Swati noticed.
Aditi definitely noticed.
Lavesh smirked.
"Something happened."
Aditi whispered, "Obviously."
Ayush glanced once—
then looked away.
And just like that—
without any announcement—
it became clear.
They weren't just friends anymore.
They were something more.
And this time—
it was real.