🎵 Song: Zinda – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (Instrumental)

"Sometimes...

the loudest cheers come from the crowd.

And sometimes...

the only reaction that matters...

comes from one person."

The referee's whistle echoed across the football ground.

Peeeeep!

The much-awaited match had officially begun.

The entire school erupted into cheers.

"Come on, Class 10!"

"Let's go, Class 11!"

The excitement was contagious.

Students waved banners and shouted the names of their classmates.

Teachers stood near the sidelines, ensuring everything remained under control.

Reyansh stood at the center of the field.

The football rested at his feet.

He glanced toward the stands.

Without much effort...

He found her.

Aarohi.

Sitting beside Mehak in the front row.

She noticed him looking.

He gave the smallest smirk.

Then...

The whistle blew again.

The game was on.

The first few minutes were intense.

Class 11 had a strong defense.

The seniors used their height and physical strength to stop every attack.

Arjun passed the ball.

Reyansh dribbled effortlessly between two defenders.

One.

Two.

Three.

The crowd stood up.

"Go, Reyansh!"

He dodged another tackle.

Only the goalkeeper remained.

Without hesitation—

THUD!

The football flew straight into the net.

GOAL!

The entire Class 10 section exploded with excitement.

"REYANSH!"

"CAPTAIN!"

"WHAT A GOAL!"

His teammates rushed toward him.

Arjun hugged him.

"Brilliant!"

But...

Instead of celebrating immediately...

Reyansh turned toward the stands.

His eyes searched for only one person.

He found Aarohi.

She had unconsciously clapped.

The moment she realized what she had done...

She quickly stopped.

Reyansh noticed.

A victorious smirk spread across his face.

He slightly raised one eyebrow as if silently saying—

"Caught you."

Aarohi immediately looked away.

"Why did I clap?"

Mehak noticed everything.

She covered her smile.

"Oh..."

"This is interesting."

The match resumed.

Class 11 wasn't ready to give up.

Within a few minutes...

They managed to equalize.

1 – 1.

Now both sections were cheering even louder.

Reyansh wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Arjun passed him the ball again.

"This one's yours!"

Reyansh sprinted down the wing.

Two defenders chased him.

Another tried to block his path.

He feinted left.

Moved right.

And with incredible speed...

He reached the penalty area.

Without wasting a second—

GOAL!

2 – 1.

The Class 10 section erupted once again.

Students shouted his name.

His teammates celebrated around him.

But Reyansh...

Did the exact same thing.

He looked toward Aarohi.

She sighed dramatically before giving him a tiny, reluctant clap.

He simply smirked.

Then pointed at the scoreboard for a split second.

Almost as if reminding her—

"Class 10 is winning."

Aarohi narrowed her eyes.

"He's doing this on purpose."

Mehak leaned closer.

"He's looking at you after every goal."

Aarohi quickly denied it.

"No, he isn't."

"He literally is."

"He's probably looking at the whole crowd."

Mehak laughed.

"If believing that helps you sleep..."

Aarohi looked away.

Trying very hard not to smile.

The second half began.

The game became even faster.

Class 11 attacked repeatedly.

Their captain nearly scored.

But the goalkeeper made an incredible save.

The ball rolled back toward midfield.

Straight to Reyansh.

Arjun shouted,

"Run!"

He didn't need to be told twice.

Reyansh sprinted across the field.

The crowd rose to its feet.

One defender.

Gone.

Another defender.

Gone.

The goalkeeper stepped forward.

Reyansh calmly chipped the ball over him.

The football bounced once...

Then crossed the goal line.

GOOOOAAALLL!!

Hat-trick.

The ground shook with applause.

Even a few teachers clapped.

Arjun jumped onto Reyansh's back.

"Hat-trick!"

"You genius!"

The Class 10 boys surrounded their captain.

And yet...

The very first thing Reyansh did...

Was turn toward the stands.

He looked directly at Aarohi.

This time...

He didn't just smirk.

He folded his arms proudly...

Then mouthed silently—

"Punishment."

Aarohi's eyes widened.

She instantly remembered.

"If Class 10 wins..."

"You'll have to accept a punishment."

She sighed.

"He remembers everything."

Mehak had read his lips too.

She burst into laughter.

"Oh my God!"

"He actually reminded you during the match!"

Aarohi covered her face with both hands.

"He's impossible."

"I've been saying that since day one."

On the field...

Arjun nudged Reyansh.

"What were you looking at?"

"The scoreboard?"

Reyansh casually replied.

"Hmm."

Arjun looked toward the stands.

Then back at Reyansh.

"The scoreboard has blue eyes now?"

Reyansh looked completely expressionless.

"You're imagining things."

Arjun laughed loudly.

"Sure."

The final whistle blew.

Peeeeep!

Final Score:

Class 10 – 3

Class 11 – 1

The juniors rushed onto the field in celebration.

Their captain had led them to victory.

Students lifted Reyansh onto their shoulders.

The crowd chanted his name.

"REYANSH!"

"REYANSH!"

"REYANSH!"

Yet amidst all the celebration...

His eyes once again searched the crowd.

They found Aarohi.

She smiled softly from the stands and gave him a small clap of appreciation.

Reyansh smiled back—not his usual cocky grin, but a quieter one that lasted only a second before his teammates pulled him back into the celebrations.

And somewhere in the middle of all the cheering...

Aarohi realized something.

She had been watching the match...

But without meaning to...

She had spent most of it watching only one player.

End of Chapter 22 ⚽💙