🎵 Song: Jhoome Jo Pathaan – Instrumental Version

"Some victories earn trophies...

Others earn the right...

to tease the person you wanted to impress."

The football ground was still echoing with cheers.

Students from Class 10 had surrounded Reyansh, lifting him onto their shoulders after the spectacular 3–1 victory.

"Captain!"

"Speech!"

"Hat-trick hero!"

Loud whistles and applause filled the air.

Even some teachers couldn't help smiling at the energetic celebration.

After a few minutes...

The crowd slowly began to disperse.

Students congratulated one another before heading back towards their classrooms.

Aarohi and Mehak also stood up from the front row.

"That was actually a really good match."

Mehak admitted.

Aarohi nodded.

"He played... really well."

Mehak looked at her sideways.

"Who?"

Aarohi immediately realized her mistake.

"I-I mean..."

"Class 10."

Mehak folded her arms.

"Sure."

"Class 10."

She purposely emphasized the words, making Aarohi blush.

The two girls had barely reached the corridor leading back to the academic block when someone blocked their path.

Mehak didn't even need to look.

She already knew.

"Speak of the devil..."

she muttered under her breath.

Aarohi slowly looked up.

Reyansh.

His school tie was hanging loosely around his neck.

His sleeves were rolled up.

A few strands of hair had fallen onto his forehead after the match.

There was still a light sheen of sweat on his face.

And...

That familiar confident smirk.

Arjun stood a few steps behind him, already guessing what was about to happen.

Reyansh folded his arms.

"So..."

"My Senior."

Aarohi tried to sound calm.

"...Congratulations."

"Thank you."

He smiled.

"I played well."

"You did."

"And..."

He leaned forward just a little.

"...who won?"

She sighed dramatically.

"You did."

He shook his head.

"No."

"Class 10 won."

She corrected herself.

"Fine."

"Class 10 won."

He smiled even wider.

"Exactly."

Mehak looked at Arjun.

"I think we should leave."

Arjun nodded immediately.

"Definitely."

The two quietly walked a little distance away.

Not too far...

Just enough to give them privacy while still secretly watching.

Reyansh looked back at Aarohi.

"So..."

She already knew what was coming.

"What?"

"Our bet."

Aarohi closed her eyes for a second.

"I knew you'd remember."

"I remember every deal."

She smiled helplessly.

"I lost."

"You did."

"So..."

She folded her arms.

"...what's the punishment?"

Instead of answering...

Reyansh simply looked at her.

Then...

A slow, victorious smirk spread across his face.

Without warning...

He gave her a playful wink.

Aarohi's eyes widened instantly.

Her heartbeat completely lost its rhythm.

"H-He..."

"Did he just wink at me?"

Reyansh couldn't help chuckling at her adorable expression.

He lowered his voice just enough so that only she could hear.

"Be ready for your punishment, Senior."

He paused.

Then added teasingly,

"I'll make sure it's something you'll remember."

Aarohi stared at him in complete silence.

"W-What punishment?"

He placed one finger over his lips dramatically.

"That's a surprise."

"Reyansh..."

"No hints."

"At least tell me when."

He smiled mischievously.

"Soon."

"How soon?"

"You'll find out."

She let out a small, frustrated sigh.

"You're so annoying."

"I know."

"And you're enjoying this."

"A lot."

He admitted shamelessly.

Just then...

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the sports period.

Students hurried back toward their classrooms.

Arjun called out,

"Captain!"

"Hurry up!"

"We'll be late!"

Reyansh looked at Aarohi one last time.

"You have exactly one job."

"What?"

He pointed at her with a teasing smile.

"Don't forget..."

He took a small step backward.

"...you're officially under punishment."

Before she could protest...

He turned around and casually walked away.

Halfway down the corridor...

He suddenly looked back.

Aarohi was still standing exactly where he had left her.

She hadn't moved.

He smiled.

Then casually raised two fingers in a small salute before disappearing around the corner.

The moment he was gone...

Mehak rushed back.

"Oh..."

"My..."

"God!"

Aarohi blinked.

"What?"

"He winked at you!"

Aarohi immediately covered her face.

"Don't say it so loudly!"

"I saw everything!"

"So did half the corridor!"

Aarohi's eyes became as wide as saucers.

"What?!"

Mehak burst into laughter.

"I'm kidding!"

Aarohi let out the breath she had been holding.

"Mehak!"

"You should've seen your face."

"It wasn't funny."

"It was adorable."

A few corridors away...

Arjun walked beside Reyansh with his hands in his pockets.

"So..."

"What punishment are you actually going to give her?"

Reyansh shrugged casually.

"I haven't decided yet."

"You haven't?"

"No."

"I just wanted to see her reaction."

Arjun laughed loudly.

"And?"

Reyansh smiled to himself.

"Worth it."

From the first-floor balcony...

Two familiar little detectives had witnessed everything.

Kabir had come to return a football to the sports room.

Anaya was waiting outside the library for Aarohi.

Both had seen the wink.

Both had heard the words—

"Be ready for your punishment."

Kabir looked at Anaya with sparkling eyes.

"My Bhai is winning."

Anaya folded her arms proudly.

"My Didi was blushing."

The two exchanged a secret high-five.

Another successful day for...

Operation Cupid.

As Aarohi walked back toward her classroom...

Only one sentence echoed inside her mind.

"Be ready for your punishment, Senior."

She had absolutely no idea...

What Reyansh Malhotra was planning.

But knowing him...

It definitely wouldn't be simple.

End of Chapter 23 💙⚽