🎵 Song: Apna Bana Le – Instrumental Version

"The hardest part of a punishment...

isn't following the rules.

It's pretending the winner isn't enjoying every second of it."

The next day...

The entire school was once again buzzing with excitement.

This time...

It wasn't an inter-class tournament.

It was a friendly football practice match between the school football team and the reserve team before the upcoming district selection.

Naturally...

Reyansh Malhotra was leading the main team.

Inside Class 11-A...

Mehak placed her notebook on the desk and looked at Aarohi with an amused smile.

"So..."

Aarohi immediately knew what she meant.

"No."

"I'm not talking about him."

"I didn't even say his name."

"You were about to."

Mehak laughed.

"You know him too well already."

Aarohi looked away.

"I only know that he's impossible."

Just then, the classroom door opened.

A junior from Class 10 stood at the entrance.

"Excuse me, Ma'am."

The teacher nodded.

"Yes?"

"Our football captain asked me to give this to Aarohi Sharma."

Every student in the classroom looked toward Aarohi.

Her eyes widened.

"...Me?"

The boy walked over and handed her a neatly folded sticky note.

Then left.

Mehak immediately leaned closer.

"Open it!"

Aarohi unfolded the note.

Written in neat handwriting was—

Front row.

Day 1.

Don't be late, Tiny Senior.

— R

Mehak slapped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

"Oh..."

"He's serious."

Aarohi sighed dramatically.

"I know."

After the last period...

Students began gathering near the football ground.

The stands slowly filled.

As promised...

Aarohi walked toward the front row.

She looked around nervously.

"What if someone notices?"

Mehak smiled.

"Relax."

"They'll think you're supporting Class 11."

Aarohi wasn't convinced.

On the field...

Reyansh adjusted his captain's armband.

Arjun nudged him.

"You sent a note?"

"Hmm."

"And she came?"

Reyansh looked toward the stands.

There she was.

Front row.

Exactly where he had told her to sit.

A satisfied smirk appeared on his face.

"Told you."

Arjun shook his head.

"She actually listens."

"Because..."

Reyansh casually stretched before the match.

"...a bet is a bet."

The whistle blew.

The practice match began.

Unlike the previous game...

This one was even faster.

Within ten minutes...

Reyansh stole the ball near midfield.

He sprinted down the right wing.

One defender tried to stop him.

Failed.

Another slid toward him.

He easily stepped over the challenge.

The goalkeeper rushed forward.

Without hesitation—

GOAL!

The football struck the back of the net.

The crowd cheered loudly.

Almost automatically...

Aarohi clapped.

Then remembered.

"Wait..."

"This is part of the punishment."

She sighed to herself.

"Why am I even thinking about this?"

Reyansh celebrated with his teammates.

But before high-fiving anyone...

He looked toward the front row.

Toward Aarohi.

He pointed at his ear.

Silently asking—

"Where's my cheer?"

Aarohi looked around.

Nobody seemed to be paying attention.

Very quietly...

She clapped a little louder.

Only then did Reyansh nod in satisfaction before returning to the game.

Arjun noticed everything.

"You're unbelievable."

Reyansh simply grinned.

The match ended with another victory for Reyansh's team.

Students began leaving the ground.

Mehak immediately whispered,

"Come on."

"Let's escape."

Before Aarohi could answer...

Someone blocked their path.

Again.

Mehak looked at the sky dramatically.

"I don't know why I even try."

She quietly walked away.

"I'll wait near the gate."

Aarohi looked at Reyansh.

"You planned this."

"I did."

She folded her arms.

"The match is over."

"It is."

"So?"

"So..."

He smiled.

"I believe someone owes me three words."

She looked around nervously.

"There are people here."

"I know."

"I'm not saying it."

"You have to."

"No."

"Punishment doubles."

She groaned.

"You're blackmailing me."

"I'm reminding you of the rules."

A few students walked past them.

Once they were far enough away...

Aarohi took a deep breath.

She looked at him for exactly one second.

Then quickly looked down.

In the softest voice possible...

"...You were amazing."

"So quietly?"

She looked up in disbelief.

"I said it!"

"I barely heard it."

"You definitely heard it."

"I'd like a proper compliment."

Aarohi sighed.

"This is so embarrassing."

"I know."

"And you're enjoying it."

"A lot."

He leaned a little closer.

"One more time."

She glared at him.

"No."

"I'll count this one."

"Good."

"...because there are still six days left."

Aarohi closed her eyes.

"Why did I agree to that bet..."

Reyansh couldn't stop smiling.

"You look cute when you're annoyed."

Aarohi's cheeks immediately turned pink.

"I'm leaving."

She turned around.

But before she could take more than two steps—

"Senior!"

She stopped.

"What now?"

He folded his arms proudly.

"Day One completed successfully."

She looked back.

"You actually counted it?"

"I'll count every day."

She shook her head with a helpless smile.

"You seriously have too much free time."

"And you..."

He smiled.

"...have six days of punishment left."

As Aarohi walked away toward the school gate...

She couldn't stop smiling to herself.

She tried.

She really did.

But somehow...

That annoying junior always managed to make even a ridiculous punishment feel... strangely fun.

From the corridor balcony above...

Kabir and Anaya watched the scene unfold.

Kabir proudly declared,

"Mission report!"

Anaya immediately stood like a soldier.

"Day One?"

Kabir grinned.

"Successful."

Anaya high-fived him.

"Operation Cupid is ahead of schedule."

Both children burst into laughter...

completely unaware that the real love story had only just begun.

End of Chapter 25 💙⚽