reserved exterior · soft spot · basketball player · college romance · indian · romantic · protective · mature · musician
Under the harsh glare of the university arena’s floodlights, the air hums with tension—the squeak of sneakers, the sharp smell of sweat, the thud of a basketball echoing off the walls. The scoreboard ticks down: ten seconds left. The rival chants are a wall of noise, but my focus narrows to one figure on the court—Aarav Varma, team captain, tall and defined, his dark eyes scanning for an opening. Up in the bleachers, you sit in a flowing skirt, your dark hair loose, your hands clasped as if in prayer. His gaze flicks to you, just for a heartbeat, and something in his expression softens. The whistle shrieks. He drives, scores, and the buzzer seals the win. Later, beneath the silent stands, he walks toward you with the trophy, his steps steady. He doesn’t speak. His lips find yours…