Luckily my speed wasn't too much otherwise the guy I hit would have had quite a flight before landing.

Or may be not a guy...

***********

"Hey!"
I couldn't resist those eyes.
Those dark brown depths were looking directly into my soul.

Her cheeks turned red and she turned around to run away. I could see she was hiding her smile.

"Hey miss!"
I called her again. Louder this time.

She stopped but didn't turn back.
I walked up to her and stood in front of her.

"I'm really sorry I didn't see you."
She looked up with thick eyelashes hooding her eyes.
There was a devious smile on her face. It was irking me because she thought I hit her intentionally which was not true. I was glad that it happened, but it wasn't true. And I don't know why I was hellbent on talking it out with her.

She nodded a yes as an acceptance to my apology but continued smirking.

Comeon! Say something!
Suddenly the only thing I wanted at that moment was to hear her voice.
Realising that she was not going to speak up herself, I decided to take the matter in my own hands.

"I'm Ja...."
Some sense kicked into my brain not to give away my identity. But it disappeared as soon as it came. I was about to blurt out my complete name like a six year old.

"J?"
Her voice sounded like a melody and her laughter following that was a music I never wanted to stop listening to.
I felt like I'm ready to make a fool of myself just to make this woman laugh.

"That sounds good. Call me J."
"Okay J. Next time you walk on the streets, please let others own them too."
She punched me with her words.
Sassy! I fucking like that!

"I'll name every street after you, if you let me."
She raised her eyebrows.

"Smoothest anyone ever asked my name."
She sounded amused and I felt proud.

"Yet again, that was not my intention. But a name would help me remember this street for lifetime."
This came right out of my heart.

"Merlen."
She said after a short tense pause.

"Merlen."
I repeated after her just to feel how did it sound. It sounded lovely even in my hoarse broken croaky voice.

"Merlen."
I repeated in a deeper voice.

"Why are you saying my name again and again?"
"You have any idea how beautiful your name is?"
I asked her genuinely.

Her face was red now.
"Is this your reserved statement or I'm the first one you're trying this with?"
She laughed defending herself from my attempts to get in her space.

"If you don't like it, I'll put a mirror in front of you and say 'Merlen' from behind it. You'll know that I'm not lying."
I said in a voice I never knew I had.

She looked at me with a serious look on her face. Like she was starting to believe me involuntarily.

And I felt on top of the world.
When did I become like this?
Who even is she?
What if she is an agent?
What are you fucking doing James? Get your shit together!

My face must have given away what was holding me back because she composed herself too.

"Nice meeting you, Mr.... J."
She said and started walking away.

I waited for a few moments, trying to hold myself back. It took everything in me but I couldn't do anymore.
"Merlen?"
I called her out afraid that I'll never see her again if I don't open my mouth right now.

She stopped and turned back suddenly, surprised at her own move.
It felt like she was holding herself back too.

"See you here again at Merlen Street tomorrow? Same time?"
I pleaded her.

She laughed loudly.
"I'll think about it, J."
She said and ran away laughing.

Oh Merlen.
I think I'm never getting tired playing this name on repeat.

I turned around with the memories of her deep brown eyes and melodious voice.
I couldn't wait for tomorrow.

Taking the turn and I jogged some distance back to find Neil fallen on the ground.
What a sight!

I went and offered him a hand snickering.
He slapped it away in anger.

God such a child!
"Alright fine. I'm sorry I didn't keep an eye on you, baby girl! Now get the hell up."
I teased him just enough to kick his ass and that worked.

He pulled himself up using my hand and punched my shoulder.
I scoffed at his move and ushered him to lead.

I must have had the constant smile on my lips that he didn't miss.

"Hey wackadoo!"
He said looking at me top to bottom.

"What is that even supposed to mean?"
"One with an unusually strange behaviour."
He said shrugging his shoulders.

"Just freaking curse me, Neil. Please, I beg you. I can't keep expanding my vocabulary with decent words that are anyways meant to insult me, just because you don't know bad words."
I said as we took off slowly this time.

"A coach doesn't play, that doesn't mean he doesn't know how to play." he replied curtly.

"You mean you know bad words?"
I exclaimed like a four year old.
Damn I was inviting trouble being so savage.

"My vocabulary is thrice as big as yours. I choose not to use the curse words. Don't make me start otherwise it will rain on you like sh- Yeah. Don't make me."

He sounded serious so I had to shut my mouth.
"Okay fine. You're a monk."
I said and got a smack on my head.

"Why don't we show our moves on the mat?"
I challenge him and he looked back at me interested.

His cramp was forgotten and we raced to reach the Gym.
Guess who won?

-----

I felt so alive I could punch the bag non stop for hours straight!
Our sparring began as soon as we touched the mat. The adrenaline in my veins was only rising and I swear I saw Neil getting frustrated when he was unable to break my defence, forget placing a single good punch.

I imagined Merlen standing in one corner and looking at me.
I brought my hand up and caught Neil's flying fist before it could reach my face. I was still looking at Merlen's image who now looked impressed with me.

I scoffed and turned around to face Neil.
"What's gotten into you?"
It was no surprise that he caught the change in me.
"You'll get the answer if you beat me."
I said. He must have sensed my confidence because he looked at the spot I was looking at and exhaled loudly.

Then he turned back to me and we started again.

We've been going on for past twenty minutes and after a long run, it was impossible to stand on two feet. I have no clue how I sparred that great.

His lips kissed my foot when my kick was placed right and his face dragged his whole body back, falling with a thud.
I hovered over him with a smile.

But it's not Neil if he doesn't make a come back.
He kicked my shin hard.
I slipped sideways and fell right next to him.
He didn't move or tackle me into any lock. He knew we were done.

We both laid breathless without a word for a few minutes.
He was the first to sit up.
"What's her name?" he asked annoyed.
Again. No surprise that he understood I'm whipped.

"Merlen."
I said her name for 148th time since I met her.

"Merlen? Like a bird?" he asked me.
"Like a bird?" I asked myself.

"That's even cuter!" I laughed at the thought of asking her the same question and getting a sassy reply back.

"God! You're smitten!"
Neil said slapping my head with the back of his hand and getting up.

"Don't bring her to the fights. You'll be a monster. Just her imagination turned you into a rabid mouse."
He said and I laughed loudly.

"Then where should I take her tomorrow?"
I asked still looking at the roof.

He suddenly turned around and looked at me in disbelief.
"A date already? For how long did you guys talk today?"
"184 seconds. Plus nine if you count when she turned back after leaving once."

"Holy Christ."
Neil looked up at the roof too.
But I'm sure we looked up for different reasons.

"Who is she?"
"I know nothing except her name. But now I want to know everything!"
My heartbeats were still high.

"Don't tell her everything about yourself instead, you stupid lovestruck kid!"
Neil said getting up and walking out while I laid back thinking about her.

************************************

Told you guys love's in the air! 😁
James is SMITTEN! Prove me wrong.
And oh my Merlen!

************************************

I wrote this chapter literally months back and have been DYING to publish it for you guys to read.
TELL ME EVERYTHING YOU FEEL!

(We all know how it ends, so don't let that spoil your feelings right now.)

(And yeah, her name was Esmie in 50PM. It has been changed. In case you still want to go and read it, check out Ch82 NickNWills.)

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I know the flights in your heads have taken off. So tell me what all comes up in your mind. Who knows you're thinking of something you'll be reading soon?
😂😂