When tears dry up; all that is left behind are regrets.

'I need to be alone.'; Jun remembered those words of Xian as he had pleaded in a coarse voice. And he knew to give some semblance to Xian, he had to leave.

Subconsciously, Jun traced his own wrist and closed his eyes remembering a poem he read long ago; 'Scars that are deep often cannot be seen. When two souls meet; one cries and the other pleads.'

"Hello."

Jun was brought back from his melancholic thoughts and peered up to see it was Xian's sister.

Sahara was instantly on alert and at Jun's command, she eased next to him.

"Ms. Wang."

Jun was about to move when Kiara smiled and gestured him to stay. "Please be seated. And you can call me Kiara. Ms. Wang sounds way too official."

Jun gave her a polite smile as he continued to trace Sahara's mane.

"She's really pretty. What's her name and breed?"

"This is Sahara. Tibetan Mastiff."

"Can I touch her?"

Giving Sahara a scratch Jun shook his head, "You need to let her come to you. Once she is comfortable and allows you to approach, that would be an ideal situation to touch her."

"Has she always been with you?"

"I have had Sahara since she was a pup. She was a rescue. Her mother was owned by a breeder and did not treat her pups well. This beautiful girl was the only one who survived from the lot. The rescuers got in touch with me and the moment I laid my eyes on her, my soul knew she was meant to live with me. Now she is 6 years old."

"Seems you gravitate towards troubled souls Mr. Lan."

Jun did not miss her innuendo. Kiara had clearly indicated his understanding towards Xian and he did not with to deny that either.

Giving up his seat, even though there were many empty ones, Jun felt a bit odd sitting there idly and not being productive.

"Ms... Kiara; would you like coffee or tea? Dinner is almost ready but if you wish; I can get something light for you to munch?"

Nodding, Kiara answered with seriousness, "Beer."

Jun stopped in his tracks and glanced at the women sitting on his vacant seat.

"..."

Laughing out loudly she winked, "Don't mind me Mr. Lan; I am just joking. Tea would be great."

Shaking his head Jun sighed softly, "It seems to run in the family."

"Ah yes! We are weird that way."

With a small smile Jun made his way back to the kitchen and brought out his personal favourite, Indian Masala Chai.

"Wow! This smells lovely." Taking a sip, Kiara's eye instantly widened with pleasent surprise. "It's taste like piece of heaven too."

Nodding his head Jun took a sip of his tea too. Indeed piece of heaven.

"How is Xian?"

At Kiara's enquiry, Jun gazed into her sincere eyes and answered, "Professionally he is good-" Taking a pause, he wasn't sure if he could ask the next question. But for Xian to improve he needed some answers.

"Please don't hesitate. What was it that you wanted to ask?" This question was raised from behind. Glancing back, Jun and Kiara were surprised to see it was JC.

Jun did not miss JC softly taking Kiara's hand in his as he sat by her side.

"To be honest, when Xian started practicing with me, I was surprised to see such an honest player. He has this passion burning within him. A strong sportsmanship. It got me to think; why a man like him was suspended from playing?

"Whenever we practiced, he usually is calm and collected. But, there's something holding him back. A sense that he wasn't playing his full potential. It seemed like whenever he was on the rink, a part of him didn't want to be there. Brother Chen had forwarded me all of Xian's pre-recorded games. I started watching them and was astound to see a huge change in the way of his playing style."

Placing both his forearms on his knees, Jun leaned forward and asked JC, "Did something happen few months ago with Xian? Did someone suggest that he change the way he tended the goal?"

There was an instant change in Kiara and JC's demeanor. They both quickly glanced at eachother, nodded and sought Jun's eyes. But it was JC who answered, "To my knowledge no one made any such suggestions. But, yes. There is something that happened with Xian. Ki and I believe it has got something to do with him personally and not professionally."

As suspected.

"Well whatever it is; it has affected Xian professionally too. He wasn't an aggressive player before. His play has changed and even though it had been good for your team in the past, his style does not have much scope.

"Two things I can foresee. One of which has already occured. The other team instigated Xian and he was suspended. Two, it will burn him out. He won't be able to tend for much longer. Aggressiveness; is not Xian. He is-" Jun paused again. He wanted to say the word humble. But wasn't aware if it would be appreciated.

"He is?" Kiara prodded and Jun smiled. "He is anything but aggressive. If Xian wishes to really improve, then he has to give up on all his previous inhibitions. I don't know what they are; but he has immense potential to raise up."

"Mr. Lan." JC always had an admiration for the retired player. No one had known the reason for him hanging up his skates, but now it was out there for them to look and admire the battles Mr. Lan had fought.

"Thank you. I do agree with you. He is an amazing player but has lost the will to play. I truly don't know the details, he never did share, but I do know that whatever ordeal took place few months ago, has changed my brother. It isn't just on rink but there are at times off rink too Xian has been aggressive. Is there a way to bring his passion back?"

Jun pondered over this question and suggested, "I want you to join us tomorrow while we practice. I need your expertise to egg him. We need to bring out his pain and anger. I need to witness them. Can you help us out?"

"Of course. Anything."

"Alright. Tomorrow morning be ready. It will help me see what is Xian's actual issue."

With a smile, a plan was made. The only thing left was to execute it.

"Xian!"

Watching Miron cross the road with bouquet of flowers in his hand; Xian grinned, "What's all this?"

"For you. Beautiful flowers for a beautiful man."

Xian blushed. He wanted to hold Miron's hand. Kiss his cheeks and hug him silly. But he knew that was a risk the two of them couldn't afford to take and be caught in any scandals. Especially Miron who was still in under league club.

"Do you have anything planned for this evening Xian?"

"No. Why?"

"Well how about we go clubbing?"

"Clubbing?"

Giving Xian a broad smile made the younger man look absolutely adorable and it made his heart melt.

"Yes please! I haven't been to any sort of clubbing before; and I have heard your country's nightlife is great. Please-" tiptoeing; Miron seductively whispered in Xian's ears, "Wei Ge..."

Feeling his hot breath in his ears, Xian closed his eyes and groaned.

"One condition!"

"What's that?"

"Don't loiter around. Be with me at all times. It would hurt me to see your hurt."

Giving Xian a seductive smile, Miron looked around and found no one paying any attention to them. With a wink he quickly kissed Xian's jaw and whispered back, "Wei Ge... Miron promises to be with you and only you."

Xian knew the younger man was too adorable to be refused. He was also sure that tonight, he would ask Miron to be his partner. He couldn't wait to love someone with all his heart.

Netminder: Goalkeeper