dedicated to Life_goes_on 823

Chapter 26

Influences Of The Upbringing

I might have closed my eyes but I couldn't sleep. With thousand of unanswered questions and emotions in Shyna's eyes where I would only see pain and hurt earlier, all I could feel was remorse.

Being a guy I feel like asking

Why?

Why so brutal?

Why so much of desperation?

Is $ex the only thing in life?

Why steal when it is available in bloody whore houses?

Why aren't men taught to treat a girl like a princess?

Who should be blamed?

Can they be termed as MEN who rape?

Yeah she said she regretted going to a place where she shouldn't have gone but that was enough a crime for such a severe punishment?

I couldn't keep my eyes closed and when I felt her stiff body loosen, I knew she'd finally drifted to sleep.

But sleep had become antonym to my eyes.

I know I wasn't the wrong one in that. I am not the one responsible but then who is?

Shall she be left alone in her turmoil, to fight her own afflictions?

No I couldn't do that.

I need to help her, not as my coach, or my sports psychologists nor as a friend but I need to help her because I am a human being and we human beings are indebted to our fellow men right from the day we share our space on this earth, from the day we share the color of blood in our veins.

Aren't we taught saving of resources for our future generations though we all know future is the most uncertain.

And when I am alive here with This girl who needs help more than anybody else I cannot close my eyes.

I need to help her. I will..

But how????

This was a very big question and a very dynamic step to be taken.

Born with a silver spoon I had every thing a person needs to live a healthy and luxurious life.

Hell!!!! I had loads more than that but now this girl has given a definite goal to my life.

I know it is my dream to become a World Champion in basket ball but that is my materialistic dream and I am going to get it provided Shyna is with me.

I know it is a bit naïve but something in my instinct strongly believes that Shyna is the one who is going to lead me to my destination provided she is on right track

So bringing Shyna's life on the right track is my spiritual goal. Yes the right word is 'Spiritual goal'

I feel a little taken aback at my thoughts, spiritual- I was talking about morals; moral science the most ignored subject of my school but still I want to do this thing for my self, my personal self or you can say my spiritual self but how?

Then I remember my pre teens, my first moral mistake and the way my mom handled it.

 I knew never to cross boundaries again.

It was Marc's 16th birthday and from today he was allowed to watch R rated movies and our parents being frank and friendly did encourage him to watch the same with the bunch of his friends of similar age group.

I was instructed to stay in my room since I was yet to kiss my teens next month. But the curiosity of a forbidden act is very tenacious, I couldn't help but peep into the room and see what was happening in the video that my brother and his friends were keen to watch at.

 Add to it teasing by a rival sibling addressing me as a mama's baby added to the desperation.

I stood there watching the porns while my body was also reacting, instantaneously I knew what I was doing was wrong but doesn't one enjoy doing something that is wrong

 Just like the bitter taste of dark chocolate is tempting

I'd never experience the hardness ever and what was happening with my prudent organ was not only embarrassing but also painful.

Appalled by my bodily reactions, I felt even guiltier when mom caught me blatantly and projected her looks of disappointment.

Ashamed of not abiding the rules and instruction and scared of the severe punishment which was as bad as sleeping in the foyer without a blanket on a cold winter day, I ran to my  room and hid beneath the covers pretending asleep.

'''''

Next morning I hesitantly went downstairs at the dinning table waiting for the punishment, a scream, a yell, a lecture even spanking.

But what came was the queerest of the reaction by my mother. She acted normal, absolutely normal as if last night did not happen.

She greeted me 'morning as usual, she even cooked my favorite French toast in breakfast. I actually felt that I wasn't caught doing the act, last night didn't happen at all.

I gradually started believing that it did not happen.

 Years later when I  was about to celebrate the prime of my  teens, my parents shared the experience and did say that they were proud of me and now I was mature enough to share my  dad's shoes

Likewise I wanted Shyna to assume, pretend or believe that last night did not happen. Ofcourse we two are grown ups and deep inside the truth is carved but that way we both can still share the same relationship. We can be great friends who deep inside held great deal of respect for each other,

Confirmed about the decision I woke up early before her and with a perspective to clean my thoughts that were filled with all the nightmares which were nothing but the replica of what Shyna had been through.

To clean those thoughts I did what I preferred or was sickly obsessed to do.

I cleaned the room, put the clothes to laundry, settled things on place and when the sun was right at the window smiling at the horizon, I pushed open the curtains letting the brightness fall on Shyna's face. It was time for her to start a new day, a new life.....

How much so I adored the careless, carefree contented sleeping face of Shyna, I couldn't afford to leave her alone in the room while I go for my fitness; neither could I stay here in the room.

Had I done that, I would surely be extirpated from the team and participating in the league was not only important for my career and my dream but was also important for my new goal. I wanted to spend the whole month with Shyna and in that duration, I wanted to do anything and everything to keep away from her past even if it included in distracting her and getting my work done from her. I wouldn't mind that.

She only pulled covers on her face when the sharp rays of the sun pecked her beautiful face.

I now knew how to wake her up so I used the in-house kettle and worked my skills in making a strong coffee which I knew was the first thing that she'd prefer in the morning.

I tried to behave as normal as I could with her.

And when I asked her to have coffee, she blinked her eyes, twice, trice and a lot more time trying to register if she was awake or it was a dream or if last night didn't happen at all.

Glorified by my victory of pretending act I stepped on plan two as I commanded her in an envelope of request saying "I want your help. Had a rough day yesterday and am not feeling fresh even after a long night's sleep. What do I do?"

I knew the answer and the remedy she was going to offer about meditating before I left for my fitness training.

"I tried Shyna when you were asleep but it's not helping, I am not able to focus. Can you join in with me please..." I begged.

She let out a deep breath knowing I was not going to budge. Also I could feel gratitude in her eyes and soft speech for me not starting the topic of her past, she agreed to join in.

I knew she'd never do it for herself.

Though she'd studied psychology and she knew that it would help but she never used it for herself and I knew why because she did not want to. She was hurting herself or punishing herself for the deeds of others.

We were refreshed with a small session of meditation in which Shyna played some other classical piece of music which was a blend of couple of instrument and I felt relaxed and rejuvenated as I reached the grounds with Shyna who joined with the team for the fitness.

There was a bit of bullying initially by the mates but they had tasted my wrath earlier so it soon subsided when we remained unaffected by it.

And as soon as Coach Malco entered the field Shyna exited herself settling with her earpods to listen to the music.

I kept staring glances at her and she understood but when I couldn't stop worrying any further, I thought of occupying her with some tasks that she was good at.

I asked her to find details of the teams that we were supposed to play, the best players in the team, last years winners and if possible I asked her to download youtube links of the teams and the players if possible.

Something that could keep her busy....

After a hectic day, all the team mates reached the dining hall only to make disgusted looks of the boiled food served by the organizers. The food might have been perfect and well balanced a diet required for all the players but today I wasn't just in for it.

Skipping dinner last night and having same nourishing, healthy for a sportsman diet was making me sick and Shyna besides who was also skipping most of the stuff served settling for mere soup and dinner rolls switched on the idea bulb that was flickering in my head.

"Have you ever bunked classes in your high school?" I asked her smirking at the naughty rebellious thought running in my head. She bit her lips smiling like a nun who'd been caught with a candle in her hand outside the washroom and admitted whispering in my ears "I once missed my school and went to watch 'Step Up' with my friends lying to the teacher that one of the friends house was on fire and her parents being out of town. The prank was completed by they themselves calling the school reception office through the mobile phone they had hidden in their socks; switched off from the restrooms.

I was on the edge listening to the funniest narration in a very sincere note by Shyna.

'Wow! So she was a normal teenage girl before the incident happened in her life' I thought to myself.

The best part being they were caught by one of the faculties who was on a maternity leave for the duration and had been to the same theatre for the same movie

 Bipolar teachers!!

Forwarded the complaint to the principal on good grounds that though she was not teaching them but was concerned for A+ scoring students of the school.

Shyna then went to the principle with puppy dog eyes telling that the friend's house was so quite and empty that they felt it was some kind of conspiracy of that fake caller who called up the school and was scared that he might gate crash and maybe kidnap them.

 For heavens sake!! They were only 16.

 So they thought of going to a crowded place where they were safe and ofcourse with seating capacity of more than 60 persons, a theatre was supposed to be the safest place in town.

Confident that we could crack this time too, both me and Shyna went out of the premises hunting for a diner where food was not compelled to be pushed inside the foodpipe.

Being resided in outskirts of the main city the only diner at the closest vicinity was the one in the resort which was multi-cuisine and had delicacies all over the world.

Reaching there was quite an adventure as we had to take lifts from three different people and the last one being the most hilarious one when Shyna popped her handbag in her pants acting as a pregnant girl who was desperately in need of water.

Poor truck driver not only offered her water but also with the parcel of fruits that his wife had packed for him.

I liked this swapped carefree and smiling Shyna.

Hungry Shyna too pounced on the take away and ate like there was no tomorrow.

But being as good as she is she took him to the resort and got a parcel packed for him before sending him off.

The return was not bad as they had there own cabs with chauffer to drop us at the destination where another challenge was waiting for us.

Being the club we were to abide the rules and regulations as a participant of the league and one of the rule being Doors Closed by 9:00 and it was by 9:30 by the time we reached back to the club.

A lot of convincing, begging and bribing turned to be futile when the guard with Asian accent of English and huge curled up moustaches from the ends did not let us in, Shyna bit her lip again and pulled my hand taking me behind the club which was a huge fenced wall.

"This on the second floor with no lights is our room" Shyna informed.

"Wow! It looks beautiful from over here." I mocked.

"Shut up" she said hitting me on my shoulders.

"Ouuch" she is strong man even the slightest hurts.

"We have to jump across to reach." She suggested.

"And how do you ought to do that?" I folded my hands.

She shrugged moving ahead ignoring me and giving looks that said that I was being obnoxious.

"Can you jump?" she asked.

I answered positively enacting small bungy jumps.

She sighed irritated at my behaviour but I was actually enjoying the whole out of the house for whole night trapped open in the streets with a girl but Shyna was taking it seriously.

Can you hop skip n jump. You can take a push with my hands, she said observing and studying the wall.

"Shyna I don't know about you but I have eaten enough I cannot jump." I said remembering that she hardly touched the food. I did force her but she said she was done eating.

The sadistic part being when I asked her how she can have an appetite as low as hers and how she'd survive?

Her answer made me chew my tongue and my heart bleed when she said that those five months that she'd been with those monsters they hardly fed her and kept her only on juices gradually she'd lost her appetite and never fancied eating after that.

The whole 'fun was converted into a serious zone when I cut the thickness with one of my petty jokes when the waitress offered me her number and I ate the tissue paper itself telling her all I fancied then was food for my stomach was growling, luckily my stomach growled at the moment giving exact sound effects.

Shyna could not help but stifle a laugh.

"Okay thene  keep your hands like this and stand close to the wall" she said taking me close to the huge wall that separated us and the building of our room.

She explained how to intertwine the fingers and make a grip, fold half my right knee and hold myself firmly to the ground.

I did not realize that without being aware what she was doing I was responding to her instructions.

She then moved away from me, did the fastest sprint and stepped on my folded palms and took a strong push and away she flew.

I was dazed looking around where did she go. Seeing no signs of her around it took me a bit of while to register that she'd taken a push and jumped across the wall, the thud noise that I heard after she disappeared was due to her fall on the ground. Hope she did not hurt herself in doing the adventurous act.

I was walking around in the dark night learning the surrounding which seemed to be a little too lonely with wild shrubs and weeds around, huge grass that wasn't attended too since the rains and the steely noises of little insects around intensified the night.

I walked to and fro wondering if Shyna would return or simply hop on to the bed forgetting that I am around here since I wasn't interested in all the petty plans she was planning to enter the domain.

Whispers of my name made me look up where I saw all my denims and trousers knotted together to make one robe big and strong enough for me to climb but still to short for me to reach.

I tried to jump and reach but in vain.

The buzzing of my mobile brought out the worst fears in me.

What if it was our coach?

Did he actually found out that we went missing?

Did Shyna seek his help to let me in?

All the thoughts scurrying into my useless brain when I picked up the call without checking the name flashing on it

"You moron, don't you think you should hurry, the night guard is on a round." Shouted Shyna at the other end of the phone and the wall too.

I too sprinted to take a huge jump and leapt to the hanging leg of my favorite ripped jeans.

Damn she's going to pay for this, my favorite denims!!!

It wasn't that easy to climb that wall on those legs of my trousers hanging around as Shyna might have thought as I ended up with few bruises on my arms, elbows and knees but not bad enough to affect the game.

Once I reached the top of the wall, I celebrated for my half way victory only to be cursed by Shyna who was waiting with a huge ladder, and cursing at me to hurry up.

I tried but with the hogging I had done.

Now don't just blame me, I am a man and I need to eat!!!

I never knew about this no entry after 9:30 rule and now even though am trying but its difficult still I managed to reach the huge stairs that Shyna was holding standing under it.

Even in the times of dismay when my whole self was in a danger of tripping, I couldn't help myself but admire the way she had joined in my trousers and tied them to one of the pillars at the top of the wall that was a mere extension to hold lamps but since it was constructed with concrete products it was strong enough to hold me.

I climbed down the stairs and was welcomed by a shrieking whistling noise. The night guard had come in the arena and had even noticed us. With that thick rod in one hand and the noisy irritating whistle pressed in his mouth he was multitasking blowing the whistle, hurrying towards us, obviously running moving his round beer belly as he ran and moving his stick animatedly ready for a strike.

"Oh shit!" Shyna mumbled and climbed the stairs quickly pulling the jeans from the pillar, not bothering if she tore of the one which she'd tried of with the pillar and did a huge long jump to reach down, not bothering to use the stairs.

I couldn't help but stare at her admiringly.

She shrugged her head obviously irritated and held my hand making me run to god knows where..

Sprinting to god knows how many corridors and then finally reaching our room, she was smart enough to leave the door open and pushed the gate crashing in the bed and me to follow on top of her.

I could touch every inch and ell of her body and feel her heartbeats pacing with mine with the fastest run of my life added on the fear of getting caught by that bearded night guard.

I looked at her face which was deprived off the scar now, the pain that was decked on it now gone and her eyelashes closed but disheveling as she was breathing heavy due to the run, her lips parted as she was drawing in huge breaths panting, curls of blond kissing her face tempting me to push them behind her ears but close proximity of her was so tempting that I balled my hands into fists looking at her relaxed face.

The relaxation of escaping the guard was there but there was calmness on her face which had ejected her past memories with the small adventurous skill that she'd displayed. I was shocked to notice that she even took care of getting all my trousers back; extremely good presence of mind otherwise we'd have been caught as my trousers would have been eventually recognized.

Then all of a sudden she opened her eyes, her enchanting goldens looking back at me and then I knew I was gone, she's going back to one of fierce self and yell at me.

Instead what she did was otherwise....

Am I dreaming?

I might have fallen and hurt on my head and now I am assuming things.

God I need a psychiatrist!!!

No I am not overreacting.

Shyna has each and every part of her body stuck to mine and she is laughing.

Her soft laughter felt like melody in my ears.

"That was a narrow escape." She commented.

"You bet." I answered back with an honest laugh.

"Water?" she asked.

"No." I said "I want to sleep. Is it okay with you?" I meant like last night and she understood.

She shifted a bit forward letting me some space. I made myself comfortable on my pillow and she went on hers.

"I saw them coming here"

"No there is nobody here."

"I am sure"

"Check this room the only one with lights on" was the commotion we heard from outside. We looked at each other grinning and held each others hands for a while amused equally at the whole escape thing and finally I put my hands on her waist making myself comfortable, strangely she did not reject and went off to sleep.

Shyna's pov

'Ooommmph' I feel like I have laughed for the first time. I cannot believe with what is happening with me.

I thought life had given up upon me but these days rather today it was such that I wasn't Shyna, my life had changed, the Lords above were tired of adding agonies to them; though for a while but I lived that while fully.

I felt weird when David behaved normally in the morning. He made me feel with his behavior that last night did not happen at all. I too wanted to believe that it did not happen at all. I want to believe that those months did not happen at all in my life.

Gosh!!!! I would give any thing, any damn thing to erase that memories or that portion out of my life.

But I needed to tell him, to slap that reality on his face incase he takes any wrong notions from it or thinks I am easily available since I am a dirty thrash so I put my past incidents in my conversations. Almost like slapping the reality to his face.

He seemed to be pained on hearing how they underfed me during the days I was in their custody or you can say trapped in their personal dungeon.

I never wanted anybody; let David alone to know about my past. I had tried to successfully hide it from people around.

Rather I do not have people around except for the gym trainer and Rob who was just a kid when I first met him and now he is grown to a handsome man. But somehow he never made me feel uncomfortable in his presence. He's been typical professional stuck to his job especially he being the sole bread earner of the family. I know how he got trapped amongst the group of Bad boys- future gangsters but my coach spotted his fighting skills and introduced him to me.

At tender age of 16 when he was all into stealing and drug dealings, he was introduced to me and I paid him well to teach me bike riding and after that he realized the value and delight of money earned by good source.

Now Davidson whom I had always hated, not really as I was studying his skills and temperament in sports for my sports psychology but I always hated when he pushed me hard to be normal or tried to talk to me.

His grays are like x-ray machines that can penetrate deep into my soul and learn everything from it.

That probably was the reason I tried to avoid him, tried to be fierce and angry with him. He even backed away at times only to return back with full impact.

Yesterday he provoked me, he insisted rather ignited the tiny sparks into blazing flames of fire making me pour out deadliest of the secrets that were killing me inside.

I had no idea why he was behaving the way he did day before yesterday with the worst of his performance both in fitness and in the game too.

Now I realize that when I went to help him by fetching water for him, being the curios one, he checked my lap top accessing to Angel's site.

Unfortunately he missed the Home page ending up to the most remorse part of the site which is not only creepy but scary too.

His anxiety as usual the kind of person he is couldn't be controlled and he ended up forcing me and seeking answers to the questions that hurt him instead.

He was the one to be blamed as he forced me into it.

I tried to avoid, I honestly did. With such huge event on the cards, the promising game and fitness level that he adorns, I am sure the most evitable 'position in the Olympics was a sure; my truth or my past might have ruined it all. He might have lost his focus.

Had he faced the crude reality normally, he would have loathed me, hated my dirty self or might have wondered why I did not end up committing suicide.

Wasn't he scared that the girl he saved would eventually commit suicide on the day he was suspected for the murder???

The way he reacted was a shock albeit surprise to me. Strangely enough he did not even show signs of sympathy and that too makes him earn a huge amount of respect from me

I was all set to pack my bags and go back to face my Mother and dad....

But I guess he has a different agenda when his quotient of feelings and reactions are concerned.

Even when I started the topic again today very swiftly he diverted the topic making me feel that I did not utter those words at all.

Little does he know that I am going to remind him of my trash reality again and again. I am not going to let him forget and assume that everything is normal because nothing is nor it can ever be.....

Now as he rests his hand on my waist, I am really shocked that I am okay and not feeling any repulsion with his touch.

I did not deny him sleeping in the bed because with the events of the day I think he needs rest so as to perform well tomorrow, to continue his mark in Malco's good books which is a much needed thing for his dream to become a star basket ball player.

I tried to lift his hand but he is not ready to do it mumbling some words "No please I feel comfortable...

I too feel scared...

I am equally vulnerable" in his sleep.

I never heard him sleep talk but today I guess he is too tired as he repeats again when I ask him to get aside as he says "sshh... they are here... go to sleep" reminding me of my mom who'd put me to sleep while I was young saying "Sssh... boogie man is here ... go to sleep."

I smile again thanking honestly to the guy who is sleeping with a hug; a kind of hug as his hand rests on my waist and his face hidden on the crook of my neck using my shoulder as a pillow for reminding me for one of the fondest memories of my life with my mom when I felt home and safe with her.

When I thought life is all about love, chocolates, fairies, dolls, friends and family and nothing else but only evil being Boogie man who'd come only if I do not sleep on time.

The irony being the real life Boogie man in my life was not any animated huge green colored character as I visualized earlier but they were humans like us.

David shifts in his place again making me look at his cute and innocent face and all my bad memories are erased when he says still sleeping "You can sleep. They are gone."

I smile again and get comfortable as I honestly enjoy the heat emanating from his body and go to sleep not disturbing him again so that he has a peaceful rest and fresh in the morning.

He is been extreme nice to me these days and I give the name of sympathy to his cordiality. Why else would a jock like him pay so much attention and time to a broken girl like me?

I however do not put too much of my brains into or you can say David keeps me thoroughly occupied through out the day making me do errands like getting important videos upload, looking for online tests for management studies and study material for the same.

He purposely forgets his bag in the room and with his puppy dog eyes requests/ pleads and begs me to get it. I know he is doing all that to keep me occupied from odd jobs and not to get lost in my past.

I gritted my teeth in frustration when last evening he made me clean the whole room. Damn his hygiene and cleanliness phobia!!!! While he went for a cold water shower in the washroom. I resisted my strong urge to push him deep in the tub and let his lungs and heart choke with excessive water.

I purposely made havoc in his cupboard so as to avoid the task to be repeatedly assigned to me.

But as expected he spent another half an hour each day to clean that mess I had explicitly created in his wardrobe.

He would smile and nod his neck in amusement every time he'd see the mess.

We have been going for dinner everyday to some resort or the other as the coach did not fail to remark David that his performance was excellent and he even hinted that the outside food was doing wonders. He even added that he should be careful next time not to be caught clarifying the fact that he breathes under his nose and is not oblivion to either of his players.

David was holding his breath all the while the coach was encountering him about the mess we'd done last night and I watched him smirking.

Yes I have learnt and noticed that the coach likes him far too much to restrict him from the team.

I guess the stunt he did the other day when I went missing of showing his team work made him his favorite.

I do observe him appreciating with the eye of a coach; the potential of a best player in the future.

Tomorrow is the first match and as excited he should be I see him fiddling with the ball for the first time. His focus is clear, he is running well in the courts too but he seems to be restless inside. After the practice and fitness was all over when I picked all the bags eager to go to the restaurant.

Yeah!!! I was feeling hungry or you can say I was so bored of watching hot guys lifting their asses that I wanted a break but he stopped me pleading with his eyes to wait.

I sighed and sat back watching his perfect body moving criss cross on the courts and then he sprinted towards the basket and threw the ball on the basket.

He threw his fists in the air encouragingly.

I too gave a small clap when he looked at me with a smile that of a boy who has been recently gifted with the latest version of a toy sports car.

After repeated basketing for almost an hour, once satisfied with his performance he left the courts. His passion and love for the game is commendable.

The best part of the day would be when we'd return to the room after dinner we'd sit on the bed and he'd share his teeny details of his life, his parents whom he loved unconditionally and the way he was brought up I think they deserved his love and respect. I too did share couple of mine of how my mom always dressed me up like a Barbie on my birthdays to which he said I should try again dressing up not like Barbie but still a normal girl. When I did not answer he shifted to other topics how bad he was in his swimming session. Suffering from hydrophobia he puked inside the pool during his first lessons making a girl swimming besides him hate him for the rest of the training session. Worst part being he had some Hots for the girl.

Damn player even though he was only seven then!!!

Only thing lousy about them was David would be on full alert mode when his dad was on phone. Mind it they called everyday sometimes even twice when his mother missed him. He'd blush and feel embarrassed but would never complain. He was quite attached to his brother too. They had bitter sweet relationship initially being the siblings but gradually he said as his brother succeeded in the corporate line of his dad's business, he'd develop love and respect towards him. The only grudging part here being he always had to match up his standards as his parents would continuously embark on him the corporate success and achievements of his brother. I can see his jaw muscle tense up whenever the conversation would switch to his brother and achievements, not that I am eavesdropping or stalking his personal life but he shares all that stuff in small room with me. He doesn't even try to move out of the room and talk on the corridors obvious about my presence in the room.

Maybe letting go is his attitude in life.

That probably is the reason he did let go my past and continued friendship with me or amicably possible that he needs me over here as a company because however strong and masculine he appears physically, he is equally weak and vulnerable mentally.

Wasn't it obvious when he couldn't deny Caira or Cassie to stay off him? He needs support when has to deal with people. That also might be one of the reasons that his parents are concerned about his future and want him to excel in his traits of business management.

But all his management skills were on a toll today as he is about to play an important match. The first match of the league and all eyes were set on the discovery of a new player with a potential.

First he forgot his short then his bottle again he came back nervous. He stared at my face for a long time, his eyes speaking of the nervousness or the match fear.

I wanted to help him, do something. He had done so much for me. So I mustered up all my strength and stretched a bit to give a small peck on his cheeks, my cheeks touching his for a split second and the kiss blown in the air.

That was the most I could do

"All the best" I whispered.

The smile on his face was genuine, the crease lines of worry disappeared and he ran towards the courts for a quick warm up before he could go for a shower and change.

Although the first match of the series but the courts were full. Hundreds of basket ball fans all cheering, shouting and whistling excitedly.

The cheer leaders dressed in yellow and red were adding bubbles to the excitement.

All the team boys were welcomed with lot of whistles and claps.

Special cheers were passed on to the captain of the opponent team who were defending champions and was awarded player of the tournament. I also overheard one of the child player /fan discussing that he was on the probable for the Olympics team.

When David waved at me, I felt euphoric and also gestured him to meet me at the changing room to tell him to correct his pants that he worn back to front.

Damn he was thinking too much about the match; not a good sign.

He was pretty embarrassed but thanked me a million times before he left for the big game.

Boy he was nervous!

His nervousness was depicted in the game he played for first five minutes till the opponent team gave them a lead of 15 points to nil after that he was on full swing running well, tapping perfect but something somewhere was missing. The coordination part was disheveled.

By the half time they were lagging 20 points to 35.

The disappointment on the part of coach and all the team mates was evitable but David was much more upset than a sports person should be.

Where was sportsman spirit?

I was trying to avoid eye contact with him. He might feel humiliated because of his performance.

I had quite an urge to go to him, shout at him to play like a damn player. Even if the opponent team is a defending one, he might be the same next year. What he needed was effort to be put rather than getting upset.

He gave one disappointing look towards me cutting his neck with his hand saying 'finished' moving his lips.

I showed him my bottle of water as a signal that it wasn't half empty but half full but his mind was too clogged with negators.

He failed to give passes; he couldn't simply trust the captain who'd missed almost three baskets in a row and tried it himself only ending up winning baskets from one point position only.

Though his performance was unethical and monotonous but still he managed to fill in the gap of lead making it to 75 to 73.

Two minutes for the game to end and he was fiddling with the ball, dribbling it perfect.

The opponents who were senior enough to understand that David is playing single handedly with all the team work missing did all that they could to distract him but with a swift move and run on the toes David managed to reach three point line.

The captain stood there asking for a pass by David but he was lost in his own world and if I know him well, at the point he knew was he could only see bucket and think how he was going to throw the ball in the bucket.

David took a stance, stretched his hands and took a bounce ready to throw the ball from three point line, his focus strong and.....

A huge thank you to all those who have voted, followed and commented

So any guesses:- Would Davidson win his debutant match at the prestigious league without the most important code of conduct- Team Work?

[Picture to the right: main Home page of Angel's site that according to one of the reader's should be welcoming enough for a person to log in next time... (Thanks Life_goes_on 823)