Page 35

DANIEL

The gym echoes with the rhythmic thud of basketballs bouncing against the hardwood. I wipe my brow with the back of my hand, glancing at Anya sitting in the stands. She’s typing furiously on her laptop, probably finishing some assignment.

I can’t focus on anything at all because the next match is a do-or-die for me. Louis passes the ball to me. I aim for a three-pointer, and the ball leaves my hand, soaring through the air toward the hoop. My arm sways with a swift motion and the ball lands with a satisfying swish, dropping perfectly into the net. The sound echoes throughout the gym, followed by a collective sigh of relief from my teammates.

The rush never gets old; the satisfaction of making the shot is thrilling. Louis pats my back. “Let’s take a break,” he says silently. I look at the boys. They do look tired; we have been at it for three hours.

“Okay, guys. We will begin in thirty,” I announce.

I head towards the stand and take a seat beside Anya. She looks up from her laptop. “I am so glad we are done with that assignment.” She sighs and shuts her laptop. “I have to study for the midterms and make notes for finals.”

She takes out the hand towel and water bottle from my bag, giving it to me.

I wipe my face and open the bottle. “Wait for a while,” Anya says. I cock an eyebrow. “It’s said we should not drink water immediately after workouts,” she says, “At least in India, it is said.” She shrugs. I chuckle. She picks up her coffee mug, but before she can take a sip, I snatch it from her, careful not to spill it. “What the hell?” She frowns and gasps.

“Drink water first, baby,” I command.

“Are you ordering me?” She crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow.

I smile sheepishly. “You think I could ever do that?” I pat her head. “No, I am not. I am just begging because the only liquid you consume is coffee, and I have no idea how you survive on that.”

She grumbles. “I can drink whatever I want, thank you very much.” She pouts, her lip jutting out, and I have to stop myself from biting it and pulling her onto my lap right here.

“Come on.” I shift closer to her. “Be a good girl and drink your water, Firecracker,” I whisper in her ear, biting her earlobe. She shudders, her cheeks reddening at my words. I can practically see her melting as my breath tickles her ear. I can’t help but feel smug at how effortlessly I make her blush.

She sighs. “Fine.” Conceding,, her lips press into a thin line as she grabs the bottle from my hand.

I chuckle at her expression. She looks like a grumpy puppy, but it’s even funnier, considering her small frame and the oversized hoodie she wears. I continue to smile to myself, watching her gulping down the water.

She glances at me and narrows her eyes. “What are you grinning about?” she huffs.

“Can’t a guy smile for no reason?” I grin. She crosses her arms, but I can see the red in her cheeks, and it fills me with satisfaction.

I’m a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world,

Life in plastic, it’s fantastic.

What the fuck. I look around. She laughs out loud. “It’s your phone.” I stare at her in disbelief, and she shrugs. “You remember the first time you tried to kiss me and couldn’t because my phone rang? Your face was a sight. I wanted to see it again.”

I roll my eyes. “That was the worst timing imaginable,” I grumble. I pick up my phone.

“It’s my dad. I have to take this,” I say. She nods so I pick up the call.

“Hi, Danny,” Dad says, his voice sounding better than the last time.

“Hi, Dad.” I smile. “I heard there’s progress in your treatment.”

“Yeah,” he says. I can sense the smile in his voice, which makes me grin. Anya holds my hand and plays with my thumb absent-mindedly.

“Dad.” I pause and peck her cheek. “I am coming to visit you next Sunday. My match is on Friday,” I say gently.

“I know. All the best,” he says half-heartedly.

“Dad, I promised you,” I murmur. “I won’t torment you after this.” I chuckle almost painfully. “If I do not win this match, I will not play basketball professionally.” Anya gasps and stands up, her eyes wide.

‘ Are you mad ?’ she mouths.

“I will take over your business,” I say firmly.

Dad sighs. “Okay. I am not happy about it either, but I am doing it for you.”

I ignore him. “And, Dad.”

Anya swats my arm. ‘ Don’t ignore me ,’ she mouths again as she places her hands on her hips in frustration.

“I am bringing my girlfriend. I would like you to meet her.” She gasps again. I am so dead.

“Okay,” Dad says. “I am eager to meet her.” He cuts the call with that.

“You didn’t even ask me?” she whisper-yells.

“I don’t have to.” I shrug.

“Yes, you have to. You expect me to meet your father. I have never met someone’s parents in a relationship. What if he doesn’t like me?” She frowns.

I grab her chin, pulling her closer to me as I place a soft kiss on her lips. “Well, I do not care if he likes you or not.” I peck her cheek.

“Still.” She huffs and sits down next to me. “Oh!” she exclaims. “What were you saying on the phone? You are quitting basketball?”

“I am not. If I win the next match, that is.” I run my hand through my hair. “This is killing me, Anya.” I inhale deeply. “All I can do is give my best. It’s his last wish. That’s all he is asking of me.” I rub my eyes.

She holds my hands. “I know.” She looks so concerned; my heart skips a beat. “But—” I put a finger on her lip.

“I know it is wrong. I have thought about it multiple times. I tried to put myself in his shoes, but every time the conclusion was that I could have never asked something like this from my child, but he is too afraid, I think,” I smile. “I am so tempted to break this promise after he is gone, but him not being here is so unacceptable,” My eyes burn with unshed tears. “I would want him to live through this promise, if that’s what he wants.”

I feel this whirlwind of emotions churning inside me. It’s like I’m caught in a tug-of-war between two worlds—one pulsing with the adrenaline of basketball, the thrill of the game, and the other anchored in my dad’s expectations, his hopes for me to take over his business.

Basketball has always been my lifeline. It’s more than just a sport; it’s where I feel most alive, where I can let everything else fade away. The court is my escape, my sanctuary. The roar of the crowd, the bond with my teammates—it’s exhilarating. Every shot I take feels like a piece of my soul being poured into the game.

But then there’s my dad’s voice nagging at me, reminding me of his last wish. I can practically hear him saying, “I want you to have a secure future.” It hits me in the gut every time. He’s only looking out for me, but it’s suffocating. Taking over his business? That feels like a prison sentence. I can’t picture myself in a suit, shuffling papers and making deals. That’s not who I am. I’m a player, not a businessman.

“What is the business?” she asks, curiosity shining in her eyes the way it does when talking about her passion.

“We produce and sell air and water purifiers.”

“Oh,” she says. “that’s nice. I have always loved businesses related to the environment.” She smiles.

“I know. You told me.” I smile weakly.

She cups my face. Her eyes shine, “Captain, talk to me.”

“I just…” I falter. “I don’t want to let him down but…I don’t want to give up basketball either,” I finally admit, my voice shaking a little. “It’s just so hard. I feel like I’m being pulled in two different directions.”

She nods, squeezing my hands tighter. “It’s okay to feel that way. You’re facing a huge decision. It is easier said than done, but I would love to see you on top of this game.”

She kisses my cheek softly. I close my eyes in contentment. “I didn’t learn the rules of this sport for nothing, Daniel,” she whispers in my ear .

“You learned the rules? When? And why?” My eyes widen as I study her.

The tips of her ears turn red. “Yes, this is your life. Of course, I had to get to know it.” Her eyes widen. “I mean, I am not even close to what you know, obviously. I am not learning how to play. I just want to be able to enjoy your games, and I—” I chuckle.

“Thank you, baby.” I rest my forehead against hers. “Thank you.” I peck her nose. “I will make sure to win the next match.” I wink. “Only if you come and cheer for me.”

“Of course I will.” She leans in. “And I will wear your jersey.” She kisses my hair.

I grunt. Imagining her in my jersey is borderline painful to my heart. I wonder how it would feel to look at her with my name printed on her back, with her cheering my name from the stands.

“That’s highly motivating, Firecracker.” I smirk and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “And then I am going to fuck you hard in my jersey until you are screaming my name.” The image of her in jersey, with her lips parted, breathing heavily, and moaning my name, is making me feel a certain way.

“Promise?” She pouts.

I grumble and let my head fall back. “Don’t tease me, baby.” I groan. I grab her hair and pull it lightly as our noses touch, “I promise not to be gentle with you.”

She laughs, pushing me away. “I look forward to that. Your teammates are staring at us,” she says.

“Right.” I look back. They have wide grins plastered on their faces. I know it's not going to be peaceful in the locker room today. “Gotta go. When you leave, let me know, okay?” I stand up and kiss her hair. She nods and gives me a wide smile. I would die just to see that smile.

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