"What on Earth...!!!", Seb screamed.
Her phone's battery was dead.
Unfortunately for her, the match was rescheduled to start from 5:30 pm. There's no way she could finish a match in half hour even if she played her best. She wanted to inform Iven about her circumstances and tell him not to wait in vain, but her phone was out cold.
why this is happening to me!!! , Seb yelled in her head as she shook her phone hard with frustration.
Poor Iven, she thought, he must be waiting. How could I ditch him like this? I was the one who offered him out and I was supposed to make it special for him! He was so looking forward to it. After all this, he'll surely despise me!! I led myself get carried away again in a mere match over him.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a call.
"Seb, It's going to start", it was Jane,"Let's go".
Suddenly everyone in the world seemed so evil to Seb.
She felt as if Jane were the most pathetic person ever. She felt like thrashing her Coach, and Renee is a good for nothing Vice-Captain with all talks. The other players were all wimps who always depend on her to win matches. The audience were making so much unnecessary cheering noise and even Erica! Doesn't she have a better job than tailing her back and hitting on Iven???
What the hell I am thinking!. Seb shook off her thoughts, The least I can do is win the game as fast possible. I'll have to apologize to Iven. Why did I even suggest the date and got his hopes high! It's not my fault fully. These guys never inform me earlier of any match, and then come crying to me in the last moment, demanding to play as if I owe them!!!
She got up, fuming at her own fate and rushed out to the court in a raging mood.
When the game had begun, Seb started playing in such a manner, like her teammates have never seen before. She let out all her anger on the game. She smashed furiously, yelled at anyone who missed a lift and mainly carried the game on her own.
The opposite was scared, so were her own teammates!!!
She was in full determination to finish up the game fast, though it was already 6:10 pm.
At Rouque Berry Avenue
6:15 pm
Iven was thinking, If it is Belle I'm talking about, judging how busy she always stays, I will surely give her more time than that. If Belle gave her words, she is obvious to show up.
Iven was only trying to assure himself in her favor. But it still appeared strange to him.
Belle is never late for her appointments no matter what. For an Athletic girl like her, time is basically everything.
Iven studied his watch again, though he knew that time won't run back.
I'm worrying too much, he thought, she'll be arriving any minute now.
The match ongoing...
"Seb!!!!!NO!!!!", Jane yelled as the team witnessed a rough fall undergone by Seb.
She was overdoing things. To put up with that, her teammates were trying to cope up too. But Seb was pushing herself excess hard. That was when a smash was attacked by the opposite team.
One of the team member got confused and tried to lift the ball instead of blocking it. She missed it terribly because of the tremendous force and Seb had to jump in action immediately.
the ball was far enough, so she had to dive. She was able to lift the ball successfully towards Renee, but crashed on the ground herself instead. A sharp pain stung from under the knee of her lower limb. But she ignored it. Finishing the match was her greatest priority. It was a sharp piece of glass buried in the sand which had pierced through her limb rather deeply. The area was bleeding profusely, but Seb's focus was on the game.
She was unaware of the time, but it was pitch dark already.
I'm so sorry Iven, she said in her mind.
Her pain faded after a while and the blood started to clot too. But it didn't look so good because it bled a lot earlier. The blood drops drew through her leg and she felt ticklish. but no attention was paid.
The spectators admired and cheered at her sporting spirit.
Rouque Berry Avenue
-The number you are calling is currently switched off. Please try after....
Iven hung up annoyed. He was trying his best not to get angry. But he couldn't help being a little irritated at Seb. He has been studying his watch every minute since an hour.
It was 6:50 pm. Iven let out a heavy sigh.
She must be having issues of her own, She must be stuck somewhere, Maybe her friend stopped her, Maybe she changed her mind, Why isn't she calling???
All sorts of thought started gathering in her mind as he closed his eyes even for a minute. The cycle continued, he was closing his eyes, thinking all rubbish, suddenly opening them, checking the avenue again, expecting Seb to show up from the corner at any moment in a hustle.
She'll come any minute now, he thought, she must!!!
But his expectations were washed away again.
Seb never showed up. iven thought of leaving for the hundredth time, thinking Seb might have forgotten, which wasn't possible. But somehow he couldn't.
The unknown aura prohibited him from leaving. He kept on assuring himself with another 5 minutes of stay. He kept on saying after each 5 minutes passed. His hope was getting stronger.
The match ends
"And there goes the Legendary victory shot by Sybelle again!!!", the commentator announced overjoyed. The crowd joined in cheer.
'The Aphrodites' have won gain. The crowd was chanting Seb's name as usual.
But Seb was not paying any attention. She can't remember a time when she was not happy after gaining victory, but today. Somehow she controlled the urge to leave, and waited for the moment to pass away. She raised her hand, throwing a fist in the air out of habit after her win.
She glanced at the College watch tower once. It showed 7:20 pm!!!
She gritted her teeth and lips.
Iven!!!
She did something heinous!
But she still bore hope. No, he must be thee, she thought and tried to assure, but she was sure that he'd already left.
She couldn't wait any longer!
By the time her teammates were done with their rejoicing, Seb had already vanished. Nobody noticed when or where did she go. Every body was too busy when she seized her opportunity and slyly escaped. The cheering lost it's peak as the main root of joy was nowhere to be seen.
Seb ran as fast her legs could carry her. She didn't even bother going in the green room to change.She took off in her Jersey, shoes, sweaty self and messy hair. She barely managed to stuff in her necessary items and sneak out somehow. She avoided the main gate because she knew Erica would be there. She didn't want an encounter with her right then.
While escaping, she caught a glimpse of Erica, searching for her. But she had no time. She apologized to her quietly and didn't pause for another second. She rushed through the back gate of the College.
Seb was already hell tired for the game, but she didn't care. She had to reach the Avenue. She didn't even get her Bike else she had to go all the way to the parking area.
It was 7:30 pm already and Seb wasn't even sure why she was going. Iven won't be there!!! But still some unknown energy made her go regardless.
As she ran madly, sweat tripped from her face and she was losing her breath. Due to over stress, her wound opened up again. But she wasn't aware of it.
She finally made it to the avenue in one piece. She was panting terribly. Looking up she searched for Iven. But to her fear, he was nowhere to be seen.
She looked back and forth, walked up to small distances, checked in lanes but still no trace of him.
Did he really really leave???
He's gone, Seb thought to herself, Who was I kidding??? This was bound to happen. a person's hope has it's limits. And I am the one at fault here....but still.....
Seb had a little hope that Iven would stay....
She leaned on to a wall and gasped. What has she done!!!
She slit down through the wall and sat down on the concrete. Folding her hands around her knees, she hid her face inside.
Her eyes burnt as she fought back to break down. They appeared blurry as a watery layer covered them. She sniffed once but was determined not to cry.