Chapter 69
I was alone in the ring, the echoes of my footsteps mingling with the faint sounds of Yusuf's instructions as he drilled me relentlessly from morning till afternoon. The isolation of the training days had become a routine, each session blending into the next with a relentless pursuit of perfection. With the nationals looming just a month away, every moment on the mat felt crucial, yet I couldn't shake the nagging uncertainty about my progress. Was I improving fast enough? Or was I stagnating, my skills not sharpening as quickly as needed?
Zakira's abrupt announcement shattered my contemplation. "You have a match next week, it's going live," she stated matter-of-factly before leaving the dojo, her footsteps fading into the distance.
