The second round began.
Koushik opened the game with a three-pointer. Tricks roared chanting his name. Ankita, Bikram and Rishi watched with a focused frown as a free throw landed in the basket followed by an efficient defend against Agnik's bank shot. The next half an hour was a period of rising tension with both of them scoring one three-pointer after another, their scores going neck to neck.
The Tricks withered like dry grasses sprang up like fresh ones with renewed vigour. The faces of Agnik's fans looked equally dark, wiping off any trace of previous gloating smiles.
The sensors attached to the hoops and the wristbands of Koushik and Agnik had distinct codes connected to their names on display. Everytime the ball passed through the hoops, the sensor detected their respective code to automatically update the score beside that player's name. 25-30.
28-31, the numbers changed. 31-34, they changed again. 32-37, 35-37... 38-38. Everyone clasped their hands, intently staring between the scoreboard and the boys. Only one minute was left for the match to end.
Koushik dribbled the ball Agnik eyed like a hawk. Fifty two seconds. Koushik moved, aiming straight towards the hoops. Agnik rushed to intercept, jumping up to snatch the ball. They were about to crash onto each other when Koushik ducked beneath his arm at the last minute and shot from below. The ball flew behind Agnik straight towards the hoop making the timer and scoreboard buzz at the same time.
40-38.
Silence. The whole court was enveloped with silence for a long few seconds.
"YEEAAAAHHH!!!"
Tricks erupted in joy.
"KOUSHIK. KOUSHIK. KOUSHIK. ANTARIKSHA. ANTARIKSHA. HIP HIP HURRAY!!!!" Cheers and whistles broke out throwout the ground.
Ankita ran up to Koushik and pulled him for a quick hug.
"Congratulations! That was so awesome! You did great!"
The sudden hug stunned Koushik. He momentarily blanked out, peering at her face.
"Koushik?" Ankita waved before his face.
"Huh? Oh. Yup. I know I'm awesome."
A proud grin stretched across his face.
"You really can't spend a moment without complimenting yourself, right?" Ankita slapped her forehead.
"I'm starting to regret worrying about a narcissist like you."
"Yay! You're the best Koushik! I could feel my blood rushing through my veins, the match was so nerve-racking. And that finishing touch. Chef's kiss!" Rishi came up like a cyclone, tackling Koushik with his embrace.
Bikram joined them with Rai and Rishav tagging behind.
Koushik flailed his hands, to get out of Rishi's suffocating victory hug. Feeling pity for his condition, Bikram tugged at Rishi's shirt.
"Get off of him you Koala, let him breathe."
Sometimes he worried that someday Rishi's hugs might cause an unintentional murder .
Rishi slyly looked at Bikram.
"Okay, I'll release him, but first.."
He yanked Bikram forward.
".. group hug!"
Shocked at first but he burst into laughter with the two of them.
"I'll let you two live for now." Bikram assumed a serious face.
"Oh thank you then for sparing my life." Rishi giggled.
Ankita, Rishav and Rai were amused seeing such a carefree side of the serious and polite Bikram Sen.
"Ahem. Our class is going to start soon. So... I think we should head back." Rai made an awkward face having to ruin the moment.
"But let's celebrate your victory. I invite you all to my house. This weekend." Ankita clapped.
Koushik, Bikram and Rishi looked at each other. They did not expect Ankita whom they met so recently to be so excited to celebrate their victory as if it were hers. It was not uncommon for friends to visit each other's house but they were not just students. The paparazzi, stalker fans were concerning factors they could not ignore. Bikram had opened his mouth to say something when Rai beat him to it.
"Ankita," She whispered.
"You're forgetting that they're public figures. They can't just go out and about as they please. There's the paparazzi and all. You might put them in a difficult spot."
Ankita's eyes dimmed. She looked from Rai to Antariksha and back. Thinking over her words Ankita realised how she had unknowingly putting Koushik in a spot.
"Ah, look at that. I completely forgot your popularity. Silly me. Haha. Sorry. Just.. forget about it." Ankita smacked her head and said with a crack in voice.
"Um, then we'll go ahead. There's still some time left, you guys celebrate okay? See you in class. Come on guys." Ankita waved at them and dragged away Rai and Rishav.
Koushik stood there motionless, staring at Ankita's departing back as a heavy feeling sank in. He could tell she forced her smile. Once he thought of running up to her and hugging but that might cause nasty rumours to spread and hurt her more instead.
Bikram and Rishi hugged him from both sides. They knew Ankita meant a lot to him. She was the only one he could call a friend so far besides them.
A teardrop slid down Ankita's cheek once she was out of the ground. She hurriedly wiped it off but another one rolled down, then another one and many more. No matter how many times she wiped her cheeks they became wet instantly. Frustrated at herself, she ran inside the washroom and bawled her eyes out. Rishav and Rai quietly squatted beside her stroking her back until her crying stopped.
That night inside Ankita's room.
A girl about six feet tall stood near the window, slowly weaving a hand wrap upto her wrists. Her hair braided and tied in a high ponytail reached her waist. Her face hidden behind a black mask while her body beneath the black track pants and full-sleeve T-shirt. Leaving only her thin and sharp eyebrows and heterochromic eyes.
Squinting at the street light she opened the window and pressed a button on the wall beside it. The bars receded into their socket. Casting one last glance at the closed door of the room and she jumped out of the window.