Rauf staring at his back exhaled remembering...
"Rauf… I'm sorry…" words which could never escape his lips even at the brink of death left hopelessly. "I'm sorry… sorry…" Isa repeated. Clutching the grass in middle of the ground tightly he murmured broken, "If only…" his voice heavy.
Rauf's vision hazy he walked over to him. A thin, genuine smile escaping his lips, his pride, his ego, his over confidence and leadership all disappeared that split second. He offered his battered and wounded hand before him, "It's alright, stand up already…"
His golden hairs covering his bloody forehead with his jacket tattered, he kept one step ahead, "Isa…"
The highschoolers looking at them supported each other. Isa grasping Rauf's hand stood up, "I'll never ever let you face something like this ever again. Dishonor like this… could only occur over my dead body ever again I swear!" he declared. His green eyes a red blazing fire roared within them.
Rauf grinned, "Heh… I'll count on you."
Alan's expression widened and melancholic he clutched his fists tight.
At that instant Rauf's strength giving away, he collapsed.
"Rauf!" Evan grasped him from his arm beside Haruf as Alan rushed over from the pavilion.
The highschoolers surrounding him Isa stared clutching his fists helpless.
_____
Studying the pitch Isa exhaled, "Never again… I don't want to see us like that ever again. That expression on Rauf's face that day, I don't want to witness a scene like that ever again!"
Standing before Ren he patted his shoulder. "Come on Ren. Let's end this! Our top priority is not getting out however a 200!" he declared.
Ren sneering clapped his hand with Isa's, "You got that! A powerful partnership on the role!"
Kenzo rolled his eyes pointing the boys to take their positions again, "There he comes again. The face that ruins the least bit of my delighted mood."
"Senri Ibn Daud, heads back to the pavilion in the 17th over after claiming 47 runs. Overall highschoolers score now is 162 runs with last three overs left…" Nidou wrote in his journal.
"While Isa joins the game…" Mir interrupted.
"Heh." Nidou smirked, "You were looking forward to his arrival weren't you? Seriously, you like him a lot."
"He is a reliable and a strong boy. Is there a reason for me not to like him?" Mir questioned annoyed.
"Haha…" Seles and Kortes smiled awkwardly.
"It's the king's turn now…" Ines gulped.
"Who the hell do you think you are calling a king?" Faris and Silas clicked their tongue annoyed. Ines flinched.
"That wannabe fake monarch dares to take our highness's title! He should be jailed!" Izack claimed twitching his brow irritated.
Damian annoyed over their ruckus snapped, "Just sit down already!"
"Alright, Vice-captain." the three of them flinched sitting down.
"Seems like we'll be in trouble from now on." Poseidon said.
"You sure are certain on the worst case scenario." Ebraham gulped.
"He isn't wrong though. We are again a pinch now. 'Isa Sikandar, A thirdYear high schooler and a crafty cricketer, Age: 18, Height: 168cm, Weight: 55 Kg is an All-rounder. From balling side he is a left handed swinger who excels in balling pace deliveries while from the batting side he is a left handed batsman countering pace deliveries too. His controlling and swindling play on the pitch has earned him the title of 'Pillar of Victory' Moreover, respecting his authority as the country's Prime Minister's son he is also called the '2nd Prince of Pakistan' ranking him Number '5th' on the base's genius's list. His abilities on the pitch are monarch like and indistinguishable. However, he is his team's sword. Sharp and deceiving! He has also conquered 'Dominance' with Zachariah Jacques despite being the least favorable pairing to do so earning them title of 'Deadly specialists balling duo'."
"In simpler words… he is no misfortune. He is the king of misfortunes!" Cassiel stated blatant.
The middle schoolers unable to utter a single word anymore turned to the pitch gulping. "Crap…" they thought.
"Moreover, a left hander again." Poseidon added.
The 18th over for Seraph, he tossed the ball up and down. "I don't know about him at all… even Cassiel's explanations were vague. Moreover, it will be difficult to expliot his weakness in such less over left. Let's just hope he doesn't stir too much trouble." he thought heading towards the popping crease and delivering the first ball.
Isa seeing him approach murmured, "Pinnacle of Monarchy… Kingdom Downfall." As soon as Seraph left the ball Isa stepped forward from the crease slamming his bat for a huge six.
"Such power!" the middle schoolers gasped.
"He is taking Seraph's fast deliveries head on." Damian sat astonished.
"The highest six of the entire innings…" Seles informed awed, "Even exceeding Noah's power hit of 88 meters. Isa hits a 92 meter six!" "Such power erupting from such a small body." Yusuf commented surprised.
Mir smiled. "It's not power, Instructor Yusuf…" Alan corrected, "That's seriousness aiming to grasp the entire game's
Nidou grinned, "Seems like those rascals are finally tired of playing around." "Here goes our highness! His fast deliveries?" Orion referred to Seraph
"Isa's practice partner who was Zachariah for years, do they think Seraph's deliveries could shake him?"
Zachariah closing his eyes stated, "No they can't." His lips curving into a silent assured grin.
Rauf settled down.
"Finally tired?" Evan teased.
Rauf smirked, "Finally relived, if I may correct you."
"Haha!" Haruf laughed dabbing his back as Kazuna glanced at Rauf from the corner of his eye.
Turning his head to Senri who kept his leg atop of another sitting leisurely he asked, "Why in the world did you get out?"
Senri hearing his words sat straight grinning, "Why? Is my best friend disappointed?"
"As if." Kazuna replied abrupt.
Looking at the pitch Senri told, "We were in a continuous pinch. Did you notice their fielding? The moment Xavier would ball all their fielders would come closer disrupting concentration with only three fielders outside before the boundary line. That was confusing enough. And on top of it Xavier already got his premonition. I couldn't possibly activate Syncro with Ren forcefully making both of us stand on a hair strand with no way out."
"Moreover, I was tired." he stated blatant at the end, "When I am tired, I can't play."
Kazuna hearing his senseless excuse raised his fist, "I'll beat this stupid habit out of you."
Elias chuckled awkwardly.
"Your laziness will one day get the best of you, mark my words Senri. You better do something about it." Nagi warned.
"Well didn't he do his best enough?" barged in a familiar voice, "He was about to complete a half century. It's quite a lot for a lazy person like him. Aren't I right, Senri Ibn Daud?" Alan stood behind his seat, his arms crossed grinning playfully.
"Alan?" Aaron blinked.
Noah and Aigou too looked up. The rabbit jumping down from his shoulder hopped towards Rauf.
Senri smiling turned his head sideways, "Yup. Good to hear someone understanding me."
Alan's smile suddenly turning into a frown, he smacked his head harshly. SMACK! Kazuna and others too blinked astonished.
"Ouch!" Senri rubbed his head baffled.
Rauf ignoring the ruckus turned to the pitch beside Evan. The rabbit intrigued by his never changing stern expression, jumped sitting on the seat beside him straight! His chest lifted up and eyes squinted seriously. He copied Rauf entirely. Rauf glanced at the rabbit speechless as Aaron and Orion instantly chuckled on the sight.
"Pft! Haha. He's seriously copying you, boss." the two of them laughed amused.
"Someone understanding you, my foot! Rascal, if I see you talking to me like that ever again. I'll pull your ears out!" Alan warned.
"Seriously, why do I sense a Déjà vu here? Who did I say the exact same thing back to?" Alan recalled grabbing his nose.
Senri giggling mischievously pointed his finger at Kazuna. Kazuna realizing looked away clearing his throat, "Shut up."
Turning around to face Noah and Aigou Alan scolded, "And what's with you both? You just lost a wicket not the entire game. Should these be the faces of world conquerors?"
Aigou and Noah blinked.
"Honestly… why am I even telling you all this? Are you kids?" he exhaled in disbelief.
Zach, Evan and Rauf amused grinned ever so lightly. "Exactly. Why the long faces when we still have the entire game to change tides." Haruf concurred.
Aigou's expression lighting up, he glomped Alan. "Haha, you're right!" he cheered.
Noah laughing agreed, "Yeah, you're right."
"Exactly." Aaron beamed while Orion clapped his fist antagonistic, "Yup! I'll make sure to execute them all in the 2nd innings."
Overall mood of the highschoolers instantly turning cool, Jovial and careless Alan twitched his brow. "Don't tell me…" he thought blank.
"Haha, Alan have you ever pondered over a word called acting ?" Elias asked amused.
Nagi beside him chuckled keeping his hand over his mouth. "Us and depressed?" Kazuna glanced sideways, "What were you thinking cheering us up?"
Veins popping over Alan's head he left the highschoolers pavilion silent, embarrassed and speechless.
"Hey, Alan! Wait!" Aigou called which Alan kindly ignored.
"They were all just playing around!!" he shrieked in his thoughts walking back to the instructors stand, "What in the world was I thinking when I thought they might be feeling blue?! Instead, they mislead me with their expressions." he thought in disbelief.