"Kenzo! Seraph!" Cassiel called. Hearing his voice, they all turned to the Cunningham tower.
A tall and proud tower stood with a unique blend of architectural styles. With a mix of traditional and contemporary design, it embodied the rich history and cultural diversity of Peshawar. The tower adorned with intricate stonework and featured prominent clock face, made it a recognizable icon in the city. It's surroundings whereas, abuzz with activity as people shopped for local handicrafts enjoying authentic cuisines.
"Tch, I don't like it one bit! It feels suffocating here!" Kenzo complained.
"Poseidon…" Helios turned to him anxious who in turn shook his head. "Don't worry I am fine." he assured.
"It would've been better to come here at night. The entire tower would be illuminated by lights at that time." Zachariah told.
"Our picture! Click a picture!" Cassiel waved beside, Lou Wang Azazel and Ezekiel.
"Ah, wait a minute. I'll find my phone..." Seraph searched inside his bag.
"Leave it 'Speedstar'. I already clicked one." Senri winked showing Zach's phone.
"Sigh~ what a bunch of fools." Gabriel slapped his forehead.
"For once, I really cannot believe I am doing this." Helios said.
"Me neither…" Seraph agreed awkwardly.
"Come every one, it's time to visit the museum." Kazuna called.
"Isn't this much enough already?" Orion uttered exhausted.
"This much? We are just starting to have fun. All we did was buy food for Haruf." Ren recalled.
"Augh~" Kenzo turned around in disbelief.
"Yes! Thank you all so much! I am so glad!" Haruf replied pleased. His bag which now resembled a sack was
"Come Alan, Brother Feng." Ryan called.
Alan followed.
Time like quicksilver soon passed by… entering the late afternoon the boys headed back.
"Augh~ I am exhausted!" Heber yawned.
"That was so much fun!" Noah on the contrary, stretched his arms delighted.
"As for being tired, those who are participating in the next match shouldn't be, cause' head coach Nidou won't leave us once we head back." Haris added.
"And whose damn fault do you think it is?" Gabriel gritted.
Alan silently walking ahead, narrowed his gaze. Isa observing him joined, "So, Rauf didn't come till the end?"
Alan glancing aside smiled, "You know him. He can't be forced. He'll only do what's best for him else than that nothing matters." Alan replied. "But…" his voice instantly fading, "This behavior of his scares me." he looked low.
"Why?" Isa concerned asked.
"I am afraid... I'll be left behind." Alan replied earnestly, "And, this is last thing I ever want from someone whom I think of as my own family. That's why, I don't let my guard down no matter how tired or exhausted I am. I desperately keep on fighting. After all… this is the least I could do." Isa anxious looked ahead.
"Hey, what are you talking about?" Elias came forward patting his shoulder.
"Nothing, just talking about the future." Isa replied.
"Like how we'll win?" Orion guessed.
"Yeah, maybe that." Isa replied.
"Hm… then let's leave it to our little ones, how's that?" Noah winked.
"Like hell I am trusting you all now." Helios uttered blatant.
"Me too. Thanks to you all we are screwed." Azazel added.
"Pft! Haha!" Haris chuckled beside Mikael and Ibrahim.
"By the way, Azazel Minhas how is your arm? Will you be able to perform at your best two days from now?" Evan inquired.
Azazel stretching his arm assured, "Yeah, I am perfectly fine now. I'll rock!""Honestly, who's fault do you even think it was of?" he thought twitching his brow.
"Alan…" Isa called, however interrupted by a sudden bump, he immediately look below.
"Ouch~" hissed a young 6 year old child looking up. A familiar flag resting in his hand, Isa crouched low beside Ren pulling him up.
"I'm sorry. Are you alright?" Isa inquired, dusting his clothes.
Setting his bag on his shoulder again, he shook his head, "I- a-m fine, big brother. I am so-rry I wasn't looking ahead." His voice gentle, Isa ruffled his hairs, "It's alright. I don't mind but be careful next time, okay?"
The boy nodded.
Haruf delighted, stepped forward handing him a bunch of candies, "That's a good boy. Here you go, a gift."
The little boy puzzled, nodded, slightly embarrassed. Isa glanced at Alan and Zach who nodded.
"Isa!" Suddenly a voice called. Isa surprised looked around, yet to find other two children, the same age as the boy rushing over.
"Are you alright?" One of them grabbed the boy by his shoulders instantly pulling him away from Isa, scowling. "What did you do?" he glared doubtfully. "Yeah, we'll call our parents if you hurt him!" another one puffed his cheeks.
Orion twitched his brow, "These little…!"
Isa stunned, blinked unable to find his words.
"Don't worry, your friend just bumped into our senior. He just helped him." Xavier stepped forward assuring.
Little Isa nodding concurred, "Y-eah, he-e just helped me when I bumped into him."
"Really?" The two inquired.
Isa glancing at Xavier turned to the boy. "Thank-you… we thought you bullied him, we're sorry." they apologized.
Isa shaking his head smiled, "No problem."
Instantly calls of 'Catch! Catch!' diverted everyone's attention towards a field. Protected by galvanized chain link fencing. A lush green cricket ground rested before their eyes. The well-maintained pitch at its center, was occupied by the two batsman who tapped their fists celebrating over a huge shot 'Six'. Alan stepped forward spectating.
"Seems like an Inter-academy match." Poseidon guessed.
"It is. Look, their uniforms are different." Aaron pointed.
"That shot just now was huge though." Heber remarked.
Little Isa's eyes sparkling, he rushed over, standing beside Alan staring at the boys. His little fingers going through the fence's holes. He clenched them tight.
"Looks like you admire them a lot." Alan asked.
"Yeah… they are cool and my brother amongst them is the coolest!" Little Isa whispered.
"Your brother?" Adam crouched beside him.
"Yeah, the one who's balling is my big brother." he pointed.
"Heh~" Kenzo chanted amused, "So you came here to watch him?"
"Yeah. "The boy replied, "He is working hard to get selected in Peshawar's base next year."
Kazuna resting his back on the fence whispered, "Will you follow his footsteps too?"
A sudden blush casing his cheeks, little Isa looked up, "Yeah! I will, I want to play with him!" "However, I am too young…" his expression instantly dropping into a dejected one.
"You see, age doesn't matter. Once you grow up. You'll become his junior. And that would be possible if you don't give up till the very end." Isa encouraged.
"He's right, things might be hard, and you might feel like you're being left behind with things not going in your favor at all. Plus, you'll also meet some nasty people in your life…" Ryan added.
"Excuse me?" Nagi uttered slightly offended.
"But… if it's something you earnestly love and do, then you're definitely going to find fun even in those disapproving situations. You'll without reason treasure those moments." Helios added, "So for that, don't give up even if you are small."
"Hm, just like we won't." Seraph winked.
Alan hearing them wondered. "Haiz~ no wonder you're jewels…" he thought smiling, "My previously confused mind has finally found its clarity, and even if I were to express my gratitude at this moment, it wouldn't do justice… that's why… I'll reserve these magical words for when everything falls perfectly into place." he stared ahead into the twilight beside the highschoolers and middleschoolers.
"Who really are you all?" little Isa inquired curious.
"Haha! Someone just like your brother!" Senri picked him up in his arms.
"Whoa~!" the other two grasped Haruf and Elias tight from their shoulders.
"We are cool people, haha! Right Feng?" Senri glanced at Feng only to find him absorbed in deep thoughts. His expression sunken, he stared ahead. Senri dabbing the boy's back looked at him confused.
'Smack!' went the ball high, out for a boundary as the fielder observed the shot through the deep backward square leg. The boys turned to the field attentive.
"That's a catch! Definitely one!" Aigou called.
Little Isa grasping his flag tight, which was of Pakistan with the flag of Peshawar Zalmi imprinted on top. Isa smiling whispered, "For you… this one's definitely a wicket."
The ball going straight into the fielder's hands he threw it back up in midair. The ground cheering in an uproar! OUT!! "Yeah!" the little boys went chuckling and enjoying themselves.
"Haha! He did it!" Little Isa turned to Isa and the rest.
"Yeah… he sure did. And one day you'll do it too." Isa fortified.
"Noted." Kenzo concurred.
Little Isa with his mouth slightly a gape, moved forward from Senri's grasp, "Ah, easy…" Adjusting himself to Isa's hair level, he ruffled his hairs.
Isa astonished looked up. "Hehe… and you'll definitely win too!" Little Isa encouraged.
Zach smiling closed his eyes while Isa exhaled, "Don't regret saying that. I definitely don't want to see you cry."
Little Isa chuckled, "Haha, no way, after all I love Karachi Kings as well."
"Really?!" Adam gasped.
"You recognized us?!" Aigou added.
"Yup! The flags on your bags." Little Isa pointed.
"Haha! How clever of you!" Ren remarked while Nagi shook his head amused.
Alan, stealing a look at the boys, couldn't help but break into a contented smile.