"What am I doing?" he thought confused, even he did not know! But, in reality he was curious, curious to know what had happened to him. For a person to be this harsh yet to do something like this? He had no words to explain.
Tracing two familiar figures walking hand in hand he called, "Ines! Gabriel!" His voice loud, he halted amid his steps panting hard.
"Brother Feng?" Ines turned around causing Gabriel to stop too. "What's wrong?" he asked confused.
Gabriel looked away uninterested .
"Thank you…" Feng whispered. "Thank you…" he uttered it loud, "Thank you, it was really delicious!"
Gabriel Harut… had always been a family member he wanted to get to know the most. Despite not asking it directly he had always wondered… and this was his very first chance to get to know him! How happy he was, only he at that moment knew.
Gabriel silent for a moment, pulled Ines forward, ignoring Feng. "Haha!" Ines laughed, "Really? Then, do eat it all! I will eat it all too!" he waved.
Feng waved back, "Alright! Travel safely!"
Gabriel exhaled, annoyed by his continuous ramble, which the entire street was witnessing, he glanced sideways. "Shut up, don't you have to go to your academy as well? What are you standing and yapping here for?"
Feng realizing gasped glancing a look at his watch, "GRACIOUS HEAVENS?! It is seriously 7:50! Late too late!" he sprung backwards, waving one last time and leaving.
"Hehe…" Ines chuckled upon his clumsiness. Gabriel grasping a look at him exhaled.
DING DONG, DING DONG~ went the academy bell.
"Augh~!" Feng grumbled annoyed.
"OH~? That's rare little Feng, why are you late today?" asked a playful voice, standing before him wearing a monitor's gown.
Feng looked up, "Senior Mikael?"
"Yup, it's my first time seeing you in the latecomer's line. Is everything okay?"
Feng nodded, "Just a little family matter nothing big."
"That's good. Now before heading to the class, sign this sheet and don't be late tomorrow. You look good in the assembly line rather than the late comer's one." entered another voice, bringing a pen and sheet towards Feng. Wearing a Deputy Head boy badge and maroon gown over the academy's uniform he smiled.
"Right~ Senior Theo." Feng signed the document.
"Oh my!" a jubilant voice exclaimed, "Can I sign this too? It's the first time in the semester I will be doing so. I can't be more excited!" another boy looked at the document with sheer joy.
Feng surprised stepped back, "Oh god! That scared me! Moreover, you shouldn't be this happy to sign a late arrival document. You'll get point's deducted, Senior Xavier. Despite being such a good student."
Xavier stood straight, his figure slender and height slightly shorter than Feng, his deep blue eyes glinted and long golden brown hairs dangled down his shoulders, he replied, "Little Feng, it isn't the first time. I get my points deducted usually because of my hairs, despite being such a good student. I am quite used to that." he winked stepping forward and taking a pen from Mikael who chuckled.
"Seriously…?" Feng stood at a loss of words.
"Even so, you shouldn't come late like this. Didn't we all leave our houses together? How did you get left behind?" Theo asked.
"Oh…" Xavier realized, shoving his hands in his pocket and taking something out.
Feng stood beside him curious.
As soon as Xavier took his hand out, he revealed a new limited edition cricket bat keychain. "Wah!! Isn't this the Best Wonders Cricket Keychain edition? Did you bought it for me?" Mikael asked delighted.
"Hm!" Xavier hummed lovingly, "There was a long line even in the morning that's why I ran late."
"Are you kidding me? Just for a keychain…?" Feng once again stood speechless, his mouth hanging slightly agape.
The three figures conversing Feng revealed a light beam.
'Now you must be wondering who these three are? Well, let me travel back a little... After adjusting my lifestyle in Pakistan, I was admitted to 'Aitcheson Academy' as a
"Unbelievable, now hurry up and head back to your classes. We are already running late." Theo gently pushed Feng and Xavier forward.
"Feng." Xavier called.
"Yes?" Feng replied.
"We are going to play a serious match today, are you prepared?" Xavier asked.
"A serious match?" Feng repeated puzzled.
"Right, a few weeks from now on we are going to step out of our comfort zones and play against many academies aiming for the National Cup. For that… are you ready?"
Feng stopped amid his tracks stunned , "Nationals…?" "Are you taking me in as a part of the team that's going to play the Nationals?!" he asked in utter disbelief.
"Why? Should I not consider taking you? I am in need of a marvelous wicketkeeper and batsman after all." Xavier replied.
Sudden joy flushing Feng's face he laughed, "Haha! Of course, I would love to play alongside you, Brother Xavier." he grasped his hands.
Xavier reassured nodded, "That's great."
____
Feng rushing back to his home after academy's hours greeted slamming the doors open, "Good afternoon, I am back!"
"Good afternoon." One by one everyone greeted, his mother, aunt, grandfather and even Ines.
"Mom, mom!" Feng called overly excited. Grabbing her hands he uttered, "I am selected to play Cricket Inter-academy Nationals! Can you believe it?!"
"Huh? Really?" his mother asked astonished.
"Yeah, I couldn't believe my ears when Captain Hugo took my name. I am my team's wicket keeper and 5th middle order batsman!" Feng told.
"Wow~!" Ines clapped proud, "Good for you."
"Thank you." Feng replied.
"Haha congratulations, now hurry up and get yourself changed. It's time for lunch and while you are at it, call Gabriel from the garage as well." his grandfather asked delighted.
"Gabriel? He is home?" Feng thought surprised. "Okay." he replied.
Changing his clothes and rushing towards the garage, he peeked inside from the shutter pushing them up. "Brother Gabriel…" he called in a light whisper.
Instantly, hearing loud crashes of cans, Feng hastily scuttled inside the garage. "Gabriel…?" he called however, traced many paint tins scattered around.
Grabbing the ball in his hand Gabriel wiped his sweat moving over to another stack of tins.
Feng gasped.
Gabriel twirling the ball in his hands stepped on the marked tape line, aiming it towards the stack. Harsh spin coated on the ball, as soon as it made the ground's impact it changed its entire direction from left to right going for the leg side. Swift and incomprehensible, it travelled to the can within split second crashing them down once again.
Gabriel, standing straight grabbed the ball which rolled back. Feng stunned by the delivery's precision and accuracy remained confused and awestruck. Clenching his fists tight he gulped, "It was a top spinner… and he is an off spin bowler." he guessed in a light whisper.
Gabriel hearing his voice, glanced sideways. His gaze fierce and unwelcoming,
Feng stepped back looking away. "Ah- I- am sorry. I didn't meant to interfere. Grandpa asked me to call you for lunch." he cleared up the situation.
Gabriel wiping his hairs with a towel headed out.
"Won't you clean this place up?" Feng questioned. However, his words disliked by Gabriel he gave out a deathly frown. "Oh, m-y bad, my bad." Feng headed outside without creating much of a mess.
Gabriel walked ahead while Feng followed behind wondering, "His bowling is no joke. Only if I could practice with him for Nationals. I bet I'll give greater results." "But how should I ask…?" he thought, suddenly sensing something approaching him with a quick speed. His instincts raised sharp he grabbed the material within his hands before it could injure his face.
"What the?!" his heart thumped out of his chest as he left the ball which sharply wounded his hand wincing. Tracing at the material, it was a white cock ball, he immediately looked up.
Gabriel revealing a smug grin uttered, "So you caught that?"
"What?" Feng furrowed his gaze displeased, "Are you out of you mind? Do you think anybody could stop this if you throw it like that?"
"You stopped it didn't you? No need to make a fuss. For a certain someone who'll be playing Nationals, you sure are wailing a lot." Gabriel headed back unfazed.
Feng rubbed his hands puzzled, "You…? How did you know?"
Gabriel turned around, his scarlet locks, trailing along his shoulders, projected an aura that felt both mysterious yet oddly familiar. "Who do you think I am?" he asked instead.
Feng oblivious remained silent, walking past him he uttered, "I don't know who you are or who you might be but I am warning you don't do this to any other. I can stop it however, others can't."
"And who the hell do you think you are to order me around?" Gabriel smirked, "Stay in your shoes as much as possible, Feng Mir Ozer. Or else, you won't be left not even here nor in the ground." he warned heading back.