Sairah hummed, "I just had a feeling you needed me, there's no need for thanks. As your family I am obliged to do this. Sigh, just look at the two of us… fighting against our tomorrows non-stop. Here, I am spinning round and round on this chair before my table in this huge mansion all alone thinking about you and my patients tomorrow while there you are surrounded with all boys practically drained by now. It's a bit of
"Pft! Haha… so right." Alan concurred chuckling.
"Haha." Sairah followed.
"Take care of yourself, Aunt." Alan said caringly.
"I will, it's just that my patients don't leave me till late. You better take care of yourself too and don't overwork. Also, sleep early. I am trying to investigate your syndrome here but like I guessed it's tricky. Hmp, as if I'd ever give up, though." Sairah replied confidently.
Alan smiled, "Don't worry and take your time. I am already used to it now."
"Alain," Sairah called, her voice devoid of emotion, "Don't get used to it. I will definitely find a way and cure you but, please don't make it a part of your life. You, have to live healthy and long. Got that?"
"Hm." Alan simply hummed, even though he knew deep down that it was nearly impossible. The fact that someone cared so much about him made him immeasurably happy, a feeling he could hardly put into words.
"Aunt, call old man Nidou and Seles as well. I mean it without any ulterior motives. They both are a part of our family as well. Seles… really misses you a lot. You know, he's working over Liam's syndrome which matches mine. He thinks Liam faced 'him' in Asia cup somewhere that made him lose his sight." Alan said slightly dejected.
Sairah's voice stunned and concerned, she asked, "Another one of the boys suffered because of him?"
Alan hummed, "You don't know how hard it is for me, right now but Seles supports me all the time, encouraging me that everything will be fine. Yet, I practically can't sleep at night thinking about what might happen tomorrow. It's a hellish suffer."
"I got it. I'll call him and Nidou as well." Sairah replied.
Alan looked up elated, "Really?"
"Yup, so take your medicines on time and sleep. Try to not overthink about anything unnecessary and call me if you can't do it." Sairah advised.
Alan looked up at the sky. A waning crescent hiding shyly behind the trees and revealing itself as soon as the leaves rustled away. He tried to grab it. "I will…" he replied. "But you know since you made me realize I am going through a
"Haha!" Sairah busted into laughter once more, "Now that's up to you to deal with that. Just recall all your father's efforts for you, haha."
"Old man Nidou…" Alan exhaled deeply.
And just like that, the dark night sky transformed into a brilliant azure day. The sun sparkled brightly, and a gentle, refreshing breeze brought a comfortable, mild temperature. It was a perfect day for a cricket match!
The motor coach halted before Lahore's huge, bustling stadium. The boys, collecting their gear, headed inside through the back entrance. Alan, looking around, was tugged by Aigou as they followed Seles and Mir.
Inside the stadium, the crowd, the cheers, the pitch, and the ground were ready, awaiting the showdown between the two undefeated teams since the PSL's start. The middle schoolers couldn't help but feel slightly anxious.
"It's finally time..." Poseidon whispered.
"Hm," Helios agreed.
"Oh! The sweat and tears!" Heber clasped his hands together and prayed nervously.
"Oh! Our sweat and tears! You must watch us closely, our Dear Lord," Feng followed.
"Victory should only be ours!" Azazel added.
Ezekiel vehemently nodded his head, "Exactly!"
"Pft! It's going to be fine. You all think too much," Senri assured, tugging Feng's shoulder.
"Yeah, we are going to win either way. What's the use of lining up prayers?" Orion scratched his head, uninterested.
"Shameless, at least we think and pray for something, unlike you," Ezekiel rolled his eyes beside Adam, who did the same.
Orion twitched his brow while Nagi grabbed his nose bridge in disbelief.
"Hey... Seraph, why is it sweat and tears again and again?" Adam questioned innocently.
Seraph, unsure of how to respond, glanced at Cassiel, Xavier, and Gabriel, who were also clueless.
"Oh! The sweat and tears!" the sophomores and first years exclaimed once more, except for Ryan, who just stood there hiding his face awkwardly.
The third-year high schoolers were rendered speechless, while Aigou, Senri, Ren, Noah, Haruf, and Aaron chuckled, entertained.
"The weather is quite stable. However, since it rained frequently before, we may have to face high humidity. In that case..." Helios summarized the pitch conditions, his finger on his chin. Isa, walking beside him, continued, "We should bowl first again, if we're lucky enough to win the toss, that is."
"Exactly," Mir agreed.
"However, spinners, be extra careful," Musa warned, glancing at Aaron, Poseidon, and Ryan.
"This so-called 'Dew,' thanks to humidity, is going to be your worst nightmare on this pitch." Poseidon narrowed his gaze beside Ryan.
Aaron, on the contrary, hummed calmly, "Thank you for enlightening us, Coach Musa."
"Still, pace bowlers and second innings batsmen are going to get full opportunity to go completely offensive once the grass starts to become wet, right Alan?" Helios solicited.
Alan, standing beside him, simply nodded, his expression devoid of emotion and gaze indifferent. He soon walked away.
An uneasy, unexpected and a completely flummoxing situation the middleschoolers had found themselves in, since the morning, especially regarding Alan. Many had never thought something like a 'Fight' would happen in between them. For them, it was a day to be disregarded.
Helios narrowed his gaze confused wondering to himself, "Concerning Kenzo… there's one after another heart attack ready for me every time. First about senior Zachariah and then Alan, the first thing in the morning. How did he fight him just like that…?"
Poseidon glanced at Xavier and Gabriel while Azazel and Ezekiel shrugged their shoulders. Adam too pouted clearly unhappy with the outcome.
"At least we had a single highschooler to talk to before but thanks to a certain someone even that opportunity is lost." Ryan mocked Kenzo.
Kenzo not the least bit affected by his taunt, just rolled his eyes looking away.
The highschoolers in no position to speak simply shrugged their shoulders while some grinned jeeringly. "Serves them right!" clearly printed on their excited faces.
"Honestly, your highness, you do grandly spectacular things when we are not around or, sleeping." Feng remarked sarcastically.
"Grandly spectacular and absurd things." Gabriel corrected.
"Not to mention, back in the coach, you would have fought Alan again on the seats if Xavier hadn't intervened on time. No wonder he's cross again." Poseidon sighed.
Xavier though, satisfied with his role flashed a victory sign.
"Hmph, who are you even talking to? Not that he'll ever learn." Adam added upset.
Not hearing his response or retort anytime soon, Gabriel peeked behind, "Are you listening?" Only to find Kenzo lost in thoughts.
Staring at the floor below, Kenzo walked with his eyelashes lowered. A stern, flat line etched across his face. His attention felt nowhere near them.
Helios narrowed hisgaze, thinking, "And this expression again. What in the world is he hiding…?"
Shortly, the sound of enthusiastic footsteps rushed towards them. The boys halted and pivoted around.
"Karachi Kings~!" called out pairs of energetic voices, vigorously waving their arms. It was Islamabad United's team members, radiating with the life of unceasing youth. Their orange jerseys gleamed brightly as they approached. "Way too bright." Ezekiel remarked squinting his eyes.
"Kazuna~" Rovan spotted him and, with a joyful leap, glomped next.
"Easy…" Kazuna patted his back.
Rovan smiled caringly in turn, "Think of it as an apology since we couldn't meet you before."
"There's no need for that. Let's have a great match today to make up for it." Senri clapped Seon Yul's hand.
"Sounds great." Seon Yul coincided.
Romeo smiled as Rauf walked over. "Ready?" he asked.
Rauf nodded, extending his hand, "Of course."
"Hehe, that's great," Romeo said, clasping it tight.
Venus and Ibn Sena waved at Xavier and the rest as they too waved back, feeling slightly awkward.
"Well~ too bad, you won't face me." Ibn Sena stood before Kenzo.
Kenzo looked at him stern, "Do I have an obligation to face you?"
"Nope. But you do have your pride, right?" Ibn Sena asked slyly. Examining his well-polished finger nails, he added, "If you were to step back. That would be humiliating, your highness. After all, you won't want anyone to surpass you, would you?"
"Pft! Haha!" Orion jeered while Zachariah stared at Kenzo silently.
Feng poking his fingers in his ears crouched low, shutting his eyes and believing, "Heavens goodness! Another fight!"
Helios standing behind Kenzo patted his back lightly.
Kenzo at that moment, brought his fingers to his lips and snickered, his brows furrowing next, a conceited expression crossed his face. "Do you honsetly think you can surpass me?" he asked condescendingly.
Ibn Sena grinned. "Hm. I believe I have already done so." he responded curtly.
"That's the difference between our levels, Ibn Sena, right? While, you play before this king. This king will gladly look down upon you in the entire match. So fitting!" Kenzo responded harshly.
Fire crackling amid the two.
Aigou whistled strangely amused as Elias gulped while Haruf giggled and Aaron scratched his hairs.