(3 Years Ago)
Sitting on top of the climbing frame in a town park, Elias gazed up at the twilight sky, sighing deeply. His hair slightly shorter then, he stared indifferently. Another deep sigh escaped his lips.
Hearing his continuous strained sighs, a cheerful and optimistic voice interrupted, "Hey, Elias, why do you keep sighing? Is something bothering you?" Dressed in an orange tank top and brown military jeans, Aigou was crouched in the sandpit, filling a bucket with sand to build a sandcastle.
Turning around to face Elias, he asked again, "You're not going to tell me?" His tone slightly sharp and commanding.
Elias looked down. "There's something I've been wondering about for a while..." he said, hesitantly.
Aigou dusted his hands and stood up from the sandpit. Standing with his back against the monkey bars, he crossed his arms and asked, "Hm, what is it?" His attention fully on Elias.
"What if I dreamed of a significant loss in a future match and had the ability to change the outcome. But with that loss comes substantial growth, even though it affects many players on my team negatively for the time being like—some being heartbroken, some losing determination. Should I change the outcome and let them win, or let them lose so they can grow stronger and change the outcomes themselves if it happens again? But what if they lose hope? Would I be making a mistake?" Elias asked seriously, his purple gaze searching for the right answer.
Aigou pondered for a moment, puffing his cheeks and scratching his hair. "Well... that's a hard question for a first-year middle schooler," he chuckled, nervously.
Elias smiled, "Don't worry if you don't have an answer. It was just a suppositious situation..."
"But, If I were in your place, Captain Elias, I would let the outcome happen naturally. Whether it's a loss or win, it's your impressive ability to foresee it and your decision to change it or not. I, on the other hand, wouldn't disrupt the flow of nature," Aigou interrupted.
"I would wait for a miracle," he added, with determination in his eyes.
Elias looked at him in wonder.
"You care a lot about us, Elias, and I know you will care for your future teammates a lot too, which is why you think this way. Think of not hurting anyone, or let them go through distress. Nonetheless, I believe when the desire to win exceeds fate, that's when miracles happen and people grow." Aigou said.
Elias's expression widened.
"And, that will be the point in your life, Elias, where you will overcome your
Aigou walked closer to him, offering his hand for a fist bump, smiling. "I don't know if what I said is even right. I just thought by putting myself in your place. You can ask Noah for his views if you are still unclear. But, if you ever need to do something like that with me, don't hesitate. I have to surpass you after all, and let's give it all we've got to get selected for the Under-17 cricket base!"
Elias, smiling gratefully, bumped their fists together. "Thank you, Aigou."
Beaming like the sun, Aigou went back to the sandpit, continuing to build his sandcastle, "No problemo~!"
"By the way, how did you become so clever?" Elias asked playfully.
"Hehe, I study, play, and spend most of my time with a clever friend. Is that reply not good enough?"
Aigou winked playfully. Elias, shaking his head, amused, replied, "Well, I am quite honored by the sentiment."
As the sky turned dark, he mumbled, "Miracles... that can help me overcome the unchangeable future? How amusing is that? I wonder who would be ones able to do that?" he thought, intrigued.
______
Elias took a hopeful breath as he gazed at the ground before him. "Are you the ones?" he whispered softly. "If so... I'm waiting for your miracles. When your willpower surpasses destiny and disproves my foresight." he thought eagerly.
Meanwhile, Haitam returned to the audience seats with a stack of refreshments in his arms, noticing his teammates frantically waving at him.
"Captain Haitam, hurry up! It's not good!" Milan called out urgently.
"Hurry up, Haitam! You're late! The entire powerplay ended and now you show up?" Yaaz added in disbelief.
Unfazed, Haitam handed out the refreshments. "What's all the commotion about? Why are you all yelling?" he asked, confused.
"It's trouble, and you don't even know! Just look!" Yahya pulled him down, pointing at the LED display.
Haitam assessed the situation while the others watched him curiously for his reaction. "Hm, so what?" he shrugged, unmoved.
"HUH?!" they exclaimed in disbelief.
"What do you mean 'So what'? Islamabad is 62 for two wickets in the powerplay, and Rovan and Seon Yul are at the crease! It's crazy! What will Karachi Kings do now?" Milan freaked out.
"Play, what else?" Haitam replied calmly, "You're acting as if you're playing. Stop overthinking. The game has just started. It's too early to decide the outcome."
"Sigh, I've been trying to tell them the same thing, but they won't listen," David said calmly.
"But...!" Yaaz began to protest, however, Haitam interrupted seriously, "Rauf and Isa aren't someone to be worried about just yet. If the team's backbone and current leader aren't showing frustration, who are we to assume? One thing I know for sure is that they are no pushovers."
Yaaz, Milan, and Lucas exchanged silent glances.
"I never thought I'd see a team supporting its rival. How unusual, Multan Sultans," an unfamiliar voice interrupted from behind.
Haitam glanced back, spotting Zain, who was twirling a pen between his fingers as he stared at the boys.
"Ah, who do we have here?" David said, slightly wary.
"Reporters," Haitam grinned.
"Why the hostility? I'm a fan of your team too. I'm not here to attack you although I feel like I'm the one under fire," Zain said, sounding weary.
Suddenly, Erum rooted loudly beside him, "ISLAMABAD WILL WIN! WOHOO~!" Both her cheeks painted with Islamabad United's flag and Islamabad's flag raised high in one of her hands, she shot a glare at Zain soon continuing derisively, "KARACHI WILL HAVE TO WORK HARDER THAN THIS, GO, GO ISLAMABAD!"
Whether it was embarrassment or sheer disbelief, Zain hid his face behind his journal while Multan's high schoolers gaped, some hiding their faces in mortification.
"I have nothing to do with them," David muttered, looking away.
"I agree, Vice-Captain," Yaaz said, ignoring them.
"Well, putting this crazy woman aside, what are your thoughts on this match?" Zain asked Haitam.
"Hey, who are you calling crazy?!" Erum retorted.
Haitam looked at them in disbelief, replying, "I thought I gave quite a big explanation just before..."
Zain nodded in realization.
Haitam sighed. "No wonder Alan has it hard with the reporters," he thought. "
GO, GO, ISLAMABAD! WOOHOO! YOU CAN DO IT, ROMEO!" Erum continued to cheer, the only one standing out from their section.
Multan's high schoolers glanced at her awkwardly.
"She hasn't eaten something wrong today, has she?" Lucas asked with a gulp.
"Romeo isn't even playing in this match; where did he come from?" Nouis added.
Annoyed by her, David pulled out his flute and began playing a melodious tune. The moment the melody began; the surroundings fell silent.
"Hey, Mama, look, he's playing a flute," a little kid pointed out in awe.
"So pretty," the girls adored. Haitam swayed left and right while Yahya and Milan clapped.
Erum immediately went silent, captivated by the music.
The melody purified many ears. Its sound reached Maria, who was sitting a bit to the right in a different stand. She smiled.
"Do you know them, Maria?" her father asked.
"Yes, father. They are Romeo's friends and Multan Sultans high schoolers," Maria replied.
"Oh, is that so? Shall I call them over?" her father asked.
Maria shook her head, "Nope, let them enjoy."
Once David finished playing, he opened his pink eyes, which glistened with a contented smile.
"Wow! That was amazing!" The crowd beside them clapped, and Haitam patted his shoulder, pleased.
"Whoever wins or loses, it's the game of champions. It's cricket for all," David said as the 7th over commenced.
Poseidon took over the bowling, and runs were scored by Seon Yul and Rovan intermittently.