We were busy. My team was tormented. In the name of the practice, a few days of practice were extended, leading to an overlimit. Our coach was not taking 'no' for an answer. We know this match means a lot to our college, but sucking this much blood was not fair. I and Joshua completely came out of trip mode; we were not getting alone time if we got there; we would be busy making out, discussing the match, or planning strategy for the match. This was not only the case for our team; the whole college was looking forward to this upcoming match, which was adding pressure on us to give our best.
Xaviour College captain Jonathan Philip was the son of a politician who was also a powerful person and a close friend of my dad. We didn't get along; he was a total dick, and his wrongdoings were always supported by his parents, which only made his ego reach the next level. To boost his pride, his team has been winning over us for the past 2 years. If we let him win this year, it will leave a lifetime mark on us, and sure, he will rub on us whenever he gets a chance.
As the day of the match approached, our coach was nervous. We were at our best compared to the previous year, but he was still not satisfied. I guess the coach had taken this match too personally, which only killing us on the ground. He was making sure that at the end of the day, we were completely exhausted, so that we could not concentrate on any other things except having food and sleeping, and that was the case with everyone.
It was the day of our match, and the stadium was completely packed. We had expected viewers, but this was too much. The coach was boosting our energy with his inspirational words, and I and Joshua were adding too, but we were not able to remove the tension created in the environment to make it more entertaining. The weather was cloudy, and there were high chances of rain. Both colleges had discussed and concluded that this match wouldn't be postponed; they couldn't wait anymore. One wanted to mark their victory, and the other wanted to make sure they didn't. In any case, it's getting entertaining.
It was time we were on the field. Jonathan was standing opposite me, filled with pride; he had decided the result of this match; the smirk he had worn was only making it evident; and Joshua was beside me. Coaches were discussing something when Jonathan spoke, "A bunch of 'Homos' with a newbie can't pluck a hair stand from us from 2 years not getting why they are wasting their energy, handing over trophy would be the best option, don't you think Gray, our team can save energy and use it in partying our victory," followed by his teammates who started whispering shouts, the word 'Homos', 'Homos', 'Homos', which gained coaches attention, silenced everyone.
I have known Jonathan for the past few years; whether he knows about my sexuality or not, that was not the point, but he didn't throw it in my face. Never once, not while we were playing matches in previous years or met accidentally face-to-face, I was not getting why he was suddenly throwing this on my face; was it implied to Joshua also? I don't know, most importantly, how to respond to this comment. My silence only boosted his ego; his smirk was even more evident.
Soon after the match started, his statement only affected my performance on the ground, but the same was not the case for Joshua; he targeted Jonathan throughout the game and scored five goals. Till the match came to an end, both were targeting each other; it was like they would rip off each other. In front of Joshua, Jonathan was nothing. Once again, Joshua's angriness on the ground put me in a daze. He was capable of anything; it was proved on the ground in front of thousands of people. The match came to an end, and we won by scoring five goals. Joshua was solely responsible for winning the game, with more bruises and scratches on both Joshua and Jonathan.
After winning the match, our coach congratulated everyone and praised Joshua more. Everyone knew he deserved this, and we enjoyed our victory by hugging and applauding Joshua, but his mood was off; he was not enjoying the moment, and I could guess the reason. There was an after-party match, but Joshua declined it due to his injury. Everyone was discouraged; they wanted to cancel the party, but Joshua forced them to go and enjoy. By agreeing one last time, everyone hugged each other and bid their goodbyes.
Joshua went to meet the coach. I was waiting for him. After finishing the conversation, when he came out, he was surprised to see me waiting for him. "You didn't go to the party." "No," hmmm. With that, he started walking. His left leg was badly injured; he was crippling. "I will drop you," "No need," "I am dropping you, please." He didn't respond and started walking. I guided him towards my car. Still, the rain was pouring, but it was slow. We were in the car, Joshua was giving me silent treatment, only drizzling sound could be heard after few minutes of silence I spoke, "Game was intense", "Like really Gray only you got that much to say, when the hell you going to speak up you didn't utter a word to his face which only boosted his ego you know the worse part you were dejected by his words which only in return affected your performance on the ground right", "I didn't get any come back for that it was sudden attack of words and I was shock", "If you didn't respond it was ok you could have showed him on the ground don't you think, tell me if this was the case how you going to stand up for anything in the future, and why the hell you are taking so much time in responding me, you are not stopping my romantic approaches, you are enjoying that but don't want to get labelled, if you want only fucking and making out be clear but don't think I am going to wait for you forever and Gray don't lead on anyone if you are fucking not sure of someone, you are doing that to me".
It took a few seconds to digest every word spoken by Joshua. He was right; I was leading him on, but not like how he was portraying it. I was not playing with his feelings; I was pledging my feelings too. It was hard to hold back. If it were possible, I want to mark Joshua as mine forever. This was my life, but my dad was a dictator. I can't go against him. It's not because of his bloody money, status, or any other fucking thing; it's only because they were my family. I don't want to give up on them, irrespective of their behavior towards me. I want to give my best, and the most important thing is that my dad is dead against my dating. I don't want him to reject Joshua until I prove myself. I don't want my dad to ruin everything. " It's my dad, Josh. I told you he has hardly accepted my sexuality, and dating anyone, especially men, was a big no to him; he won't approve." "Gray, can you please come up with any other excuse? I am really fed up with hearing the same. I have told you so many times to introduce your dad to me; let me be on his good side and win over him. As we are not labeled yet, you can introduce me as your 'friend'. Why are you so hesitant? I will make sure he accepts our relationship wholeheartedly. Trust me for once; speak up for once; your silence started annoying me. Silence is good—at the right place and time, not every fucking time. You didn't utter a word on that bastard face, for God's sake. Gray, you are going to turn 18. Speak up for yourself. Where do you want to take this non-labeled thing? How long? Why the hell do I feel like it's one side? I am only interested in you." "No, don't take my silence the wrong way; if I was not interested, then I would have stopped your approaches. I am sorry. I am going to introduce you to my dad soon. Give me a few days. Let me find the perfect time", "Really, if I am pressuring, please let me know, but Gray, I want you in my life", "No, you are not, I can't be like this forever, and I don't want to lose you in any case", "I am sorry for pouring my frustration", "Don't be, I deserve it", "I bet you did", that made us laugh. Tension died, thank God, but I couldn't help but question myself: was it the right decision to introduce my dad to him? It's soon I won't have any other option to make him calm. Finding someone was hard. I meant when I said I didn't want to miss him.
I started driving the car towards Joshua's house. It was the second time I was going to drop him off, like the last time he was hurt. "It looks like I am dropping you off whenever you are injured or hurt." His face was facing the window. "Yeah, something has to be changed." I didn't get that implication. "What?" "Nothing; I need you to introduce me to my family whenever you are ready." I hummed, and the conversation was diverted to Jonathan about the game, his anger when we won the game, and so on. Soon we reached, and by placing a soft kiss, he exited my car.
When I entered home my dad was sitting on the couch, and when he saw me was beaming with a smile, "So how was the game by seeing you it was intense", "Yes, it was", "You enjoyed", "Very much dad", "And me too", "What, you came", "How could I miss, I am missing most part of your life and I want to be present in important one", "Dad you know should avoid this public display", "I know but how I was going to miss this game, you were badass", "I know, thank you", "Don't worry of that Jonathan I will take care of his dad", "I am least bothered of him", "How is everything else", and I want to avoid this conversation at any cost he doesn't need to know anything how many times I need to tell him that he got enough to deal with, "Dad, you need to know just this: everything is under control and going according to my plan, that's it." "You know I am worried; I want to help you; why are you not involving me?" "Dad, you got enough on your plate, and this was purely my idea; I never wanted to involve you in anything; let me handle this; trust me, please." "I trust you, but you know, after that incident, I can't lose what I have now; you both are my only precious jewels. I don't want anything else for my sake. Can't you let go of everything? I am really worried." Is he serious? After whatever happened, let go just like that over my fucking dead body: "Let go of everything, common dad. you are kidding right, let go how can you say that let go of everything after what happened to us, we fucking didn't deserve this, not you", "I know I am sorry but as I said I love you so much for yours' sake I will forget everything and move on", "First of all dad please don't be sorry it's not your fault, and I am not going to move on, I have already executed my 7 years plan and I have just seen teaser and trust me I am bloody enjoying every moment, what about trailer, movie, interval and climax, Dad, you know me very well I will start something with the intention of finishing it or else I won't even start, as I said don't worry and I don't want your public display till right time comes", "I understand please be careful if you want like anything reach me out don't do everything by yourself, I am your dad take advantage of my power, I really love that", "I know, I know and I will, when it is required than only, you can be producer dad I may use your card more coming days", "Please, I will increase your limit", "Thank you, I am tired I am going to the bed", "What about dinner?", "On my bed, please don't ask for the family bullshit thing, not today", "Clearly you are not missing your dad", "Please save it Dad", "Right, dinner on your bed good night then", "Night and Dad, please take care of your health", "Yes and you too please contact me if you need anything", "Yes, I will", with that I made my way towards my room. I was really damn exhausted. Single-handedly winning a game was not a fucking small thing; it was more than winning a game. I have accomplished much more. It was too soon. I thought at least it would take more than a year. No complaints though. Oh boy, my prediction went wrong. I am going to have a peaceful sleep for the first time, and it was because of Grayson Russell. Gray's name was enough to make me fucking hard. Why the hell was I not feeling sorry?