The basketball court simmered with tension as the coach, a volatile storm of frustration, paced furiously. His heated words echoed across the court, a relentless barrage of expletives punctuating the air. The Jaba basketball team, a subdued ensemble, stood in a collective front, bearing the brunt of their coach's ire.
"Where were you all? The damn rematch was on Saturday, and only four of you bothered to show up. Where were all the morons at?" The coach's voice thundered, each word laced with a potent mix of disappointment and anger. The players remained in a stoic silence, absorbing the verbal onslaught.
In the midst of the fiery reprimand, the coach directed his wrath toward one individual, striding purposefully to stand in front of them. The gravity of the coach's gaze intensified, a silent challenge hanging in the air as the accused player awaited the storm that was about to descend. I maintained a tight-lipped silence, fully aware that I had squandered my Saturday in a blissful slumber. The coach's stern gaze bore into me as he delivered the consequence of my negligence.
"Since you were so busy, you will be meeting them in the regional games. Mind you, this might be the future for some of you. Just to refresh your memories, the regional games are next week; we will be sleeping in Thika, so make sure you are ready."
With those words, he departed without another utterance. The team joker attempted to lighten the heavy mood, commenting, "He might grow thin if he keeps stressing." The team captain followed with an encouraging speech and an invitation to his girlfriend's birthday party. Unperturbed, I remained indifferent, convinced that my destiny was not intertwined with basketball. In contrast, Jayden appeared like a ticking bomb, his frustration palpable. He stormed away, and Elvis and I hurriedly pursued him, sensing that something was amiss—Jayden had never been this upset before.
"People don't even care about who they will be hurting with their actions, but as long as it benefits them, they are not bothered. Fucking heartless bitches," Jayden exclaimed, his frustration pouring out through the vehement words.
Elvis and I exchanged glances, an unspoken understanding passing between us. It was evident that this outburst went beyond the realm of basketball. Jayden, since the time I had known him, had never resorted to swearing or using insulting language. Shocked would be an understatement. Silently, we trailed behind him, the weight of his words hanging in the air as we headed to his place.
Outside Nairobi Girls' High School, the lively chatter of departing students gradually faded, leaving Haika and her sister as the sole occupants. The watchman, concerned for their safety, urged them to wait inside. Reluctantly, they complied.
Meanwhile, Raul found himself ensnared in the clutches of Nairobi's infamous traffic. The cacophony of honking horns and the simmering road rage unfolded around him, with drivers exchanging insults and threats in the gridlock. The unyielding Nairobi jam dictated its own timeline, and it wasn't until around nine o'clock that Raul finally reached the school. To his bewilderment, the watchman informed him that a lady had already picked up Haika and her sister.
"What lady?" he exclaimed in shock.
Prior to the watchman responding, he retrieved his phone and dialed home. His youngest daughter answered, bringing a soothing sense of relief to his heart.
The atmosphere at Jayden's place was heavy with tension as he paced back and forth, his frustration palpable. Elvis and I exchanged concerned glances, unsure of how to approach the situation. It was evident that something more profound than a basketball setback was bothering him. After a moment, Jayden abruptly stopped and turned to us. His eyes, usually filled with determination, now held a glint of vulnerability.
"You guys remember Jessica, right?" he asked, his voice strained.
Elvis and I nodded, recalling the name from conversations Jayden had shared about his past. Jessica was Jayden's ex-girlfriend, and their relationship had ended on a bitter note. The wounds seemed to linger beneath the surface.
"She's getting married," Jayden revealed, his words heavy with a mix of bitterness and hurt. "I saw the damn invitation today. It's like a punch in the gut."
Elvis and I exchanged sympathetic glances, understanding the complexity of emotions that came with such news. Jayden had rarely discussed his past relationships, but it was evident that this revelation had hit him hard.
"Man, that's rough," Elvis said, his tone reflecting genuine concern.
Jayden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I thought I had moved on, you know? But seeing that invitation just brought back all the memories and emotions. It's like... like I never really got closure."
Silence lingered in the room as Jayden processed the weight of his emotions. Elvis and I stood there, offering silent support.
After a moment, Jayden looked at us, a mix of determination and vulnerability in his eyes. "I need to confront this. I can't let it mess with my head and affect the team. I'm going to that wedding, and I'm going to face whatever demons are still haunting me."
I attempted to dissuade him, but my words fell on deaf ears.
"To add to the complications, Tasha is clearly avoiding me!" he said with a deep sigh.
Raul steered into his driveway, greeted by the sight of an unfamiliar blue Mercedes Benz occupying his designated parking space. As he approached, his gaze scrutinized the expensive model, and a furrow formed on his forehead. What on earth is she doing here? Parked next to his daughter Haika was none other than Rebecca. They seemed engrossed in cheerful conversation.
"Hello there," Raul greeted as he embraced his daughters. "Could you girls please excuse us?"
The girls ascended the staircase to their respective rooms, leaving Raul to face Rebecca in the living room, a palpable tension hanging in the air. The silence between them was thick with unspoken words.
"I called, but your secretary told me you went to pick up your kids, so I went to look for you," Rebecca explained.
"Are you serious right now? What was so important that you had to go to my kids' school?"
"I want..."
"GET OUT!" Raul thundered, flinging the door open with a forceful sweep of his arm. The air in the room crackled with a mixture of anger and frustration as Rebecca hesitated for a moment before swiftly making her exit. The door slammed shut, encapsulating the lingering tension within the confines of the house.