" Our first win will be the first step towards the garden of dreams "
The sky was now clear after yesterday's rain. Clear blue like it's reflecting the ocean. Sejal was walking towards the sports area. Her hair were open with those liitle pearls in ear and kit slung across her shoulder. Just then she saw taehyung walking few metres away from him. He was also going there as they both took a test just before it. She ran towards him and stopped beside him. He looked at the person who suddenly appeared by his side.
" Oh, hi" he greeted with a mild smile. His hair settled backward at a side.
" Hi.... How was your test? Did you prepare for it?" He shook his head as a no looking towards the ground." But I clear enough concepts to take the test",
"Hmm.....good",then she silently began to walk with him. He also didn't utter a word. Now the sports area could be seen .
" You would've missed her alot yesterday ", she said while walking." Yes I missed her..", he pressed his lips and flipped his hair once." Listen ....do you want to get justice for Laura?" She broke the silence once again.
"Me?" He pointed his finger towards his chest. She nodded to look at him."yes you", he looked away immediately. "But how can I do..." She interrupted.
" You want the criminals to be caught or not?"
"Only that's what I want"
"Then you are the only person who can help", his brows furrowed but before he could ask any question she completed her words."... You are the only alive witness", his eyes widened. He instantly turned his head towards her." But how do you know that?"
"My father is leading the case", another revelation on him. Her father is an inspector. He managed to gather himself very next moment to say." Alright, I'll help. When should I met him?"
" Just give him a little while. First he want to settle down a case which is been going nowadays." He nodded while looking at the road.
" You know what losing a friend is like" he knew she was looking at him." It's like a flower is bleeding in your hand and you couldn't do anything about it", he said.
" And not forgetting them is like you're blooming that flower again", his steps froze there but she continued to walk into the sports area. She left him speechless. He was looking at her disappearing silhouette.She knew answer to all his questions. How?
Laura is my bloomed flower then, he thought.
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All the teams from grade 9th to twelfth were standing there with their hands crossed at their backs and heads were straight looking at their teacher.
" I have groomed all of you but still there is need to be flawless....two or three weeks from now your first competition will held single and double with other schools. I hope y'all get along."
Days passed like they were running on a horse. This is what life is. A running horse that doesn't know where to go. Only an expert rider can control it. The rider is not expert from the beginning. The path, the rider and the horse teacheseach other many lessons. Some of goodness, some of heart. Riding this horse we've reached the time where this competition was being held.
The seats were full with students from each school, cheering for their players. A huge crowd was there. This was the double match, the last one. The women singles one was lost by them. The other school won with 3:2 matches.
This was the last double. The score was 2:2 (ratio of matches won by the schools). The teacher sent taehyung and Sejal for the last match. They had to defend as the first serve was by the other team. Both of them took their positions side by side to each other, struck their rackets with each other's as a clap without even looking at each other. Viewers were sure that they both smirked.
With the first serve, the shuttlecock moved towards the outer court. Taehyung immediately stepped backwards and had a great jump almost half a meter up and swang his racket to hit a smash to the inner left court which was slightly hit by the player so that it touched the net and fell downward. This time Sejal went forward. She decept the shuttle to the inner right court where both of the players failed to reach and shuttlecock landed at the ground.
They both won the match with a big margin of 15:21. The crowd was now cheering both of their names. After a while, all the winning participants were given their certificate and medals. The four students came back to their teacher. It wasn't anyone who wasn't smiling. "Proud of you", said the teacher.
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Taehyung was now heading back home. The roadside was full with yellow leaves. He was walking with one of his hand in his pockets. The autumn had started. Winters were about to come, a new season, a new emotion. He just stopped on his way to look at huge tree. The sunlight was striking some parts of his face by being caressed by branches of that tree. He smiled at it, warmly.
"Let's see what this season brings", he said to continue walking. The yellow leaves were being crushed under his feet producing a crunch sound.
He might've walked a few steps away when he heard someone calling his name. He stopped there and turned to see Sejal running towards him. She stopped right in front of him
"Mr.head...",she bend down to her knees in order to breathe. Then she straightened." I am here to tell you that...",she stopped as she was still breathing heavily."that dad wants to meet you",she said.
"Is the last case solved up?" He asked looking at cars crossing the road.
"No. The girl is still unconscious. We cannot do anything about it "
"Hmm.. I'll come at night"
"Ok..." She was about to turn but stopped. Something caught her sight." By the way congratulations on your first win.", she said after looking at the medal in his neck. Her hands were on both straps of her bag.
"You too. It was only because of our coordination."
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The whole lee family was now preparing for dinner. Mr. Lee was in the kitchen giving a helping hand to his wife. Sejal's room door was open. From outside, it could be seen that was sitting at the study table, writing her assignment. She was dressed in a grey hoodie and black sweatpants. The hair as usual were in a ponytail. She stood up to reach out her bag lying on the bed as she wanted to get something from within. She heard the door bell just when she unzipped her bag.
She left the bag where it was and fastly headed out. Her father was about to leave the kitchen to check on the door.
"I'll check" ,she said and hurriedly headed towards the door. Still mr.lee ca e out and rubbed his wet hands on the kitchen towel which was placed at the kitchen counter. Sejal opened the door. Taehyung was here.
"Hi....", he said with a mild smile. They both greeted each other."please come i n" after that she called him in. They both walked through the hallway to reach the lounge.
"Dad.. he's here.", she said to her dad,who was now exiting the kitchen. " Oh, I am coming", saying this the inspector entered the lounge and reached for his particular couch.
" I am taehyung, sir", taehyung greeted when he put his hand down after fixing his glasses." Oh, so you are the young man." Taehyung nodded and smiled. Mr. Lee turned towards Sejal. "you didn't tell me there are this much handsome boys in your class", she remain silent as taehyung pressed his lips cause he didn't knew how to react." Please sit down", said her father.
All of them sat. Sejal sat in front of his dad and taehyung was sitting at the puffy at his side. Mr. Lee inquired about how he was saved and much more. Taehyung told him the whole incident which he told Sejal the other day.
" It has resemblance with some of the other cases. The only clue we have for now is the black van. It was seen somewhere else too", he paused, then continued."do you remember where's that abandoned cottage?",he tilted his head to ask taehyung.
" Yes, I do ", he said. He told a rough location
" But it is not sure that they go to the same place. Normally criminals don't do crime in the same place." Replied her father.
" It's not necessary. They can be trophy collectors. That place may be their hide out", Sejal denied his opinion. Her brows furrowed. There was a tension in her expressions.
" Can be",said her father."I'll make a visit there. Don't worry." He said to taehyung. He nodded in response.
" And the thing for I've called you.....", he paused. Taehyung looked up." A case will soon be opened by the government against them. It'll require your testimony.
I want to ask you if you can appear in court. You are still a kid", he wanted his permission. Taehyung pressed his lips before saying," I can, sir. Furthermore, if you want my parents permission, I'll take it from them too", he said smiling mildly.
"Enough of official talk. Let's have dinner", Mrs. Lee entered with her always cheerful personality. A lady in her 50s with long bob half clipped. Taehyung stood up and greeted." Such a good boy he is, sit down", taehyung's sat in his place and Mrs. Lee sat down with Sejal.
" Now don't bother this child with your questions", she commanded."as your wish, mam" he replied with a captivating smile. She turned her head towards taehyung. " Dinner is ready...", she said. He knew what she meant.
" I think I should go home now. Next time....", she knew he would refused so she interrupted him in between. " I insist.." she said sweetly." And if you want come back again you'll need to have dinner this time", she put on a condition.
" She'll make you some how follow her condition. It's my lifetime experience", this make corner of his lips slightly raised and then he nodded. " Ok,then. I'll have dinner here"
" And congratulations to both of you for your win", Mrs. Lee crossed her hands on her lap.
"Which win?", Sejal arched her brows. "You yourself told me girl....", she still looked confused. " Today's badminton match!" Taehyung reminded.
"Ah, I remember", her brows relaxed.
"Thankyou mam" taehyung said to his mother. She nodded, then stood up.
" I'll set the table. Please come within 5 minutes.", saying this she headed towards the kitchen. " Mom, I am coming too", Sejal got up from the couch to follow her.
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