Is Ihstan Alone?

XXII

CHAPTER 22

After a month of trainings and practices in table tennis. Our team had undergone a lot of hardships and sacrifices that is why we should give our hundred percent best now to shine and win the competition. Our coach, Coach Tilan, gave us his good luck and motivated us.

I looked at the audience in the gymnasium who will watch our games. I found my parents in the first row of bleachers and they waved at me. I was happy. Mom sent me a flying kiss and made a hand gesture that means 'fighting'. I smiled too when unexpectedly Kaldhi and Ritzieh arrived and sit with my parents.

After a seconds, I got my phone on my pocket when it beeped. I was startled in Kaldhi's chat. I looked at him immediately and he was looking at me too, and the bastard winked at me. Luckily, Ritzieh had having a conversation to my parents.

I proceeded in the comfort room and waited Kaldhi to come. I made sure that there were no people inside. I think his idea for inviting me here was bad.

"Good luck, Ihstan. I love you." He said and hugged me. "May I kiss you?" Then he asked my permission. I chuckled because of the butterflies in my stomach.

I nodded and he gave me a long soft sweet kiss. We took a selfie together when we exited the comfort room. I went back to my team with a smile in my face.

Micah sitted with me and we talked. She will be the very first in our team to compete. I do not still want to consider Micah as my friend but we were in good terms as well as his lover, Jeff.

"Where is Jeff?" I asked her.

"Oh, he's with my parents. There." She pointed me where Jeff was, and they were in the third row of bleachers. "We are legal now, honestly."

"How? I thought your parents won't allow you in a relationship." I stated, but Micah laughed.

"Jeff had his own moves. He courted my parents when I admitted to them that I have already a boyfriend. They were upset of course, but Jeff put a lot of effort just to make our relationship survived." Micah paused. "And the most hilarious part was Jeff made a power point presentation and present it to my parents why he deserves me. He even sung a song to my parents. And after a few days, we already free. Jeff also already introduced me to his parents and they were nice at me. They had no judgment."

After hearing Micah's story, I felt like I was back in the past wherein Ritzieh told me about their legalization of Kaldhi with their own parents. I was happy to them back then and now I felt like the same energy to Jeff and Micah relationship.

There were two tables for table tennis in the gymnasium for boys and girls. I looked at Micah who was preparing and ready to go. We clapped and cheered for her when her game started and she got the very first point. Micah won after that match and we were very proud for her.

"Get ready, you're next." Said coach Tilan at me almost a whisper. "Good luck, Ihstan. Fight!"

My body was shaking when I stepped up in the match. I was facing the defending champion in Table Tennis - Singles B boys. Of course I was pressured and I was lacking of hope. But the moment I looked at Kaldhi he was there smiling and cheering for me, also shouting my name.

I served the ball to my opponent and it was straightened to the net. I panicked because I missed my serve, 1-0. I focused to my game and ignored the cheering until I saw the score in the screen, 7-4. My opponent was still leading.

"Hey, we can do this." Said our Table Tennis - Singles B girls, Elma, who was in the other match.

Elma and I did not win in our first match that is why we were disappointed in ourselves. Our teams comfort was not enough to satisfied ourselves. I cried and excused myself from the team. I proceeded in the comfort room and wash my face. I was still crying until Kaldhi and Ritzieh came and hugged me.

Fvck this!

"You will win in your next game, Ihstan. We believe in you." Said Ritzieh. "You are a champion. You can do this."

I smiled at them. When I got back in my team. I immediately remember what Ritzieh told me and it boost my self-esteem to perform well and get my revenge in my next match. However, if I lose again in my next game that would be my final match. It will be game over.

When 10:30 AM came, I found myself in another match. I did not compete to my next opponent but rather I compete with myself. Because of the people who believe in me, I attacked the ball resulting to my winning point. I won the game. And won another one. Semi-Finals was waiting for me.

"Congrats, Ihstan! Manifesting Regionals." Said Micah and we appeared.

In the girl's team, Micah was the only one to survived in Semi-Finals. The rest lose already their matches while in our boys' team, we will all proceeding to Semi-Finals match. Our matches would all end tomorrow.

After our teams remaining matches, my family, as well as Kaldhi and Ritzieh, and I had a casual dinner in the Korean restaurant. I was famished and ate a lot. We talked about the game and they kept motivating me and was not pressuring me.

"What if I will not win tomorrow?" I asked to them and pouted. "Will I be a disappointment?"

"Honey, no. Don't say that." Mom said.

"Your mom was right, Ihstan. If your time is not now, remember that we are always proud of you, Son." Dad said and gave me a smile. "We love you."