BIG-J

21

The next day, being another holiday, I found myself at home, feeling a bit disappointed and frustrated that Dominic hadn't texted me. We needed to have an important conversation about our relationship and the issues with Elinia. To distract myself, I opened Instagram after finishing my schoolwork and noticed that Shreya had posted a story for her close friends. I hesitated for a moment but eventually clicked on it. To my dismay, it was a late-night picture of her and James, his hand placed on her in an uncomfortably intimate manner. The picture seemed to suggest that there was something more going on between them.

Feeling annoyed and restless, I decided to step out for some fresh air. I put on an oversized hoodie and sweatpants, not caring about my appearance, and left my house around 8 pm. As I wandered around, I unexpectedly overheard Elinia and Serena talking. Since I had nothing else to do, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to eavesdrop on their conversation. They mentioned something about a "fight club" of sorts. Intrigued and unsure of what to expect, I discreetly followed them for about 20 minutes until they led me to an underground alley.

In this dimly lit and grimy place, I saw girls dressed provocatively and menacing-looking men forming some sort of gang. They all entered a particular spot, and my curiosity got the better of me again. I managed to slip in unnoticed, eager to see what was happening inside. As I entered, I was met with blindingly bright lights, overwhelming noise, and a heavy crowd filled with shouts and cheers. It was a violent and chaotic atmosphere, and I couldn't believe what I stumbled upon.

Amidst the clamour, I slowly pulled my hood over my head to stay inconspicuous. Then, my eyes locked onto one of the fighters in the ring, captivating me with his swift movements and remarkable skill. Blood was trickling from his nose, but he maintained a composed and confident demeanour, revealing a smile that contrasted sharply with the brutality around him.

To my astonishment, the fighter who had captured my attention was none other than James. I was left in shock, struggling to process the reality of what I was witnessing. James... fighting in an underground boxing club.

As I watched James fight, I couldn't help but be amazed by his skill and athleticism. I realized that the words he had mentioned about Dominic before now made sense. If James had fought back against Dominic, it could have been disastrous for him. Despite knowing it was wrong, I felt a strange sense of gratitude that he had chosen not to retaliate.

My eyes remained fixed on James throughout the fight, feeling a pull towards him that I couldn't deny. It was inappropriate and complicated, given my relationship with Dominic and my friendship with Shreya. Yet, the attraction was undeniable, and I couldn't tear my gaze away from him.

When the fight concluded, James's eyes met mine, and I quickly covered my face with my hood, trying to conceal my presence. However, he immediately broke away from the ring, dismissed the referee, and approached me. Without hesitation, he took my hand and led me away from the commotion, guiding me to what seemed to be a locker room.

Inside the locker room, James let go of my hand and asked with concern, "What the heck are you doing here, Anushka?" Stuttering, I tried to explain that I had followed Elinia. He sighed and placed a hand on his forehead, visibly worried. After changing his clothes, he held my hand again and urged, "You're not supposed to be here. Let's leave."

I pulled back, feeling annoyed and defensive. "Why not? You're not my parent. Let me do whatever I want," I retorted. James tried to reason with me, wanting to tell me everything, but I remained stubborn. Finally, he pleaded with me to leave, promising that he would explain everything. Reluctantly, I followed him outside.

Once we were outside, he tossed his helmet into my hands, instructing me to put it on. I complied, hopping onto his bike behind him, still feeling annoyed by his bossiness. He rode towards the beach, and as we stopped, I continued to hold onto him tightly, my emotions and thoughts swirling in confusion.

As James parked the bike, he offered me his hand to steady myself as I got off. We walked along the beach in silence for a while, the sound of the crashing waves providing a soothing backdrop. Finally, he broke the silence and opened up about his painful past. He shared how his mother had passed away because his father abandoned them, leaving them with no money. In desperation, he got involved in the fight club, where winning matches promised a substantial reward of £100,000. However, the dangerous nature of the fights meant that winning came with its risks, as people who didn't want you to succeed might harm you or your loved ones. Tragically, one of the gangs had killed his mother while he was still in school.

I was taken aback by the weight of James's confession. I hadn't expected him to share such intimate and painful details with me. Feeling a sense of empathy and sorrow for him, I instinctively held onto his arm, offering him some support. We continued walking until we reached a spot by the ocean, and without a word, we sat down.

James lay his head on my shoulders, and I let out a sigh, contemplating the vastness of the ocean before us. The serenity of the moment contrasted sharply with the turmoil in James's life. I wanted to say something, to offer comfort or wisdom, but it felt inadequate. Instead, I remained silent, just being there for him as he had been there for me earlier.

As the waves gently rolled in and out, I realized that sometimes, words couldn't heal wounds or erase the pain. Sometimes, the best thing we could do for someone we cared about was to be present, to listen without judgment, and to offer a shoulder to lean on. So, we sat together in silence, finding solace in each other's company and the peaceful embrace of the ocean.