Love On The Field

2

(Pc- Pinterest)

The next day, I headed to the field, as the coach had instructed. The football team was already there, immersed in a lively training session. I scanned the faces, but didn't recognize anyone. "This is going to be awkward," I muttered to myself, feeling a familiar sense of unease. I had alwaysstruggled with socializing, and this moment was no exception.

"Hello, coach," I greeted him awkwardly.
"Ah, Aadriti, come here," he said with a smile, gesturing for me to sit beside him on the field bench. "They'll finish soon, just wait for a few minutes."

I have no idea about football - not a single clue. I used to watch matches on TV with my father and grandfather when I was a kid, but now I don't even remember the last time I had a proper conversation with my father.

The sky is a deep pink today, as if someone has complimented it, causing it to blush this intensely.

A ball came to a halt before my feet. "Sorry," a boy said, picking it up from the ground. I shook my head and said, "It's okay." Just then, the coach shouted, "Gather around, guys!" making us look in his direction. The boy jogged towards the coach, and I took a deep breath and followed him.

The coach's introduction caught me off guard, "Meet Aadriti Bose, who will develop our website." I slightly nodded, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Take a moment to introduce yourselves," he encouraged the team. The boy who had earlier picked up the ball, was the first to approach me. With a sly smile and a hint of mischief in his eyes, he said, "Hi Aadriti, I'm Rishi." His extended hand and not so friendly wink didn't put me at ease, and I shook his hand, trying to hide my awkwardness.

The coach scanned the group, his eyes searching for someone. "Where's our team captain?" he asked, but the guys just shrugged in unison.

"Rishi, have you seen him?" he asked again, but Rishi shook his head. "Actually, he's not here," the coach explained, turning to me. "He was supposed to discuss the website's design and layout with you." I nodded understandingly.

"Don't worry, we'll be in touch soon," the coach assured me. "I'll send over all the necessary information, and you can work with that." I agreed, smiling.

"I'll create a demo for you to review. If you like it, I'll proceed with the project." The coach smiled back, relieved. "Thanks, Aadriti. We're really grateful you could do this on such short notice." I laughed and began to gather my things. "No problem, happy to help. I'll let you guys get back to practice." As I turned to leave, my phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking the silence.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Aadriti, it's BP sir," my mentor's voice sounded urgent on the other end.

"Yes, sir?" I replied.

"Remember the senior I was telling you about?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," I responded.

"I just spoke with him, and he agreed to meet with you," BP sir said.

"Really?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes, I just got off the phone with him. He's heading to the library right now. Go there and talk to him," BP sir instructed.

"Okay, but sir, I don't know him," I pointed out.

"His name is Abhimanyu, a third-year student," BP sir provided.

"Thank you so much, sir," I expressed my gratitude.

Hanging up the call, I quickly rushed towards the library.

"Abhimanyu, Abhimanyu," I repeated the name to myself as I entered the library, regretting not knowing any of the seniors' names. Well, I didn't even know my classmates' names properly, so it was okay.
My focus was on finding him now. Luckily, the library was almost empty, with only a handful of students present - two girls studying together, a couple engrossed in their books, and two boys sitting at separate tables. I scanned the room, trying to figure out which one might be Abhimanyu.

"It'll be easy, it's either of them," I whispered to myself as I strode towards a boy who seemed to be sleeping. "Will he kill me if I wake him up?" I thought, hesitating for a moment. I poked him gently on the shoulder, trying not to startle him. However, the boy woke up with a scowl on his face, his voice laced with frustration. "What?" he asked, clearly annoyed. I asked slowly, trying to sound polite, "Are you perhaps Abhimanyu?" But he simply replied, "No," and then went back to sleep.

'Rude.'

I approached the other boy, who was actually reading, slowly and awkwardly. "Hi," I said, trying to sound friendly.

The boy looked up at me with a bland expression, his eyes seeming to say 'what do you want?'
"Yes?" he replied, his tone flat.
"Are you Abhimanyu?" I asked, trying to sound hopeful.
He looked at me for a moment, as if sizing me up, before responding with a curt "No".
"Ah, okay, thanks," I said, trying to hide my disappointment.

I leaned against a book rack, feeling defeated, and whispered to myself, "Did he already leave?" I thought, despair creeping in. "Ahh, I literally ran so freaking fast to meet him, and he's already gone! I'm surely going to fail my math exam," I lamented, pulling at my hair in frustration.

"Can you please keep it down?" a soft voice interrupted, startling me.

"Ahh!" I clutched my chest, my heart racing. "You scared the living daylights out of me!" I exclaimed, closing my eyes to calm down.
"I didn't mean to frighten you," he whispered, his voice gentle and soothing.
I slowly opened my eyes to find him sitting on the floor, leaning against a book rack, his presence seemingly appearing out of nowhere. I was certain he hadn't been there when I arrived - where had he come from? Is he?

"Abhimanyu?" I whispered, and he gazed at me with an unreadable expression.

"Don't tell me you're not"

"Yes," he replied softly, his voice barely audible, but enough to make me smile. "I finally found you," I said, sitting beside him. "I thought I'd missed you." I laughed nervously. He stared at me, his eyes clouded with confusion.

"I'm Aadriti, by the way. BP Sir told me about you." His response was a simple "Oh." I waited for more, but he just sat there, silent.

"So, are you okay with tutoring me in math? I know you must have exams coming up soon, but..." "I'm fine with it," he said curtly. I smiled awkwardly, feeling like I should've been named 'Awkward' instead. "When should we start?" I asked, trying to sound casual. "Tomorrow, after lunch. Meet me here," he said, standing up. I nodded, still feeling a bit awkward.

"Tomorrow after lunch, got it." I gave him a thumbs-up, flashing another awkward smile.

***