Tale Teller (West Hampton U Series #1)

Chapter 10 ● Bliss

-- Sameer --

I flopped onto the ground, straining to catch my breath. Ruhaan snickered at my condition, not at all sympathetic for how hard he just kicked my ass at drills.

"Good job boys!" I called out, patting some of my teammates as they walked by. Most of the team shuffled off the court but I sat there as Ruhaan continued to whistle some song and shoot free throws. It took me back to first year, the first week of training when we became fast friends.

"So," his whistling fades out, leaving only the loud rap music blaring through the speakers. "How's Muskaan?" he waggles his eyebrows at me.

I chuck a ball at him but I'm spared from answering when Coach's voice shouts across the floor to make sure we turn off the lights before we leave. We both give him a thumbs up simultaneously before Ruhaan throws the ball back to me.

"Mind your business Ruhaan, unless you want to talk about whatever's going on with you."

That was the thing with Ruhaan. He enjoyed his popularity but for some reason, he was always averse to discussing it with me. Based on how he was with Suhana, I suspected it had something to do with her but he refused to about it with me.

He's about to say something but the doors to the court open. We both look to see a hesitant Muskaan step into the dimly lit room. Ruhaan calls out to her excitedly, waving her over. "I'll see you at home?"

I nod, sitting up and watching my... untitled-relationship-person strolling towards me. She let's her backpack slip off her shoulder before sitting down in front of me, her knees tucked into her and she rests her chin atop them. She waits till Ruhaan disappears down the hall to the locker room before turning her pretty eyes on me.

"Hi," I grin, rolling the ball around in my hands.

We hadn't had time to go on an official date or see much of each other over the week. She was busy with some event she was planning for her academic society and I had multiple games this week. There was plenty of texting and quick calls, but nothing substitutes being able to see her in front of me, feel her soft skin under my fingertips, feel that stir in my chest when she smiles at me.

"Sorry to show up unannounced. I was in the neighbourhood," she bites the inside of her cheek.

"You're welcome to stop by any time anywhere Moose. Where were you?" I ask, noticing her unusual outfit. She wasn't in her usual sexy librarian outfit as I teasingly called it. She looked like she just came from the gym, in her running shoes and fitted tights. Without her heeled boots, she was almost half a foot shorter.

"I was..." she bites her lip before continuing, "I dance once a week. Just casually, to work out school stress."

I try not to show my surprise but I know it's pretty clear on my face. She'd casually mentioned it a few times that she doesn't dance anymore like she used to but I guess she'd found a new way to keep that a part of her life still.

"And are you? De-stressed?" I ask.

She nods with evident bliss on her face. "I am." She takes the ball from my hand and gives it a bounce or two before launching it at the net. It hits the edge of the rim but bounces away.

Her scowl makes me laugh. "Come on! Your boyfriend is a college athlete. Your shot cannot be that bad."

She scoffs. "You're going to eat your words PG," she dribbles the ball down the court, and then just breaks out into a run to dunk the ball in. She's barely able to reach the net but she does manage to get the ball in.