The cricket ground simmered under the midday sun as the players gathered for another day of practice. Abdullah Shafique adjusted his grip on the bat, his heart racing as he awaited Naseem Shah's arrival. Naseem, with his contagious enthusiasm, bounded onto the field, a bright smile lighting up his face.
"Hey, Abdullah! Ready for another round of practice?" Naseem called out, his voice filled with excitement.
Abdullah's breath caught in his throat at the sound of Naseem's voice, his pulse quickening at the sight of his friend's cheerful demeanor. He nodded, unable to meet Naseem's gaze as he muttered a soft reply, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah, let's make it count," he managed to say, his tone betraying the nervousness that churned in his stomach.
As they warmed up together, Abdullah found himself struggling to maintain his composure in Naseem's presence. Naseem's easy laughter and infectious energy only served to heighten Abdullah's feelings of anxiety and longing, leaving him feeling more tongue-tied than ever.
"Abdullah, you're up next for batting," Babar Azam announced, breaking through the haze of Abdullah's thoughts.
Abdullah's heart raced at the prospect of facing the bowling machine, his palms growing clammy with nerves. Sensing his friend's apprehension, Naseem stepped closer, his expression filled with concern.
Abdullah swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry as he struggled to find the right words. He forced a weak smile, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as he attempted to brush off Naseem's concern.
"You okay, Abdullah? You seem a bit off today," Naseem observed, his brow furrowing with worry.
"I'm fine, Naseem. Just a bit tired, I guess," he replied, his voice sounding hollow even to his own ears.
Naseem studied him for a moment, his gaze searching and perceptive. "Well, if you need anything, just let me know, okay?" he said, his tone gentle and reassuring.
Abdullah nodded, his heart aching with the weight of unspoken words and unrequited feelings. As he stepped up to the crease, he pushed aside his inner turmoil, focusing all his energy on the task at hand.
And as he swung the bat, his mind filled with thoughts of Naseem and the tangled web of emotions that threatened to consume him, Abdullah knew that this was just the beginning of a journey that would change everything.
YOU ARE READING
AbdSeem: The Unspoken Bond
أدب الهواةIn the world of professional cricket, Abdullah and Naseem form an unlikely friendship that blossoms into something more. As they navigate their feelings for each other amidst the challenges of being young, gay athletes, they find support and accepta...
