Tale of Silent Longing

47 | Tough Training

Jahan and Tanya were busy with the practice. Jahaan wanted to ensure that Tanya prepares properly for the sport. While Jahaan was training Tanya , he went towards her and said,

"Now you are standing from afar and aiming well. Now we will practice putting the ball in the basket from closer proximity, which means to put the ball by jumping high. It is going to be very difficult for your small legs."

"What the hell Jahaan ! Why are you always making fun of my short height? Tell me one thing, do people who are tall have broken such mountains which the short ones could not break?" Tanya asked annoyingly.

"Yes, no matter whatever you say, height is always an advantage in basketball, and Reeva is much taller than you, so you will have to work very hard in this technique," Jahaan replied getting up. He picked up the ball and dribbled it near the basket and then with a high jump he put the ball straight into the basket.

Seeing all this, Tanya sat on the bench excitedly and started clapping.

"See, you have to do this, you have to do the same," Jahaan called out holding the ball back. Tanya also spoke happily, "Yeah! I just have to do this, it is very easy", She got up and holding the ball she dribbled.

She then went closer to the basket and jumped to throw the ball. However, she could not succeed.

"This Basket is too high," Tanya announced grumping at her missed chance.

Hearing her complain, Jahaan , laughed and replied, "No the basket is not high, you are too short".

Tanya was annoyed hearing him comment about her short height repeatedly. She caught the ball and tried to put it again in the basket, but this time again Tanya could not put the ball in the basket.

"Practice," Asher yelled.

He went and stood in front of Tanya and, holding a bottle of water in one hand, raised the hand high in the air. "First take this bottle from me... come on, show me," Jahaan ordered.
Tanya tried her best but could not take the bottle from Jahaan's hand.

"It's OK! Gradually it will improve, that's all for now, there is a class from 9, go and get fresh," he announced.

Tanya left the college. Just like the previous night, Jahaan dropped her at her apartment and then went to his home to freshen up.

He reached the college at 8.30 and he went to the class. The professor had not come yet, which made Jahaan take a sigh of relief. He started walking towards his seat. Tanya had already reached the class but was sleeping with her head on the table. Jahaan went and sat on his seat and started watching Tanya sleeping.

Tanya was sleeping with her head on the table, but still, she was in a deep slumber. Her hair was scattered all over her face and the sunlight from the adjoining window was also falling on her. Seeing her sleeping so innocently, Jahaan started smiling.

He leaned forward and also laid his head on the table looking at Tanya . Jahaan himself was so tired that he did not even know when he fell asleep.

After a while, Illahi walked into the class and saw Tanya sleeping with her head on the table. Illahi went towards her and was surprised to find Jahaan also sleeping. They both had dozed off with their face towards each other.

Seeing them so worked up and sleeping, Illahi was trying to suppress her laugh. She took out her phone and clicked a picture of both of them. She smiled and then settled down on the seat in front.

She immediately sent the picture to Mrs. Mehta . Illahi then took her book from the bag and slammed the book loudly.

Hearing the sudden loud noise, Jahaan woke up and saw Tanya sleeping in front of him. At first, he could not make sense and thought that he was dreaming. After a few seconds, he realized that he was not dreaming and he too had slept.Immediately, he sat up straight and started looking around.