Beyond The Hoops

Chapter 1: Tip OFF

The gym was silent, save for the rhythmic bounce of a basketball against the polished hardwood floor. I stood at the free-throw line, my gaze unwavering as I lined up my shot. The echoes of the past seemed to reverberate in the empty space, the silence amplifying the weight of my unspoken fears.

Every dribble, every shot, was more than just practice; it was a ritual of escape—a way to drown out the shadows of my past that loomed large in the corners of my mind. With each perfect swish of the ball through the net, I found a fleeting moment of solace, a brief reprieve from the ever-present turmoil.

As I took my final shot of the day, the ball swished through the net with a satisfying sound, but the victory felt hollow, a mere illusion of triumph against the backdrop of my unresolved struggles. I lingered at the free-throw line, my eyes fixed on the hoop, lost in thoughts that seemed as relentless as the bouncing ball.

"Neha!" The sound of my name echoed through the gym, pulling me out of my trance.

I turned to see Raghav Sir standing at the edge of the court, his expression etched with weariness. By now, most of the team and staff knew better than to interrupt me during my practice sessions. If Raghav Sir sought me out in the middle, it had to be something urgent.

"Yes, Sir? Do you need something?" I asked as I walked towards the bench. Wiping the sweat from my brow with a towel, I took a long gulp of water and waited for him to speak.

"The BFI had a meeting last night. Mr. Raghuvanshi has called both team captains to his office at the end of the day. He needs to discuss something with you."

"I'm not going," I replied firmly, my voice tinged with a hint of defiance. The thought of facing another round of scrutiny and expectations felt overwhelming. Raghav Sir's expression didn't change, but there was a glimmer of concern in his eyes.

"You don't have a choice, Neha. It's important. We all have to be on the same page, especially with the World Cup coming up."

With a sigh, I nodded reluctantly. "Alright. I'll go."

The remainder of my practice felt fragmented, my thoughts drifting between the upcoming meeting and the growing tension in my mind. As I gathered my things and headed toward the locker room, Riya was already waiting for me. Her face lit up with a bright smile that seemed to offer a temporary escape from my worries.

"Hey, girl! How was practice?" Riya asked as she fell into step beside me. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and despite the heaviness in my chest, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of comfort.

"Hey. It was... intense, as usual," I replied, forcing a smile. "But I've got something else on my mind. Raghav Sir just told me that Mr. Raghuvanshi wants to see me later."

Riya's eyes widened with concern. "Oh, that doesn't sound good. What do you think it's about?"

"I don't know. He didn't say much. But I've got a bad feeling about it," I admitted, running a hand through my damp hair. "I really didn't want to go, but Raghav Sir insisted."

Riya pursed her lips in thought. "You know, you always get this bad feeling before something big happens. Remember the nationals last year? You were freaking out before the final game, and then you ended up being the MVP."

I chuckled softly, remembering that nerve-wracking day. "Yeah, but this is different. It's not a game. It feels... bigger. Like it's going to change things."

Riya nodded sympathetically. "If anyone can handle it, it's you. You've been through worse. But are you sure you'll be comfortable? I can come along if you want."

"No, it's fine. I'll only be there for a couple of minutes," I reassured her. I didn't want to drag her into something that might just be a boring meeting.