Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 24

Riya looked down at the jersey in her hands, the number 18 stitched boldly on the back. It wasn't just a jersey anymore; To wear it felt like stepping into something sacred, like holding a part of his heart.

As she pulled it over her shoulders, the weight of that number felt heavier than she expected, not because of its physical weight, but the feelings that lingered between them.

She felt a mix of nervousness and comfort. Nervous, because wearing his jersey felt intimate, as if she was stepping into his world, even if only for a moment. Comfort, because despite everything, it felt right.

Her heart swelled with conflicting emotions - hope, fear, and an ache she couldn't quite place.

Meanwhile, Siddharth had been good on the field, but the sharp pain in his ankle was making every move excruciating. He gritted his teeth and fought through it, determined not to let his team down.

He couldn't play at full strength, but every time his foot touched the ball, he reminded himself why he was there.

His mind swirled between the game and his feelings-Riya, her concerned eyes watching him from the stands, the hug that still lingered in his mind.

He tried to shake it off. Focus. He had to focus. The opposing team was closing in, and he couldn't afford to let his emotions or his injury distract him.

But the more he pushed himself, the more his ankle protested. His movements were slower, more deliberate, but he wasn't giving up. He knew the boys could feel the tension building. Arun was doing his best to take charge, his carefree attitude keeping the atmosphere light, but the pressure was rising.

On the field, Arun's voice rang out above the rest, his usual playful grin plastered on his face. He dribbled the ball effortlessly, occasionally throwing out dramatic moves that had the crowd in stitches. At one point, he even did a quick spin move, faking out one of the defenders, and winked at the stands.

Arun: "C'mon, guys, lighten up!" he laughed, dodging another player with ease. "We're not just here to win; we're here to have fun!"

Rahul jogged up beside him, puffing out a breath.

Rahul: "If Sid heard it, you will be gone man..."

Arun: "No... He won't... Because today was my day."

Rahul: "Yes... yet you spent half the energy on joking not actually playing, or else we'd be ahead by three goals already!"

Arun laughed, tapping the ball to Vikram.

Arun: "Relax, Rahul! We're getting there. You'll see."

The crowd was entertained by their banter, but the opposing team didn't find it so amusing. They were determined to take control, and despite Arun's lightheartedness, the tension on the field was palpable.

Up in the stands, Sruthi smiled, assuming things between Riya and Siddharth had smoothed over.

Sruthi: "Everything okay?" she asked, her tone gentle but knowing.

Riya nodded, though her eyes were locked on the field, particularly on Siddharth. He was struggling, she could see that, but he wasn't giving up. Her heart clenched watching him push through the pain.

Her hands gripped the edge of the stands as her emotions churned-concern, frustration, admiration-all mixing together as she saw him glance her way again.

When Siddharth caught sight of Riya in his jersey, it threw him. For a split second, the pain in his ankle seemed to fade as something stronger welled up inside him.

The memory of their hug rushed back again, the feel of her warmth. He wanted to focus on the game, but his emotions kept creeping in, and now, seeing her wearing his number, his mind felt like a storm. But Vikram's voice snapped him back to the present.