Freed By Love - KaneBar

A Heart Awakened

The sun shone brightly on the day of the second match between Pakistan and New Zealand. Babar Azam stood at the edge of the pitch, his heart racing as he watched Kane Williamson chat with his teammates. The vibrant crowd around him cheered and waved flags, but all Babar could focus on was Kane's infectious smile. It filled Babar with a warmth he both craved and feared.

As the match began, Babar's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The pressure of captaincy weighed heavily on him, but it was nothing compared to the pressure he felt from his feelings for Kane. He couldn’t shake the memory of their conversation just days before—the way Kane had looked at him, eyes full of hope and affection. Babar had felt something deep and profound, but his response had been a lie born from fear.

The match unfolded, and Babar played diligently, focusing on every ball, every run. But with each glance at Kane, standing confidently at the opposite end, his heart swelled and twisted in a way that was almost painful. He admired Kane’s leadership, his ability to rally his team, but more than that, he admired the man himself—the kindness in his eyes, the strength in his voice. Babar felt drawn to him like a moth to a flame, and it terrified him.

As the innings progressed, Babar found himself frequently looking towards Kane, their eyes locking more than once. Each time, it felt like a jolt of electricity coursed through him, igniting a longing he struggled to comprehend. He couldn't afford to entertain these feelings; they were dangerous and vulnerable in a world that wouldn’t understand.

The match was a close one, and Babar’s focus on the game began to wane. He felt distracted, the weight of his unacknowledged feelings pulling him deeper into turmoil. His heart raced each time he thought of what it would mean to admit he had feelings for Kane. The implications, the judgments, and the rejection played in a relentless loop in his mind.

When the final whistle blew, signaling Pakistan's victory, Babar felt a mix of relief and frustration. He had played well, but the excitement of the win was overshadowed by the unshakeable weight in his chest. He had successfully kept his feelings at bay for one more day, but he knew the time was running out.

As they lined up for handshakes, Babar felt a swell of anxiety. He stepped forward, meeting Kane’s gaze, and for a moment, the world around them faded into silence. “Great game,” Kane said, his voice warm, the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Yeah, you played well too,” Babar replied, forcing a smile while his insides twisted.

“Want to grab a bite later?” Kane asked, hope evident in his tone.

Babar’s heart raced, but he quickly swallowed his desire to say yes. He could already envision the consequences—whispers, judgments, and the complications of their friendship. “I… can’t. Maybe after the series?” The words felt like a knife to his heart.

Kane’s smile faltered, disappointment flashing across his face. “Sure. I understand.” His response was polite, but Babar could see the hurt in his eyes.

As Kane turned away, Babar felt a sharp pang of regret. The moments they could have shared flickered like ghosts in his mind, but fear kept him shackled. He could have taken a step toward something beautiful, but he chose to retreat, back into the safety of denial.

That night, Babar lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thoughts spiraling as he replayed the day in his mind. He felt torn, a constant battle raging within him. Why was he so afraid? Was it the fear of rejection, the fear of judgment? Or was it simply the fear of losing what they already had?

The more he thought about Kane, the more he realized just how much he cared. It wasn’t just friendship—it was something deeper, something that made his heart race and his breath hitch. But admitting that to himself felt like stepping off a cliff, and he wasn’t ready to take that leap.

The next day, as he arrived at the stadium, the atmosphere buzzed with energy, but Babar felt heavy. He watched Kane warm up, a fierce determination radiating from him. Babar’s heart ached with the longing to be close, to share not just moments on the field but something more.

During the match, he played well, but every glance at Kane sent shivers down his spine, emotions swirling dangerously close to the surface. Each time Kane looked his way, Babar felt exposed, as if Kane could see right through the carefully constructed walls he had built around himself.

After another hard-fought victory for Pakistan, Babar stood in the locker room, trying to catch his breath amidst the celebrations. But as his teammates cheered, he felt a sense of emptiness. The thrill of victory faded as he scanned the room for Kane. When he finally found him, Kane was surrounded by friends, laughing and enjoying the moment.

Babar's heart ached as he watched from a distance. Kane looked so happy, and the sight made Babar realize just how much he wanted to be the one to make him smile like that. The truth crashed down on him—he wanted more than just friendship. He wanted to hold Kane, to share his life with him, but the fear of what that meant was suffocating.

Later that evening, Babar found himself alone in his rented room, the walls echoing with silence. He stared at the phone in his hand, contemplating sending Kane a message, but his fingers hesitated above the screen. What would he say? “I like you”? That felt too vulnerable. Instead, he put the phone down, feeling more lost than ever.

As he lay back on the bed, Babar closed his eyes and allowed the memories of Kane to wash over him—the laughter, the camaraderie, the small touches that felt electric. It was all too beautiful and too dangerous.

Tears stung at the corners of his eyes, and he squeezed them shut, desperate to push away the pain of unacknowledged longing. He couldn’t afford to feel this way, and yet he found it impossible to turn away. Kane was everything he desired, and the realization was both exhilarating and terrifying.

As sleep finally claimed him, Babar made a silent promise to himself: he would figure this out. He couldn’t keep running from his feelings forever, could he?

But for now, all he could do was cling to the hope that maybe, just maybe, there was a way for them to find their path together, despite the weight of the world pressing down on them.

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