Crossing Paths: A Love Beyond the Pitch - Jamal Musiala

05 Out of the Spotlight

The next few days after the team hangout felt surreal for Dina. She had been invited into Jamal's world, and for the first time, she truly saw the balance he was trying to maintain between being a global football star and simply being Jamal. They had exchanged a few messages since the night at the lounge, and while their texts had been casual, there was an undeniable undercurrent of something deeper building between them.

Dina found herself thinking about him more than she wanted to admit. His smile, his calm demeanor, the way he had made her feel like she belonged in a place where she'd initially felt like an outsider. She was still processing it all when her phone buzzed with a new message. It was Jamal.

Jamal: Hey, how's your day going? Was wondering if you'd be up for hanging out later. Something low-key?

Dina's heart did that familiar flutter again, the one that seemed to happen every time his name popped up on her screen. She quickly typed back.

Dina: Hey! My day's been good, just working mostly. I'd love to hang out. Low-key sounds perfect. Any ideas?

Jamal replied almost instantly.

Jamal: There's this park I like to go to just outside the city. It's quiet, peaceful. Thought it'd be a good escape from all the noise. Want to meet there around 4?

Dina smiled at the thought of seeing him again, this time in a more private, relaxed setting. She needed a break from the whirlwind her life had become recently, and Jamal's offer sounded perfect.

Dina: That sounds amazing. I'll see you there.

As the afternoon ticked by, Dina couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building inside her. She wasn't sure if this was a "date" or just two friends hanging out, but something told her that their connection was about to deepen, away from the eyes of his teammates and the energy of a group setting. This time, it was just going to be the two of them.

By the time 4 p.m. rolled around, Dina found herself standing at the entrance to a park she'd never been to before. It was tucked away from the main roads, a hidden gem filled with sprawling green lawns, towering trees, and winding paths that led deeper into the heart of the greenery. It was quiet, peaceful, exactly as Jamal had described.

She scanned the park, her eyes searching for any sign of him. And then she saw him—Jamal, leaning casually against a tree, dressed in a plain black hoodie and jeans, looking like any other 20-year-old guy who wasn't a world-famous footballer. He smiled when he spotted her, and she felt her stomach flip in that familiar way.

"Hey," Jamal greeted, his voice warm as she approached. "Glad you could make it."

"Of course," Dina replied, returning his smile. "This place is beautiful. I had no idea it was here."

"Yeah, not many people do," Jamal said, glancing around the park. "That's kind of why I like it. It's one of the few places I can come and just... be. No cameras, no fans. Just quiet."

Dina nodded, understanding what he meant. It must be hard for someone like Jamal to find peace, to have places where he could blend in and not feel like the whole world was watching his every move. She realized, in that moment, how important this park must be to him—this space where he could retreat from the chaos.

"You want to walk?" Jamal asked, nodding toward one of the paths that led further into the park.

"Sure," Dina said, falling into step beside him as they started down the trail. The sounds of the city faded away, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze and the distant chirping of birds. The quiet between them felt comfortable, not awkward, like they didn't need to fill the space with words just to avoid silence.