Isolated

Chapter 7: The Colors of Life

The sun was already high when the whistle pierced the air. Mrs. Qareema's booming voice echoed across the playground.

"Alright, kids! Off to your houses! Track practice begins now!"

The students scrambled to their respective house banners, their faces a mix of excitement and nerves. The flags fluttered brightly in the wind; red for Ruby, blue for Sapphire, and green for Emerald. Amid the organized chaos, Firdous hurried to the Ruby House area, her heart racing. She clutched her water bottle tightly, her nerves making her palms sweaty.

As she neared the red flags, her eyes instinctively scanned the crowd for a familiar face. She hoped to see Taqib, her constant anchor. But when she finally spotted him, he was standing far away under the blue Sapphire House banner, laughing with his teammates.

Her heart sank.

"Taqib isn't in Ruby," she whispered to herself, the realization hitting hard.

For a moment, the world felt heavier. The comfort of having her brother by her side was gone, replaced by the uncertainty of new faces and unknown experiences. But then, something stirred within her, a spark of resolve she hadn't felt in a long time.

Maybe this is my chance to step out of the shadows truly, she thought, her grip on her bottle loosening as she exhaled deeply.

Her gaze returned to Taqib, who seemed full of energy and happiness. She forced a smile, knowing he'd be okay, and maybe, so would she.

The days quickly blended into each other as practices began in earnest. Firdous soon found herself swept up in the whirlwind of drills, team huddles, and laughter that filled the Ruby House grounds. Each evening, after long hours of practice, she walked home with Taqib and their neighbors, stopping by a small ice cream boutique to cool down with kulfis.

"How did your day go?" Taqib asked one evening, having his mango-flavored kulfi in his right hand and the other hand carrying his lightweight school bag. His tone was light, but Firdous sensed the genuine curiosity behind it.

"It was... good," she admitted, her voice soft but steady. "I think I'm starting to like it."

The other kids chimed in, sharing stories about their practices, the events they were selected for, and their excitement for the upcoming sports meet. Firdous listened, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"What about you, Firdous?" Taqib pressed. "What events are you in?"

She hesitated, then answered shyly, "Relay and dodgeball. And... I might try the school grill."

"The school grill?" Taqib raised an eyebrow, impressed. "That's a big deal, Firdous! You're going to rock it!"

His words lit a fire within her. Maybe she could do this after all.

As the days turned into weeks, the grievances Firdous once carried began to fade. The initial hesitation that gripped her heart loosened its hold, replaced by something unexpected joy. Each practice session brought new challenges, new friends, laughter, and a sense of belonging.

Among her housemates, one person stood out, Zara. A year older than Firdous, Zara had a vibrant personality that instantly drew people to her. She was kind and encouraging, often staying back to help Firdous with drills or sharing tips during breaks.

"You've got this, Firdous," Zara said one afternoon as they practiced baton handovers for the relay race. "Just trust yourself. You're faster than you think."

Firdous smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Zara. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Zara grinned. "Oh, you'd be just fine. You've got more strength than you realize. But hey, I'm happy to be here for you."