INTOXICATED

Chapter 15 | The Basketball Match

Jungkook had been waiting for this day for weeks—the annual basketball tournament between rival schools. The day was finally here, and everything was set. It wasn’t just any regular match; this game was for the championship. For weeks, Jungkook and his team had trained tirelessly, pushing their limits, perfecting their skills, all for this one moment.

There was something else weighing on his mind, though. A thought that had been lingering for days. He couldn’t focus completely on the game without one thing—Reema. He had been looking forward to seeing her at the match, hoping she would be there to cheer him on, to witness the triumph he was determined to achieve.

It was during their usual catch-up session at the campus cafe a few days before the match that he’d asked her.

“Reema,” Jungkook had said, his voice laced with anticipation, “are you coming to watch the game on Saturday? I’d love for you to be there. It’s going to be intense, and your support would mean everything to me.”

Reema had smiled at him, though there was an undercurrent of hesitation in her expression. “I really want to, Jungkook, but I have so many assignments to finish. My finals are coming up, and I need to focus. I’m sorry.”

Her words had made his heart sink. He tried not to show it, but disappointment lingered in his chest. He had been so excited to have her by his side. He had hoped that this time, she would come to see him—really see him, in his element, doing something he loved. But she was busy, and that was that.

Jungkook had nodded, masking his sadness with a tight smile. “I understand,” he’d said. “Focus on your assignments. We can celebrate after the game.”

Even though he tried to remain cheerful, it was hard. The thought of playing without her cheering for him, without seeing her face in the crowd, made the game feel a little less important. Still, he pushed those feelings aside. He had a team to lead, a championship to win, and he couldn’t let anything distract him.

---

The day of the match arrived, and the atmosphere at the stadium was electric. The bleachers were packed with students from both schools, all excited to watch the fierce competition. Jungkook stood with his teammates, warming up on the court, his muscles rippling as he dribbled the ball, his eyes focused, determined.

His friends, the members of Bangtan, stood by the sidelines, cheering him on as they always did. But even though they were there, Jungkook’s eyes kept darting toward the entrance, hoping for a glimpse of Reema. But the minutes passed, and she didn’t show.

A small wave of sadness hit him again, but he shook it off. He was here to win.

The match began with an intensity that electrified the air. Jungkook was playing his best—his every movement fluid, graceful, yet powerful. He moved with precision, easily outmaneuvering his opponents, sinking shot after shot. His team was on fire, but the game wasn’t over yet, and the rival school wasn’t backing down.

It wasn’t until the second half, after a particularly exhilarating play, that Jungkook caught a glimpse of someone standing at the very edge of the bleachers. His heart leapt when he realized it was Reema. She was there. She had come.

He couldn’t help the smile that broke out across his face, even as he focused back on the game. Seeing her made everything feel right again. She was cheering, her hands clapping above her head, her eyes bright with excitement. She had come. She was supporting him.

A surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins. He played harder, faster, determined to show her just how much her presence meant to him. Every time he scored a point, he glanced toward her, hoping to catch her eye. He wanted her to know he was doing this for her, that her support made everything worth it.

The final minutes of the match came down to a nail-biting finish. Jungkook was drenched in sweat, his breathing heavy as he dribbled past his opponent. The game was tied, and the buzzer was about to go off. He had one chance to make the winning shot.

With the clock ticking down, Jungkook made his move. He darted toward the basket, his legs moving with speed and precision. He leaped, his body soaring through the air, the ball gripped tightly in his hands. Time seemed to slow as he released the ball, watching it fly through the air in a perfect arc.

The crowd held its breath as the ball swished through the net.

The gymnasium erupted in cheers. His team stormed the court, rushing toward him to celebrate. Jungkook pumped his fist into the air, his heart racing with exhilaration. He had won. They had won.

---

As Jungkook walked off the court, his team surrounding him, he couldn’t help but glance toward the bleachers again. His eyes sought out Reema, and when he spotted her, his heart skipped a beat. She was standing, clapping, her smile radiant. The sight of her filled him with pride.

But just as he was about to make his way toward her, a group of girls rushed past him, heading toward the court. They were holding water bottles and towels, eager to congratulate him.

Jungkook tried to smile and wave at them, but his attention was still on Reema. As the girls surrounded him, asking for selfies and offering him water, he felt a strange sense of discomfort. They all wanted a piece of him, and for a moment, it felt overwhelming.

But then, through the crowd, he spotted her. Reema was standing near the back, watching him with a quiet expression. Her arms were crossed, her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes filled with something he couldn’t quite place. The jealousy he saw in her expression made something stir in his chest.

He quickly excused himself from the girls and made his way through the crowd, ignoring their protests. He could hear them whispering behind him, but he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was getting to Reema.

He reached her side, feeling a rush of relief when she looked up at him. Without a word, he took the water bottle from her hands, offering her a genuine smile.

“Thank you,” he said softly, his voice full of gratitude.

Before she could respond, he surprised her by pulling her into a tight hug. The crowd around them seemed to fade as he held her, his heart pounding in his chest. Reema stiffened for a second but then relaxed, her arms wrapping around him in return.

Jungkook pulled back slightly, his hands lingering on her shoulders as he looked into her eyes. He could feel the weight of her gaze, the way she was watching him with an intensity he didn’t quite understand.

Reema’s eyes flickered toward the group of girls who had been surrounding him just moments ago. The envy in their eyes was palpable. She could see the way they looked at her, their jealousy obvious as they shot her sidelong glances. It made her stomach twist.

She couldn’t help but compare herself to them. They were all tall, slender, and beautiful. Perfect in every way. And then there was her—an ordinary girl, a scholarship student from India, with a chubby frame and average looks. Jungkook, with his striking features, his muscular build, his popularity—he was everything she was not. And yet, here he was, holding her, like she was the most important person in the world.

Her insecurities crept in, creeping around the edges of her thoughts. How could someone like him—handsome, athletic, intelligent, rich—want someone like her? She wasn’t special. She was just… Reema.

And as she stood there, in his arms, her chest tightening with a mix of emotions, she closed herself off. She didn’t want to admit it to him, but she could feel the distance between them growing, even if it was just in her heart. She was starting to doubt whether she truly belonged by his side.

Jungkook noticed the shift in her. Her body had tensed again, her smile faltering, and though she didn’t pull away, something in her seemed distant.

“Reema?” he asked, his voice low and full of concern. “Is everything okay?”

But Reema didn’t answer. Instead, she simply gave him a small, strained smile.

“Yeah,” she said softly. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”

Jungkook nodded, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed between them. But he didn’t know how to fix it. Not yet.