Safar...A Journey of First Love

Chapter 19 - Challenge

...They all made their way into the front cage; Armaan made his way into the court while Riddhima, Abhi, Nikita, Rahul and Muskaan sat at the sidelines on the benches. Seeing that a match was to take place other students who were hanging around after school came into the cage to witness what was going to happen; amongst the crowd was Armaan's fan club.

Armaan and Vivik stood facing each other while everyone in the stands watched them start the match; Vivik bounced the ball several times and threw it at Armaan who threw it back; Vivik once again passed the ball to Armaan giving him a chance to prove himself. Armaan took the chance and bounced it as he headed for basket but within seconds Vivik was at his elbow; Armaan bounced it; the ball hit the ground and Vivik took hold of the ball; bouncing it he sped ahead of Armaan and aimed it at the basket; scoring 2.

Everyone in the stands booed him and the fan club started chanting ARMAAN, ARMAAN...Vivik passed the ball to Armaan who bounced it then passed it back to him; Vivik dashed it hard at Armaan making him jump to catch it over his head; Armaan passed it back and Vivik took control; within a blink of an eye he shoots and scored another 3. TOTAL 5 – 0.

Riddhima was worried for him and she had resorted in biting her nails but it didn't help; "Calm down Ridz..." Nikita told her.

"I can't..." she continued biting her nails.

"Armaaaann...Armaan!" the girls chanted; "...Armaaaann...Armaan!"

They passed the ball to each other and Armaan took control; he dribbled the ball around the court heading for the basket; Vivik was just at his heel trying to get the ball at any chance but Armaan took a shot and the ball flew into the basket; the crowd yelled and some were already celebrating; TOTAL 5 – 2.

Vivik was beginning to get angry as the cheers were getting louder and louder; he knew that he had to do something; Armaan passed the ball to him and he threw it back with full force; Armaan noticed this and understood that he was just warming up and there was a lot more to come. Without waiting another second he took a shot from far resulting in a score of 3; the crowd erupted in cheers and Riddhima calmed down a little; TOTAL 5-5.

After passing the ball several times Armaan dribbled the ball along the court; he aimed for the basket but out of nowhere Vivik elbowed him in the face making him loose concentration; he dropped the ball and held onto his nose as the pain ran up to his head; without taking a second look at Armaan Vivik took control of the ball and scored making the TOTAL 7-5.

Riddhima jumped up in shock as she noticed that Armaan was hurt; "Armaan!" but he continued with the game after he had got over the pain. The only thought running through his mind right now was that he had to win this one for Riddhima. He caught the ball which Vivik had thrown at him and took control; he shoots from far and scored 3 making the TOTAL 7-8.

Everyone cheered and Vivik was now mad; the cheers were for Armaan and he couldn't stand it; he noticed Riddhima cheering from the stands as Armaan celebrated with bouncing the ball around with a smirk. Armaan passed the ball to him and he flung it back with a force; he continued looking at Riddhima who was all smiles and just couldn't take her eyes off of Armaan. He looked over at Armaan who was planning to go for a dunk; he sprinted over to him and watched as Armaan took a jump; he also followed his lead to take hold of the ball as well as barge into him making Armaan fall to the ground hitting his head hard onto the floor; grazing his forehead; blood oozed from his head. He stood up and wiped it away with the back of his hand and looked over at Vivik who had just scored; TOTAL 9-8.

Riddhima was yet again on her feet; "He's bleeding..." she said to the others.

"He's fine Ridz..." Muskaan told her.