love

   I was in the living room. I was reading the latest book of rick riorden. Peter called from his bedroom. I went up, and knocked on the door. He called me in. He was…. Crying? What? I don't know. I thought he was crying. And yes he was.

As I entered in the room. He came to me hugged me. He was crying. He was at height of my shoulder but he was well built. Even more than me. 

"Hey, what happened?" I asked. 

"I got rejected in the college." As I told you earlier Peter was going to get the scholarship to get into university of Manchester. It was his dream, he always wanted to play in Manchester United. We sat on his bed. He was hugging me. I started to correct his hairs.

"Spill, everything."

"They said me I am not liable to play for them. They said to go for a fitness test. Which hardly anyone can pass. It's very hard and no one passes it."

"Wait, why would you say that? Have you applied to any other college?"

"Yes Duke University."

"So what is a problem?"

"Duke University is for champions I didn't have any title in my resume. I have never won the title." Oh okay I get it. It's hard to be in the Duke University.

"Okay you have I mean we both have match after 2 days. Is it semifinal?"

"Yes it's a semifinal. And it is with the deadliest team in the USA." He wiped his eyes. He started being serious. I thought he wanted to discuss the strategy.

"Oh come on. There is nothing like that in the world. If you will lose before the match…"

"You will lose the match. But,"

"No buts, just follow your dream okay. You want to win the match you will win the match. If anyone gets in between you and your success you will…"

"Kick his ass?"

"Yes you will kick his ass. And for that fitness test, I am going to give you military training for that one. Okay." I raised my hand to receive a high 5. He gave me.

"Okay." He hugged me last time. And sighed.

"Yes. Let it out of your chest. Prepare for the new day. Prepare for the new life. Prepare for glory." I shouted last sentence. 

"What is going on?" My aunt yelled from the lawn.

"Nothing." I yelled back. As I started to leave out of his room, Peter asked, "Can I sleep with you in your room tonight?" 

"Yes, of course. Don't ask permission next time okay." 

We slept after watching 300 on my laptop. He always loved watching movies with me. Especially the motivational ones. So we slept after deciding what to do tomorrow. It was Saturday night.

__

I woke up at 5 am to get going for the new routine. Peter was already up. I think his alarm rang at 4.45 am. After 15 minutes we were ready to go for a running on the football ground. Then my phone buzzed. It was Emily's text

Where are you?

Oh I completely forgot her for one full day. It was a Sunday morning and our usual plan to go somewhere. My vacation's 20 days passed. So we were like new path every week. So I thought about it sometime, and texted her.

I will be there in 15 minutes. 

I got the car keys from the living room and started to reverse the car from the garage. I parked my car in front of the house. 

"What are you doing?" Peter asked.

"Load all the balls, how many are they 10 12? Whatever. Load them into the car's back seat. And you are going to run 4 miles behind my car. Just like that movie Creed, okay."

"Okay, but what will be the speed?"

"Oh don't worry about the speed. I will go fast." And I started engine. 

"I didn't mean that."

"I know kid we have someone special to give lift."

"I know who she is. Everybody in the town knows that."

"Shut up kid and start stretching for 2 minutes."

He started bending and some ankle stretch moves. He did some jumping jacks. And gave me thumb up gesture. So I started driving slowly side by side for him. Then after some time I started going fast. 11 km/sec. I think. After a minute, I spotted Emily. I stopped in front of her. She was wearing pink sleeveless and a light blue jacket. And she was wearing track pants. And sports shoes.

"Hey can I get a sip of water?" Peter asked. Very heavy chested. 

"No you can't. Just jump in one place. If you will stop, I will whip your ass out."

He started jumping. "Hey, language." Emily shouted. Yes she has right to do that. Of course she has. "Sorry." I apologized to her.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"To the hill and then towards the football ground."

"Okay."

So I turned towards the car it was dark outside because it was not even dawn. As I turned she held her hands into mine. Her hands were cold. It was a sudden shock for me. I turned towards her and looked directly in the eyes. They were not miserable. They were happy. They were not full of guilt. They were full of confidence. She was not looking downwards. She was looking towards the horizon. I was really happy for her.

"Let's go." I said to Peter and started the engine. Same speed of 12-15 km/hour and Peter was good with that. He was not so tiring. 

"Thank you." Emily said.

"For what?" I suspected.

"For everything. You changed my life by becoming the part of it."

"You think so. But no. I think you changed my life, by entering in my life. You showed trust in me. That was everything. Thank you. Thank you Emily."

"I think I am in love with you." Nope I thought. No no no. I will not be here after 2 months. I have a dream to fulfill. What about me? Was I in love with her? I don't know. Or I do know. I was.

"What happened, you were lost." Snapped Emily.

"Nothing." I lied.

"So what is your answer?" and that's it. The world fell upon me. I didn't know what to say. I wanted to be in secret service, working for president of USA. I wanted to be the personal security Intel. But that job is relation less. You can't have anyone to care upon you. You have to ready to die at any moment for the president. You have to be disciplined. And devoid of any thing to care. And this girl is giving me proposal. 

"I, I am so sorry. I have a situation."

"What?" She sounded so calm. I thought she was just being sarcastic. But no, she was very angry, the deepness of her eyes has become hollow. The misery in her eyes started dwelling up. The guilt in her eyes started replacing that confidence. 

"We will talk about it later, okay. Can I say it after some time?"

"What do you mean?"

"I am saying that should I say I love you after some time."

"So you love me then." She concluded.

"No, I mean yes. But no. Not now."

"Okay." She sounded like she got it. Now her eyes were back to normal. This girl scares the shit out of me. Ooh. So after some time we were at the hill. And Peter also covered up so much. 

"Start 50 pushups and 80 burpees." He started doing them. I sat near Emily. She was looking so gorgeous in the first rays of sun. 

Peter was done with the workout. Then he and I started squats. We finished it at 120. Then he started complaining. But I shut him up. The scenery was so pleasant that I couldn't concentrate on hardcore. But I tried. Emily was doing some workouts with us. Some she couldn't do. But that's okay. After 90 minutes training program with 30 seconds rest. We all sat under the tree to cool down and stretching. 

"Why are you so stiff on him?" Emily asked. I looked towards Peter who was smiling. But then I gestured him to tell her everything. But he shook his head. 

"Peter tell her. It's okay." I told him. Not sounding too harsh. He was not ready to spill out.

"Peter it is okay. Everyone has regrets in their life. Everyone has that person in their life to take those regrets and secrets. The burden of your feelings has to let it out on someone special in your life. One great man said that long time ago." Said Emily. And it was very very sarcastic. I was flushing hard. I was ashamed of that. I realized the mistake of not let out my feelings about my dreams on her. But I promised her to talk. 

"What you people are talking about?" asked Peter. 

"Nothing, just tell me. Oaky. It's not good to have secrets deep buried inside your heart. As your brother here Jonathan has same thoughts about this, don't you?" she turned towards me. I was frowned.

"I promise you to talk about my situation to you. It's a vow." I said it immediately.

"What vow? I don't understand anything about your conversation." Said Peter. 

"Peter tell her everything or she will eat my brain now." I told Peter.

Peter told her everything. She is a good listener. At the time of ending, my part was more emotional. Peter shouted the last part. 'Prepare for glory.' Emily was smiling. Her eyes were fuzzy. She was filled with pride about me when Peter was thanking me for everything. After the end of the story she came closer and whispered into my ears, "I am proud of you." I wanted to laugh loud. But I controlled the emotion to myself. 

After cool down and stretching we headed towards the car. I was feeling hot so I took my shirt off. I was at back and the two were in front of me. They were walking. Some yoga girls waved to me. Peter thought it was for him but then he glanced back, I was shirtless. My chest was pumped out because of pushups. My abs were popped out, I think 5 were there, sixth was not so good looking. Some girls commented me I looked stunning. Then Emily glanced back. She couldn't watch it. As she turned to me. I literally held my hands on my nipples for protection. She punched me in the gut. Ow.

"The girls are looking, you don't have problem. But when I look, you are protecting yourself. From whom? Me."

Yes I was in a great trouble. I didn't know why I did that.

"No, I mean yes. What? And by the way the other girls just has attraction towards my body. You have love towards my heart."

I think it was loud enough to be heard by Peter. He was smiling. As soon as I said this Emily blushed, and playfully punched me on the shoulder.

"Put the clothes on. My dear love." She said. Obviously I obeyed her. I had to. Peter was watching and smiling hard. He was going to laugh. He was probably thinking that I got someone to control me, or a punch will come in my gut.

So I got inside of car. 

"Hey, you are going to run back to the ground." I told Peter. Nah, I was kidding.

"Are you serious?" Peter asked. Emily was smiling. And then she said, "No peter he is kidding, get in the car." Well I thought she understands me.

I shook my head towards Peter. Emily gestured him to get in the car. Now I was laughing hard. 

"Give me a towel Peter." Commanded Emily. Peter gave her my towel.

"Take this. Wipe it off. All sweat. Seats should be clean. And also you Peter." She snapped.

We did whatever she said. She was more beautiful this way than the shy girl. Her eyes were full of concern and care. Towards me? I am in a big trouble. I drove in silence.

__

When we reached to the ground coach was already there. They have started their warm up. So I gave Peter a thumbs up and gestured him to go in the team. I whispered, 'I am coming, you go.' And after he went there I turned towards Emily.

She was walking towards the road. 

"Wait." I shouted. She stopped. I ran towards her.

"You can see us practicing." I said.

"No I will go. I will watch the match directly. I have some work to do." She had some work to do. This was nice. She is really changed. Because of me. I shouldn't insist her now for stopping. So I let her go. 

"Ok. I will be rendezvous with you at the evening. How will you go? Should I drop you off?" I asked.

"No, no. It's okay. I will go. It's just four blocks away. I will walk."

"Okay. See you in the evening. We will talk about that, okay. After 2-3 days. I have some matches. So is it okay?"

"Yeah, it's okay. Concentrate on the game." She came closer to me and gave me hug. And then she was went on.

__

I got back to my team. They were standing in a line waiting for me. Coach was worried. Or his face was like that only. I didn't thought about that because the players were also depressed.

"What happened boys? Why you all have that shit on your face?" yeah my style of asking how are you.

"Opposition is so powerful." Said the team captain. He was 6 feet tall. Mid fielder. Stuart Bredly. He was very well built. Of course you have to be built to play football.

I glanced towards Peter, who was right wing. And he was smiling. He gestured me to go on. I looked towards the coach. He also gestured me to do something. So I prepared quickly to boost the zeal of these people. 

"What is football? Anybody know that? No. Yes. Meaning of football in the dictionary is? Anyone know? No. I will tell you. Which is, 11 powerful enthusiastic and focused players on the both sides play with a ball for 90 minutes without losing focus and they play it with the determination to defeat the other 11 players which are also powerful." Nobody was saying anything.

Then I continued, "This game is of power boys. Someone said at some time that, if you will win outside the ring, outside the ground, outside the battlefield…." 

"You will win every fight, every game, every battle." Finished coach and Peter and captain. Now all players were looking up. The rays of some hope was entering inside them. 

"I can't hear it."

Then some of them shouted.

"No, I can't hear it." I insisted once again.

They roared like the lions in the jungle. They were shouting and screaming like wolves.

I was shouting now, "My brothers, prepare for the new game. Prepare for the new life." After some pause I yelled, "PREPARE FOR THE GLORY."

And we all were shouting prepare for the glory. It was beautiful moment in my life. I never seen that much enthusiasm on my words. Anyway the words were of Spartans. So I don't take the credit of their enthusiasm.

And we practiced hard that day. We were practicing for 3 hours straight.

__

So you done resting. 

After my practice I passed off on my bed, but I showered, okay. Emily texted me. When I was sleeping. I was asleep for 4 hours and the sun was down. It was dark outside. So I texted her back.

Yeah I will be there in 10 minutes. 

I have a surprise for you. 

Thanks. We will see.

So I went to take some shower and went into the kitchen to eat some sprouts. I eat them because they are rich in proteins. My aunt would keep them in the water for whole night. They get that gesture when you can eat them with no difficulties. The sprouts take only 40 minutes to digest. So it's so healthy.

So I was going back to my room with the bowl in my hand. I opened the door and I was shocked. She was there. Emily was lying on her belly watching my I-pad. Where I had written some notes of yesterday's sociology class. I was good at taking notes about everything. Wait no. they were not notes. That was my diary, in my I-pad. She was reading the today's page.

"Hey," I shouted. "Why, how what are you doing here?"

"Surprise! I got here from the main door. I was just saying hello to you." The perfect answer for my question. She is genius. And beautiful and gorgeous.

I was in my night dress. I was just wearing underpants. Nothing else. The classic night dress. I tightened the knot of my night dress to my waist. She was not looking towards me. She was reading diary. She was reading today's page only. It was awkward man. I can't say how much but it was so awkward. I snatched up my tablet from her hands and locked it. And I put it on a table. As I did that she turned towards me. She was now lying on the side belly and she supported her head with her hand. She was gazing directly into my eyes.

"What happened?"

"It is my diary, girl. And some things are private for someone."

"Oh, okay. I am so sorry."

"It's okay." I sat near her. And I stood up. "You shouldn't be here. Go in the living room." She stood up and started walking. When she grabbed the handle I shouted at her, "Stop." 

"Now what?" She frowned. 

"Wait I will first check in there and I will then call you. Okay."

"Okay." The she went back to get my tablet. I snatched it again from her. I shook my head. I went back to the living room to check, I brought my I-pad with me. 

Peter was sitting there. Oh god why this kid was always in the bad timing. I went near him.

"Hey, you good?" He asked.

"Yeah probably." I tried to sound calm. "What about you?"

"Yeah I am good." He went back to watch his phone. 

"You don't have anything else to do." He was looking at me like I was an alien.

"Every day I sit here and watch phone, and you never said the word about it." Yeah it was true. I really didn't care about what he was doing. He promised me to get good grades in every exam, so I let it go. But today it was different situation. Emily was in my room and nobody knew that.

After some minutes uncle came home. Which was not usual time of him. I was stunned now.

"Why are you here this early?" I asked quickly. 

"What? You were the one who was always criticizing me for coming home late. And today." He gave a look to Peter, what is wrong with him? Then peter gave him the look of I don't know.

"Nothing I am just surprised." I tried to sound exciting.

"Why are you wandering here with your I-pad?" Oh I forgot about Emily. Come on man. 

And there she was out of my room came in the hall, everybody was staring ate her. I was shocked. 

"I just came here to say Hi." Emily said.

"Um, okay. Sit here. Peter give her some space." He slide towards the end of the sofa. She sat nervously on the sofa, resting her hands on her lap. 

Uncle looked towards me. He gave me a look of what is going on? I gave him a look of it's not my fault. But he gave me look like I know something was wrong. He went to his room to take shower. 

Now Peter was not watching his phone he looking towards me. 

"I will be back. I will put some clothes on. Peter, please give her whatever she like to drink. Do we have bear? If yes and if she wants give her, okay. I will be back."

I started to go back into my room. Where uncle was standing next to my door. He went in as I seen him. Then I got in.

"What is going on? She came out of your room. When nobody was around."

"Uncle see…" then I told him the exact thing. He didn't believe me. "Uncle, believe me, or I would rather say don't believe me. Okay. Believe her. She is not the girl like of that type. She had no intention of doing that. Okay. She is so naïve, oaky. She doesn't know so much. Believe her."

"Okay. You should get changed. I think you were going to meet somewhere." His eyes were fuzzy. After hearing about her, he let out a sigh. And apologized to me. 

"It's okay. Yeah I have to change now. Okay."

Then he went back in his room. I was going to wear jeans, yeah so cliché. And a t shirt which was yellow. Emily was wearing yellow. So I thought I should wear it. 

I went to the living room where my aunt was talking to Emily. I stood in the hallway. Leaned on the wall. Just looked at them.

They were happy. They were joking. They both were drinking coke. Peter was also joking in some times. I was happy to see them like this. So I stayed there near the wall. 

After some time like in minute or two, my uncle came and seen me looking happily towards our family. He came near me, put right hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. He was also enjoying the moment. We all were happy. 

But suddenly I was sleeping on the laps of my mom. She was setting my hairs by her hands. I was so happy around her. We were on a trip to countryside. We were sitting under the tree. Which was near a big farm. I remember there were so many cattle grazing around. There were so many horses across the field. The right area was full of sheep and cows. I loved being here. 

"Should we come here to live?" I asked my mom. I was so pleased by this environment that I couldn't think of my home. 

"Yes my dear, we will. But first of all you have to promise me of doing great work for our country." I had no clue about anything. 

"Yes, I promise to do great for country." 

"And the people of this country. Promise me." Her voice was so soft and gentle and so full of concern. I looked into those blue eyes, they were full of misery. Why misery? I didn't know. But they were sad. But permission about being here was more important for me, because I was a toddler. 

"Yes and I will take good care of people in this world." Wait I thought I said world. But she asked about our country. So I wanted to apologize her for making a wrong promise, and I looked towards her face. She was smiling. A sudden sense of pride was rushing through her blood. She was now looking towards the endpoint where the hill and the sky was meeting together. I started to speak something, but she placed her finger on my lips. I think she understood about the mistake I made while making a promise.

"It's not a mistake, dear. It's fate. It is your destiny. I was just testing you for what you will speak."

"Ooh. So we are coming here."

"Yes you will come here with your family."

"What about you and dad?" 

"We will always be there for you my son. I will always be there for you. Help people. Rise and wake up. Wake up."

And hell, I was back in the middle of the living room with my uncle. He was very happy to see the scene. So I was ready to go to wherever the destiny calls upon me. But first Emily was calling, she gestured me to come there and sit.

I went near her, I picked up the diet coke can. Sat there watching them smiling. At that night we had dinner as a family. Even Emily. My aunt insisted her to have dinner with us. So she stayed and I was glad. During dinner I did my best to avoid looking to her. She was looking beautiful. Of course she was.

__

After dinner my aunt commanded me to go with Emily. Of course I was going to. 

We were walking. She suddenly asked about the practice. I told her everything. 

"What is it with your work? What are you doing?"

"I, um, I am the new CEO of my dad's business."

"Wow that's great. Finally going to start something new and you will be good with it. I believe in you."

"Yeah, thanks. But I really am not ready to take this job. I am not eligible."

"That's not true. You are eligible for becoming everything. Okay. You are so powerful. Just have faith in yourself. Okay."

"You think that?" Her sound was cold and fuzzy. I thought about the sleeveless shirt of her. I thought she was probably feeling cold. So I stretched my right arm over her shoulder. And around her. I brought her closer. To me.

"Yes my dear. I think that. You should think of yourself also. Just be positive okay."

She gave me hug. We were walking, our arms were crossed to each other's body. We walked into silence. 

At the door of her house, she stood staring at me.

"I promise I will talk about it, okay. And I don't break promises." I sighed. "Goodnight. See you tomorrow."

"Goodnight." 

I turned towards the road and started walking slowly, was trying not see peek behind. Or I would break. So I started walking fast. And then I was home. I went directly to my room. Closed the door. I started crying. I cried till midnight. With those teary eyes I felt asleep.

__

A month was passed and it was the day of the match. I wake up at 6 am. I got one text from Emily and one from Stuart the team captain. I opened up the text from Stuart. 

We are ready for the glory!!

I smiled on that text. I typed back. 

I am ready to whip those bastard's asses.

So a good start of the day. Then I opened Emily's text.

I am coming to the match. I want one goal from you. And don't mess with anyone. Okay. 

Yes mam.

Good boy.

A pretty good start of the day. Match was at the stadium. At 10 am. So I got a shower. I changed to jeans and t shirt. Sprayed some deodorant on my shirt. And came out of the room. Peter was cleaning his studs for the match. 

"Hey you up already?" He asked me and got the weird look on his face. "Um, we have a match, remember." 

"Yes I know that. I have some work. I want you, to clean mine also. Okay. I will be back in time."

"Yeah I know where you are going. Get going brother and I get to clean up you stinky shoes." I threw one peanut on his head and it was a headshot. Ow. 

"Okay. I will be back after an hour. Bye."

"Bye."

__

I went inside. It was a two story villa. On the right of the main entrance, there was an umbrella and coat holders. And then inside on the left it was living room. Opposite of it, was a kitchen. Every little thing was perfectly placed and very neatly ordered. I went up with the stairs. And there was only one room. A big one. I entered inside, it was colored in light pink. At the left side of the room there was a piano. And a ukulele. Ah, I love ukulele. So I went near the piano. I sat on the bench. I looked right side of the room. A massive bed. And a chair near the window. The walls were full of pictures of her mom and… me. Wait, what? There were pictures of me working out. Some of them had, we both.

Suddenly I freaked out by the sound of starting of shower. I thought she might be in the bathroom. So I texted her. 

I have a surprise for you.

What? 

She was replying while having shower. That was cool.

You will see.

After some time, the shower stopped. She entered in the room just having towel around her. Just a fucking towel. How much a towel can cover anyone's body? So she entered in the room and I started playing ukulele. 

It was my favorite country song. I started to play. She freaked out. And the unexpected happened. She lost the knot of the towel. I stopped playing. Because I was shouting and I was having my hand on my eyes. I had seen some glimpse and that's all. Nothing else. I covered my eyes so tightly.

"Now it's fine." She said. I thought about resuming my song, so I opened my eyes. And there she was naked on the bed. I covered my eyes again. This time I had seen so much. But not whole. And I didn't want to see the whole. I was shouting to get those things covered. I was literally yelling at her.

"Ok, ok. Now it's fine." She said. I wasn't going to believe her. Not this time.

"Are you really not naked? Or is it like last one?" I asked her.

"No, I am not naked now."

"Ok." Then I saw her. She was wearing a night gown. A pink one.

And then I started playing I'll Still Be Loving You by Restless Heart. I loved this song so much. I think she also loved this song. The song was going to end. She got up came near me, and picked me up with my collar of t shirt. She dragged me towards her bed. I sat on the bed, looking right into her eyes. I know what will happen after this so I thought about something brave.

"What are you watching these days?" I asked her. 

"What? Um, nothing." She was blushing. She was smiling pretty hard. 

"Where did you learn this?"

"What?" Her mood was washing away. It was like name inscribed in the sand. It will never be permanent. 

"I have a match today. Okay. I want to be focused today. If you will do these things, it's hard to concentrate on one thing." I think she got that. She got up.

"Okay, I want to change. So can you please get out of here? Wait in the living room."

I got up and gave her a hug. I whispered into her ears, 'Thank you, I will continue this after the match.' She was smiling. And it was yes from her. 

I went into living room. Two guys in the suit were standing near the sofa. I waved at them. No response. I asked them, how the TV works. One of them went near TV and started it. The other guy gave remote to me. I searched for football match and found one. The repeat telecast of world cup final, I was watching the match on 100 inch home theatre. So enjoyed match for 15 minutes.

Emily was coming down through the stairs. She wore combat boots and usual outfit. The dashing and confident girl. She was very beautiful. 

She said something to the guards, they went outside.

"Hey." She asked.

"Hey." I started to leave. 

"Wait, you don't want to stay here for some more time." She sounded like she was pleading. I thought I should be here. It was just 7.45 am in the morning. 

"Okay." I said. I reached to hold her back in my right hand. And left hand of mine was holding her right hand. A silent couple dance. I was holding her in my right hand, and I switched to country music channel. Now I was leaning my neck on her shoulder. We were coming into a rhythm. We were dancing silently. She was smiling. 

After 10 minutes of intense slow dancing. I stopped. We were sitting on sofa. We were watching a film, I didn't know the name of the film. She kept her cheek on my shoulder. And she reached to hold my hand in her. I was going to fall asleep. She was a little dizzy too. And after a minute she fell asleep. I didn't know what to do with her. So I just kept my eyes open for some time. I remembered I have a match to play. So I just lightly shook her and she woke up with a beautiful yawn. Only half hour of sleep can be so energetic. Her face was full of energy.

"Do you have a juicer? Let's make something." I asked.

"I don't know. I never seen it, anyway." Okay. She had nothing to do with the kitchen or anything by herself.

We entered in to a kitchen. It was kitchen that I have seen in movies. Like chef's kitchen. Full white and posh. It was like one of the five star hotels. I searched for juicer. It was in the far end of the kitchen. So I sliced some fruits like apple, pine apple, half mango, and a small slice of avocado. I offered her but she completely said no.

I made her a chocolate smoothie with pine apple juice flavorings. She seemed delighted by drinking it. So after sleepy start and energetic end. I invited her to game once again. She said she will come. So I went to home after saying bye to Emily.