The Pep Talk 016

That evening, Ali sat at his desk, the schedule Zahra had made propped up in front of him. He couldn't believe how ridiculous it looked, with little doodles of boxing gloves and motivational phrases like "Punch procrastination in the face!"

But as he started organizing his tasks, he realized it made sense. For the first time in weeks, things felt manageable.

The next day, Ali approached Coach Rahman after training.

"You were right," Ali admitted, scratching the back of his head. "I need to slow down."

Coach nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Took you long enough to realize that. Now, let's make sure you're fighting smarter, not harder."

By the weekend, Ali felt like a new person. He wasn't perfect—his punches still needed work, and his grades weren't stellar—but he wasn't drowning anymore.

As he stood in the school courtyard with Zahra, Farid, and Crystall, he couldn't help but feel grateful.

"You guys are the best," he said, holding up the schedule Zahra had made.

"Of course we are," Zahra replied with a smirk. "We're your corner crew. Can't win a fight without us."

"Or lose one without us cheering you on," Farid added, grinning.

Crystall smiled softly. "You're not alone, Ali. Remember that."

Ali looked at his friends and the chaotic plan they had created. For the first time in weeks, he felt a spark of hope.

"Alright," he said, his voice steady. "Let's do this together."

---

The next day…

The gym was quiet, the usual chatter of students replaced by the rhythmic sound of a speed bag. Ali stood by the ring, his fists taped and his muscles aching from days of relentless training. But his mind was elsewhere, weighed down by the nagging doubt that had crept in after his match with Jason.

Coach Rahman leaned against the ropes, arms crossed. "Ali, come here," he called, his voice firm but not unkind.

Ali approached hesitantly, unsure of what was coming. Coach wasn't one for long talks, but when he spoke, his words carried weight.

"Sit down," Coach said, gesturing to the edge of the ring.

"You know," Coach began, his tone uncharacteristically soft, "I wasn't always a coach. I was in your shoes once—hungry, stubborn, ready to take on the world."

Ali looked up, surprised. Coach rarely talked about his past.

"I was good, too," Coach continued, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. "Fought in the nationals. People said I had a real shot at making it big."

"What happened?" Ali asked quietly.

Coach's smile faded. "I got injured. A bad hit to the shoulder during a sparring match. Doctor said I could keep boxing, but not at the level I wanted. I had to choose—push through and risk permanent damage or walk away."

Ali stared at him, wide-eyed. "You walked away?"

Coach nodded. "Hardest decision of my life. I thought it was the end for me. I felt like a failure."

"But you're not a failure," Ali said, his voice firm.

Coach chuckled. "Took me a while to figure that out, kid. I thought winning was everything. But I realized that boxing isn't just about the matches. It's about what you learn, who you become, and how you carry that into the rest of your life."

The gym door creaked open, and Ali glanced over to see Zahra and Farid poking their heads in. They quickly ducked out of sight, but Ali could hear their muffled whispers.

"Do you think this is one of those emotional mentor moments?" Zahra asked.

"Shh!" Farid hissed. "We'll ruin it!"

Coach ignored them, his focus on Ali. "You're going to face setbacks. You'll lose matches, get injured, feel like the world's against you. That's just life. What matters is how you handle it. Winning isn't just about the fight—it's about who you become because of it."

Ali nodded slowly, letting the words sink in.

After the conversation, Ali lingered in the gym, wrapping his fists and replaying Coach's words in his mind. He was so deep in thought he didn't notice Crystall walk in until she was standing right in front of him.

"You okay?" she asked, her emerald eyes filled with concern.

Ali hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. Just... thinking."

Crystall sat on the bench beside him, her presence calm and steady. "I heard what Coach said. He's right, you know. You're stronger than you think."

Ali managed a small smile. "You always know what to say."

She smiled back, a hint of teasing in her tone. "It's a talent. Besides, I believe in you, Ali. You've come so far already."

Her words struck a chord in him, and for the first time in days, he felt lighter.

Outside the gym, Jason paused by the door, his hands in his pockets. He had stopped by out of curiosity but had overheard Coach Rahman's speech.

He frowned, his usual smug demeanor replaced by something more contemplative. Coach's words echoed in his mind as he turned and walked away, his footsteps slow and deliberate.

As the evening light filtered through the gym's windows, Ali climbed into the ring, his movements purposeful. The aches and doubts were still there, but they felt smaller now, manageable.

He tightened the wraps around his fists, looking at Coach, who gave him a nod.

"Let's see what I'm really made of," Ali said, his voice steady and determined.

Coach smiled. "That's the spirit, kid. Now show me."

And as Ali squared up for another round of training, he knew he wasn't just fighting for a win. He was fighting for himself—and for the person he was becoming.

The next day …

The sound of gloves striking pads echoed in the dimly lit gym, blending with Ali's labored breaths. His shirt clung to his back, drenched in sweat, as Coach Rahman barked commands.

"Faster, Ali! This isn't the time to slack off. Your opponent won't wait for you to catch your breath!"

Ali gritted his teeth, his fists flying faster despite the burning in his shoulders. The "Perak Youth Boxing Cup" loomed like a storm on the horizon, its shadow growing heavier with each passing day.

"Time!" Coach Rahman called out, lowering the pads. "Good work, but you're still predictable. If you want to survive the tournament, you'll need to think beyond brute strength."