a step forward

★ Asif's POV ★

After the final whistle, the field slowly returned to what it usually looked like—quiet, empty, and bathed in the soft glow of a fading afternoon. The excitement and energy that filled the place just an hour ago had disappeared like the last echoes of a song. Only me and Sajim were left, waiting on the edge of the field like two leftover balloons after a party.

Rimon had gone to change and promised to treat us for his glorious victory and apparently to celebrate getting complimented by Ayesha. The guy was clearly on cloud nine.

As we waited, I finally gave in to the little voice in my head.

"Sajim… do you think… I mean… would a girl like her even be interested in someone like me?"

I said it low, almost like I didn't want even the air to hear it.

Sajim, of course, left no chance untouched.

"Pfft—why don't you try to find that out yourself, Romeo?" he grinned with full teasing glory.

"Oi! Don't mess with me, man!" I yelled, my face heating up instantly.

He burst into laughter again, probably enjoying every second of my suffering. Just as I was about to throw something at him, Rimon appeared behind us like a summoned boss.

"What are y'all screaming about now?"

Sajim was about to answer something very inappropriate, but I quickly lunged forward and grabbed his mouth.

"He said nothing!" I shouted nervously.

"Mmph!" Sajim muffled, still laughing with his eyes.

Rimon looked at us and laughed. "You two really get along like an old married couple."

"Don't give him more material to tease me," I grumbled.

Eventually, we left the school gate and headed toward the metro station. Apparently, a new ice cream shop had opened near the entrance, and Rimon, ever the proud striker of the day, declared,

"My treat. Get whatever you like, peasants."

I picked a classic chocolate cone—safe, reliable, sweet.

Sajim, being the wild card, ordered some strawberry-lemon mixed cone monstrosity.

I squinted. "Who even eats that combination?"

Rimon laughed. "Such a Sajim thing to do."

"Exactly," I nodded.

Rimon settled for a mango bar—boring, but respectable. He paid for all three, declaring himself MVP of the day.

We found a bench near the entrance and sat down, the cool wind brushing past us, the sound of metro rails clinking faintly in the distance. For a moment, things felt simple.

Then Sajim turned toward me with that look.

"If you want… I can get you Ayesha's Instagram ID."

Huh?!

I nearly dropped my cone.

"Wait WHAT?! How do you even have her ID? We literally just met her YESTERDAY!"

Sajim puffed out his chest like some secret agent. "I have my ways."

Rimon narrowed his eyes. "You're single. Yet why do you act like a playboy with connections in every dimension?"

Sajim just laughed in response.

Then he turned back to me with a serious-ish look. "So? You want it?"

I hesitated.

I wasn't even sure what I'd do if I had it.

But my body betrayed me.

I nodded.

Both of them burst into laughter like I'd just confessed to stealing the principal's shoes. Sajim slapped my back while Rimon gave me that big-bro grin.

"Lover boy confirmed!"

"Finally growing up!"

"Can we make this a national holiday?!"

I covered my face with my hand. "Why do I even hang out with you guys…"

We finished our ice cream as the sky began to dim into golden-orange hues. The street lights flickered on one by one, like stars showing up early.

Rimon's metro arrived. He waved goodbye, still chuckling as he stepped inside.

"Good luck, Asif!" he shouted just before the doors closed.

Now it was just me and Sajim.

We walked slowly, taking the same route as always, feet dragging a little after the long day. The noise had faded. The teasing too.

Then Sajim, suddenly serious, asked, "Do you really want to approach her?"

There was no sarcasm. No grin.

Just the question.

I paused.

My father's words from last night echoed in my head—

" Don't be afraid of it. Love's still worth it— even if it hurts."

I looked up at the sky, the orange tint deepening around us.

"…Yeah," I said.

Sajim smiled, proud. "I'll send you her ID link in your DMs tonight."

He took a turn down the alley toward his place.

"Don't forget to screenshot your convo!" he teased one last time.

I waved my hand lazily, too tired to respond with anything sarcastic.

Now alone, I walked straight down the familiar road to my apartment.

It still felt unreal. Like this whole thing was part of a script, too smooth for my awkward, slow-paced life.

But maybe… just maybe… I didn't mind that anymore.

Maybe going with the flow wasn't such a bad thing after all.

When I reached my place, I found the apartment still empty.

Dad was working late again. Just another normal night.

I dropped my bag on the floor, kicked off my shoes, and collapsed onto the couch with a long sigh.

Today had been… weird. Unexpected. Embarrassing.

But somewhere beneath all that—

—it was kind of wonderful.