NOW HAPPY READING!

Beautiful hazel eyes covered with curly eyelashes behind a thick pair of rimmed glasses settled right on her high cheekbones drinking imagination from the black ink of her favorite romance novel clasped by beautiful long and delicate fingers of her that is adorned with a beautiful emerald ring in her middle finger and a charm bracelet glimmering on her delicate wrist under the sun. She scrunched up her firm and narrow nose, her bow-shaped puffy lips coiled in despair resulting in her thick perfectly arched eyebrows joining together while reading a dialogue from the book.

The sun rays of spring morning falling on her exposed skin, white as a pinch of vermilion dissolved in milk; glow, in her pink kurta on top of blue washed ankle-length jeans. Caramel thick thread of silk flowing till her waist like sea waves with a flash of gold under the sun.

I love it when you call me Señorita,

I wish I could pretend I didn't need ya.

But every touch is oh la la la...

Its true la la la..

Blaring of her phone disturbed Abeer Rahman's hour as she calls it. Her weekends always spend like this. She sits in her balcony after breakfast finishing her favourite novel with the perfect view of the mountain from her french country style mansion in the heart of Dehradoon.

"Who the hell have the audacity to call me on the weekend morning?"

She growled in the phone without even checking the caller ID. Her usual velvet-like voice isn't velvety anymore.

"It's your bitch, Duh!"

Her best friend's obvious voice spoke from the other side.

"Zara?"

"Who else, do you have any other best friend except the two of us." Zara reply was sarcastic.

"Okay, no need to be bitchy this early in the morning however it should be me talking to you like that for disturbing !" She snapped in annoyance.

"Well yeah, your precious hours with your damn boring books!" Zara mocked and Abeer just rolled her eyes on her beet friend's usual remark.

"They are not boring!" Abeer defended.

"Okay whatever listen here.." Zara cut her off in the middle "I just called you to tell you that we have received the passes for this year's university-level Annual football game. Isn't it amazing?" Zara squealed in excitement.

"Hah!" Abeer gasped "How did you manage to get'em?" her face lightening up hearing the news.

It is one of the most awaited game of the year organised every year by the prestigious universities. Getting a chance as a player is like a dream for every football player or team of every university because they select bestest from the bests since its a direct ticket to join national or international teams. It's not easy to get passes for this event even as a viewer especially when you are a student of first-year batch just like Abeer and her two best friends.

"Well, that's for me to know and you to never find out." She whispered mischievously as if telling Abeer a secret.

"Come on Zara tell me yaar!" Abeer whined desperately, her curiosity on its peak.

"Tu bs aam kha ghutliyon se matlab na rakh..." Zara arrogantly said. "by the way match is tomorrow at 7 pm in St Jacobs stadium be on time. "She passed the information before adding further "Now shoo! Go back to reading your boring books."

"Za..Zara but.." Before Abeer can even finish Zara disconnected the call leaving Abeer annoyed and curious.

"Uggghhh" She threw her book grumpily, not interested anymore to read it.

********

It was already time for bed when Abeer was done after selecting her best dress and accessories for tomorrow night. For heaven's sake! there will be students from all the universities, looking their best supporting their team. When her phone pinged with a new message.

She grabbed her phone from the table and checked her inbox only to see a message from an unknown number that she knew whom it belongs without a doubt. Her heartbeat rising and falling rapidly while reading the message.

"No way in hell!" She grumpily whined after throwing her phone on the bed before grabbing it again dialing another number impatiently.

"Hello!" It was answered on the third ring before replying Abeer added another call as a conference.

"Zara-Maya!" She gritted out when both her best friends were on calls. "Why didn't you tell me he got selected for tomorrow's game?" She asked trying to calm herself.

"Well..." Maya dragged sheepishly.

"Don't tell me you both didn't know!" She warned.

"Come on Abeer if he won't then who? After all he is the best and the captain of the St Jacobs University team." Maya rolled her eyes exasperatedly telling her as if Abeer is the dumbest person ever.

"Common sense!" Zara sarcastic side woke up again.

"Well.." Abeer scrunched her eyes in annoyance "My common sense also says now that he is the one behind those 'somehow arranged passes'. Isn't he?" She asked taunting them.

"Abeer don't burden your 19-year-old self too much that you will start to look 90 in a few days. Loosen up, he won't bite." Zara suggested irritated by her best friend grumpy behaviour. But Abeer just disconnected without replying.

Abeer is lying now on her queen size bed deep in thought. Sleep long gone from her eyes after the news of him playing tomorrow hit her home. She can't believe how she didn't figure it out before.

Her favourite book corner in her queen-size room, dream catcher on her window, fairy lights on her ceiling nothing is interesting her anymore right now.

They are fresher's its next to impossible to arrange passes for them but its easy for him since he is her two years senior in university and also the football captain of their team. She desperately wants to go to the game but there is another part of her who doesn't want to face him. Eventually, she fell into a deep slumber when her brain lost the energy to think anymore.

*********

"So are you guys coming tonight?"

It was Sunday afternoon Abeer Rahman was on a conference call with her two best friends Maya and Zara. When Zara popped the question halting Abeer who was painting her toes while talking to her friends.

"Oh yes, I'm in for tonight." Maya consented excitedly.

"What about you Abeer are you?" They asked squealing when Abeer was back with her task of painting toes.

"Huh!" She sighed after finishing with her toes "No, I'm not." she denied nonchalantly while putting her nail paint bottle back on its place.

"Wh.. what..bu..but" Both girls on other line gasped. " He won't like it. You know how stubborn he can get." They started feeling aghast.

"He even got us the passes just because of you," Maya added feeling disappointed.

"Well for all I care he is crazy." Abeer shrugged carelessly.

"Yes but crazy for you!" Both the girls squealed enthusiastically while Abeer just rolled her eyes before disconnecting the call.

******

194

195..

196..

197..

Football pressed to the cemented floor by the force of his sweaty calloused palm, his goldilocks lips breathing the counts heavily one after the other. His entire weight balanced on his toes pushing himself up then down, popping veins on rugged muscles of his tanned arms. His round brown eyes shielded with a pair of long thin layer of eyebrows fixed on the wall in front of him. A bead of sweat glistening on his short -straight nose. His square jaw with light stubbled clenched.

Sweat dripping down from his forehead, sliding from his jaw escaping into the red loose tank clinging on his broad frame. Every time he lifts up, his six packs abdomen flashes and his taut thighs in sports trunks stretch popping veins.

198..

199..

"Omer!"

Voice of his best friend Rayan echoed in the court right after the creaking of the door opening.

"200!" The ball hit right on Rayan's shoulder as soon as Omer is finished tossing the ball in his direction while jumping back on his full 6.2 ft height.

"Ouch!" Rayan winced. "What was that man?" Rayan glared him and complains but Omer just smirks before turning to grab his sipper. He pours water on his clammy and messy brown hairs before sipping it gulping it down slowly.

"Anyways match will start in an hour lets leave for locker room our boys are waiting there," Rayan informed him about the status before the match. Rayan voice tone sounds naturally deep and sore as if his throat is infected nevertheless attractive.

Rayan is a handsome guy with fairly pale skin, monolid eyes and a firm jaw, his short hairs dyed platinum with all those muscles and lean body. Anyone in their first meeting will mistake him as Korean due to his features. They both aren't bound by blood but heart. They are the hottest pair of best friends in the entire university; duo being captain and vice-captain of the team and after all, the seniors add cherry to their charm and popularity. Students call them '' Ironically, Omer is the one always getting into trouble, starting fights, short-tempered meanwhile Rayan always taking the responsibility of his action, ready to back him up always.

''Is she coming?'' Rayan asked in a flat tone, not in the mood to beat around the bushes. His voice deep and husky, like he just woke up from his sleep.

''Haan bhai haan!'' Rayan answered annoyed. ''I just talked to Zara this morning she told me they are coming. Now let's go!''

''Good!'' Omer smiled in contentment before leaving the court.

''Majnu kahi ka !'' Rayan rolled his eyes before following him to boys locker room.

(such a Romeo!)

*********

''Omer!''

''Rayan!''

''Omer we love you!''

''YOU BOTH WILL KILL IT TONIGHT!''

''They look so hot!!!!!''

Loud cheers and hoots echoed in the already crowded stadium when Omer and Rayan passing by the bleachers to go to the boys locker room. Students from ST Jacobs university were cheering loudly for them while the girls from other universities checked him out openly with admiration sparkling in their eyes.

''God! That was one hell of a crowd man!'' They banged open the locker room's door laughing.

''Indeed it was!'' Teammates, who were sitting there waiting for them agreed while getting up to do their manly fist bump and hug.

''Omer - Rayan! get ready fast with team we just have forty minutes left.'' A hasty coach barged in the room right after them to inform them. ''Aye Aye coach!'' After receiving their response he left.

*******

''I am so excited, I can't believe our entire team got selected. Its a first and to top that we are the host too this year.'' Rayan said enthusiastically while pulling out his red jersey from his locker.

''Well, you should believe now we have worked hard for this and preparing ourselves for the last three years,'' Omer assured squeezing his shoulder before wearing his jersey number 5.

''By the way, there are people betting on you tonight Omer. To bring that trophy home and kicking the most goals.'' Another teammate Kunal laughed while telling them about people's craziness over tonight match.

''What?'' Omer gasped in disbelief.

''Well! Well! This year's game is going to be crazier than ever seems like.'' Rayan sang haughtily before teasing his best friend with a mischievous smile ''You should really start believing now Omer people are crazy for you especially girls.'' Omer rolled his eyes before getting up from his place and standing in front of the mirror to fix his wild hairs.

''Anyways vo aagai?'' Omer asked ignoring their teasing and taunts with his back towards his teammates while pushing his stuffs into the locker.

(did she arrive?)

''Not yet!'' Kunal replied rolling his eyes.

''Afsoos! is andhey ko Abeer k alawa kuch nazar hi nahi aata.'' Kartik, his other teammate joked making others bursts out into laughter meanwhile Omer just threw his dirty trunks in annoyance on Kartik's face before getting back to his task. His teammates are like his family so he knows their jokes are harmless.

(Unfortunately, this blind man has eyes only for Abeer.)

''Omer yaar seriously!'' Danish; one of his close friend and another teammate started speaking ''Kami hi kya hai tujhme? Abeer k alawa bhi duniya hai yaar, udhr dekh ladkia kya kuch karne ko taiyyar nahi hai tere liye. Pr tu to Abeer ka bhawra bana phirta hai jo tujhe dekhte hi Billi ki tarha rasta badal leti hai.'' Danish tone was disappointed. He feels bad for his friend.

(You are an eligible guy. There is also a life other than Abeer take a look at it. Girls are ready to do anything for you but you roam around Abeer like a moth to a flame and she runs away like a cat whenever she spots you around.')

''Okay, that's enough. I don't want your suggestions on my life status. Be quick.'' He snapped angrily before leaving from there. Friends or not he doesn't like anyone's too much involvement in his life. And Rayan knows it the best along with the history of Omer.

************

''Omer come on its time!'' Rayan announced huffing in nervousness calling his name to get his attention who was lying on a spare bench in the locker room.

"Omer!" He called his name again a little louder when he got no response from him.

''Abeer kaha hai?'' omer response was just a lazy question in return.

(where is Abeer?)

''How would I know.'' Rayan's eyes wide in disbelief, he seriously isn't ready for Abeer drama right now when he is breaking sweats over his life's most important match.

''Omer now please get up we don't have much time.'' Rayan voice is now annoyed and stern.

''Abeeerrrr, Rayan. Abeer kaha hai?'' but Omer repeating her name like a broken recorder unbothered by his friend's anger.

''What the hell Omer! Don't be so dumb right now at least not tonight.'' Rayan yelled angrily witnessing his friend's careless behavior. Soon all the teammates came rushing hearing Rayan's angry yell which is rare but Omer was unaffected and didn't even bother to reply this time.

''Omer, you are being selfish right now,'' Rayan warned sternly.

''Then play without me.'' Omer just shrugged carelessly and all the teammates stared at him in horror.

''You gotta be kidding us Omer!'' Kartik spoke in disbelief.

''Nope! I am hella serious. No Abeer means no game.'' He smirked arrogantly and his friends stood there with horrorstruck faces, watching it happening that they always fear most; his stubbornness. They wanted him to strangle him for his selfish behavior right now.

''Omer please we can't lose this game tonight for her.'' Rayan pleaded.

''char saal pehle jiske piche dil haar gaya, game koi badi baat nahi hai.'' Omer shrugged smiling to himself, those pair of hazel eyes flashed in front of his eyes meanwhile teammates gasped in horror on his response. He can't be serious.

Omer is a great friend and has a good heart but his stubbornness is the only despicable trait he has. People fear Omer stubbornness more than Omer himself. If he decides something not even God can't change that and that is what they all were dreading that's why Rayan did everything in his power to bring Abeer to the match yet she didn't come. Either Abeer will come or they will lose the match tonight without even playing.

"Omer we just have 5 minutes left. For God sake drop this stubborn attitude!"

"Omer please yaar! We have so many people betting on you tonight. We can't lose."

The tension was thick in the boy's locker room. Omer Ibrahim's friends were pacing aroundlooking pssed trying to convince him but Omer laid there on bench unbothered scrolling his phone as if what his friends are saying isn't important.

"Either bring her here tonight or don't trouble me at all."

Omer announced arrogantly not even bothering to take his eyes off from his phone after getting enough of his pestering friends.

''Ome..Omer t..tu aisa kaise kr sakta hai?'' Rayan asked, his voice shaking. ''It's not just about you we all have worked hard for this game.''Rayan heart is breaking, his hopes and excitement dying. Football is his life after all but his moron best friend so blind in love that he can't even see.

(How can you do this Omer?)

''Ishq me insaan kya kuch nahi kr sakta hai bhai!'' Omer sighed helplessly. He doesn't have even a single stress line about the game. ''And I have faith in you Rayan you will do great without me. Your love for football won't let us loose.'' Omer was guilty while speaking to a hurt Raya. Omer eyes pleading him to understand just like Rayan's pleading him to understand him and got his eyes stuck on his phone again.

(One can do anything in love, brother.)

So how was the first chapter of the story? Don't forget to tell me your views in the comment.