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"O..Omer!"

"Omer hamari dosti k liye bhi nahi manega?" Rayan played the last trump card he has. Emotions were thick in his voice.

(Won't you even do it for the sake of our friendship?)

"Rayan please don't force me." Omer begged helplessly not wanting to hurt his Brest friend anymore. But unfortunately he is doing that to him already.

"Are you sure?" Rayan asked and Omer nodded in reply not finding enough courage to spill it out.

And that one response was enough for Rayan to know that how serious Omer is. But one more thing is on stake tonight; their friendship. Rayan is hurt, his eyes stinging with tears but he doesn't want to cry not atleast in front of Omer. He can't believe Omer is risking ten years of their friendship for four years of love. It feels like a betrayal to him. Was Rayan the only one who cares about their friendship? Isn't it precious to Omer anymore?

"Leave!" Rayan ordered sternly. His angry voice echoed in the locker room scaring boys. It was time to leave them alone. Its rare when Rayan is angry and if he is then no one wants to witness it.

Rayan patiently waited for everyone to leave before he finally heard the last guy closing the door after leaving the room to them. He sighed deeply, clenching and unclenching his fist meanwhile Omer put his phone beside him after getting up to sit from his laying position. He waited patiently for Rayan to speak; he won't even complaint even if Rayan beat him to pulp tonight for backing off because he knows he deserves it. And he is ready to receive whatever punishment he has for him in store.

"Rayan look!..I..I know how important this match is for you and your future. Bu..but try to understand Abeer is as precious to me as this game to you." Omer tried to explain himself to Rayan in his calmest voice but it showed opposite effect on Rayan.

"So our friendship doesn't mean anything to you?" Rayan asked monotonously. His voice sounds dark.

"Rayan what rubbish!" Omer objected. "You know I trust you more than myself."

"And I thought I trust you too." Rayan complained averting his gaze from Omer. "Bu..but I am not sure anymore." His voice was painful and cracking.

"Main apne dost se zada hmari dosti pe trust kia!" Rayan punched the locker, angrily. Omer heart breaks hearing his friend's complaint.

"Ra.. rayan.."He started warily but only to be interrupted by Rayan's angry roar.

"Enough!" he showed his palm.

"Enough Omer!"

"You know what; its not just our match tonight on stake but also our friendship." Omer stared at him in horror.

"Even if Abeer comes tonight, We won't be same anymore. You already made your choice and its Abeer!" Rayan warned murderously meanwhile Omer just shook his head pleading with his eyes. "Mujhe lagta tha hamari dosti mujhe kabhi dhoka nahi degi. Shayad main galat tha. I expected too much from you." He spat bitterly.

And then Rayan turned around to leave. He doesn't want to do this to his friend but he don't have any other option anymore. Omer stubbornness will be the reason of their broken friendship and that's why Rayan don't give a fuck about Abeer's coming anymore.

"Rayan yaar !" Omer stood up desperately clutching Rayan by his shoulder stopping him from leaving.

Rayan clenched his fist, doesn't want to see his face anymore. It reminds him of his betrayal.

"Omer leave there's not anything left to talk!" Rayan snarled. "Tu ashiq banne k chakkar me apna dost hi bhul gaya." he taunted smiling painfully. Omer felt hurt hearing his accusation.

"Just hear me out once please." Omer pleaded. "Yo..you said you trust this friendship more than this stupid friend. Right?" Omer asked smiling painfully meanwhile Rayan inhaled sharply.

"And I also told you that I don't know anymore." Rayan retorted. "You risked our friendship for the girl who doesn't care for you anymore and here I did everything for you and this is what I get in return. Betrayal!" Rayan bursted feeling hurt and angry.

"Rayan bro!" Omer desperately turn him around now they both are facing each other but Rayan has averted his eyes elsewhere. His eyes red in angry and due to holding tears.

"Rayan jai..jaise tujhe dost se zada apni dosti p bharosa hai vaise hi mujhe mere ashiq hone se zada apni is ashiqui p burosa hai." Omer confessed sharing his actual feeling. "Its not just a test for you its for me too."

(Rayan the way you trust this friendship more than your friend, I have my trust on my love more than being a lover)

"Agar vo aaj nahi aai to main apna dost or mohabbat pr bharosa dono kho du shayad." Omer voice was scared and Rayan frowned.

(And if she won't come tonight. I just won't lose a friend but also my faith on love.)

"Or uska aana aaj kyu zaroori hai tere liye?" Rayan asked.

(And why her coming here tonight is important for you?)

"Pata nahi." He shrugged absentmindedly. "But I know vo aaegi."(she will come) He whispered audibly and Rayan rolled his eyes in irritation.

"I am done!" Rayan exclaimed defeatedly before turning around again to leave.

"Rayan please yaar! Just trust your friends trust on his love. Ju.. just this once. " He begged convincingly, desperation and hope clear in his voice.

Rayan stared Omer helplessly for a moment before sighing heavily then threatened Omer seriously.

"Okay but this is your last chance if she won't come and you won't play. This friendship will be over!"

"Rayan-Omer be quick! Its time." Coach voice echoed from behind freezing them both with horror clear on their faces.

It was like time stopped for both of them. Their eyes locked speaking their miseries to each other. One is feeling immense pain that he was trying to suppress since Omer declaration; the last thread of hope twitched and then snapped. Rayan nightmare came to life and his lips turned into a broken smile when his eyes fell on his expensive wrist watch. While Omer wanted nothing more than to evaporate into thin air to avoid looking at his broken friend and the pain he has caused him tonight.

Rayan losing faith in friendship and Omer on his love.

"Guess what? Everything is over." A shattered Rayan turn around leaving Omer miserable.

Rayan-Omer both eyes have tears that is threatening to fall down. But Rayan; he held himself bravely; promising himself not to break for a narcissistic brat like Omer who doesn't care about anyone but himself. It was so stupid of him to trust him until the last moment and getting manipulated by his last convincing speech. *Trust your friend's trust speech.* But not anymore. He already has lost his best friend or he will be damned if he lose the match too. It will be the first time in ten years Rayan will be playing without Omer; thought alone breaking his heart. How ironic! Their friendship started with a football match and now ended with one too.

"Omer !"

It was then when Rayan was about to reach the door handle to open it; It was already flung open by beaming Kartik who is breathing heavily looking both of their confused faces and broke the news without any further delay.

"She is here!"

"What?"

Omer and Rayan both couldn't believe their ears. Their eyes wide open in shock before their lips stretching into a big smile when Kartik cleared all the doubts.

"Abeer is here! She is here!" Kartik announced enthusiastically.

Rayan and Omer eyes locked; moist with tears and thick emotions. Both their throats are clogged making it hard for them to speak. Omer just blink his eyes at his best friend apologetically and Rayan instantly looked away , looking up to stop his tears.

"Ra..Rayan she came!" Omer stammered; his voice thick with emotion stuck on Rayan.

"So what now?" Rayan spat; his voice also hoarse with emotion.

"We play!" Omer grinned like a loon while throwing himself on Rayan taking him off guard.

But Rayan didn't hug him back. He stood there with his jaw clenched and hand in fist on the sides. He felt his lungs filling with oxygen again but he is still too hurt and upset by Omer's behaviour tonight.

"Rayan?" Omer whispered confused and hurt when he didn't feel his best friend hugging him back. "Rayan are you still mad? Come on! Did.. didn't I tell you she will come?" He told him but Rayan didn't speak a thing.

"Please buddy you promised!" Omer again hugged him and the tears that he was controlling until now finally found its way out witnessing Rayan so detached.

Rayan heartless demeanor started to crack seeing his stubborn and narcissistic friends in tears. And remembering his promise to Omer he hesitantly hugged him back before taking a deep breath to cool himself down. He isn't upset anymore but he is still hurt. But that issue is for other time whereas Omer smiled finally in relief. He don't express often but Rayan is an important part of his life. He can't imagine his life without Rayan. Rayan is the big brother figure Omer never had even after both are as same age.

*******

"Zara! Where is our seat?"

"For god sake we have been searching for an hour now!"

Abeer and Maya's patience is now breaking because of their stupid best friend who can't identify their seats.

"Come on pals don't exaggerate, It isn't an hour!" Zara snapped irritated by their friends false accusation.

"Exactly! because You have been arguing for top 40 minutes to that old bunch of professors telling them that those seats are yours. When it was already mentioned there *reserved for faculties* Fantastico!" Abeer sarcastically snapped; Zara innocently shrugged completely ignoring them, focusing on her task when her eyes fell on someone.

"Wait! Is that Danish?" Her face lighten up where as Abeer and Maya just frowned in confusion.

"What?"Zara gave them a look "He will help us to find our seat of course." She exclaimed as if she is the smartest person to ever walk on this planet.

"Danish!"

"Danish!"

She yelled for him and finally he heard and his sullen face brighten up seeing them there. He instantly rushed to there side; his grin isn't ready to leave his face that soon started to creep three girls out.

"Ahh...well...." They trailed of warily.

"You guys came!" He exclaimed in disbelief. His voice sounding a strain like a high pitched woman that he suddenly realised and looked down embarrassed before clearing his throat.

"I I mean you guys came." And now he sounds manly and serious which made the three girls suppress their laugh.

"Well yeah..Now where is our seats?" Maya asked politely with a fake smile.

"Oh well show me your passes.." He asked. They gave him there passes before he started leading them to their seat. That was actually in the front VIP section reserved for sponsors, Deans, Trusties and other important person. Their mouth fell open realising they are the only students in the front seat.

"This time Omer went way ahead!" Girls squealed excitedly while taking their seats and Abeer looks uncomfortable by the sudden glares of other girls feeling on themselves.

"I swear I never wanted to come!" She mumbled to herself.

Chairman of University Football League joined on the stage nearby court to address the audience and players with opening speech before starting the match. And soon after long boring rambling and congratulations he finally left the speech before announcing the start of the match.

It was quite before the lights of the stadium all around started to dim and all the strobe lights on the court lit up lightening up the entire court. The door to the left open welcoming the students of Team-A from Doon University, Dwarka College of Management and Xavier's Mount dressed in blue jersey and shorts. The entire stadium erupted by the loud cheers and hoots of the students from respective colleges. Flashing flags and hording, their face painted.

And then it was time when door to the right open welcoming players of Team B from St. Jacobs University. Loudest cheers and hoots in history roared in the stadium by just students of St Jacobs. After all it was a proud moment for them unlike team A; Team B's players solely belongs from St Jacobs and that's the proof how good they are.

Abeer heartbeat started getting wild, even in this loud stadium she can feel the thumping of her innocent heart when she spot a smiling Omer in his red tank and shorts beside Rayan leading the team. She just couldn't take her eyes of him and can't deny how hot and rugged he looks. She can hear 'ohh's and ahh's of the girls, yelling I love you to him like crazy fan girls. And in that moment she wanted nothing more than to smack their faces. They are so shameless!

"Oh My! It is so exciting."

"Huh! And you wanted to miss this!" Maya exclaimed while Zara taunted Abeer.

"Whatever!" She just waved nonchalantly.

"Eeeeeeee! He is staring you! He is staring you!" Suddenly Maya and Zara both started to shake her excitedly from her either sides when Omer's wandering eyes fell on her sitting amidst the crowd in the very first row.

Their eyes met, his filled with deep emotion of love and hers with nervousness. Omer grinned when he noticed what she is wearing. Blue jeans white t shirt along with pink jacket. She is really the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. He knew she loves him but now he is sure. He promised himself he won't let her deny her feeling anymore. Four years chase is enough and now he wants her beside himself. He don't remember when he fell in love with her but he sure will give that moment to her.

He purposely raised his wrist to his forehead eyes still locked with Abeer when he pretended to clean the sweat from his forehead. Abeer's eyes widen seeing her favourite pink scarf wrapped proudly on his wrist that she thought she has lost in her fresher's party.

"Is..is it my scarf?" She gasped.

"What scarf?" Maya and Zara gave her confused look.

"The one on his wrist." Her eyes still wide in shock.

"Wait...."

"Oh yes!" Zara and Maya also gasped in shock meanwhile Omer just smirked haughtily at them before looking away focusing on his team now. And soon with a cue of whistle match started.

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"And here.....St Jacobs won by 4 goals to 2!"

"Woaaaahhhhhh!"

Abeer, Maya and Zara along with crowd erupted with loud cheers after the victory declaration of St Jacobs. Students went crazy, jumping and dancing on their places.

"Omerrrrrr-Rayannnnn!"

"Theeee bestttttt captainsssss!"

"St Jacobs did itttttttt!"

TeamB players on the field laughing and hugging eachother in excitement and pure joy meanwhile the lost team just wished them warmly before leaving one by one. Then the players abruptly lifted Rayan and Omer on their shoulders dancing around on the field making audience laugh at them.

All the close friends and relatives of team members soon rushed towards field to congratulate and commend them on their victory.

"Abeer let's go to them!" Maya said excitedly to Abeer who was busy staring at a joyous Omer. His teammates tickling him now straddling him on the ground.

He looks even more handsome and carefree when he laughs. She doesn't want to admit but she is happy that she actually came tonight and got to witness such heartwarming sight.

"Abeer!"

"Huh?"

"Come on let's go to them!" Maya again suggested.

"No!" Abeer violently shook her head in objection. Her hazel eyes looks anxious.

"But he has your favourite scarf, no?" Zara said faking a sad face because she knows it will push Abeer.

"Oh Yes, my scarff!" Abeer's eyes widen in realization and Zara smirked in victory because it worked.

Before Maya and Zara can speak further a furious Abeer was already marching towards field while Zara and Maya warily following her to the field. Omer and Rayan were laughing and teasing busy in their own world unaware of a furious approaching figure.

Team members eyes widen in surprise when they spotted Abeer furiously approaching in their direction. They quickly parted like red sea leaving a way for her to go to Omer. Their eyes stuck on her waiting for a new drama to unfold that they already can sense in the air.

"Oh shit!" Rayan was the first one to see her and he instantly stood up from the ground and a little distance away from Omer turning his back towards them.

Omer frowned in confusion before turning around to look for the reason and his eyes instantly lit up in joy and his lips stretched into a blinding smile seeing the love of his life walking towards him.

Suddenly for Omer, soft wind started to blow, moon in the sky looks brighter, grass on the ground even greener, lights on the court dimming in front of her radiating face. He can feel his every arteries getting pumped faster by his heart. How everything looks even more beautiful in her presence? Its still a mystery.

He opened his arms welcoming her for a hug he desperately wishes for only to be taken off guard by a smack on his wrist pulling him down to her level.

"Chor!" (thief)

"You had my favourite scarf all along!" Omer stared at her dumbstruck. He expected many things from her in the middle of the court but her smacking him and accusing him of theft wasn't the one.

"Maine pa..pata nahi kaha kaha nahi dhunda ise..o..or ye..." She continuously rambled, shooting daggers at him once in a while trying to untie it from his wrist.

(I searched it everywhere bu..but you had it al....)

Omer was still shocked but for others it was hard to control their laughter. It always have been like this between Omer and Abeer, you expect romance or love blossoming but with Abeer around its never possible. Always live up to that hard headed woman! On other hand Omer, he is a Tiger for entire university but infront of Abeer he becomes more miserable than a Chihuahua itself.

Omer pulled out of his zooned thoughts when he realized Abeer almost untied the scarf from his wrist. He instantly pulled it away from her, shocking Abeer. Abeer stared at him with her jaw dropped in shock.

"Omer!"

She yapped putting her hands on her waist, trying to look intimidating. Her eyes spitting fire. But unfortunately she looks even more irresistible to Omer like this. Her soft pink cheeks looks even more pink in anger, her sharp nose more firm and red. And her hazel eyes; he always sees his entire world in them. And the way his name rolled out of her tongue sounds like the most enchanting hymns.

"Excuse me!" Omer chided before adding arrogantly "Jo paya ye uska!"

(founder is the owner!"

"Omer give my scarf back!" She tried reaching it but he again pulled it away.

"No way!"

"Omer that's my favourite scarf!"

"Come and get it!"

"Omer I will kill you!"