CHAPTER 2 - FIRST ENCOUNTER

Ten years ago...

"Shit," Avani muttered glancing at her wristwatch, pedaling bicycle furiously on her way back from school. Her class teacher had kept them in extra classes after the regular period, and now she was racing home to change and make it to the basketball practice.

Arriving home, she parked her cycle, rushed inside, and was met with her mother's raised voice as she tossed the school bag onto the front couch and darted to her room.

Avani’s little sister, Shreya, was engrossed in a video game on her laptop. An 8th grade student at the same school as Avani.

In contrast, her elder brother, Anish, was diligently studying in his room. It was his final year in Engineering, and he was preparing for the Entrance exam to pursue higher studies in the United States. With his bright intellect and good looks, he was a heartthrob in college, and his ambition was matched only by his protectiveness over Shreya and Avani, herself.

Avani slammed the room's door shut, quickly changed into a T-shirt and shorts, and added a skirt on top of her shorts. She grabbed her basketball and hurried back out.

Anjali, Avani’s mother followed her, handing a water bottle and a sandwich. "Take it with you, Avani. Don't be late returning home. Make sure you're back before Papa arrives."

"Thanks, Ma," she said, planting a kiss on her mother's cheek. Anjali nodded with a faint smile and retreated into the kitchen.

Anil, Avani’s dad typically came home late. He worked as the Branch Manager of a Private Bank, and they had relocated to Pune two years ago. Despite the frequent transfers caused by her father's job, she had never abandoned the basketball coaching, her first love and passion while dancing was her second.

Outside, she donned her sports shoes and began the 10-minute walk to the basketball court, known as Saraswati Kanya Sangh. It was an exclusive girls' basketball court and had produced some of the best players in Pune, several of whom had made it to the state team.

Again, she checked her watch and let out a frustrated curse, thinking, ‘Get ready, Avani! For the extra 5 rounds today.’

Avani reached the court and was surprised to see boys inside, using the court for their matches. The presence of boys on the court was unusual, and she was puzzled, as Coach had not informed about it the previous day.

She went in search of her friend, Smriti, when someone patted her on the back, making her jump with a start. Avani turned around abruptly to find Smriti, her best friend from school and her partner on the basketball court.

"Smriti, you scared me to death! I thought it was Coach," Avani said with a mixture of relief and laughter.

Smriti chuckled. "I know... that was the plan – to give you a good scare!"

She rolled her eyes and started changing into the basketball gear, putting off the skirt and pulling up the socks. She was about to head onto the court for warm-up and rounds when she heard Coach's stern voice from behind.

"Hello, Avani!" Coach's eyes blazed with anger.

Avani immediately touched her ears and began to plead, "Sorry, Coach! I got held up in extra classes today, which made me late..."

Before she could finish the sentence, Coach cut me off, "Ten rounds."

"But, Coach, ten rounds plus the regular five?" She tried to argue, her eyes wide in disbelief.

"Twenty rounds," Coach responded. "Coach, please," She implored.

"Twenty-five rounds," Coach said firmly.

"Alright, Coach. Fine. Ten rounds with five for warm-up," Avani conceded huffing, her expression was with one of mock disappointment before heading onto the court.

Avani stretched her limbs, preparing for her rounds, but a sudden realization struck her – she hadn't combed her hair. Annoyed by loose strands falling onto her face, she swiftly removed the rubber band, allowing her waist-length, dark, straight hair to cascade freely. With

determination, she gathered it into a high bun and secured it tightly with the band and got ready to start the rounds.

In the corner of the adjacent court, she noticed a group of three to four boys, with one in particular who was tall and handsome. He struck her as familiar.

‘Isn't he Rishabh? The most popular boy from our school,’ Avani thought.

Smriti noticed her distraction and asked, "Where are you lost?"

Signaling towards the boys. "Aren't they from our school? And, why are there so many boys on the court today?" Another question popped up in her mind.

Smriti explained, "Yes, they are. There is an inter-college basketball tournament for under-18s, and our court has been selected for matches and practices. So, the boys get a chance to play on our court. It's a lucky break for them. All the girls are practicing, making it eye candy for them."

"Boys," Avani sighed.

"You never noticed them in school," Smriti pointed out. She shrugged as she continued the rounds.

"How could you, when you were always lost in your books?" Smriti said nodding her head.

"Have you decided what you're going to do after Boards?" Avan asked Smriti with a sideways glance, changing the topic.

Smriti shook her head, saying, "I haven't decided yet. There are plenty of options, but it all depends on my board exam marks."

"What are your plans?" Smriti inquired.

"I'm thinking of pursuing finance. But you know my passion for basketball and dancing. I can't give them up even if I study finance," Avani said as she passed the ball to Kriti, a junior taking basketball coaching.

As she jogged past the group of boys, she felt a lingering gaze from the boy at the center. It was him again. Something about his stare was different, and a tingling sensation began to creep through her as she passed by them.