Part 2

passed the ball. The crowd tittered. Well, the men did. The wisecrack

distracted R for a moment, but she resumed her game as if she was

used to such comments.

The sports-quota girls played well individually. However, they

didn't play well as a team.

R dribbled the ball and reached the opposition's basket. Three

opponents surrounded her. R passed the ball to her teammate, who

missed the pass.

'What the...'R screamed. Too late.The rival team took the ball,

passed it to the other end and scored a basket.

R cursed herself, inaudible to anyone tise. She then signalled to

three of her teammates to cover specific opponents and jogged across

die court.When she went past me, I saw her sweaty, flushed face from

up close. We made eye contact for nanoseconds, perhaps only in my

imagination. But in those nanoseconds something happened to my

heart.

No, I wouldn't say I fell in love with her. I wouldn't even say I felt

attracted to her. But I felt something deep inside, strong enough for my

heart to say, You have to talk to this girl at least once in your life.

'Babes, cover her. I said cover'R screamed. Her state of mind was

as far from mine as possible. She passed the ball to her teammate, who

missed scoring a basket again.

'What are you guys doing?'she shouted in perfect English. I felt

nervous; how would I ever speak to her? Her face was grimy, dust

sticking to her left cheek and forehead. Yet, it was one of the most

beautiful faces I had seen in my entire life. Sometimes it is hard to

explain why you find a person beautiful. Was it her narrow face,

perfectly in line with her slender body? Was it her flawless skin and

complexion, which had turned from cream to pink to red? Or was it

not about her looks at all? Was it her passion, her being totally

immersed in the game? I didn't know.

Of course, I never actually thought it would lead to anything. She

seemed too posh to even give me a second glance.