(Part 7)

"PFT! HAHA!! HAHA!" Nidou abruptly laughed. And when he did, none dared to interrupt. "A bunch of rascals, Haha!!" he clapped his thigh entertained, "They disciplined you big time. Seriously, a bunch of 15 years old?"

The highschoolers unable to retort sat silent. Nonetheless, soft yet proud beams cased their lips. They looked forward optimistic.

"Slurp…!" all of a sudden, interrupted a niggling, loud sipping noise.

They all glanced aside.

Alan enjoying the sight drank cold drink not caring an inch.

"And… What are you doing?" Kazuna asked bothered over his carefree reaction.

"Drinking cold drink and relishing the match what else? I wasn't even here when they said everything to you. Why should I make a long face?" Alan teased amused.

Aigou, Aaron and Noah speechless smacked their foreheads while Kazuna raised his hand ready to smack him.

"Rauf." Alan called.

Rauf gestured his head aside.

"Are you satisfied?" he asked.

Rauf looking ahead smiled.

Unknown to Alan he shrugged his shoulders, drinking once more.

"All of you… better prepare yourselves. For I think even my dreams may not reach to where they are heading to." Elias whispered excited.

Haitam chuckled, "Pft! Haha!!" "Every single one of you, have become darn interesting. Makes my blood boil yet crave to clash against you." he threatened.

Alan grinned looking ahead.

A break of ten minutes the middleschoolers positioned themselves on the ground. Commentators enjoying the overall prospect remarked, "Outstanding and full of fervor! 1st innings of the 2nd match from adolescence PSL concluding with Karachi Kings giving a huge target of 181 with only 3 wickets lost to Lahore Qalandars! Kenzo ShahJahan and Xavier Ibn Zain remaining not out till the end returned to the pavilion scoring 58 (31) and 25 (18). A remarkable job indeed! Starting the game with a new ball and adjusting to the pitch. Karachi taking full advantage of the powerplay scoring boundaries and above with Lahore counterstriking them by taking wickets. Now looking forward to the second innings, who will turn triumphant? Will Lahore's batting line outclass all expectations and conquer the target or will Karachi's fielding and balling grasp the victory title by the throat?!"

"Say Jones, is it just me or middleschoolers this year are on full roll? Because considering yesterday's match and todays the stadium is in a frenzy! After Islamabad it feels as if Karachi is shouting loud and clear that they'll be victors! Just look at the smiles on their faces!" the commentator pointed at the screens centered at the ground. 

"It's pointless to guess Maaz. I wasn't sure yesterday as well and I am not sure even today too. That's how unpredictable they are! The way Adam Elamin boosted the entire team's morale at the match's start though taken out by Arham and the way Ezekiel shape shifted concluding with Kenzo's 50. Arham revealing his best of balling skills alongside Feyz was stunning to watch. But what took me aback was the durability and confronting of Lahore's baller by Karachi Kings batsmen. Even with the new ball on roll and their first game on the new pitch. They nailed it!! I earnestly look forward to what they show us next and Lahore too! Because the team without obstructions and the team fearless is Lahore! Only that single team that can pull even the down turning game back to themselves!" Jones replied enthusiastically.

"So just like Jones said guessing is futile. The kings have already geared themselves up on the ground with Gabriel Harut leading them in every way and Qalandars openers too entering the field buoyant! So without further await let's head over to them now!" Maaz said. 

Orion tuning down his phone rolled their eyes, "They are exaggerating too much. At the world cup they didn't even thought of sparing us if I remember correctly."

"They are kids after all. Boasting their morale a little bit won't kill them unlike you." Noah criticized.

Orion looked away. Elias smiled ruffling his hairs.

Romeo with his hand under his chin smirked staring at Rauf for a while.

Rauf slightly confused masked a serious look.

A weird atmosphere stuck between one ignoring and the other not giving up on gawking, Evan cleared his throat. Thinking of saving Rauf's face he asked, "Is something the matter Romeo?"

Romeo glancing at him shook his head, "Nothing~" His words carrying the opposite tone Rauf exhaled giving up, "What is it?"

"Like I said nothing." Romeo replied still smiling, "It's just that you look quite relaxed now comparing from the start of the match. Did you not guess Elias's dream?"

Rauf pondering, looked at the boys ahead, "I did… but a guess is just a guess and a dream in the end; is just a dream. Incomparable to reality and ever altering."

Romeo agreeing nodded, "You're right. Reality is reality after all." "But still you really like those kids right?" he teased out of the blue.

A sudden twitch leaving his finger, Rauf frowned.

"Pftt! Haha!" Romeo abruptly laughed over his reaction. 

The crowd rooting KARACHI! LAHORE! KARACHI! LAHORE! The Second innings was ready to commence. Feyz patting the openers backs discussed measures in the pavilion. Their teammates surrounding each other, simultaneously agreed. Soon the openers made their way to the pitch.

Kenzo standing on the square leg studied the ground, "The powerplay for first six overs are best to take wickets. With a semi-new ball Helios and Seraph can surely pull this task off. But, in case they aren't able to do so we have spinners backing us up."

Gabriel positioned at the deep corner while Seraph on the Long on outside the 30 inched circle observed the ground.

"I leave the 2nd slip to you Xavier and Gully to you Poseidon. Ryan, Adam, take the Mid-on and Shortfine leg." Kenzo instructed.

"Ezekiel is already on the fly slip and Heber on the cover. Don't worry Kenzo, everything is right in place." Poseidon assured.

Kenzo grunted haughtily, "Who do you think is worried here hun? Now hurry up and take your positions." he dabbed Poseidon's back who chuckled beside Xavier.

Helios taking the ball from the umpire tossed it to Heber who rubbed it making it slippery. Standing on the batting crease the batsman warmed up tapping his bat on the ground. "Nour Mirza (3rd year right handed batsman) and Beruni Sidrah (2nd year right handed batsman), two out of the three best batsman from Lahore's lineup. They both are quite experienced and excel in tackling fast balls. The latter is quite sharp in returning spin too. Though, Lahore's lineup have more middle order batsmen. It's better not to misjudge any of them. Furthermore, we don't even know their hidden abilities. I think it's better if we take wickets right from the powerplay..."

Turning around he traced Poseidon handing him the ball. Helios blinked, "Huh? Why did you come so far? Heber would've passed it to me."

"Idiot, I am not going to get sick just by running a little. Moreover, I was the one who asked him to let me give it you. Heli, best of luck. It's been a while since we played together. Let's give all we've got!" Poseidon showed his fist.

Helios cracking a confident grin tapped his fist back, "Yeah, let's give all we've got." The innings finally commencing, the umpire gave out the play gesture. 

Helios delivering the 1st ball of the very 1st over stepped on the popping crease aiming for a fast inswinger. Nour on the batting crease traced the ball attentively. As soon as it landed on the pitch he bent down playing a swift cover drive. The ball with speed travelled through the mid-off away from the fielders and into the boundary scoring a four. Helios clicked his tongue.

"Launching from a boundary Lahore counterattacks!" The commentators remarked. The crowd in delight rose up cheering, "SIX! FOURS! SIX! FOURS!"

Gabriel picking the ball wiped it throwing it to Heber. "Come on! Come on!" Cassiel lifted their morale up.

2 singles taken on two more deliveries, Helios rushed towards the pitch delivering the 4th ball of the over murmuring, "Sun's Surge!" An outswinger aimed outside the pitching line, Nour once again on the batting crease stepped aside swinging a pull shot with full might towards the cow corner for a huge six. 

Kenzo gazing at the ball that landed outside the boundary furrowed his gaze, the stadium in full uproar over Lahore's first batting over chanted and sung proud, "LAHORE! LAHORE! LAHORE~!"

"Are you kidding me…?" Adam uttered dumbstruck.

Beruni and Nour taping their gloves headed back to their spots. The highschoolers sat silent. Only Orion amongst them all cackled contemptuously, "Pft! Look who were talking just a while ago?"

Alan glancing at him smiled, "Are you sure you should be saying something like this Orion? Don't you think you are being a little bit mean for a senior?"

Orion scoffed looking away, "Like hell I care."

Nagi speechless, exhaled over his insolent behavior, "Someone who doesn't even behave himself, how can he possibly boost others morale. An envious twerp!"

"Huh?!" Orion turned to him vexed, "What the hell do you mean by envious? Me?! Envious of those shitty…!"

however, before any other curse could come out, Senri had grabbed him by his mouth pulling his back with a gentle smile, "Forget it. Out of the mouth comes evil. He'll calm down in a moment. Let's focus on the match."

The rest alongside Alan shook their heads in disbelief.