(Part 11)

"It was also our fault that we didn't call you, we'll make sure not to do something like this again." Cassiel repeated his words, "You definitely remembered yet, you never did."

"Seriously?!" Adam gasped.

Seraph looked away brazenly evading his words, "Just forget it…"

Adam shook his head in disbelief, "The worst! Sera, Sera just lied to a girl, the worst!"

"Excuse me?" Seraph retorted, "Even Cassiel remembered yet never called. Why am I being blamed only?"

The two however, clicked their tongues disappointed while he twitched his brow irritated.

"I am gonna tell Maya all about!" Adam declared as Seraph smacked his forehead while Cassiel chortled. "Like hell you will." he glared.

"Yeah, I will definitely tell her now! You devil Seraph!" Adam rubbed his head annoyed going back as the two caught him laughing and cross at the same time. 

_____

"Wild Mirror… slicing cutter!" Ryan balled a ferocious spin delivery.

Cutting through the wind, the ball made its way to Musa. Instantly with a tap on the ground it changed its position to the left. Musa smirked. His eyes closed. "A right sided off cutter aimed straight towards the wicket's top bail." he guessed slamming his bat singlehandedly as the ball went up into the air, straight on the house's roof.

Ryan clicked his tongue annoyed wiping his sweat.

Musa glancing at the roof smirked, "What the? It went for a four again? I thought you'd send me back to the pavilion or something?" "See? I told you. There's no spin I can't return. I never got out on a spin delivery my entire life and here I am retired 1now. How could a shorty like you send me back?" he teased.

"Nonsense." Ryan stood up grabbing another ball, "Never got out by any spins? I know you are full of yourself however, when no one could send you back to the pavilion like that. I'll make sure to do so." he glared.

"Like this?" Musa mocked, "Sigh~ I might as well just sleep if this is how lousily you're going to play. Even your seniors, what were their names again…" he recalled, "Yeah, Xavier, Feng and Hugo were much more of an opponent than you. Sometimes it feels as if you even won the nationals by a fluke2."

"They definitely are. And there are many more back at the base too, Ren, Rauf, Isa, Noah and Alan. However, I am going to surpass all of them so, you better keep your eyes open on me father. You never know, when tides change." Ryan glanced mischievously, "Get ready."

Musa smirked taking his batting position and closing his eyes again, "To think he'd be acknowledging so many of them despite being so over confident makes me wonder, just who are those freaks ruling that base…?" he thought curious.

Ryan twirling the ball in his right hand, stepped forward delivering another ball. An off cutter once again aiming for the wicket's off stump, Musa stepped forward aware. However, the ball slowing down in middle went towards his right. A tiny difference in judgment Ryan grinned.

Musa at that moment instantly opened his eyes and stepped back, returning the ball with a dot return surprised, the ball miraculously stopped after hitting his bat saving the chance for an Lbw. However, casing the same over confident expression on his face in a split second, he grinned.

"You reading every single spin delivery is what makes you invincible in returning them right father? Then, why don't I mess with your mind a little to test your endurance?" Ryan challenged.

"A mind confusing ability…?" Musa thought astonished. "Heh~ if that's how you think you can beat me, then you're hella wrong, rascal! I would've gotten out in my 20s if I hadn't polished my mind." he told.

"We'll see about that." Ryan smirked heading back.

"Ryan." Suddenly a voice called. Peeking from the door, a young lady with long black hairs shook a phone smiling, "Your phone's ringing for a while. Why don't you check it out?"

Ryan heading over took it, "Thank you sister."

"No problem." she assured leaving.

Reading the messages for a while, Ryan narrowed his gaze.

Musa smirked playfully, "What is it? Did you get dumped 3or something?"

Ryan twitched his brow annoyed, "Everyone's heading back."

"Where?" Musa asked. "Back to the base where else?" Ryan replied, "We'll visit the Sufi shrine first though…" he mumbled.

Musa smiled, "Praying for victory with an innocent heart." 

Ryan looked at him confused, "What does that mean."

"Nothing." Musa came inside keeping his bat aside, "Seeing you like that reminded me of my youth little. Now hurry up leave already!" he shooed him off laying down.

Ryan sighed, "Will you be coming?"

"Where?" Musa asked scratching his hairs.

"To watch the PSL…" Ryan reminded. (Somewhere inside he was truly annoyed of his forgetful memory)

"Of course." Musa turned around all pumped up, "Who is going to make fun of you rather than me there? I'll enjoy when you get beaten up, Haha!" he sneered ironically.

Ryan cross stood up heading inside, "Don't even think about coming now."

"Huh?!" Musa sat puzzled, "Hey! The door is out there. Why are you going inside?"

Ryan ignoring him called, "Mother, sister, I am leaving."

Musa scratching his hairs exhaled smiling.

Looking at the cricket pitch made inside his lawn he thought, "PSL this year… are going to be just like ours was 30 years ago. I hope I am right about that... Nidou Rex Lorenzo?"

______

"Leaving so early?" Haris asked Azazel who tied his shoelaces nodding.

"Everyone is going to visit the shrine as well. That's why, I have to leave a little bit early. Thank you for buying me those clothes father. They fit me perfectly." he gleamed.

"Good to hear that." Haris replied lovingly. Hoor nodded grasping his arm.

Ahmed smiled, "Play with all you've got and don't worry about anything." he encouraged.

Azazel stood up saluting, "Alright! Azazel Minhas won't dare falter4!" he assured.

"Good to hear that." Ahmed and Haris saluted back.

"Azazel… won't you meet your grandfather?" Hoor asked anxiously.

Azazel who was about to leave halted amid his steps silent.

"Why would he meet me? I just scolded him quite a handful today didn't I?" Azher's voice barged in as the three turned around nervously while Azazel looked away. Tension arising amid them, the atmosphere turned heavy. None uttering a single word.

"I have always listened to you grandpa…" Azazel broke the engulfing silence, "No matter how harsh or how demotivating your words were, I have always pondered over them. However, this time when you brought my friends in between I couldn't resist my urge to speak for them. Because, they aren't just friends, they are my second family. The way they take care of me, protect me and help me when I am away from you all. I can't repay their favor at all. They always keep me ahead of them and stand by me through thick and thin." 

"Seriously, if I were to tell you what we have gone through together. You would say they aren't friends or family but angels for your Azazel. That's why I couldn't hold the urge to stand back and listen. I am sorry for that." he apologized.

"And as for why I don't want to go in the military or want to be like father or brother…" he added.

Hearing his words Azher furrowed his gaze.

"There was someone, I met back at the base. He is strong willed, cool and most of all giving up or losing doesn't even exist in his dictionary. At first I felt quite envious of him, I even injured him pretty badly. Despite that, he still won against me and I hated that. But in the meantime, the time I spent with him he had this one sentence on his lips that 'He'll make sure that we become kings of cricket!' 'He'll make sure we'll be kings of cricket the entire world will gaze awed at.' Hearing him every time made it feel as if his entire life depends on this game." he smiled amazed recalling Alan.

Ahmed too listened silent.

"At some point, that determination of his despite me hating him, turned me into his supporter. And somewhere in my heart I want to believe that we can be kings. I can be a 'King'. A rank higher than an Officer…" 

Ahmed smiled.

"A Commander…" Azazel added.

Haris nodded gleaming. 

"And even a Major General! A rank nobody would dare look down upon. The highest rank I would achieve at the age of 12! I want to climb that. I want to rule in my own way with my very own style!" Azazel declared poised.

Azher smirked, "You sure you can do that?"

Azazel stunned looked up, "Yes, just support me once, I'm sure I won't let you down."

Azher smiled nodding, "Alright."

Azazel joyous, clapped his hands against Ahmed while Hoor patted Haris's hand.

"However…" Azher interrupted, "If I don't find your enthusiasm and performance up to my level, you are heading straight to the army."

Azazel heading out turned around. A mischievous smirk leaving his lips, a haughty aura, (familiar to a certain someone...) took over him, "Going back to the army~? As if that will ever happen!" he shut the door behind.

Hoor surprised glanced at Haris who too stood stunned. Pft! Haha!" Ahmed laughed.

"What was that…?" Azher asked confused.

"King Kenzo~ King Kenzo~ our Azazel sure has started walking a proud path." Ahmed commented amused.