(Part 3)

Saif glanced, "He isn't my company's employer. He's my son's friend." "Oh, is that so? Then where is your son?" he looked around. 

Nagi turned around smiling, "Ich freue Mich, Sie kennenzulernen, Sir Albrecht Roland. Ich bin Nagi Srour. (Pleased to be your acquaintance Sir, Albrecht Roland. I am Nagi Srour.)" he greeted in German.

"Haha!" Albrecht laughed again heading over to Nagi and grasping his shoulders.

"Indeed, what a handsome, intelligent young man you are just like your father. It's alright, it's alright, no need for formalities or German around Me. Talk to me like you usually do." he assured.

Nagi nodded looking at his father who stared at Orion keenly turning to Nagi with his cold face he exhaled, "He isn't that outstanding Albrecht, he has a lots more to work on. Come on, we have ample of work to do. There's no time to waste." he ordered leaving. 

Albrecht smiled at Nagi, "Your father might be strict however he is a nice man. But, to think you would be a part of your country's cricket team despite being your family's business heir is a remarkable thing." he appreciated.

Nagi nodded lightly, "It's nothing sir…" "Come, let's go."

Albrecht dabbed his shoulder following Saif. Orion freeing himself from the crowd, stood beside Nagi who stared at the ground frowning. "Tch." he clicked his tongue walking ahead, "He sure has some guts. Who the heck was your old man calling 'Useless' before?" he mocked.

Nagi rolling his eyes at his back followed annoyed.

"Wow… 100% harmonious." Elias remarked.

"Yup, but the fact that they won't accept this truth is the only hassle." Isa added.

"Come, let's not lose them." Senri said sneaking behind as the others followed. _____  

The woman turned around astonished, her monochrome hairs fluttering, "Ken…?!" before she could even take his name, Kenzo had embraced her tight.

"Ghk!" he uttered, his head kept on her shoulder and grasped her fluttering hairs tight.

"Hehe…" the woman giggled embracing him in return, gently patting his back, "Easy there, welcome home my little king." she greeted.

Kenzo wordless smiled.

"Come on~ young highness, just how long are you going to squeeze our queen? Guessing your strength now, she might faint." Aidan asked entering the garden.

"Shh!" Mira smacked his arm annoyed, "Don't say a single word!"

Aidan rubbed his arm, innocently puffing his cheeks, "Why are you hitting me?" he mumbled.

"Can't you see Lady Rooh, is meeting young highness Kenzo after such a long time? How can you say that?" Mira scolded.

The canary still chirping, Kenzo stood up, his domineering and mighty personality instantly dissolving into a loving and down to earth one he whispered gleaming, "I am back, mother…"

Rooh caressed his hands nodding.

"Why are you back from Venice so early? Wasn't the tour held for 6 months? Or was Venice not to your liking?" Kenzo asked puzzled. 

Rooh shook her head, "Venice was really beautiful and stimulating. Its people were affectionate and generous too. The tour as planned was held for six months as well. However, I felt a little lonely there."

Kenzo furrowed his brow.

"Later, I heard news about PSL commencing. So I thought rather than staying there I should head back to Pakistan and support you."

"Were you that sure I would get selected?" Kenzo teased.

Rooh nodded, "Of course, aren't you here because you are selected? Just like you knew I arrived here because of the canary. I realized you were selected inside my heart. You are the only one occupying my entire heart after all, my dear."

Kenzo with his heart full of warmth, embraced her again as Rooh chuckled,

"Such a boy, it feels as if you haven't grown up at all." she ruffled his hairs. "That's' right. I won't ever grow up..." Kenzo thought. 

"Let's sit down." Rooh looked up, "How long are you going to stand?" she took Kenzo towards a beautiful jewel studded tea table. Sitting on the chair, Kenzo sat on the ground with his head resting on her lap. Rooh surprised smiled gently stroking his hairs.

The two of them staying silent. After a short while she whispered, "Kenzo…"

Not hearing him respond Aidan crouched looking at Kenzo to find him fast asleep. "My queen, young highness is asleep." he informed.

Rooh continued caressing Kenzo's hairs, "Thank you Aidan. I am glad… now let him rest for a while."

"Were you deliberately not talking to him my lady?" Mira asked.

Rooh nodded, "Hm, his face and smile told me how tired he was. It told me how hard he has worked and everything he's gone through. I know it all. His hands, face, smile all tell me everything. This silly child, he is still too young."

_____

Xavier grasping two bouquets of roses and jasmines walked through a street. "Finally free…" he thought, "Despite Ryan not liking his father. He is kind and loves Ryan a lot. That assures me. Not to forget he guided me too, giving me some important tips. I am glad I wrote them down…"

Taking the main road he soon crossed it, standing before a cemetery. "And now I am here…" his eyelashes wilting, he traced the sight of graves dismayed.

Stepping in, he walked for a while. Tracing familiar tombstones, he walked over standing before them silent. Two monuments resting side by side each other, were marbled black. Written with a silver calligraphy were two names, 'UZAIR IBN ZAIN' and 'ANNA ZAIN'. Sitting before them, he kept each bouquet over one, taking incenses out of his bag he lighted them up smiling painfully, "Xavier's back…" Raising his hands, he prayed for a while soon, looking up.

"It's been a long while since I came here. Two months or more maybe? Since I was at the base after winning the inter-academy nationals that's why…" he whispered, "I'm sorry I couldn't come often but I hope you both won't be mad. I am doing fine and others are also well."

"You know, a lot of things happened in the meantime I didn't visit. After winning the nationals, our cricket team was invited to Sindh's cricket base alongside many others from different academies. We went there and pushed ourselves through vigorous training. Afterword's Hugo left too, since he was invited to Britain as world cup representative. I haven't talked to him or seen him since then." Xavier told. 

A light breeze blowing, he looked down. His hairs hiding his expression, "Later on, we met the highschoolers. They were quiet harsh with us despite being soft with each other and amongst them, we met a really interesting person too."

"Alan... is his name and he is really strong. He took a team of 13 best players including me and defeated us all. It was shockingly surprising and distressing at the same time. However, we learned that we weren't the only ones who had talents. The world is vast and there are geniuses present beyond our knowledge. And, do you know what the funniest thing was?" he added amused.

"All 13 of us were even thrown out of the base and kidnapped later. We were bewildered. Seeing ourselves stuck in a mountainous jungle with no way out and no soul present. It shook the earth beneath our feet. Eventually, we realized it was all a set up made by the base for our training. Head coach and Alan were us and we arrived back at the base after 15 days. And, the moment we arrived we were selected as this year's PSL representatives." he ended. 

After a short pause he continued, "From tomorrow onwards, we'll be stepping on a new leaf. So… even if you both aren't here, I hope you both can pray for me and support me from somewhere up there. That's the only thing I wish for…"

"I also called sister but she didn't pick up. I wonder if she's working hard. Don't worry, I bet she is fine too. I hope you pray for her as well. She's working day and night, flourishing our business. Feng and Ryan are also healthy and all pumped up for the PSL. And Kenzo and my teammates along with our seniors who have now changed a little bit are also kind to me. This was all I had to say…" he smiled bleakly and full of longing.

Silence welled up between stones and him, he stood up. "I know you were listening to me and I also know you'll help me too. For I'll make sure to come back with a huge trophy next time." he assured beaming.

Leaving the cemetery, he stopped amid his tracks, "What should I do now…?" he thought, "Should I go home? But… nobody would be there." thinking for a while he started walking again, "I'll go and spare a glance just from the outside to pass time…"