(Part 12)

"Turn right…" the woman spoke from the phone as Alan took the right path.

"Turn left…" she guided again as Alan followed.

"Now repeat this process from the roundabout to reach your desired destination." it added turning silent.

Alan with his mouth a gape twitched his brow. "What the hell?!" he shrieked, "Have these devices gone mad or am I born mad? How am I supposed to copy the entire route again? I didn't memorize it!" he switched his phone off annoyed.

Walking and travelling for two hours straight, Alan had finally given up on AI maps1, "I had to meet Senri and the rest… how could I get lost?" he cried suddenly remembering Rauf's words, "Do intend to get lost?"

"I guess he was fully aware about my weakness…" he sighed speechless, "Unlike Pakistan, America had road signs and road maps depicting every single place. I won't dare get lost." he thought tracing his surroundings which were clearly unfamiliar.

Huge bungalows standing one after another while, he walked on the street amid them. "There's not a single soul present here… should I call Kazuna and ask him to pick me up?" he thought walking.

______

Xavier standing before his house stared for a while his expression grim. Seeing the gate locked he sighed, "Nobody came…"

His gaze tracing the house beside his, he stayed silent.

Suddenly his phone rang. Taking it out, he answered, "Hello?"

"Xavier…?" asked a soft voice.

"Sister?" Xavier asked back astonished, "How are you?" he inquired abruptly.

"It really is my little Xavier! I am fine. How about you~ Yawn~?" she asked.

Xavier noticing her exhausted voice smiled, "I am fine too. Were you working?"

"Nope…" she replied, "I dozed off a little while ago. When I woke up I saw your calls."

"Is that so, I am sorry I disturbed you." Xavier apologized.

"No way darling, I am alright. I had to call you too however, I was too busy to do so. I should be the one apologizing instead." she replied.

Xavier shook his head humming.

"By the way, where are you right now?" she asked.

"Back at home. Right before the gate." Xavier replied looking up at his home.

"Really?! Did you come back from the base?! Is Hugo with you? What about the selection?" she inquired curiously one after another, "Oh god~ I should've been there… my little sweetheart…" she sulked at the end. 

"It's alright, today was the base's holiday so I came to visit. I went to the cemetery first. I have been selected as a PSL representative alongside Kenzo, Feng, Ryan and the rest. PSL will commence from tomorrow onwards." Xavier told.

"Really?! Congratulations!" she cheered, "Had I gotten an option in my phone, I would've thrown my arms out of here to embrace you, that's how happy I am!"

"Pft! Haha!" Xavier laughed.

"Maybe I should help you as a sponsor how's that?" she asked enthusiastically.

Xavier surprised replied, "Nope, not this time. Sponsor us when we are heading for the World cup."

The voice stunned replied, "Alright. That's my genius little brother."

The two talking for while Xavier nodded. "Don't forget it. I am telling you. And be strong. The moment I have time I'll come to watch your matches." she said.

Xavier nodded, "You don't have to force yourself if you can't. Just make sure to take care of yourself, that's enough."

"I am taking care of myself here. I am worried more about you though." the voice sighed.

Xavier shook his head, "It's alright…"

Hanging the call, he took a deep breath. "I am glad I talked to her…" he thought relieved. Looking at his house one last time he whispered, "Time to go back…" 

Walking away, he instantly traced the messages in his phone, he whispered reading, "The shrine of Sufi saint of Karachi…?" "What are they doing now…?" he thought smiling.

Taking a cut into another street he suddenly bumped into someone. Getting a hold of himself and glancing at the figure he stuttered, "Sorry…!"

However, looking at the person before him he whispered stunned, "Alan…?"

Rubbing his forehead with his phone in his hand Alan looked up surprised. "Huh? "Xavier Ibn Zain?" he asked.

The two staring at each other for a while. What a coincidence! Alan sighed a huge breath of relief. Instantly clasping both his hands together he prayed thankfully.

Xavier smiling turned his head towards right confused. "Thanks goodness, I found an angel…" Alan mumbled. Tracing how weary he looked Xavier asked, "Were you probably lost Alan?"

Straight on the mark! As if seen right through, Alan stood with an arrow piercing his heart. "Another bull's eye…" he thought speechless. Alan shook his head denying and accepting at the same time. 

"Pft! Haha!" Xavier chuckled, "No need to be so confused." he assured.

Going through such an adventure, Alan shook his head tiredly which Xavier understood perfectly.

"Who knew Pakistan could be so confusing…" Alan uttered, stars roaming his head.

"Hehe, for someone to stay in America for this long. You must have forgotten the routes here." Xavier said.

"Exactly…" Alan concurred. Looking around he realized, "Oh right, lost as I was. What were you doing here?" he asked.

Xavier blinking his eyes pointed to his left, "My home. I am standing right before my home."

Alan astonished looked up at the modern built manor. A sight of beauty and uniqueness excluded it. "Seriously?" he gasped awed. "Children these days… are they all born rich?!" he thought stunned at himself, "Then where am I?"

"Were you heading back?" he asked pushing his thoughts away. 

"Hm." Xavier nodded. Alan wondering looked at his watch, "But it's only 5, what's the rush?" Xavier silently smiled, "I just came here to grasp a look, no one's inside. There's no point."

Alan narrowed his gaze, "No one's inside…?"

Xavier nodded, "My parents passed away when I was 5, my elder sister is in America. This huge, beautiful house before you is practically empty."

Alan stood wide eyed, "What…?" A part of him stunned, speechless and frozen.

"I thought you'd knew about it. Who knew it would turn out to be a surprise for you too." Xavier said.

Alan furrowed his gaze, "I'm sorry… to resurface your forlorn memories," Xavier looked at him. "Even as the head coach's son, I only have the right to read about your talents and skills alongside your achievements in cricket only. Your personal information and connections are all confidential2, viewed by the base's coaches or higher ups only. We aren't allowed to inspect your personal lives at all cost. It's a rule violation if someone does that, not even Rauf has that right to do so." Alan informed. 

Xavier smiled, "I see…"

Alan glanced at Xavier, who stared at his home. His smile neither dejected nor exultant, it was nostalgic. As if at that moment, he was reminiscing nothing but the past, just to live through the present.

"Did you talk to your sister?" Alan asked.

"Hm. A little while ago, she called." Xavier replied.

"You know little one, the kind of feeling you are going through right now, I don't think I quite understand that. But it is a heavy feeling I do get that. Facing loneliness when you think the entire world is merry, I clearly get that feeling." Alan said, his gaze turning serene and thoughtful. "A family might just be a 6 lettered word but it contains an entire universe inside it. As someone who also lacks that, I can surely sympathize." he confessed.

Xavier narrowed his gaze confused, "What do you mean?"

Alan's lips curved into a smile, "It a little secret of mine that I never really share… however, with you I feel it can be safe. So I'll tell it to you. My journey began at an orphanage where I first opened my eyes, later on rested in Nidou Rex Lorenzo's hands beside whom I stand now as his son. In other words, our lives might be a little alike."

Xavier stood baffled, "You're…?"

"Adopted." Alan added, "Adopted 3at the age of six by Nidou Rex Lorenzo. This entire base is my family because of him. Seles my uncle, Rauf my brother. Isa and the rest my best friends."

Xavier furrowed his gaze. If it was a secret he had to keep, it wasn't hard but, it surely was the very first thing he heard about him. And something this big, he was at the verge of disbelief. "Why did you tell me…?" he asked.

Alan looked up, "Because you're my friend and I trust you. And, most of all I wanted to make you feel a little better. You aren't alone Xavier, there are plenty of people fighting every day. And once you compare yourself to them, you'll realize you are way better and should stand strong. Never ever pity yourself. Because, that's how I've been living until now."

"It's hard but not futile." Alan encouraged.

Xavier gazed him stern, "So that's how it was… the circle which looked as if made by him; was his family to begin with. To think something this big was hidden up until now. He is quite strong to keep it all in. However, even after hearing this… it feels as if only small part of him was revealed. This aura of inexplicableness surrounding him is as deep as a black hole…" 

"You're strange." he said.

"Alan turned around, "Hm?"

"Even if you told me everything, it feels as if I still don't know you at all which makes me curious. Not only me, but everyone else too." Xavier said.

Alan smiled, "Heh~ then why don't you try and find out about me? Who knows, what you might discover? As Genius as you are, I'm sure it won't take you long." he approved.