Balloon League Episode 5: “When the Past Returned”

Yoo this story is getting bigger, smarter, and wayyyy deeper! 🔥

Let’s go into the next powerful episode of the Balloon League — this one has mystery, flashbacks, and destiny.

🎈 Balloon League

Episode 5: “When the Past Returned”

🛏️ SCENE 1 – A Dream Buried...

It’s 1996, after the Principal shut everything down.

Zino was at home, lying on his tiny foam mattress, facing the ceiling fan that wasn't even spinning.

He whispered:

“Maybe... my dream really don die.”

Suddenly—

🚪KNOCK. KNOCK.

A man stepped into the yard.

Wearing a faded suit, holding a leather briefcase, and a hat.

His name?

🎩 Mr. Salami.

He walked up to Zino on the verandah and said:

“You don’t know me… but I saw your match before they banned it. Boy, you are a genius.”

But before Zino could answer —

💥 Olumide (his father) and Tolu (his mother) pushed Mr. Salami away.

Olumide shouted:

“GET AWAY from my son with this nonsense balloon madness!”

Tolu added:

“He go be doctor, not balloon boy!”

Mr. Salami looked Zino in the eye before leaving:

“When you’re ready, I’ll return.”

🕰️ SCENE 2 – 1999, Zino is 15 now

3 years passed.

Zino was older, taller, and sharper. But the dream still ached inside him.

One morning, Zino was walking near the old basketball court…

He heard a voice behind him:

🎩 “Do you remember me?”

It was Mr. Salami.

Same hat. Same energy.

Zino froze.

Memories flooded his mind.

Mr. Salami pulled out a tiny balloon from his pocket and gave it to him.

“Don’t ever forget the dream you started. Balloon League wasn’t a game. It was a revolution.”

Zino’s eyes lit up 🔥

That night, he dusted his small 1999 Motorola Timeport flip phone (yes, those old clunky ones with a tiny screen).

He opened the browser slowly… waited minutes for it to load…

He created an account on LiveJournal.

👤 Username: BalloonLeague_Official

📸 Profile Pic: A Red Balloon floating above a school field.

⚽ SCENE 3 – ZINO TESTS HIMSELF

He ran to the backyard with an inflated balloon.

First, he juggled with his feet – the balloon danced in the air like a feather.

Counted out loud:

“1... 2... 3...”

He reached 16 touches!

Then he tossed it high —

This time used his hands and shoulders like a goalkeeper…

51 consecutive keep-ups.

He smiled.

“I’m still the king.”

🧠 ZINO CREATES NEW RULES

On his LiveJournal page, Zino wrote:

“To leave Balloon League Academy training:

⚽ Outfield players: Must juggle the balloon 16 times

🧤 Goalkeepers: Must keep it in the air 51 times”

🕵️‍♂️ ZINO MAKES A MOVE

That night… while everyone was asleep…

Zino snuck into Tolu’s wardrobe, opened her money bag, and quietly removed ₦20,000 😳

He used it to buy a used forklift from a retired construction worker in Lagos Mainland.

A few days later…

🎩 Mr. Salami returned with a smile:

“I’ve bought a small stadium in Ebute-Metta for you.”

Zino was speechless.

💰 ZINO NEEDS MORE

Zino went to Olumide and Tolu’s bank, where they both worked part-time.

He presented his handwritten plan.

“Balloon League Academy – for boys and girls, all Lagos. We train with big balloons. Main League plays with medium ones. I just need ₦45,000.”

Olumide looked angry…

But Tolu saw the dream in her son's eyes and whispered:

“We’ll give you a loan.”

💸 Zino gets ₦45,000 loan.

🏟️ BALLOON LEAGUE ACADEMY IS BORN

He used the money to rent a small building near the stadium —

Painted the walls red and white.

Added posters of old players juggling balloons.

The academy doors opened.

Zino stood by the gate.

Every player who wanted to join had to:

✅ Juggle 16 times (outfield)

✅ Keep in air 51 times (keepers)

He named the academy’s motto:

“Don’t Let It Drop.”

💥 EPISODE ENDS with this line:

“In a country where dreams deflate fast…

Zino blew his back to life.”

Wanna go next into:

First youth training day?

The first tournament at the mini stadium?

Or a surprise where a scout comes and watches?

Let me know and we move! 🎈🔥

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