Chapter 4

Malek – At Training

Early morning.

The sun was just beginning to rise, and the air held a light chill.

Malek stood in front of the billiards table in the training hall, eyes focused on the ball.

The session wasn’t easy every shot needed to be calculated down to the millimeter.

He felt like every move had to be perfect.

Not just for the win but to prove to himself that he was worthy.

His coach stood nearby, watching closely and offering short advice:

“Focus on your hand. Keep the motion smooth. Don’t think about the result right now.”

Malek took a deep breath and refocused.

Training sometimes felt harder than an actual match but he knew this effort was what would make him shine.

During a quick break, his friend walked over and said:

“Malek, when you get tired, just remember we’re not just playing. We’re fighting. And the real opponent isn’t just on the table… it’s inside our minds too.”

Malek laughed and replied:

“You’re right. The one who wins… is the one who beats his own thoughts.”

Jana – In Practice

On the tennis courts, Jana moved with speed and grace, her racket slicing through the air like it was part of her hand.

Her coach stood by, observing every step:

“You need to move your feet faster. Try to stay light on your toes.”

Jana took a deep breath,

trying to stay focused despite the clear fatigue in her body.

Training was tough.

There were days when she felt she couldn’t go on but her mind always circled back to her ultimate goal.

“I’m not just playing tennis…

I’m writing my story, one shot at a time.”

She always dreamed of standing on the big court, under the spotlight,

with the crowd watching every move.

During the rest, her coach told her:

“You’ve got what it takes—but you need to give yourself a chance to breathe.”

Jana smiled faintly:

“It’s not just the training that wears me out…

it’s the loneliness inside me.”

After the exhausting session,

Malek stood wiping sweat from his forehead with a small towel,

his eyes fixed on a tablet screen showing training footage of billiards techniques.

His friend Karim leaned against a column, casually scrolling on his phone.

Malek said:

“Karim, it’s not gonna be easy this time…The competitors are on another level now.”

Karim replied without looking up:

“I know, man. But you’ve got a unique style.

Not many can stand in front of you.”

Then suddenly Karim stopped scrolling and his eyes lit up:

“Look! There’s a big tennis match happening in the city.

And there’s this famous player… her name is Jana.”

Malek looked at him, puzzled:

“Tennis? Jana? Who’s that?”

Karim:

“Don’t know much, but she seems super well-known.

Wanna go watch?”

Malek took a deep breath:

“Sure… why not. Maybe it’s a good change of scenery.”

Jana – Pre-Match

Jana sat on a bench at the club, eating a small sandwich, scrolling through old training photos on her phone.

Her coach came over and said:

“This next match is going to be tough.

You need to stay focused and pour all your energy into it.”

Jana smiled and said:

“I’m ready. I just wonder what the crowd will be like.”

And on the Way to the Match

Malek and Karim hopped into a small taxi.

The sun was setting, its golden rays reflecting off the car windows.

Malek adjusted his billiards jacket and asked:

“Are we actually going to watch this? Or are you just trying to shake things up?”

Karim laughed:

“Come on, man—do I always have to be the one watching you play?

Let me enjoy for once.

Plus… this girl seems legit.

Thought it’d be cool to see a different sport.

Who knows… maybe you’ll like the vibe.”

Malek chuckled quietly, looking out the window…He had no idea

that what he was about to walk into

could change everything.

At the Arena,The stadium was buzzing with people.

Long rows of seats, the echo of tennis balls striking echoed across the hall.

Malek entered the venue holding a VIP ticket.

He and Karim sat at the edge, and the match began.

Jana entered the court with confidence wearing a sharp white outfit, hair tied back, eyes burning with focus.

She took a deep breath before every shot,

calculating her steps, every move filled with force.

Malek couldn’t take his eyes off her.

It wasn’t just her beauty…There was something different in the way she moved.

Each gesture held a story.

Every strike was packed with repressed emotion.

“Is that Jana?”he whispered.

Karim replied,

“Yeah. What do you think?”

Malek whispered back:

“I don’t know…but it’s like she’s speaking without saying a word.”

Jana won the match after six exhausting sets.

She shook hands with her opponent and walked to the side to take a deep breath.

Her heart was pounding not just from physical exertion, but from a strange feeling… like she was being watched.

She looked up…and for a moment she saw him.

His eyes were fixed on her from afar.

No clapping. No loud reaction.

Just… attention.

Just one moment but time seemed to freeze.

The Hallway Encounter

After leaving the locker room,

Jana walked down the side corridor of the stadium, wearing a light jacket, her hair still damp from sweat, searching for her coach.

At the same time, Malek and Karim were walking toward the back exit, hurrying to catch a ride.

Then

they turned the same corner at the same moment.

Their eyes met.

They froze.

She saw him.

And he saw her.

People were walking all around them, noise filled the corridor but their moment was silent and pure.

No one said a word.

She walked past him slowly…

and he turned to watch her quietly.

She looked ahead,

but her heart…

was pounding.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***