It took years (03)

(14th February - Part 1)


As Rika looked toward the bench after scoring Yossi felt the same inexplicable feeling inside her manifesting. She grinned back; a smile which said ‘well done’. When the practice team on the court resumed play, she was drawn back into her thoughts, staring into space, her mind thinking…

It had almost been a month since that faithful day, and never a day passed without her recalling what had happened. A big question still lingered: had Rika read it?

If Rika had read it, why had she not said anything at all? Or acted in anyway? Or at least showed a hint how she had felt about the heart baring note?

Still, they had chatted and laughed; still, they had met for meals. Everything looked normal, but with only one difference—she wasn’t wearing the present she had given her.

Perhaps she had done wrong by crossing the friendship border… Maybe Rika’s indifference was her subtle way of rejecting her. Maybe Rika, being a kind and sensitive girl, had had no heart to turn her down and had chosen to act ignorant.

But Yossi hated it. She wanted a definite answer even if that was the truth. She didn’t need Rika’s compassion. She didn’t care about being hurt by the rejection. She badly needed an answer. It could be a simple nod or a shake of the head—or anything. Because everything-anything-would beat the uncertainty she was feeling, that was festering and eating her sanity. She needed a cue… a nudge for her to get on with her life.

Yossi’s eyes fell back on the petit girl who was running effortlessly around the court. She wondered how the girlish smile seemed perpetually carved on that flawless face. Once again, she felt her heart drawn toward the ground.

Perhaps this is what she wants…

There was a loud whistle, and people gathered around. A few rhythmic claps of the hands signaled the end of the day’s futsal training, and the beginning of just another day of no activity for Yossi…