CRAZY LOVE FOR YOU

CHAPTER 6: FOOTBALL,DANCE AND THE UNKNOWN GUY

*Chapter 6: "Football, Dance, and The Guy Who Won’t Say His Name"*

Monday started with drums.

I woke up to Zara screaming. *"MATCH DAY! MATCH DAY! GET UP TOMBOY!"*

I groaned and threw a pillow. *"It’s 6am."*

Tasha was already in her Red House ribbon. *"Inter-house finals today. Red vs Blue. This is serious business."*

Nia pushed her glasses up. *"Also you have a Math test after. So don’t get too excited."*

*"Why is everything on the same day,"* I *said*, pulling on my jersey.

Imperial was different on match days. Banners everywhere. Seniors with face paint. The whole ground smelled like popcorn and energy.

At assembly, the principal *said*, *"Sportsmanship first. Win or lose, we are one Imperial."*

Everyone cheered.

Zara leaned over. *"You nervous?"*

*"No,"* I *said*. *"I’m excited."*

*First period: Math test*

I finished early and spent the rest of the time drawing football tactics on the back of my paper.

Mrs Mehta took my paper and *said*, *"Poorvi, focus. You can play after."*

*"Yes ma’am,"* I *said*.

Break time. The whole school was at the ground.

Kavya saw me and yelled, *"POORVI! WARM UP! YOU’RE STARTING!"*

*"On it!"* I *said*, jogging over.

Red House vs Blue House. Finals.

The whistle blew and it was chaos.

I was running, passing, shouting *"MAN ON!"* *"SWITCH!"*

10 minutes in, I got the ball, dodged two girls, and scored.

*"GOAL!!"* the whole Red side screamed.

Zara was standing on a bench yelling *"THAT’S MY ROOMMATE!"*

Halftime. Score 1-0.

Kavya gathered us. *"They’re going to come hard. Stay sharp. Poorvi, keep pushing."*

*"Got it,"* I *said*, drinking water.

Second half. They scored. 1-1.

My heart was pounding. 2 minutes left.

Corner kick. The ball came to me. I kicked.

*"GOOOOOAL!!"*

2-1. Final whistle.

Red House won.

The whole team piled on me.

*"YOU’RE INSANE!"* Kavya *said*, hugging me.

*"WE DID IT!"* I *said*, laughing and out of breath.

After, 12B dragged me to the canteen for "victory samosas".

*"You were amazing,"* Tasha *said*, feeding me one.

*"Best forward in Imperial,"* Zara *said*.

*"Don’t let it get to your head,"* Nia *said*, smiling.

My phone buzzed.

*Unknown Number: _That last goal. Clean. Proud of you.*_

I frowned. *"Ugh. Him again."*

*"Who?"* Zara asked.

*"Some random,"* I *said*, locking my phone.

Tuesday. Normal day. Or so I thought.

First period, Mrs Mehta *said*, *"Annual Day forms are out. Dance, drama, singing, sports display. Sign up by Friday."*

Zara’s hand shot up. *"12B is doing a group dance. And Poorvi is in it."*

*"I didn’t agree,"* I *said*.

*"You’re agreeing now,"* Tasha *said*.

After school = dance practice.

The studio had mirrors everywhere and I hated it.

Instructor *said*, *"Today we learn the opening sequence. Watch."*

She did this graceful flowy thing.

Then she looked at me. *"Poorvi, your turn."*

I did it like I was on the football field. Sharp. Loud.

The whole room went quiet.

Instructor stared. Then *said*, *"Actually... I like that. Keep the energy. Just soften the arms a bit."*

Zara whispered, *"See? You’re good."*

*"It’s okay,"* I *said*.

Walking back, my phone buzzed.

*Unknown Number: _Saw practice. The football-dance is growing on me.*_

I stopped. *"How does he know I was at practice??"*

*"What?"* Nia asked.

*"Nothing,"* I *said*.

Wednesday. Rainy day. No ground.

So we had indoor games.

In class, the teacher *said*, *"Debate topic: Should sports be compulsory in school?"*

Zara *said*, *"Yes! Obviously!"*

I raised my hand. *"Yes. Because it teaches you how to lose and get back up."*

The class clapped.

Mrs Mehta *said*, *"Well *said*, Poorvi."*

At lunch, we sat under the covered area because of rain.

Tasha *said*, *"Okay 12B truth game. One embarrassing story each."*

*"No,"* I *said*.

*"Yes,"* Zara *said*.

Zara: *"I fell during a dance and my hair clip flew into the audience."*

Tasha: *"I called my tuition teacher Mum in front of everyone."*

Nia: *"I cried watching a dog food commercial."*

They looked at me.

I sighed. *"Fine. I got suspended for fighting a girl who kept calling me a boy."*

Silence.

Then Tasha *said*, *"That’s why you were scared on day 1?"*

*"Yeah,"* I *said*.

Zara moved closer. *"Well you’re not that girl anymore. You’re 12B’s Poorvi now."*

*"Yeah,"* Nia *said*.

Phone buzzed.

*Unknown Number: _Rainy days are boring. You okay?*_

*"Weird,"* I *said* under my breath.

Thursday.

Football practice after school.

Kavya *said*, *"We’re playing a friendly with St. Mary’s next week. You’re playing."*

*"Me?"* I *said*.

*"Yes you,"* she *said*. *"Don’t make me regret it."*

*"I won’t,"* I *said*, grinning.

After practice I went to get water. The studio was empty.

Footsteps behind me.

*"You’re improving,"* a voice *said*.

I turned. The senior boy. Hoodie. Same one from the rooftop.

*"Thanks,"* I *said*, grabbing my bottle.

*"You don’t have to bolt every time,"* he *said*.

*"I’m not bolting,"* I *said*.

*"Right,"* he *said*, smiling a little. *"See you, Poorvi."*

He walked out.

2 seconds later my phone buzzed.

*Unknown Number: _See you, Poorvi.*_

I froze.

*"No way,"* I whispered.

Friday.

Last period was free. Mrs Mehta *said*, *"Use it to prep for Annual Day."*

12B sat in a circle in class practicing dance steps.

*"Arms up,"* Zara *said*. *"No, not like you’re throwing a ball!"*

*"This IS how I throw a ball,"* I *said*, laughing.

Tasha *said*, *"We’re going to kill it."*

*"We are,"* Nia *said*.

After school, notice board.

*SPORTS DISPLAY FOR ANNUAL DAY: RED HOUSE CAPTAIN - POORVI MEHRA*

*"WHAT?!"* I *said* out loud.

Kavya walked past and *said*, *"Congrats, Captain. Meeting on Monday."*

My hands were shaking. *"I’m captain??"*

Zara screamed and hugged me. *"I KNEW IT!"*

That evening back in 12B, we were celebrating with chips and chocolate.

*"To our captain,"* Tasha *said*, raising a Fanta bottle.

*"To 12B,"* I *said*.

Before bed I checked my phone.

*Unknown Number: _Captain Poorvi. Has a nice ring. Sleep well.*_

I stared at it for a long time.

*"Who are you,"* I whispered.

I didn’t reply.

But I didn’t block him either.

I turned off the lights.

Imperial was loud, messy, full of practice and tests and dance and football.

And for the first time, I felt like I belonged in every part of it.