Twisted game

CHAPTER 5:AILEEN

The morning air brushed against Asim as he locked his apartment door. It was his first day at college, and he hoped it turned out amazing. As he stepped out he spotted Caro ahead of him.

“Good morning Caro” he called, increasing his pace to catch up with her.

She turned, a smile spread across her face “Oh, Asim. Good morning”

“I didn’t expect to see you this early.” He said

“I was actually expecting to see you at school” she replied lightly. “I’m supposed to be your orientation guide”

“Really?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of surprise and something close to relief.

Caro nodded. “Yes. Lucky you, you got the best.”

Asim let out a small laugh. “I’m starting to believe that.”

She gestured ahead. “Come on, we should get going, you don’t want to be late on your first day.”

He fell into steps beside her, taking a steady breath as the walked.

The campus was larger than Asim expected.

Students moved in clusters, some rushing, others lingering like they had all the time in the world. The buildings carried that old, quiet authority, the kind that made you feel like you had to prove you belonged there.

Caro walked beside him like she owned the place.

“So,” she said, glancing at him, “first impressions?”

Asim took a moment before answering. “It’s… bigger than I thought.”

She laughed softly. “That’s everyone’s first reaction. Give it a week, you’ll be walking around like you’ve been here for years. These wall get familiar with time”

“I hope so,” he replied, taking a deep breath.

They passed through the main hall, where a few staff members nodded at Caro as she walked by.

“Seems you’re very popular,” Asim voiced.

“Respected,” Caro corrected with a small smile. “There’s a difference.”

He nodded, taking that in. She pushed open a set of double doors and stepped into a quieter corridor.

“Alright,” she said, shifting slightly into a more professional tone. “Let’s start properly. Young Wales College, established, competitive, and very proud of its sports programs. Especially hockey.”

Asim’s attention sharpened immediately, he didn’t want to miss anything that was been said.

“You’re stepping into a team that’s good,” she continued, “but inconsistent. Talent isn’t the problem. Discipline is. The boys are, let say spoilt brat, they don’t listen and lack team work.”

“That I can work with,” Asim said calmly.

Caro glanced at him, measuring. “Confidence. I like it.” They stopped in front of an office.

“This is yours,” she said, pushing the door open. It was simple but functional. Desk, shelves, a wide window overlooking part of the field.

Asim stepped inside, taking it in slowly.

“Not bad,” he said.

“Not bad?” Caro raised a brow. “That’s prime view. Coaches fight for that.”

He gave a small smile. “Then I guess I got lucky.”

“Or someone believes you’re worth the spot,” she replied.

That sat with him for a second, which made him wonder how he was picked out among others that submitted their application.

She clapped her hands lightly. “Come on, no getting comfortable yet. You still need to meet the staff.” She took him round the staff quarters, introducing him to the staffs that were available.

After the introductions they made their way toward the sports ground, ranging from basketball court, football fields before getting to the hockey building.

The air was colder here, sharper. Asim could already see some players out on the ice in a distance.

“And that’s your team” Caro said, handing him a clipboard with the roster.

The players running drills, sticks striking the ice, voices calling out across the rink, he could feel excitement rushing in. “Thank you so much Caro” he said.

“You’re welcome, you’ll get full access to training schedules, and the assistant coach will also resume to help you out” she added

Asim nodded before getting into one of the shoes laid out for him, he adjusted his stance, stepping onto the rink.

He moved closer to the group, “Good morning everyone” he called out

The players slowed down.

“Good morning sir” one of the boys replied, while the other gradually put a pause to their drills.

“I’m Mr. Asim Jonas. Your new coach” he announced

“Nice to meet to you, coach. I’m Zayn the team captain” the same player who had spoken earlier said.

“Nice to meet you too, Zayn, I’m right to assume everyone is here?”

Zayn hesitated slightly. “Not exactly, our right wing man is missing. He’s a freshman but really good. I think he should be at the fresher’s orientation”

Asim nodded once “Alright, while we wait for him, let’s introduce ourselves.”

The player started introducing themselves one after the other the atmosphere relaxed as names and positions were called out across the ice, then the sounds of the rink doors opening cut through the space.

Everyone paused.

“Speak of the devil, he’s here” one of the players muttered.

Asim turned around, a figure rushed in, slightly unsteady on the ice at first, adjusting his helmet as he moved. There was a quickness to him, slightly disorganized but controlled enough to recover.

“Sorry, I’m late” he voiced trying to catch his breath

The voice of the young man sounded familiar. Something in it hit Asim before his mind could catch up,

Asim’s chest tightened immediately. He looked at him proper trying to get a face.

The player straightened himself pulling off his helmet. “I’m Aileen Rodriguez a freshmen, right wing”

The rink was silent, Asim didn’t move, nor speak, his eyes travelled to the clipboard in his hand.

*Aileen Rodriguez, 21 years old, freshman. Right wing* he froze and slowly lifted his head, just to be sure he was seeing correctly.

Of course he was, he couldn’t forget such a face that gave him pleasure. Not after that night

It was him. Something in his chest tightened, sharp and immediate as recognition settled fully into place.

The man he had his one night stand, the one he had never expected to see again.

Aileen!