Surprise..... An early update ❤️

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"Amazing" Ira yelled, clapping her hands as a player threw the ball into basket. It was lunch hour and Ira was going downstairs to have lunch with Ehan, when on the way, she spotted a few students practicing basketball at the basketball court, which was clearly visible from the second floor.

Ehan stopped near the junior's block, waiting for Ira. Randomly, he looked up and found at her standing at the second floor, cheering for God knows whom.

"Ira" he called, which obviously didn't reach her ears. After trying for a couple of more time, he climbed upstairs.

"Superb" she jumped on her place, clasping her hands together as he stood beside her, following her gaze. Leaning on the railing, he too engrossed himself in watching the students play.

"Very good" she shouted and he noticed she was now cheering for boys' team while, just a couple of minutes ago she was cheering for girls' team.

"Whose side are you in?" He wondered.

"None. I'm cheering for everyone" she replied, not even bothering to look at him.

"You really like this sport, don't you?" He remember her playing with her classmates during her earlier days at the school; being carefree and enjoying to her best.

"I love it" she confessed, smiling widely at the players.

"Why don't you join the girls' team? You are good at it" he suggested, making her turn and look at him with her eyebrows raised.

"You are not serious, are you?" She completely turned to face him.

"Ofcourse, I'm serious. I have seen you play. You really are good at it" his words made her think for a moment and sigh.

"I can't. I have never played for school or anything else. I used to play for fun, that's it. I can't be a part of any team. I'll become concious" she shook her head and began to walk slowly.

"Think of it the same way. Don't think that your are playing for school and you have to win. Think you are playing for fun and it'll the same. You won't feel concious" he joined her slow steps.

"It's not that. It's just.... I have never participated in any kind of extra curricular activities. You know I'm slow in everything and sometimes I need a little push..."

"I'm here to push you" he cut her off, making her stop in her tracks and look up at him.

"I'll push you to give your best in every possibly way. I'll cheer for you, I'll encourage you" he assured, looking directly in her eyes with utter honesty.

"Promise?" She forwarded her hand, looking back in his eyes with high hopes and expectations.

"I promise" he kept his palm over her warm one and curled his fingers, making her do the same unconsciously.

"Great! I'll do it" she removed her hand from his and clapped with hers, excitedly.

"Amazing. Let's have lunch and meet the coach before you go to Miss Bella. He'll give us details about the final selection of the fresher's team"

"I'm so excited" Ira giggled, widening Ehan's smile.

They had lunch while talking about their interest in basketball, mostly Ira narrating how many times she injured herself while playing and was slapped by Mary for wasting time instead of studying.

After that, Ehan took her to meet the coach, who gave them an application form to fill and submit. When they were done, he informed them that the final selection will be done after a week and they are needed to be prepared. Ira was a way too excited and it made Ehan more delighted to witness her charming smile not leaving her lips.

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After dropping Ira at her apartment, Ehan came back to his house and directly went to the basketball court. Being in the same house for years and playing at the same court every single time, for the first time, Ehan carefully looked around the basketball court. It was huge, huge enough for Ira to practise. But... He couldn't bring her there.

He took up a ball from the rack and started bouncing it. His mind thinking of different ways he couldn't bring Ira there for practise and she wouldn't know about his real status. He skilfully threw the ball in the ring, thinking hard of a solution. He was bouncing the ball and throwing in the ring, and it went on for only God knows how many minutes.

Tired, he slumped in a corner, still holding the ball. There was no way he could bring her there and still keep his secret hidden. He thought how nicely the day passed by. Ira was too excited. She didn't even scrunch her nose when he brought her almond milkshake. She gladly sipped it with a smile. Just the thought of her brought a huge smile on his face.

But telling her the truth will definitely snatch both of their precious smiles away.

"I can't do it. Not now atleast" he whispered, definitely not ready to let Ira know about his reality.

After sitting quietly for few minutes, he pulled his mobile out and searched for Lawyer Smith's new number, he texted him. The one he used to call him to threaten the lady at Ira's working place was an expired one.

Since Ehan's parents were away, lawyer Smith was being his guardian, who signs his annual report card and attends all his PTA meetings. Every time Ehan meets him, he asks him to let him know if he needs anything.

"Should I do it?" He asked himself again and reluctantly, touched the number over the mobile screen.

He shut his eyes tight as the call connected and he could hear the ring. He never asked anything from Lawyer Smith, infact, he never needed anything rather than going back to his parents place. For the first time in all those years, he needed something and it took the entire courage to keep aside his ego and make a demand.

"Hello, Mr Sinha. Is everything alright? Are you in any kind of..."

"I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour, Mr Smith. I have something... I mean, I want you to make something for me" he hesitantly said, not understanding how and what to say. He was never the one who makes demands and bosses around people.

"Sure, Mr Sinha. What would you like me to do? Should I book you tickets for some Islands with your friends, if you have made any by now or you wish me to..."

"I want you to make me a basketball court at the area beside servant's cottage" Ehan cut him off, letting him know what he actually wants.

"Basketball court?" There was astonishment in lawyer Smith's voice.

"I'm sorry if that's not a part is your job. I'll..."

"No. It definitely is a part of my job. I'm your assigned guardian and I must provide you with everything you wish for. I was just wondering if there's anything wrong with the indoor one? If that's the issue, I'll send some people to make it right. You can..."

"No. That one is perfectly alright. I need another one, outdoor"

"Definitely. I'll send some people tomorrow. It'll be nice if you could let them know about the required area of the court. If not, I can..."

"I'll let them know everything"

"Great! I'll instruct them to get the work done before you arrive back home"

"Thank you" Ehan sighed, hanging up.

He looked up at the ceiling, leaning on the wall. How he never wanted to make a single demand until his parents takes him back home and how he had to break his own rule... For Ira. But he know, her happiness will worth it and he didn't needed anything more.

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Ehan looked at Ira from the corner is his eyes, who was staring at the newly made basketball court beside Ehan's house.

"It wasn't here" she finally said, making Ehan groan inward.

"It was" he argued, wanting her to believe it.

"It wasn't" she argued back, remembering very well that the area had no markings nor the pole.

"It was"

"It was not" she was not at all ready to accept it. She clearly remember it wasn't here.

"Ok, fine. You know what happened yesterday? I was thinking of a way to make you practice and play with you. School's court is always crowded with students. Besides, you have to assist Miss Bella on that time. So I just made a phone call and got this pole attached and made some markings on the ground. Happy?"

"Stop kidding" she whined, poking his chest with her elbow.

"I don't know how I didn't noticed it earlier, but it's nice" she delightfully ran towards the pole, letting him heave a sigh of relief, keeping his hand over his chest.

"What are you waiting for? Come let's play" she gestured with her hands, calling him to her. He joined in a moment. They started playing, sometimes, Ehan snatched the ball from Ira's hand and sometimes, Ira got the chance to snatch it from him. Being played with other kids, Ira was good at getting the ball by distracting him whilst Ehan has always been a loner, so he was a little behind in that. But when it comes to throwing the ball into the ring, he beat Ira most of the times. She would easily snatch the ball from him but couldn't be much successful in throwing the ball into ring, when he takes his chance and do that skillfully.

"Yayyy!" Ira screamed as she threw the ball into ring.

"Nice" Ehan commented, cheering her up.

They both were sweating and panting from running and jumping since an hour. Sun has already set and darkness was consuming the sky.

"Let's go in. We'll practice tomorrow" Ehan said, taking the ball in his hand and leading Ira inside.

They had some snacks which for a change, Ehan got them pizza and soft drinks. Ira paid for her share and they both digged in, savouring the delicious food.

They studied for few hours before deciding to call it a night. Ehan dropped Ira at her place after a light dinner.

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"I told Miss Belly about it. She said I can leave earlier if there's not much work" Ira spoke with her mouthful, while she and Ehan was having lunch, the next day.

"That's so sweet of her. By the way, it's not belly, it's Bella" he corrected, stabbing the baked chicken with his fork and shoving in his mouth.

"Whatever. But she really is nice. I like..."

"Excuse me, guys. Sorry to interrupt" both Ira and Ehan looked up from their plates to find a tall blonde standing with few fancy looking envelops in her hands.

"Hi, I'm Carie, your classmate" she pointed at Ehan, who obviously didn't noticed her in class and she knew it.

"It's my birthday today. I'll be glad if both of you could attend the party. You guys could bring your friends along" she placed two invites on the table, flashing them a small.

"Oh! Happy birthday, Carie. May you live long and achieve everything you wish for" Ira delightedly shook hands with her and she gave her a geniune smile, whispering thank you.

As soon as she left and Ehan opened his mouth to ask if she was willing to attend the party, Shruti came out of nowhere, "Hi, Ira" she said, making Ira look at her with raised eyebrows and exchange looks with Ehan.

"Hi, Shruti"

"Aaa.... Are you attending Carie's party?" She asked, glancing at Ehan who was looking at Ira, wanting to know the same answer.

"No" Ira replied, shaking her head. Ehan looked at his plate and resumed eating, feeling satisfied for unknown reasons.

"Why?" Shruti sounded a little disappointed.

"Because, I don't want to be her friend"

"Why again?"

"I don't befriend rich kids" the piece of chicken Ehan just shoved in his mouth, stuck in his throat. He looked up at Ira with curious eyes.

"Why?" Ehan asked this time.

Ira turned back to him and answered, "because, they make me imagine so much. At some point, it hurts" she turned to Shruti and continued, "The way they show off their branded watches...." Ehan looked at his hand, his sleeve was covering his Rolex watch, still a tiny part was peeking through it, which made him pull his hand back and keep it under the table.

"Their expensive shoes..." His toes curled on their own and he crossed his legs under the chair, hiding his branded shoes.

"Their over priced clothes..." He pulled his jacket down, feeling extremely concious.

"Their costly bags..." He pulled his bag from the table and kept on his lap, hiding it from Ira.

"Everything makes me feel very low of myself. Though I don't understand who's rich and who isn't until they start bragging about their status. I have no knowledge of branded items" Ehan let out a huge sigh of relief, touching his cold forehead to know if sweat beads have formed.

"That's true. Ok, I'm not going either. Bye" Shruti left and Ira turned back to Ehan.

"Isn't she's strange? Sometimes she ignores me like I don't exist and sometimes... Are you okay?" She asked, finding Ehan sweating.

"Yeah!" He whispered, wiping his nose from the back of his hand.

"Why are you sweating?" She forwarded him a tissue, who wasn't even looking at her.

He grabbed a glass of water and gulped it down.

"Ehan, Are you okay?" She asked again and he forced a smile, which only made him looked like a person who was caught planning a murder and he had to cover it up with a silly smile.

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Assalamualaikum everyone,

How was the chapter?

Is Ehan unknowingly digging his own grave by hiding his real status from Ira?

Would Ira be able to get selected in the basketball team?

Will Ehan keep his promise of being there for Ira to cheer and encourage her?