RIVALS ON-COURT, LOVERS OFF-COURT
The ball bounced back towards her as she swung the racket from her left with a determined face dusted by a cocky smile knowing that this shot would send her flying through the qualification round. The ball bounced twice in the opponent’s court leaving the baseline, fate favoring Ayana today. From the corner of her eye, she saw her name moving up the board, shining iridescently. She did it. She finally got qualified for the tournament. All those years of training did not go in vain. Her mother came running into the court, pouncing on Ayana with a fierce but warm hug. Her eyes welled up with tears as she hugged Ayana, overcome by pride. “Oh, c’mon it’s not like I won the tournament mum,” Ayana said, hugging her mother back.
“You know how emotional I get, hush now! Your father would have been the proudest dad in the court today Ayana, you need to know that.”, “I know mum. I miss him too”, “Anyways this qualification calls for a celebration!” They walked back to their car, excited to go crazy at their favorite Mexican diner.
They got back home. Ayana waltzed up to her room and plopped on her bed with a smile that lit up even the darkest corners of her room. She got up and kissed her racket with her eyes closed, the qualifying match playing in her mind. She went to bed and her eyes darted to the picture of her and her dad on the bedside table. How she missed him, wishing every second that he could have been there with her. She dozed off with a gentle smile across her face.
The following week before the ‘Women’s Tennis Cup’ went by in a blur. With each second bringing Ayana closer to her Tournament, anxiety being overshadowed by excitement. She walked out of the washroom, finishing her morning routine, with a towel wrapped around her head and body. Now just hours away from the tournament. She quickly put on her clothes and dried her hair and ran down the stairs.
“There you are! We’re already running late! Chop Chop!” her mom said. She took the sandwich to-go. She figured she’d eat it in the car since the court was 20 miles away, it would be a long ride. Her leg continuously moving up and down, it was her nervous tick. “Don’t worry, okay? You’ve practiced the best you could. Trust me you’re going to be A-Okay, love.”
“I know, I know. I just don’t know if I want to laugh or cry right now.”
“Haha, you can do both you know…” They giggled at each other and drove along.
She looked up at the stadium. It was massive, swallowing a huge portion of the land. She picked up her duffle bag, hugged her mom goodbye, and walked in. She was directed into the Green Room where all the contestants were. Looking around on tip-toes she saw an empty bench and sat down.
Someone tapped her shoulder. “Ayana? Is it you?!” Zuri squealed. She turned around and blood rushed to her cheeks. She was flushed! Even after all these years, she couldn’t shake off the feeling.
“Zuri! Hi! It’s been too long!” she said as she pulled her in for a tight hug. Zuri was her crush since forever and she could swear the feeling was mutual. Ayana had to move away which stopped her from acting on her feelings. They kept in touch now and then but it faded with time. Meeting Zuri after all these years made Ayana slightly weak in the knees. Zuri beamed at Ayana as she pulled away and asked, “How have you been and what are you doing here?”, “I’m a contestant! I finally got in!”
Zuri’s hands lingered on Ayana sending shivers down her spine. “That is great! I remember how much you wanted to get in! Let’s just hope we don’t get put against each other, you’d have some tough competition!” Ayana remembered just how well Zuri used to play Tennis when they used to practice together. It was, in fact, Zuri who pushed Ayana to drive towards achieving her dream.
“Haha yes that would be one hell of a match now!” she giggled, her heart pumping fast in her chest. They talked and did some much necessary catching up and retired to their benches.
The opponent’s names showed up on the board. Ayana walked up to it and started searching for her name, eager to see who she would have to compete with. Her name was at the bottom of the list, written in bold, unmissable, and reading out ‘Zuri Vs Ayana’. Her heart sank, her gut feel.
She looked across the room to see Zuri looking at her with a strained smile but nodding her head as if she was reassuring Ayana. “No no no this can’t be” Ayana whispered to herself. She gathered herself for she had to keep her head in the game now, this was, after all, her dreams coming true.
The commentary started and the room started filling up with excited chatter. Pair by pair the contestants stepped out onto the court, one emerging victorious. Ayana filled up with excitement but her anxiety hit her a little harder having known who she would have to play against. “And now I would like to call upon Zuri Turner and Ayana Placket….” the commentator called out. Both of them got up and walked towards each other.
“Let’s see if you can take me on Placket! All the best, love.”
Ayana laughed weakly. All she wanted to do was to give Zuri a reassuring soft peck on her lips but she held back, for obvious reasons. “All the best to you too Zozo.” They walked into the court, both their hearts racing a hundred miles an hour. They stepped into each other’s side of the court, it was Zuri’s serve. She threw the ball into the air and swung her bat fiercely.
Ayana swung her bat back to receive the ball, grounding her feet firmly. At this point, it didn’t matter to her which side fate would favor. All she wondered about was, would fate favor the Tournament of her dreams on-court, the woman of her dreams off-court, or both?
~Submitted and written for Aurora TLS by J Vishnupriya
