Chapter six
I was warming up. It was the D-day. My first match this semester and I was nerved. I was scared. My limbs were killing me and my thighs ached but I knew that soon, I won't feel the pain once the adrenaline kicks in when we start playing. I had invited Ayo to come and watch. Daniel was already going to come. Most of my course mates were also coming because they were going to support their faculty.
Victory. The team captain was going over everything we had to stick to to lead us to victory.
Yes yes, pun intended.
"And you Tara. Please try to head the ball when necessary." I smiled shyly while a few people snickered. I have no idea why I can't do that shit.
We were playing against Faculty of Law. Easy peasy. Those goody two shoes nerds won't know what hit them. (I'm sorry law students. It's for the story. She's just trash talking).
After all the formalities, writing names, checking for long fingernails and shit, we headed into the field. The size of the pitch kinda scared me. It had been a long while since I played in main bowl.
I scanned the bleachers at the top for my friends and found them obviously away from each other. Efosa and Folake can not be seen together. Daniel sent a thumbs-up my way when he caught my gaze and I smiled back at him. I continued to scan the crowd but didn't find Ayo. I frowned. He had told me that he was free and would be here.
I shrugged it off. He could arrive later.
We shook the girls from law, and took a quick picture.We hurdled together and Victory led us in our short prayer.
We went into position and waited for the captains to do their stuff.
We had the ball first. I play midfield. The striker with the ball passed back to one of the other three midfielders while they used the chance to run further ahead into the field. The midfielder ran forward and quickly passed to me when she was about to be tackled. I ran ahead with the ball and passed to the striker but a law player intercepted the pass and kicked far into our own side. Luckily, our defender managed to get it and we continued playing.
Ten minutes into the match, the crowd started chanting faster when our captain had the ball and was very close to the goal post. She dribbled the opponent headed her way and took her shot. It was like it was in slow motion and I could hear the beat of my heart even amidst the cheering crowd.
It was a goal!
A smile broke out on my face and I fist bumped. The crowd went completely wild as everyone was shouting 'goal'. Well, everyone besides the law students. Their coach seemed a little angry and just turned and sat back with the other substitutes.
After about a minute of cheering, the excitement had to die down a little since there was still a long way before this match was won. The law students had the ball this time and found a way to get far into our territory. Most players had already left their side of the field.
I remembered Victory's word one time.
'Even if you have got no one to play to, which I highly doubt and they are far into out territory. Just kick. Kick without aim far far away from our post.'
That was exactly what one of the defenders did and it went out. Phew. That was sorta close. We played on like that until one of the law students fired a far range shot towards the goal post. I was closest. I could have done something. I could have headed the ball.
But what did I do?
I completely ducked!!
It was a reflex action. I swear.
And it was a goal. Damn it.
Their crowd went wild and I had to duck my head in shame at what I had just done. Why the 'ell?
My teammates started sending glares my way and I knew that I was screwed.
We carried on playing again and I just felt like I needed to prove myself. Damn. I hate high balls. I was with the ball and I was close to the goal post I almost had the perfect angle for a goal shot until some girl blocked me and was fast approaching. I had to think fast. Knowing that I couldn't do it, I passed to the striker close to me and she cleared the shot. It was also a goal. Damn, I felt happy that I could assist but sad that I didn't score it. But overall, you know, happy.
We cheered again and then stopped. Continued playing for a while more until it was half-time. We headed to our other players and the coach and then began the lectures upon lectures upon lectures.
"Tara, yours was just simply unacceptable. You are lucky you assisted in that second goal but I think you need to sit out the second half."
That was both expected and unexpected. I nodded and just kept my mouth shut. The other substitutes were warming up and quickly, they put someone in my place.
Soon enough, the whistle for the second half blew and the players went back into the field. We the rest of the substitutes continued to with the match and make our own subtle comments.
Soon enough, the match ended and we had managed to score one more goal. Overall, I was happy but just a little sad at my mistake
After all the pep talk, victory talk, happy talk, scheduling practice talk, next match talk, we were finally free to leave.
I found Daniel outside but I still didn't catch sight of Ayo. I was getting a little worried. He was so sure he would come. I hope nothing happened to him.
"Hiya Daniel"
"Hey. Okay okay, let it out now."
"Damn it. You actually ducked" And then he started laughing.
I paid him no mind and we kept walking. I wanted to reach home fast and take a shower. My body is too sweaty and no way was I going to shower here.
"Okay okay but seriously." He tried to settle his laughter. " You did good from what I saw. Seriously. It was just you ducking that baffled everyone."
"Hmm. Thank you sha."
"Sure sure." I looked around once again absent mindedly.
"Who are you looking for?" He asked as he also looked around as if he knew what or who to look for.
"Ayo" I answered. "He said he was coming."
Daniel rolled his eyes. "That douche bag" I smacked his shoulders. "Ouch. Why woman?"
"Don't say that about him jhoor. Something probably happened so he couldn't make it"
"Oh yeah. Sure. Like him getting hit by a car on his way here" He said sarcastically.
I seriously just don't know what his beef is with Ayo. I decided not to answer him and so I just kept walking
"I'm coming to yours tomorrow o you better play better than I did today or else, it would be payback time."
He smirked in an amused manner as if I had just told a joke. "Babe, anyone can play better than you"
I laughed since I knew he was just teasing.
"Don't call me that. Also, I have to see that for myself tomorrow." We finally said our goodbyes and I headed home.
I called Ayo right away wanting to know why he wasn't there.
"Hey girl. Whatsup?"
"Ayo. Seriously. Are you okay? Why didn't you come for my match?"
He went silent and I had almost assumed that he had cut the call so I checked the screen and saw that the seconds were still counting.
"Shit. I'm sorry. I completely forgot. Our lecturer just organized a class in the middle of nowhere and the class rep informed us only this morning. I am so sorry. I forgot to tell you." He said quickly.
"Oh."
"Yeah. I'm sorry. Next time shey?" He asked in a hopeful tone and I nodded then realized he couldn't see me.
"Yeah. Next time. Sure."
"How was the match anyway? Did you guys win?" He asked.
"Yeah. We did. Although I played a bit badly but it was good overall. I only played for the first half."
"Oh. I see. I'm sad I didn't get to see. I'm sorry. Next time."
"Dude. Stop apologizing. It's okay."
"Okay. Okay. I'll call you later tonight. I have to go."
I said bye and he then cut the call.
Of everything he said, I just wondered why he had lied. Where had he really been? I was sure there was no unexpected class because Daniel was around and he didn't mention anything like that. If there really had been, then he would have said something.
I shut my eyes and tried to fall asleep.
What are you up to Ayo?
This is somewhat of a replay of my first match ever. I'm a total ducker. Lol. Tara is far far better than me sef.
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