As the moment of silent connection between Jeevika and Devansh stretched on, the clock seemed to slow down, each second feeling like an eternity. Their eyes remained locked, conveying feelings they couldn’t quite put into words. Jeevika’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and Devansh’s neck warmed with a gentle blush. Butterflies fluttered in their stomachs, and the world around them faded into the background.
But suddenly, Krish’s loud voice shattered the quiet, bringing them back to reality.
"Chalooo! Sab ready hain! Hum bhi bahar nikal rahe hain," Krish called out, bouncing on his heels with excitement. His mischievous grin hinted he had noticed the lingering moment but chose to tease rather than comment. His eyes sparkled with curiosity and teasing mischief.
Jeevika and Devansh quickly averted their eyes from each other, trying to mask their blushes. They hurriedly turned toward Krish and Maahi, disguising their embarrassment with bright smiles.
Krish grinned teasingly at them, raising his eyebrows. "Kya, kya, kya? Kya chal raha tha dono ke beech? Kya lock kholne ka secret hai?" he teased with a playful smirk, winking at Devansh.
"Bhaiyu Jiji aap dono ka face red kyu hai itna, dhoop bhi nhi h abhi toh." Maahi asks.
"Kuch nhi Maahi ayisehi ho gya hoga, ignore it" Jeevika says, trying to clarify her point.
Jeevika and Devansh, trying to maintain their composure, looked at each other and then at Maahi. Deciding to ignore Krish’s teasing, Jeevika handed her dependent card and her house keys to Devansh.
"Yeh lo. Tum sambhal lena," Jeevika said softly, her eyes shining with trust.
Devansh took the cards and keys gently, nodding reassuringly.
Krish, still grinning mischievously, looked at them with a teasing smile. "Chalo, chalo! Bicycle nikal lo, hum bhi bahar nikal rahe hain."
Both Jeevika and Devansh climbed onto their bicycles, Maahi hopping onto hers enthusiastically. Everyone shared a quick, warm smile before they pedaled away towards the Cantonment gate.
On the way to Cantonment:
Jeevika, glancing at the route ahead, suddenly asked, "Maahi, paani do na bacche?"
Maahi, whose eyes sparkled with childlike enthusiasm, immediately reached into her bicycle basket and pulled out the water bottle. With a broad grin, she handed it to Jeevika. "Yeh lo, jiji!"
Everyone smiled at her innocence and excitement as Jeevika took a grateful sip, feeling refreshed. The breeze was cool against their faces, and the laughter of the kids echoed softly as they continued pedaling.
---
Reaching the Cantonment gate:
As they approached the entrance, Devansh slowed down and stopped in front of the officer on duty. Carefully, he handed over everyone's dependent cards.
The officer examined the cards thoroughly, verifying their details with a gentle smile. After a moment of checking, he handed the cards back to Devansh.
"Sab theek hai. Aap log jaa sakte hain," the officer said politely, opening the gate with a nod.
With smiles and a sense of accomplishment, the group entered the Cantonment area. The atmosphere instantly felt different — peaceful, disciplined, and full of promise.
---
At the sports complex:
They called their parents on their phones to inform them of their safe arrival.
They headed straight towards the open basketball court. The court was spacious, with a well-maintained asphalt surface and hoops on both ends. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow.
Jeevika and Devansh exchanged excited glances. "Chalo, chalo! Ab hum practice karte hain," Devansh said.
Jeevika said cheerfully. "Ab hum tumhe kuch basketball tricks sikhaate hain."
Both of them came around, Jeevika and Devansh taking the lead as coaches. Jeevika dribbled the ball with finesse, showcasing her smooth crossovers and quick footwork, while Devansh demonstrated a flawless behind-the-back pass.
"Yeh dekho," Devansh said confidently, performing a slick crossover dribble. "Tum bhi try karo, Maahi."
Maahi eagerly picked up the ball and tried to imitate him, stumbling at first but quickly getting the hang of it. Her face lit up with pride when she managed a little crossover move, giggling happily.
Krish, not to be left behind, attempted a jump shot. He jumped high, aiming for the hoop, but missed by a mile, landing on his backside with a loud thud, making everyone burst into laughter.
Maahi giggled and tried, stumbling at first, but then managing to perform the trick with a bright smile.
Krish nodded enthusiastically. "Haan! Main bhi dikhata hoon. Dekho, main kya kar sakta hoon."
He then attempted a simple jump shot, missing the hoop by a mile but laughing wholeheartedly. The kids' energy was infectious, filling the court with joy.
Jeevika and Devansh cheered them on, correcting their stances and encouraging every small progress. Their own skills shone through—they played with finesse, their movements fluid and confident, clearly experienced. They weren’t just teaching—they were inspiring.
"Main bhi aap dono ke jaise pro banna chahti hoon," Maahi said, eyes shining with determination.
"Nobody is perfect baccha, just try to improve yourself from what you were yesterday." Jeevika said with a polite smile.
Jeevika ruffled her hair affectionately. "Bas, practice karte raho."
The sun’s rays cast long shadows as they played, the air filled with the sounds of bouncing balls, laughter, and cheers. The kids’ energy was boundless, and Jeevika and Devansh enjoyed sharing their love for the game.
Meanwhile, their parents arrived and watched from a distance, proud and happy to see their children enjoying themselves so freely.
They continued practicing, encouraging each other, their bond growing stronger with every shot and every laugh.
Later, as the sun began to set, the children sat on the sidelines, tired but happy.
Maahi and Krish joined them, sharing stories of their own little adventures on the court. The evening air was filled with a sense of contentment, friendship, and the beautiful promise of many more days like this ahead.
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