*************************************** The bike almost hit the car in front of it. He was zapped back into reality. He was baffled with his intuitions today, and was almost out of control of all the emotions filling him up today. Smriti was 5 minutes late to her office. Never been late before though...and one day wouldn't matter. "Ma'm, we have meeting at 9 30 today." Her secretary reminded her. She had forgotten about this...almost...and she had left some notes for meeting back at home. "What the heck!!! Where is my mind wandering today..." She was baffled... She had limited time...yet she looked around to prepare some mighty quick...maybe she can!!! And a flashback glimpsed into her memories. It was her project presentation that day. And she had the sports week to attend...Hurrying with the works, she had finished the project just in time...and had gone to attend the game. Game was tough, opponents fierce...But She had managed well as a captain...Two years in a row as a captain...and 3-1 record was not that bad...She could hear Akash cheering her up from time to time... "Ah!! Friend indeed...always there!!!" She was happy as she could be to have him as a friend. He was always there whenever she needed a shoulder to lean on, But he was kind of different...disappearing once in while just into a thin air. The final quarter was on!!!... The point margin was low. They were just gaining by 2 points. But the opponents were holding them to score more, and attacking fiercely as well. They were defending at their best. The tall girl of their opponent was unmarked just outside three point line. Smriti cried out loud for her team mate to check her. "Check... Check!!!" She cried as hard as she could...But it was too late. The ball swished around. And there it went right into the basket...The whole court raised with surprise...half of them cheering for the opponents... She looked at her watch...The time was ticking by. Only 35 seconds remaining. She looked around, and saw Aakash, still cheering her up... "There is time still!!!"...She didn't want to loose. She passed the ball to her second best scorer (her best scorer had called day off that day). But she was checked well, ball came back to her...She looked around...and she thought to give it a try herself. She gave a shot...ball went right on the target...and swished around the rim of basket... and came OUT!!!....The game-ending whistle blew... She stood there blank...and broken hearted...She could have won...tears were jerking down her cheek. She felt a hand on her shoulders...He had come to console her...and without a word He took her outside the court...That was all she needed!!!...and He knew it without a word. ***************************************