The Toc H school road housed the famous Toc H School. The road had an aura of itself due to various reasons. Tall avenue trees flanked the road on both sides and the prestigious Cochin gymkhana club added its own charm. The Toc H school road was so very close to Anu`s heart. The school was like the threesome`s second home where they spent most of their tym. There was a signature spot for each one of them… Being talented guitarists Jen and Joe were pretty much attached to the music room. They were the lead guitarists of the school band and Jen lead her house band. It was advisable for a person in search of Anu to head first to the basketball court rather than xii f… Such was her dedication to her class. Anu captains the school’s girl’s basketball,represents Kochi at zonals and is a national level U 19 player. Although she knew that the path ahead with basketball was something comparable to impossible, but the passion 4 it kept her going.
The three were almost there at the gate when Anu said, ‘I have planned for a half a day practice session with the girls, meet you guys at lunch’. ‘But Anu, the finals are a week away are nt they?’ asked Joe. ‘Joey this will be the last time I get the chance to lead Toc H in this tourney.Don feel like closing the account with a loss.’ ‘Anu.. I don’t want you to give this more attention than it deserves. For heaven’s sake! Take it as it comes.Will u? ‘ Said Joe. ‘This means a lot to me Joe, I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to be judgmental about the amount of attention it deserves. Feel it’s better you allow me handle it my way!’ She waved a bye to Jen and without another word went straight to the basketball court.
There was a long silence between Jen and Joe on their way back from the stands. Jen then spoke up ‘This is not the first time isn’t it? She`ll be fine joey.. Its jus tht shes passionate abt it.’ ‘That’s exactly what im worried about Jen… Shes overly passionate and I`m not sure if she could continue playing being in college. I don want her to end up hurting herself badly’ said Joe looking straight into Jen`s eyes. ‘Lets try being optimistic joe boy… relax. As long as we are with her she`ll jus be fyn! Chalo hurry up… Its physics up first today.’
After a round of Physics, Maths,English and Hindi it was recess. Jen knew pretty well it was time for her to carry out the usual cleanup job, which she does to perfection every time Anu and Joe end up with a war of words.
The two of them went ahead to the basketball court where they could see Anu in the middle of a group of athletic looking girls. Although it was around 4 hours into practice Anu was looking pretty energetic and pushy. She was setting out strategies, fine tuned formations and was working on her reflexes. The only thought Joe had was.. ‘Why on hell is she straining herself so much?! And Y am I bothering about her even on knowing she won’t listen to me?!’ Although she was getting onto his nerves by being outrageous.. he secretly wanted her to do it and admired it. Every time she confronted him or Every time she dared to stand by her passion or Every time she turned adamant.. he felt she was making her way into himself. Although, he preferred not to admit, He knew from the deep quarters of his heart that he was very much attracted to her.
Jen and Joe waited in the player's zone for Anu. She was very quick in passing the ball and the way she trebled the ball proved her experience in handling it. Every time she jumped to basket the ball, Joe could feel his heart pounding. All his efforts trying to be decent went into vein.. He just couldn’t control being expressive about his admiration for her. Every time the girl said ‘Common Girls! The cup belongs to us!’, He felt motivated. Every time she said ‘Get some life girls, look alive!’, He straightened himself up and tried to look alive! That’s when he realized he was passionate about her. That’s when he realized that the girl has made her way. Although Joe had a thought that his feelings for Anu had no audience.. there was one very intelligent soul, who knew exactly what he was going through. Jen understood Joe and Anu like the back of her palm. She also understood Joe`s feelings for Anu but preferred letting him come out clear with it because she firmly believed in her mom`s words. ‘Matters of the heart cannot be clarified by anyone else other than your own self!’
