Shattered dream

“Don’t mix emotions with work” has always been my Mantra since I started my construction firm, though I’ve taken some not-so-good decisions before, they are all channelled at moving the company forward and where it is today is a testament to that.

However, sitting in the board room listening to her proposal got me rethinking my stance. What her start-up business offers my firm is something great and it will bring in a lot of money for both parties but I don’t think I can stand her, not after what she’s done.

15 years ago…

Blending in a new school wasn’t going to be easy but I was prepared to adapt to whatever I meet there but I was still shocked by the hostile treatment I got in class the first day. I felt like a dare entering a lion's den, I tried to make a few friends to no avail. It wasn't the same story on the field, I connect with the team’s QB1 and made so many touchdowns. It was a welcomed fresh breath of relief and I went home happy.

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The next few days in class weren’t any different but I excelled in class just like I did on the field. This gained me some enemies, and the worst of them all is Clay the school’s “Darling wide receiver” whose position I’m a threat to. Being popular, it wasn’t hard for him to gather a lot of people to hate me, especially the ladies since his girl Diana was the queen.

I’ve accepted the fact that everyone in school won’t like me but on the field, I was growing stronger and on course to be in the first team. Just when I thought I can’t be friends with Queen D and her King Clay, I saw a letter on my desk. I read the letter and followed the instructions in it, which led me to the locker room and in there was Diana. She apologized for how she’s been treating me and I got to know she's just a friend with Clay, though they once dated.

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With time we became closer and constantly gave each other signs in class. I was falling for her and she was obviously feeling the same with the frequent texts and love letters. I was happy to be winning on the field and off it and I trusted Diana, my biggest mistake.

I took the first team spot from clay and was fast rising as the school’s shining hope of being the state champion and I spent as much time at the gym as with Diana. My academics weren’t bad either, everything was going perfectly well for me until the unthinkable happened.

With just a week to the state championship final, I officially asked Diana to be my girl and she accepted and we no longer do our things secretly. Clay confronted me but the team stopped us from exchanging blows, I feel no guilt since Diana broke up with him a long time ago before I asked her to be my girlfriend, moreover, I owe him no loyalty since we aren’t friends. Diana got me two gears and I planned to wear the blue one for the final and the other one for our 7 aside training.

I got to the locker room and saw Diana walking out while Clay smiled. I knew something was off but I pushed the thought away and wore my helmet and geared up. I started feeling some discomfort after stepping on the field. Suddenly the QB1 threw the ball towards the line and I stretched to make a one-hand catch but I felt a needle hurt my knees and my shoulder. I was in full flight already and couldn’t stop, I struggle to hold the ball but I fell awkwardly on my shoulder.

I tried to stand up but I couldn’t, I wondered why and struggled to stand. From the corner of my eyes, I saw the medics run onto the field as blood flows from my shoulder and knees. I saw Diana running with tears in her eye, while Clay grinned with a look that made me realize it was a set-up.

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I was admitted to the hospital and Diana came to visit but I refused to see her once. I couldn’t play in the state final and the x-ray result shows I have a damaged knee which ends my football dream. I hated myself for trusting Diana and left home for some years before going into engineering.

Present day

I went through the proposal again and I approved it. I stayed in the office till the other staff left because I was in a bad mood and I wouldn’t want them to see their CEO in such a mood. I got to my car and right there was Diana. I stood rooted to a spot. I can’t believe she still has such an effect on me. I still love her and I hate to admit it.

She smiled and just dropped a letter in my hands before leaving.

“I approved the proposal-” I said to her

“Yes, I know but I believe you still need to know the truth” she replied.

I got home and went through the letter, I was in tears all through. I can’t believe I’ve been angry for no reason all this while. She’s been reaching out to me for years but I blocked her, my anger clouded my judgement.

Though my dream of becoming a footballer ended years back, I'm a success today. I've resented her for no reason, she was looking out for me but I was quick to blame her for what she knew nothing about.

Luckily, she’s still single and very much in love with me, I picked up the phone and did the needful…

The End.

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