...…Losing
someone's trust is like crumpling a piece of paper. You can smooth it over, but
it's not the same again...….
The game between
the Charlie Queens Academy and Rose Newton High School was an emotional
rollercoaster. Control of the game had constantly shifted between the two
talented teams – the Queens dominating the first half and the Blue Roses ruling
the second half. The result was a tight, tense contest with the narrowest of
margins
In the Queens'
locker room, an unexpected atmosphere prevailed. The players seemed unconcerned
about their defeat and the probable implication it might carry. Instead, they
firmly believed in their abilities to overcome any opponent in the Christmas
Champions Cup through teamwork and dedication. However, there was one player
who couldn't shake off the bitter taste of defeat
Sitting alone in a
corner, head covered with a white towel, facing down, Oluchi muttered, "This is
all my fault. We could've won, but I screwed up. Why aren't they blaming me?
Why is everyone acting like nothing happened?"
She felt
personally responsible for her team's defeat, convinced that if she hadn't made
so many turnovers, the outcome would have been different
Mrs. Lawal,
entering the locker room, called for a team meeting. "Settle down, guys. Let's
talk"
Looking around at
her players, she commended their efforts, "Good game out there, everyone"
Oluchi, still wallowing in guilt, responded
bitterly, "What's good about the game?"
Mrs. Lawal didn't
quite catch what Oluchi said so she asked, "Huh? Did you say something?"
Oluchi stood up,
her white towel dropping to the floor as she lashed out. "Why is everyone
acting so carefree, as if nothing happened? We just lost a crucial game, and
you're all acting like it's no big deal. Why isn't anyone blaming me?"
Tosin, noticing
Oluchi's distress, approached her and tried to alleviate her guilt. "Woah,
Oluchi, you've got the wrong idea"
Oluchi, her
frustration boiling over, asked incredulously, "What did you say?"
Tosin, the epitome
of composure, explained, "The Queens isn't about individual performance or
individual brilliance like you may think. You see, we are a team. We share the
responsibility for our defeats just as we share the credits for our victories.
We will never blame a loss on a single player. If someone is struggling, we
work together to help her stand strong. That's how our team functions"
As Tosin's words
resonated within Oluchi, she recognized the beauty of being a part of such a
supportive team. "Tosin…." She whispered, her anger dissipating
"That's right,
Tosin," Mrs. Lawal chimed in. "We win as a team, and we lose as a team.
Besides, thanks to you, Oluchi, we now have a way to dismantle the iron wall of
the Blue Roses"
Overwhelmed by the
outpouring of support from her teammates and coach, Oluchi wiped her tears and
joined her fellow Queens, ready to learn from their mistakes and grow stronger
as a team
"So, as I was
saying" Mrs. Lawal continued, addressing her team, "It's disappointing that we
couldn't score a single point in the second half, but that's just how strong
Victoria's defense is. With the Christmas Champions Cup approaching in less
than two months, we must train diligently and prepare for the challenges ahead.
The draw will take place in two weeks' time. That's when we will find out who
we will be facing first, and since last year's winner came from Abuja, we'll be
traveling there for the tournament. For now, let's focus on getting ready while
we wait. You're dismissed. Our bus is here already
As the Queens
departed, Tosin opted for a walk home, taking permission from Mrs. Lawal.
Meanwhile on the
bus, Shalom inquired, "Where is Tosin? She's not on the bus"
"I can't believe
no one noticed she wasn't here," Mercy commented, surprised by Tosin's absence
Their conversation
caught Mrs. Lawal's attention, who called out from the front of the bus,
"What's causing the noise back there?"
Oluchi revealed
the source of their concern, "Tosin isn't on the bus!"
Mrs. Lawal
reassured the team. "Oh, not to worry. She asked for permission to visit a
friend. She'll be heading home from there. Don't worry; she's fine."
Shalom breathed a
sigh of relief, "Oh, thank God. She always makes me worry"
Meanwhile, as
Tosin walked along the streets, her thoughts drifted back to the game.
"Victoria, you really are a monster," she muttered, recalling the formidable
opponent who had stifled their offense "I can't believe we couldn't score a
single point against you."
As she approached
John's house, her thoughts shifted to John, it had been a month since she'd
heard from him or seen him, and concern for his well-being began to consume
her. "Oh John…. I hope he's okay," she thought to herself. Just as her mind
wandered to John, she remembered the words Victoria had spoken to her during
the game.
Upon arriving at
John's house, she found it strangely ajar. "Why is the gate open? What's he
doing inside that he'd leave the gate open?" she wondered
Closing and
locking the gate behind her, Tosin headed straight for the house. Discovering
the door also unlocked, her concern grew, "What's going on? Why is everything
left open?"
Entering the
house, Tosin secured the door and cautiously made her way inside. As she moved
further into the house, she noticed clothes strewn on the floor – among them, a
familiar blue jersey worn by the Rose Newton High School Basketball Team in
their match against the Queens. Tosin realized that John had a female visitor,
but she couldn't imagine who it could be. Her heart pounding in her chest,
Tosin cautiously approached John's room, following the sound of muffled moans.
As she opened the door and walked into the room, her eyes widened in shock at
the sight before her. A blanket hastily covered two entwined figures on the
bed, one on top of the other, as the bed shook from the force of their
movements
Overwhelmed by the
scene, Tosin couldn't hold back her tears. She screamed, "JOHN!!"
Startled by the
intrusion, the couple on the bed jumped up, and Tosin found herself face to
face with Victoria, the very player she had just battled on the court
"Victoria…?" Tosin
called out, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face. The reality of
the situation hit her with full force. "Hah! So, this is what you were talking
about earlier – me being pushy? It all makes sense now. I get it."
Victoria,
seemingly unaffected by the confrontation, remained seated on the bed,
unconcerned and unapologetic. The blanket wrapped around her and John was the
only thing preserving their modesty as they were both completely naked beneath
it
"Babe, I can
explain," John pleaded, his eyes darting between Tosin and Victoria, panic
setting in as he realized the gravity of the situation
Tosin's hurt was
palpable as she struggled to come to terms with John's betrayal. "Explain what?
So, this is why you've been ignoring my calls and leaving my texts unanswered?
I came to see you, but you were unavailable… as if you were avoiding. And this
went on for one full month. What did I ever do to deserve this, John?"
Despite the
turmoil in her heart, Tosin refused to let John see her crumble. "Well, I'm
sorry for disturbing you guys. Keep doing what you were doing. I'm out of here"
With a mix of
anger, pain, and disbelief, Tosin stormed out of the house, ignoring John's
desperate pleas for her to stay and listen. The once-familiar walls seemed to
close in on her as she rushed to escape the devastating scene, tears blurring
her vision as she fled into the night
...…Losing
someone's trust is like crumpling a piece of paper. You can smooth it over, but
it's not the same again...….