On one fine Sunday morning, Sehan, perched on a chair beside Poseidon's hospital bed, spun a cricket ball effortlessly in his hand. "And that's how you bowl a Leg-spin! Pretty cool, right?" he grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Helios, sitting across from Poseidon, finishing his homework glanced at the two while observing Poseidon's attempts with quiet curiosity.
Meanwhile, Poseidon sat cross-legged on the hospital bed, rolling the ball between his pale fingers, his brows drawn together in deep concentration. He tried to mimic the spin Sehan had demonstrated, but the ball barely wobbled in his grip.
Sehan chuckled, leaning forward. "Alright, listen up, little champ. Leg spin isn't just about flicking the wrist randomly. It's about control. Your fingers, your wrist, your arm, all working together."
Poseidon's fingers tightened around the ball as he blinked up at him, "How do I do that?"
Sehan's grin widened, "It starts with your grip. Look here." He positioned his index and middle fingers across the seam while letting his thumb rest lightly underneath.
"See this? Your two main fingers, the index and middle, should be across the seam like this, with your ring finger resting along the side. The ring finger does most of the work. It's what gives the ball its spin." He demonstrated the motion, flicking his fingers smoothly. Poseidon mimicked the movement, his expression tightening in focus.
Poseidon stared at his fingers, slowly flexing them, "And the thumb?"
"The thumb? That's just there for balance. It doesn't really do much in leg spin. Now, when you bowl, your wrist has to snap outward, like you're turning a doorknob," Sehan explained as he held up his hand, demonstrating the twisting motion, "Your ring finger rolls over the ball as you release it, and the wrist flicks out. That's what makes the ball drift in the air and then turn sharply when it lands."
Poseidon tried the motion in slow motion, his brows knitted together. The ball wobbled slightly in his grip but didn't spin much. "It feels… weird." He expressed.
Sehan chuckled, "Of course it does. That's because you're still holding back. You need to trust the motion. Let the ball roll off your fingers naturally." "Now, try a gentle one. Don't force it. Just feel the roll of your fingers as you let it go." He added, standing at little away from the bed.
Poseidon shifted slightly on the bed and nodded. Taking a deep breath, he bowled. The ball floated through the air before landing with a soft bounce, barely turning. Poseidon sighed, "That was awful."
Helios smiled at him, his expression warm and encouraging.
Sehan chuckled and ruffled Poseidon's white curls, "Relax. Even the best leg-spinners started somewhere. Keep practicing, and soon, that ball will be dancing past batsmen before they even know what hit them."
Poseidon glanced down at the ball in his hand, his blue eyes gleaming with curious determination, "Dancing past batsmen, huh? I like the sound of that." Poseidon's gaze then flickered between the two before he asked, "So, Helios's fast bowling must be easy compared to this, right?"
"Easy?" Helios echoed, tilting his head as he brushed off the eraser shavings from his paper, "I guess it is in a way, but it takes a lot of stamina and power. My arm usually starts aching if I bowl for too long."
Sehan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, if we're talking about sheer physical demand, pace bowling is harder because it relies on raw strength and endurance. But when it comes to spinning the ball, deceiving the batsman, and maintaining a variety of deliveries, spin bowling is more challenging. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages."
Helios hummed in thought before grinning, "I've always loved fast bowling. That's why Sehan only taught me that. But I had no idea he knew so many different bowling grips! Seriously, Sehan, if you had been a cricketer, you'd be famous."
Sehan only shrugged at the thought, brushing it aside with a small smile, "Yeah, but cricket wasn't meant for me. I prefer teaching and taking care of my little garden, that's it."
"He just hates working and studying," Helios deadpanned, exposing him without hesitation.
Poseidon chuckled at Sehan's exasperated sigh. "I like spin bowling, though," Poseidon admitted, his fingers rolling the ball absentmindedly, "It was always easier for me. I don't have to run as much or make unnecessary movements, which helps with my health."
Sehan nodded, smiling warmly, "That's what matters, little Poseidon. Doing something you love is always better than forcing yourself into something just because you think you have to. If you enjoy it, you'll get the hang of it in no time. Trust me, you're learning from the best teacher!" he ended with a self-satisfied grin.
Poseidon and Helios both burst into laughter at Sehan's exaggerated pride.
"Yeah…" Poseidon murmured, a small smile still lingering on his face.
Then almost instantly, Helios snapped his copy shut with a loud thud, his excitement barely contained as he grabbed Poseidon's arm. "Let's go!" he urged, his grip firm with eagerness.
"Huh?! W-where?" Poseidon stammered, caught off guard.
"Where else? To play, of course!" Helios declared, tugging him forward with a force that left Poseidon little choice but to follow.
Sehan sighed, rubbing his temples, "Do I have to ask for permission, again?"
"Pretty please~" Helios turned to him, his expression shifting into an exaggerated, pleading look.
Sehan rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed, "Tch, don't give me those puppy eyes." Still, he stretched lazily before getting up, his reluctant compliance evident.
Before setting off, Helios glanced back at Poseidon, his expression momentarily serious. "You're not feeling bad anywhere, right?" he asked.
Poseidon hesitated before shaking his head. His movements were uncertain, betraying a silent apprehension.
Helios immediately caught on, "Are you worried that it might hurt?" he asked gently, clasping Poseidon's hands in his own.
Poseidon's lips curled into a small, distant smile. "I'm used to it," he admitted softly, "I'd rather play with you than sit here doing nothing."
For a rare moment, Helios found himself at a loss for words. His grip on Poseidon's hands tightened slightly before he nodded with quiet determination. Then, with unwavering sincerity, he promised, "Don't worry, Poseidon. As long as I'm by your side, I'll make sure you enjoy life to the fullest. I'll help you do everything you can and even the things you thought you never could. I swear it."
Poseidon stood frozen for a heartbeat, stunned by his words. Then, slowly, he nodded, "Thanks."
A grin stretched across Helios's face. "Now, let's go!" he tugged Poseidon forward, as he trailed behind, a newfound lightness in his steps.
As Poseidon followed, a fleeting sensation washed over him. A breath of freedom, delicate yet profound.
Sehan exhaled, watching them disappear into the distance. "Be careful! And don't start playing before I come!" he called out, though he doubted either of them was listening. Then, shaking his head, he muttered to himself, "Heavens… those two."
With another sigh, he turned away, his gaze searching for Layla and Sahil.
_____
Months passed in the same cycle—school, home, hospital, and back again. Helios stood near the academy's main gate at dismissal, eyes fixed on the children ahead, his mind adrift as he waited for Sehan to pick him up after school.
"Hey!!" Claude's sudden voice jolted him from his thoughts, and Helios flinched, startled. "Haha! You should've seen your face just now, Ultimate Paladin of cricket!" Ebraham teased, nudging his shoulder with a grin.
"Ultimate Paladin?" Helios echoed, blinking in confusion.
"Huh? You didn't know?" Haadi chimed in, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "Everyone's calling you that now, even the seniors. The fierce pace bowler whom even they are wary of! You're famous."
"Likewise, so is Mirza. The rampaging nine-year-old batsman of the academy!" he added.
Mirza let out an exasperated sigh, "I seriously dislike that. It makes me sound reckless."
Helios tilted his head slightly, still trying to process the revelation, "I didn't know people saw me that way…
"Well, of course, you wouldn't," Claude pointed out, "You're too busy juggling school, home, and the hospital every day."
A brief silence settled before Mirza spoke again, "By the way, how's Poseidon? It's been a while since we last saw him."
"He's… fine," Helios replied, though there was an undeniable hesitancy in his voice.
Ebraham frowned, his expression turning somber, "Honestly, he must be in so much pain. Not just physically, but mentally too. Imagine being unable to play, unable to even step outside the hospital—just stuck in a room, staring out of a window all day long." he shuddered, "Had I been in his place, I think I would've broken down completely. He's strong. So much stronger than I could ever be."
Claude, still crouched beside a stray cat, nodded thoughtfully, "We should surprise him next time we visit. How about a surprise party?"
"Sounds nice! Count me in!" Haadi and Ebraham raised their hands in agreement.
"How about this Saturday or Sunday, maybe?" Mirza asked.
Helios listened to them in silence, their words swirling in his mind, settling somewhere deep in his chest.
Then, "Helios!" Sehan's voice cut through the moment, and as Helios turned, his friends enveloped him in a brief, tight group hug before parting ways.
"Best of luck and let's meet again tomorrow. Say hi to Poseidon," Claude patted his back as Helios left with a nod.