I had come to play volleyball, but the court was closed. The basketball court was opened and I wanted to play something so I decided to play basketball. I had played this sport but it was just for fun. I wasn’t an expert. When I came here, I found this mongoose harassing the ball. For a second I was gobsmacked to see him like that. He was looking like a werewolf ready to convert into his animal form. If I hadn’t thrown the ball, he’d have damaged everything. But since I have come to New York, I had been so unfortunate.

Rather than passing me the ball he threatened to bully me. What was wrong with him, I mean why couldn’t he just mind his own business? Did he treat everyone like that or was I his favourite best friend?

“Start playing.” He ordered. The fuck I’d listen to him I had other plans. I anyways didn’t stand a chance so I began dribbling the ball. He stood intact watching me while I was dribbling the ball with one hand blocking him. I was a volleyball pro therefore I thought of bringing my expertise into play.

As I was thrusting the ball back and forth, I began moving forward getting so involved into making a basket that I didn’t see when Black moved, came behind me and snatched the ball from me.

God! How will get it back now?

 Taking the ball, he dribbled it, he was a fucking professional. The way he was dribbling and moving along with the ball, it was impossible to not notice him. His medium-length golden brown hair with that subtle beard was a deadly combination. And that stance and those techniques accentuated his looks even more while his devilish built was more prominent in that red basketball attire.

“What? Already gave up?” He bawled while moving around the arena with the ball. In my trance I had forgotten about the game. He was gazing at me and dribbling the ball. He didn’t have to put in much effort to tackle me.

 I ran towards him and tried twisting the ball away from him. But he was so quick that I couldn’t match up. I tried a few more times but I only ended up hitting him or the ball. He was hopping in front of me daring me to snatch away the ball. I again charged towards him but I missed him.

“Shit!” I cried.

By now I was out of breath.

“Oh c’mon, you’re already losing. Try harder, baby girl.” He gloated. God it was getting tough. It had already been thirty minutes of me struggling and him enjoying. It seemed like a cake walk for him to dodge me and flirt with the ball.

He was a basketball king so it would be impossible to beat him. But I could play smart too, can’t I?

While he was busy jumping around with the ball I went to the corner and grabbed my sipper. I was sweating heavily and on top of that it was the month of May, making it even worse. Hence, I removed my jacket and threw it away. Untying my hair, I pour the water through the sipper on me, shaking my head from side to side. The water went cascading through my hair on my chest, and I was shaking my head from side to side. Even though I was trying to look sexy like they show in the movies. But I was sure I must be looking like a raccoon dog.

I looked towards Black, he was watching me now but with a stern look. The ball was between his hands and he was rolling it. The jerk was still frowning, or, maybe he was clueless.

I had no idea what I would do but couldn’t just let him win. Because if that had happened then his already swollen up ego would have inflated even more.

I walked towards him and stood there with hands on my waist. “I was worn out so I took a time out. Let’s resume?” I said.

“Whatever” He ignored me. God! What was his problem?

He turned around and began running along with ball. But he was oblivious of my intentions. He might be a pro but I wasn’t relenting too. As he was running in circles around me I bend a little stretching both my hands wide in the air and hopped in front of him. My sweaty body and tight clothes accentuated my curves. I wasn’t really attractive; in fact, I was quite plumpish but still due to running and playing my body was toned. I maybe looking like an idiot but still I tried to put up the best show I could.

He had said he wouldn’t touch me ever, but right then his stare was unblinking. I see his eyes checking me out. But still he was in control, I needed to try harder. Therefore, I bounced closer to him with my hands outstretched. He tried moving towards the side, but I blocked him, I tried catching the ball with my hand but he turned around and moved to the other side. Asshole. But no worries, I’ll trap him.

Running towards the basket he dribbled the ball single-handedly taking long steps and like a professional jumped to make a basket. That was a sight to watch, he really was amazing. Vinni, focus! You have to trap him and not the other way round. He was far from me at the other side of the court swinging the ball between his legs. I ran towards him and this time I went really close, throwing my hands in the air to grab the ball.

“Huh! It’s not that easy, right?” He panted “What else do you have then flaunting your curves, show me girl.” He looked into my eyes. We were face to face, but his control on his game was unflinching. He wasn’t letting me touch the ball, swinging it in sides within seconds.

“Hold your breath!” I said and bend a little more while hopping close to him. I was sweating even more then. We were moving around in circles with our eyes locked, and just then I kicked my leg up in the air from the side cartwheeling slowly by full stretching my legs to the other side catching Black off-guard. He was flabbergasted by my sudden antic. Jerking backwards he left the ball. And in no time, I grabbed the ball while running towards the other side.

“What the fuck was that?” He asked still in shock. He had expected anything but that however he would know that he can’t presume everything, even he could be left guessing.

“What was what?” I replied while enjoying the ball in my court.

“You can’t do that. Those aren’t the rules.” He frowned while walking towards me with his hands in the air.

“When did we have any?” I retorted grinning at him.

“You are gone now.” He said briskly walking towards me, but this time I ran faster turning around with my back towards him. I kept dribbling the ball and he came from behind trying to snatch the ball from me. But just as he came closer to grab it, I bend a little more pushing him and running forward. My hair was open and they were distracting me, sticking on my face due to sweat. I was near the basket, but it was at a great height, I was anyway a bad player and making a basket so high was out of my league. And this vampire was after me too, what could I do?

Just as I was about to take a step further, he came behind me again, almost colliding with me. We both were sweaty and panting like animals. Anyone could have collapsed any minute. I attempted to run to the side but he grabbed my waist, knocking the shit out of me and snatching the ball from my other hand twisting it round his back to his other hand. Leaving me he went away with the ball. I swear to god I got goosebumps when he held me like that, his touch and grip were electrifying. I was already revved up with the proximity and he tricked me.

“What? Only you can shock me? C’mon don’t you want to beat me?” He deliberately provoked me. I was drained out, still I charged towards him. I didn’t know what to do, bouncing around him I kept struggling for the ball, while he was twisting the ball around his body. In the effort to grab the ball I unintentionally collided with his body. I didn’t realise that though, I was so riled up that my only focus was to catch the ball. Our chests were connected. But oblivious to all of it, I kept moving along his body attached to him. He took the ball behind his back and I almost hugged him in order to grab the ball and I didn’t know why but his grip suddenly loosened and the ball fell on the ground. I instantly ran behind him taking the ball. Running towards the basket near me and took a shot. I missed though, but he stood in the same position I had left him in, so I gave it another shot. And this time the ball went into the basket, and finally I did it.

“Yeeeesssssss, finally.” I yelled in excitement. I was euphoric, I couldn’t handle the excitement.

“Did you see that? I did a basket. Now you can’t stop me ever.” I ecstatically ran towards him while he was till standing in the same place.

“I have defeated you Mr. Black and so don’t you obstruct me ever again. Get that?” I sneered at him. But he was in some other mood, he was facing downward and I could hear him breathing heavily.

“Hey are you okay?” I asked him touching his arm but then he jerked it away and held me by my shoulders and pulling me into him. I gasped loudly.

“Don’t you dare come close to me like that ever again.” He growled like a wild beast with his eyes like a blazing inferno. A look of great bitterness swept across his face and his nostrils flared.

“What do you mean?” I had no idea what he was talking about, the way he was holding me I didn’t like it at all, but I couldn’t move for I was afraid about what he would do if I pushed him in that fury.

“What do I mean? You pretentious bitch, what do you think I didn’t notice what you were doing. Stripping and cosying up to me to distract me. But don’t flatter yourself by thinking that you were successful in seducing me for I have had thousands of girls like you, these cheap tricks won’t work on me.” Tears started flowing from my eyes, I couldn’t say anything for I did try to distract him. But my intention was never to seduce him or talk him into something else. It was all game and I had planned to only divert his attention. But he wasn’t so mad back then when we were playing, what happened suddenly?

“Don’t show me these fake tears okay? You weren’t so innocent when you hugged me like a slut or when you were flaunting your boobs. Then why are you acting now? I mean it’s okay if you want to fuck me, every girl does, but at least they don’t pretend. They want what they want unlike you, presenting your self as some prude self-esteemed woman but behaving like a whore.” He dug his fingers deep into my skin hurting me badly but his words were wounding me more.

“But you know what Ms. Vinni Arora, these cheap tactics won’t work on me, so keep your hands off me. However, if your clit is throbbing so much then don’t worry there are a zillion of guys who would enjoy your strip tease. And even you can enjoy as much as you want here, it’s not India. Never dare to touch me or come close to me until I allow you to.” He said and threw me to the ground, and with that he left.

All his words jabbed me like a knife and still I couldn’t say a word. I couldn’t absorb what just happened with me. He literally abused me, called me a slut. For what? For playing with him or playing smart. If he was distracted by me then how am I at fault. Every girl here plays in this attire, get close to each other to play so they are all whore and sluts.

How could someone be such a monster?