The gymnasium echoed with the sound of squeaking sneakers and the thump of basketballs hitting the hardwood floor. The team was focused, their brows furrowed in concentration as they worked through intense defensive drills. Despite their recent victory, there was no time for celebration; their next game was just a week away and they knew they had to be at the top of their game
As practice continued, Tolu's absence became increasingly noticeable. Concerned, Mrs. Lawal called Tosin over. "Hey," she said "I haven't seen Tolu today. Can you give her a call and find out what's going on?"
Nodding, Tosin stepped to the sidelines and dialed Tolu's number. The phone rang several times before going to voicemail. Frowning, Tosin hung up and tried again. This time, Tolu answered, her voice muffled and distant "Hello?"
"Hey, Tolu," Tosin began, "It's me. Coach noticed you're not at practice today, and she's worried. Is everything alright?"
Tolu's voice was firm and resolute over the phone. "Oh, sorry. As of today, I'm quitting the Charlie Queens Academy Female Basketball team"
Tosin's eyes widened in shock with the phone clutched in hand. "What? You can't-" she began but Tolu had already hung up
Tosin's words trailed off into silence as she stared at the phone in disbelief. She returned to practice. "Coach, I don't know what is going on, but Tolu said she's quitting the team" she said
Mrs. Lawal's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and a murmur rippled through the gym as they overheard the conversation. "Quitting?" Mrs. Lawal repeated. "But why? We have a game next week, and we need her"
Mrs. Lawal let out a frustrated sigh, shaking her head in disbelief. "Alright" she said finally, clapping her hands to regain the team's attention. "We don't have time to dwell on this. We will handle it later; but for now, let's get back to practice. We've got a game to win next week with or without her but she is still a very important member of the team"
The players exchanged worried glances but quickly fell back to formation as Mrs. Lawal resumed the drills. Tosin, however couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. She thought Tolu wouldn't quit without a good reason
Later that evening, after practice, as the team was gathering their things, Tosin pulled her phone out again and sent a text message to Tolu. "Hey, can we talk? I'm worried about you. I promise, no pressure, just want to make sure you're okay," She hit the send, hoping Tolu would reply
Meanwhile at Tolu's family home
Tolu's room was dimly lit, she sat at her desk, her textbook open in front of her but her eyes were unfocused, lost in her thoughts
Her phone vibrated on the desk, the screen illuminating with a notification. She glanced down and read the text message from Tosin, her teammate and friend. As the words sank in, her eyes welled up with tears, and she buried her face in her hands
Tolu's shoulder shook as she wept, her sobs echoing in the quiet room. Tosin's concern and care only made her wished even more that she could keep playing basketball with the Queens. She knew her absence would affect the team, but for reasons known only to her, she just can't go back to the team
The next day at school
The bustling hallways of the school were filled with chatter and laughter as students hurried to their classes. Tosin, however, had a more pressing matter on her mind. She weaved through the crowd, making her way to Tolu's classroom
As she entered the room, Tolu looked up from her desk, her expression hardening as she saw who it was. Before Tosin could say a word, Tolu stood up, her chair scraping against the floor. "I told you already, I quit the team!" she snapped
Taken aback by her outburst, Tosin remained calm, her voice gentle "I know you said that but I want to know why. We are a team and we care about you"
Tolu glared at her; her eyes fierce. "I have my reasons, okay? Just leave me alone!"
"Please Tolu" Tosin persisted, "I know something's wrong. Let me help"
Tolu huffed, her anger mounting. Desperate to push Tosin away, she blurted out a fabricated excuse, hoping it would end the conversation. "Fine! I am quitting because I don't like playing basketball anymore. There, are you happy now?"
Tosin could see right through her lie, but she could also sense pain beneath her words. Undeterred, she stood her ground, determined to show Tolu that she and the team wouldn't give up on her, no matter what
Tolu watched as Tosin reluctantly left her classroom, their shoulders slightly hunched in defeat. As the door clicked shut, the anger that had propelled her outburst dissipated, leaving behind a heavy sadness. She sank back into her chair, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. Deep down, she longed for the camaraderie and support of her teammates, but she couldn't help it
The day of the quarterfinals arrived, bringing with it a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement. The Queens had trained hard all week, their determination unwavering despite Tolu's absence. As they warmed up on the court, a small figure slipped into the stands, taking care to blend in with the crowd
Tolu had come to watch her former teammates play, unable to stay away completely. Her heart ached with longing as she observed them from afar, laughing and encouraging one another as they practice layups and free throws. She knew she should have stayed away, but the pull of the game, and the people she had grown to care for were too strong to resist
Donning a cap and a pair of sunglasses to hide her identity, she settled in her seat, her emotions, a tumultuous mix of guilt, nostalgia, and hope. The quarterfinals were about to begin, and as much as she tried to deny it, Tolu was eager to witness the team's performance, silently cheering them on from the shadows
In the locker rooms, both teams' coaches gathered their players around, their voices echoing off the tile walls. They knew the stakes were high and they needed to ensure that every player understood their roles and responsibilities
Mrs. Lawal began, "Alright girls, this is it. We've trained hard for this moment, it's sad but we are gonna have to play without Tolu. Our defense is weak without her; it's a huge blow but we can do it. Like always, we have to score more than them. And so, with that said, Tosin!"
"Yes ma," Tosin answered
"Oluchi!" Mrs. Lawal called
"Ma," Oluchi replied
"Mercy!" Mrs. Lawal called
"Right here," Mercy said
"Shalom!" Mrs. Lawal called
"Ready anytime, ma," Shalom answered, smiling
"And Eno!" Mrs. Lawal called
"Yes ma'am," Eno replied
"This will be our starting line-up for today's match. On defense, we will run the 2-3 zone defense with Eno and Tosin defending the paint while Oluchi, Mercy and Shalom will defend the perimeter and watch for their long-range shooters. As for our full court defense, we will only use it as a last resort. Alright Queens, let's head out!" Mrs. Lawal said
"Yeah!" the team chorused
"Alright guys, on 3, 2, 1, Charlie Queeeeeens!!! Fight!!!" Yelled Tosin
"Yeaaaahhh!!!" The team yelled
"Now now, let's take it slowly. Let's go on a trip to destruction city" Tosin said, putting on an evil grin and stepping into the court. "This should be interesting, eh"
The crowd erupted in cheers as the first basket of the game went in, the sound reverberating through the gymnasium. The Rose Mary High School team looked momentarily stunned, taken aback by the combined skills of the Queens's opening plays
"That's how we do it, guys" Tosin shouted to her teammates, her eyes alight with the thrill of competition. The girls in pink echoed their enthusiasm, high fiving one another as they hustle back to their defensive position
The Rose Mary High School team, shocked by what just happened, regrouped and launched a counter attack but was stopped quite easily. Their center, Chisom tried to beat Eno with a hook shot but was embarrassed when Eno stopped her with a monstrous block
The game looked like it was destined to be a blowout for the Queens as the players showcased their talents with ease, Tosin and her teammates however managed to avoid being complacent. They also avoided pulling their punching as they continued to attack relentlessly
As the buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the first quarter, the Queens found themselves in an enviable position. Their relentless effort and cohesive team work had resulted in a commanding lead, leaving the Rose Mary High School team scrambling to regroup and reassess their strategy
The Queens exchanged smiles as and high fives as they jogged off the court for a quick break. Mrs. Lawal beamed with pride, congratulating them on a job well done and encouraging them to stay focused and maintain their intensity for the rest of the game
"You've done an outstanding job so far" Mrs. Lawal praised. "But remember, we've got three more quarters to play. Don't let up now!"
Meanwhile on the opposition bench'
"Coach, please let her play. With her, we will win this game" pleaded Tracy, the shooting guard of the Rose Mary High School team'
"No, she came late. She won't play a single second in this game," Coach Tunde said. "In the second quarter, watch out for 3s and make your shots too"
"Yes sir!!!" The Rose Mary High school team yelled
The second and third quarters unfolded much like the first, with the Queens maintaining their dominance on the court. Their offense was firing on all cylinders, seemingly unstoppable as they executed play after play with precision and finesse. Meanwhile their defense remained impenetrable, frustrating their opponents and forcing turnovers
The Rose Mary High School team tried to mount a comeback, but their efforts were thwarted time and again by the Queens' relentless determination. The players moved in sync, their chemistry evident as they communicated and supported one another throughout the game
By the end of the third quarter, the Queens had built an insurmountable lead, leaving the Rose Mary High School team demoralized and resigned to their fate. The stands were abuzz with excitement, the fans erupting in cheers and applause as they realized the magnitude of what they were witnessing – a true historic performance
As the fourth quarter began, the Queens refused to let up, their eyes fixed on the ultimate prize. The Rose Mary High School team tried in to mount up a final rally, but it was clear that the outcome of the game was all but decided
With only 3 minutes left to play, the Queens still maintained their commanding lead. Coach Tunde however caught everyone in the arena by surprise by introducing their ace. The substitution caught the Queens' attention, their curiosity piqued by the sudden appearance of the Rose Mary High School team's ace. Mercy, recognizing her, couldn't help but wonder why she had been benched for the majority of the game
"Do you know her?" Tosin asked
"Yes… her name is Aisa Ahmed. She is the second-best power forward in Nigeria." Mercy said. "Why didn't she play this game from the beginning? Why are they bringing her now?"
As Aisa took her position on the court standing next to Tosin, a fire burned in her eyes. She knew the odds were stacked against her team, but she refused to go down without a fight. With renewed determination, she silently vowed to make the Queens work for every point, even if it meant nothing more than salvaging some pride
The Queens however were not about to let their guard down. They had come this far and worked too hard to allow a late game surge to threaten their victory. Tosin, sensing the change in the Rose Mary High School team's energy, called her teammates together for a quick huddle
"Girls, we can't let up now," she warned. "They are going to come at us hard, and we need to be ready. Stay focused, stay aggressive, and let's win this game"
With 2 minutes left on the clock, Mercy launched a jump shot from the 3-pt area. The ball spun towards the basket but bounced off the hoop back into the air, sparking up a battle for the rebound between Tosin and Aisa. Both players leaped high into the air, each determined to take control of the ball
Tosin, known for her exceptional jumping prowess, managed to secure the rebound. However, as the 2 players descended, Aisa accidentally landed on Tosin's left knee, causing a sharp pain to shoot through her body
The gymnasium fell silent, the only sound echoing off the walls was Tosin's gut-wrenching scream. Players from both teams froze in shock as the gravity of the situation set in. Aisa rushed to Tosin's side; her apology drowned out by the din of concerned voices filling the room
The medical staff arrived swiftly, carefully securing Tosin to a stretcher as her teammates and coach looked on in dismay. Tosin's face was contorted in pain, her eyes shut tight as she was whisked away to the hospital
The game came to a screeching halt, overshadowed by Tosin's injury. The remaining players stood in disbelief, their excitement from the impending victory replaced by a sense of dread and uncertainty
As Tosin disappeared from view, escorted by the medical team, a hushed murmur spread through the stands. Fans exchanged worried glances; their hearts heavy with concern for Tosin who had so recently inspired awe and admiration
After the game, the Queens couldn't celebrate their victory. They rushed to the hospital to see their captain. Tolu watched the scene unfold on the court with growing alarm, her heart sinking as Tosin screamed in pain. She desperately wanted to rush to Tosin's side, to offer comfort and support in her time of need. But she knew she couldn't risk drawing attention to herself. Her unauthorized absence from the game had already put her in a precarious position, and lingering any longer could raise suspicions about her whereabout. Reluctantly, she turned and headed for her home, her mind racing with worry and guilt. She couldn't help but feel responsible for Tosin's injury, as if her own absence had somehow contributed to the unfortunate turn of events. The walk back to her house seemed to stretch on for eternity, each step weighed down by the burden of her regret
As the Queens arrived at the hospital, they made their way to her room, their expressions a mix of concern and relief. They had won the game, but the victory was bittersweet in light of their leader's injury
Tosin looked up as they entered, a smile spreading across her face despite the pain. Her left leg was now bandaged, a stark reminder of the cost of their triumph
"How did the game end? Did we win?" she asked, smiling
Oluchi stepped forward, a slight grin on her face. "Are you kidding? We won! The score was 87-69." she exclaimed
Tolu's smile widened, her eyes shining with pride. "Thank goodness," she said. "We're through to the semifinals of the playoffs. Just one more win away from the Christmas Champions Cup!"
Her teammates gathered around her bedside, sharing stories from the remainder of the game and expressing their gratitude for her leadership and skills. Despite the unfortunate injury, the team's bond had only grown stronger, their resolve to continue their winning streak firm
Mrs. Lawal looked on, a mixture of pride and concern etched her face. She knew the road ahead would not be easy, but with Tosin's unwavering spirit guiding the team, they were more than ready to face the challenges that awaited them in the semifinals
As the Queens filed out of the room, bidding farewell to Tosin, and promising to return the next day, Sade burst through the door, her face a mask of concern and worry. The Queens paused briefly to greet Sade before their exit door, leaving Tosin alone with her Mum in the quiet hospital room
"Oh my God, what happened?" Sade exclaimed, rushing to her daughter's bedside. "Are you okay? How did this happen?"
Tosin offered a weak smile, trying to reassure her Mum despite her own discomfort. "I'm fine" she said
"Honey, I'll be back soon. I want to see the doctor." Sade said
"Mum," Tosin called
"Yes honey," Sade answered
"Can I ask you something?" Tosin asked, sitting up
"Sure, anything." Sade answered
Tosin sighed deeply. "Who is my Dad? Where is he?"
Sade sighed deeply. "Honey,…. I don't know"
"Okay, fine, you may not know where he is but at least you should know who he is, right?" Tosin asked
Sade sat on Tosin's bed. "I'm sorry honey. I don't know who he is either"
"How?" Tosin asked
"It's an awfully long story." Sade replied. "One I don't want to remember. But you have the right to know. It all started around 17 years ago"