CHAPTER 33 — FINALS DAY: PART 2
Event: Kabaddi Finals
The sun was blazing, the sand scorching under their feet, and the cheering crowd only added to the tension. Care stood on her side of the Kabaddi court, muscles taut, eyes scanning every opponent move. Beside her, Lyra readied herself, the same mix of focus and silent determination mirrored in both their faces.
The score was 3–3, the last round. Care's lungs burned, her muscles screamed from exhaustion, but she gritted her teeth. She knew this was the deciding moment. The whistle blew, and Care lunged forward into the opposing team's half.
She moved like a storm — agile, precise, and aggressive. One girl lunged at her unexpectedly, catching her by the head. Care stumbled slightly, her earlier injuries reopening; blood trickled down the side of her face. The pain should have stopped her. It should have made her back off. But Care didn't stop.
With grit fueling her, she pushed forward through the sand, kicking, dodging, and ignoring the sting in her nose and mouth as sand flew in. She gasped, swallowing some, but she did not falter. Every fiber of her body was focused on one thing: touching the line.
Her fingers brushed it. She had done it. She had scored the winning point. Her team had won the Kabaddi final.
But the victory came at a cost. Care collapsed on the sand, unable to stand. Her lungs wheezed, throat scratchy from the dust, blood trickling from her head. Lyra glanced at her, panic flashing across her face. She herself was panting heavily, dust clogging her throat, coughing uncontrollably, but she had managed to remain upright.
The crowd cheered wildly, but Care didn't hear it. Her vision blurred slightly, body trembling from exhaustion. She lay there, spent, her small victories only visible to those who truly knew her strength.
"Care!" Cole's voice cut through the chaos. He ran forward, followed immediately by Kevin, Alex, Nova, Joong, Daisy, and Ben. Lyra dashed beside them, taking the lead to support Care. "You're crazy! Look at you!" Cole exclaimed, panic and anger mingling in his tone.
Lyra knelt beside Care, carefully checking her. "Care… you need to get up. You can't just stay here like this!"
Care shook her head weakly, trying to wave them off. "I… I'm fine," she whispered, though each breath was shallow and strained.
Alex and Lyra exchanged quick glances. Alex crouched, gently supporting Lyra while Lyra attended to Care. "She's not fine," Alex said quietly. "We have to move her."
Kevin and Joong helped lift Care gently, ensuring her scraped elbows and knees didn't get worse. Nova and Daisy hovered protectively, hands ready to comfort. Cole gritted his teeth, holding Care close as if letting go could make her collapse further.
Lyra, struggling to breathe herself after inhaling the dust, was steadied by Alex. "I… I'm okay," she panted. Alex wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her, their small moment of closeness unnoticed by the rest, but comforting in its own silent way.
Meanwhile, Care rested her head slightly on Cole's shoulder, exhausted, but eyes flicking briefly to the group. "I… I didn't want anyone to see…" she murmured. Her pride battled with weakness, but Cole's tight grip and intense gaze made her realize she didn't have to hide anymore.
Cole whispered fiercely, "You push too far… don't ever scare us like that again."
Care only gave a faint smile, still panting. Her body was trembling, but her eyes, full of silent fire, showed her triumph. She had won for her team, and for herself — despite every obstacle, every breath that burned, every scrape and bruise.
The group carefully escorted both girls — Care and Lyra — to the hospital room on campus, where they could be attended properly. Lyra leaned slightly against Alex as they walked, still coughing lightly. Care was in Cole's strong grip, weak but defiant in spirit.
In the room, nurses quickly attended to Care, cleaning her cuts and checking her breathing. Lyra was monitored as well, though her condition was far less severe. Cole refused to leave Care's side, eyes flicking constantly between her face and the monitoring equipment.
Daisy and Joong hovered nearby, whispering reassurances, while Kevin and Ben watched silently, concern etched on their faces. Nova gently checked Care's headband for blood, smoothing it back in place. Alex stayed close to Lyra, making sure she was stable.
Care finally relaxed slightly, letting herself be cared for, but her pride still showed. "I… I'm okay now," she murmured, though her pulse was still rapid. Cole gave her a pointed look but said nothing, letting her words stand while his eyes spoke volumes.
Lyra, recovering from her dust inhalation, turned slightly to Alex, giving him a small, grateful smile. Alex returned it, squeezing her shoulder softly. The group knew, in those tiny moments of tenderness amidst chaos, how close they had all become, and how much they now protected one another.
By the time the afternoon sun dipped low, both girls had stabilized. The group, exhausted and emotional, made their way back to Care's mansion. Care leaned on Cole as they walked, and Lyra still held Alex's hand lightly. The bond of the group had never felt stronger — forged through dust, blood, exhaustion, and silent courage.
The tug-of-war and Kabaddi finals were over, the trophies tallied, but the lessons lingered. Care had shown what it meant to be fearless, Lyra had endured with grace, and the group had realized that behind Care's fiery determination lay fragile lungs, hidden pain, and unspoken battles.
No one could ever underestimate her again.