Chapter 196 - Change of plan (2/2)

Did she switch off her phone?

But why?

While he was mulling over this, he received a message. Thinking it was from her, apologizing him for 'ignoring' his calls again, he quickly pressed the button to open the application. His eyes sparkled in anticipation.

But the happiness drained from his face when he realized the message came from one of his friends. Apparently the gang was on the way to the court to watch a game and asked him to join them.

He declined.

He had no wish to go anywhere but to her.

He dropped the phone on the passenger side next to him and started the engine. His mind was busy thinking where could she be and what she was doing to require her to switch off the phone. Was she that busy until she did not want to receive any interruption from everyone?

”Where are you, Ryn?” he asked as he changed the gear and drove the car away, joining the other cars in the main road.

It was still early so there were not many cars on the road. His hands clutched the steering wheels while his eyes in front, looking at the road. But his focus was not on the road. He could not concentrate.

His phone rang.

He ignored it.

It stopped and then rang again.

Harry sighed heavily. It seemed like the caller was insisted on talking with him.

With one hand still holding the steering wheel, he used the other to reach for his phone. He glanced at the display and groaned to himself. Another friend was calling him and it was obvious what the reason behind it.

They still wanted him to join them watching the game!

Using the same hand, he swiped the phone with one eye on the road. Then, he pressed the speaker.

”Hello?”

”Hello, Harry. Where are you now?” his friend asked cheerfully.

”I'm driving the car,” he replied, refused to tell his friend where he was and why.

”Oh. Are you sure you don't want to join us watching the game?”

”No…”

”Are you busy with job?” his friend asked carefully, maybe sensing the bad mood Harry was having.

”No…” Harry replied, ”But I have something to do. I can't join you all.”

”Can't it be postponed? This is the national team of A country we are talking about,” his friend coaxed.

Harry sighed. Of course, he was interested in watching the national team players of the A country playing the game. It was once in the lifetime. When would he get the chance to meet them?

”I don't think you will be disappointed if you join us,” his friend tried to entice him.

Harry glanced at the phone before gripped the steering wheel. His mind was racing. Should he accept the invitation? But what about Ryn?

He was confused. Should he continue his quest searching for Ryn in order to woo her heart or watch the game of his favourite player live?

”Come on, Harry. Don't make us disappointed,” his friend urged.

He sighed.

”Fine. I'll go. Where is the venue?” he finally decided.

”That's what I'm talking about. Alright. It's at the national court of course. Ray has gotten the tickets for all of us. We'll meet you there. Bye.” Without waiting for Harry's reply, maybe because he was worried Harry would change his mind, his friend hung up the phone.

”Bye,” Harry mumbled even though he knew the call had ended.

It seemed like he had to change his plan for today. He would go watch the game with his friends. And after the game, he had no doubt they would all pull him to another place for another activity.

He would go find Ryn on another day. Maybe tomorrow.

”Tomorrow,” he murmured. Now, determined to focus all his attention to his favourite players, he looked at the side mirror and made a turn to the slight left. To go to the national stadium, he had to get through the highway.

Maybe he could ask signature from the players he liked, his heart whispered, coaxing him from his bad mood. He nodded. It would add to the collection of his idols.

And when Ryn and he became an item, he would show off his collection to her. And maybe, she would share the same passion as him too; playing and watching basketball.