Gift-Card
Crawley could not give his last one
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Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley were both dropped from the England Test squad ahead of the 2026 home summer series...
The news popped up on the screen as Pope already knew it. He could not prove him enough ahead of the home tests. But he wasn't disappointed for himself. The corner of the heart knows the ache is for someone else.
"Crawley, you'd promised me!"
A few months ago,
Zak Crawley has always cared about his teammate and friend, Pope. Since he'd become a vice-captain. Why so? Crawley always wanted to see him succeed. He did never care about himself. Pope, on the other hand, knew it heartily that one day he would make Crawley proud. Before every match, a 'All the best' message card was kept with his test cap. And no one could ignore the wide smile on Pope's face. Deep down, something was hidden. Something that wasn't good.
Although Pope could not improve when it was necessary. As a result, he did not get the chance. But along with Crawley, he never imagined.
'Was I so cruel?' Pope at once thought in his mind.
Maybe it was always one-sided. But Pope knows he never acted when it was necessary. He felt he hurt someone. Someone so close. He would never forgive him for being so harsh on someone he cared about the most. He did not understand then when it's the time, but he does now. He is ready for whatever it takes to get it away from him. And he wants to achieve the utmost comfort.
Sussex vs. Kent,
Zak Crawley anchored the chase for Kent hitting 3 fours and 6 sixes at their home ground in Canterbury to successfully track down Sussex's target of 197 with 10 balls to spare.....
Zak Crawley scored a match, winning runs 75* off 41 balls. The teammates were cheering him on the dressing room. The score was necessary as he has to prove him for the international side. He has it on his mind that he isn't the one who has to do it. He has another one doing the same beside him. Maybe far away, he is trying to get fit and score well. Crawley still has one card on his personal laptop bag. He stared at it and saw a box beside his bag. Crawley closed his eyes and felt the smile right between his mind. Which has always become a hope for him. He can not ignore the heartbeat. Fourth, he becomes invisible in his own eyesight. 'The past is beautiful'--- he thinks at once.
"No mate. He is close with me and that's why I bought some good-wishes card for him. I just know he loves it. And he loves having those wish cards ahead of a series." Crawley told Stokes before leaving the card on Pope's seat. He noticed Stokes smiled from the back. He ignored it instant. "I haven't received any!" Stokes yelled while packing his stuff. "I will give you one. Don't worry." Crawley joked then.
Zak didn't know that day. Pope saw the scene from behind the desk, corner of the dressing room. Pope did not know it was Zak who always put those cards for him. He felt happier for some time. And suddenly he got sad looking at him looking at another one. Even giving him hope that he would give him some cards, too. He could have shown his face to Zak and confirmed that Pope always knew Zak was the one who left the cards for him. But Pope no longer feels the interest towards Zak. Though it was Pope's last match before it dropped. Who knows Pope deserves the cruelty?!
"No, I am promising you. You'd see me in the dressing room after the match." Zak texted him before the match day on WhatsApp. Pope love-reacted on his text. Zak could not hide his wide smile on the face.
But he did not fulfill the promise but rather broke Pope's heart. On the team bus, Pope pulls a box out of this bag and thinks of the morning. Then he picked it it and zipped the bag. He was staring at the window. It was raining outside. It was a charmful view of green trees, but Pope chose to see the rain.
At present,
Crawley does not know who puts the box beside his laptop bag. He unwrapped it. And saw a branded watch along with a tiny letter. He moved, escaping from everyone's sight, and got in a corner. He opens the letter,
'Zak, I am sorry. First of all, forgive me for those unnecessary things I have shown. And last of all, congratulations. While you're scoring the runs, I am writing it. Each wordfor each runs. I am counting on it. And you know what I wanted to give you this a long time ago. I wanted to thank you for always supporting me and wanted an apology, too. I am happy about your score today.'
Crawley was counting each words and he was strange - it was 75! He had become mad and started searching for Pope. 'He'd come!!!!' He shouted as some of his teammates were staring at him.
"Pope, wait. POPE!!"
Crawley shouted over as Pope stopped and looked behind. "Pope, I am sorry. I didn't mean it that day. I-I.."
"It's okay, Zak. I didn't take it to heart. You know I took it mistakenly. It was my fault. I just want- "
"No, Pope. I was wrong, too."
"Okay, let's forgive each other." Pope offered genuine feedback. As Zak smiled what he suppressed from a long time ago, He could not hold himself as he stepped a few steps and hugged Pope. Now, they should not care about the environment around. Not even a single word. Pope, hold him back and finally smiles.
....