He runs off before security can shoo him away and Za turns to me slowly.
“Someone recognised me,” she says, voice small and amazed at the same time. “Someone recognised me for me!”
I grin before I can stop myself. “Of course they did. You’re a star, you know.”
She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling now. Really smiling.
Down on the pitch,Jabari looks up at us again.
This time, when he sees us standing side by side—he exhales.
And for the first time since all of this began, it doesn’t feel like someone has to lose for someone else to win.
The tunnel doorsopen and the players start filtering out toward the family section.
The noise is still loud, but it’s changed now. Less tension and more celebration.
Phones out.
Kids leaning over barriers.
Aunties shouting blessings into the air.
Jabari spots us immediately.
He slows as he approaches, eyes flicking between me and Za like he’s checking for signs of a fresh scrap.
When he reaches us, he doesn’t touch either of us at first.
“You good?” he asks Za carefully.
She nods once. “Congrats.”
He studies her for half a second longer than necessary, then exhales. “Thanks.”
There’s a moment he breathes before Sol and Amin jog up behind him, both still buzzing.
“Oi!” Sol says, breathless. “That was mad.”
“You were greedy at the end,” Amin adds.
“Was not,” Jabari replies automatically.
Sol’s eyes land on Za.
“And who is this, then?” he asks, grin already forming.
Jabari rolls his eyes. “My sister.”
Sol’s grin doesn’t falter. “Right. The famous one.”
Za tilts her head. “Famous?”
Amin steps in smoothly. “We’ve heard all about you. Theatre gyal.”
Za’s brows lift at Jabari. “Oh, have you?”
“I can’t brag on my sister now?”