The Midnight Meeting

Less than thirty hours to the final, and the five friends gathered at the empty ground at dawn — the same ground where Ahmed's kit bag had been found two days ago.

Rizwan's eyes were red. He hadn't slept all night.

"Waleed bhai…" he said quietly, "what I have to tell you… not today. Give me one more night. Tomorrow morning, after fajr, I'll tell you everything. I promise."