"Hello, Ombreta! I was just about to call you."
The phone rang twice before he heard Estel's cheerful voice. Jordi paused. He had called Estel to share the new developments with her, but she sounded so happy. The constant worry in Estel since his injury had bothered Jordi, so he was glad to hear her joy.
"Hello, Estel. What's up?"
"JORDI! I'm in the squad for the game this Saturday!"
"Oh… Wait, What? You're going with the main team, Estel?"
"Haha, YES! Barca vs Eibar, Jordi! Asisat Oshoala is suspended for the match, so I'll be the back-up striker."
"Woah! Estel… I don't even know how to process this."
Estel laughed the most intoxicating of laughs when she heard the unbridled excitement in Jordi's voice. All for her.
"I'm almost home, Jordi! I have to go inside and tell everyone. I'll call you soon—Oh wait. You were the one who called. What were you going to say?"
"Umm… nothing, Estel. You know how bored I am since the injury. Thought I'd catch up... Go tell your family now. We'll talk soon."
Jordi abruptly cut the call. It was best not to tell her anything until after the match. This was the biggest moment of Estel's life and one of the happiest as well, both for her and Jordi. He would protect her even if that meant keeping everything inside. No matter how difficult it was.
…
2 May 2019
FC Barcelona Femení were 3 – 0 up at half-time at the Miniestadi. Pajor, Hansen, and López were the goal scorers. This was a lenient score for Eibar, given how Barca had dominated. More importantly, the one-sided game and the scoreline meant that Estel could debut today. Jordi couldn't sit still after this realisation. His excitement shifted into nervous energy surrounded by the crowd of 5,000.
Ignacio Soler, sitting to Jordi's right, patted him on the knee and waved his hand, "Come on, son. Let's get something to eat before the second half." Jordi, now without crutches, shuffled across Alicia, Claudia, and Layla to catch up to the large gait of Ignacio.
They got cheese sandwiches for everyone, while Jordi and Ignacio opted for coffee. Jordi discreetly tried to tap the payment machine with his debit card, but was swatted away by Ignacio. He then had to hear a 2-minute lecture on how wrong it was for children to pay in the presence of adults.
Finished with the reprimand, Ignacio put his arm across Jordi's shoulder as they waited for their order. He stared straight at the barista pouring their coffee. His tone was commonplace, as if he were simply discussing the weather.
"Son, Ferran shared everything with me yesterday. This is between us, ok? Man-to-man, right?"
Jordi nodded.
"Good. You don't need to worry about the surgery. I have already discussed with Ferran. Him and— "
"No, Mister! Absolutely not," Jordi shook his head vehemently.
"Son, this is what family is for. I know you'll be a great footballer very soon. And an Adidas athlete in a few months! You can— "
Jordi shrugged off Ignacio's arm and stepped away, "Mister, please. I… we don't need anything. Please."
Ignacio sighed and gave a wry smile. He stepped forward and placed his arm back around Jordi, "Sure, son. Just know that you can always come to Alicia and me for help. This is what family is for."
…
73'
"Estel is coming on!" Jordi sprang up from his seat.
The score was 6-1 now, and Barcelona were coasting through. A game state Coach Lluís Cortés considered ideal to hand the 16-year-old prodigy her debut. In the 72nd minute, Estel Soler, wearing the number 28, entered the pitch, replacing Natasha Andonova. As she jogged towards the Eibar goal, her head turned to find her family. The nervous look on her face was quickly replaced by a confident smile when she spotted Jordi applauding her.
74'
Estel, a minute after coming on, snuck back in from an offside position. In the defender's blind spot, the moment she came back onside, Estel made a curved run in behind. Putellas, aware of her striker's movement, chipped the ball over the clueless Eibar defence.
The pass was perfectly timed. Estel took a touch to control the ball and was already up against the keeper. She opened her body to slot the ball into the far corner, the keeper diving in sync. Yet, the shot never came! Estel sold the keeper and pushed the ball forward. Finally, she tapped the ball into the empty net. What a debut!
7-1!
It took Estel a moment to register what had happened. Once she did, the smile that blossomed on her face upstaged the goal she had scored. Her teammates soon surrounded her, ecstatic for the newcomer's goal.
As she walked back to her half, Estel waved towards her people, Claudia, Alicia, Ignacio, Layla. When she got to Jordi, her hand fell, and her smile widened. The unbridled joy on Jordi's face and the pride in his eyes; it was a sight Estel would never forget.
…
The match ended 8-1 to Barcelona, with a late goal for Claudia Pina. The star of the show, however, was the star debutant, Estel Soler. After her wonderful goal, she set up a clinic, winning 5 duels in 17 minutes and completing 14/15 passes. Most impressive was the instincts she displayed both on and off the ball. This was an elite striker in the making.
Jordi, with his ID, was able to find his way inside. He then texted Estel and waited behind the staircase next to the home dressing room. Still in her kit, Estel came forward, searching for him. Once she found him, Jordi quickly braced for impact as she rushed forward to embrace him.
Only Estel's deep breaths filled the silence as they hugged. Estel, silent, grasping the magnitude of her achievement with her favourite person. Jordi, also silent, grasping her importance to him.
Jordi leaned back and studied her hazel eyes. Estel tightened her grip around Jordi when she saw the intensity in his azure eyes. Suddenly, he leaned forward and kissed her. Unprepared, her eyes widened before they closed. Estel's body fell into Jordi's as she lost herself to the kiss.
Only when their lips parted did both come out of their reverie. She had imagined many scenarios for their first kiss, but never did Estel think it would be so intense. She was short of breath and thoughtful. She loved Jordi, but she won't tell h—
"I love you, Estel Soler."
Never had Jordi's words carried more confidence. He was sure of it as he was sure of his own name. He needed to say it even if she doesn't say it back to—
"I love you, Jordi Lloret!"
How wonderful his name sounded! An ecstasy flashed through Jordi's eyes before a deeper sadness settled back. He leaned in and rested his forehead on hers.
"Estel, will you wait for me?"
"What do you mean, Jordi?"
"I don't know."
"Whatever it is, I'll wait. Always."