Tania was beyond excited as she stepped onto the volleyball court. After all, it was the last few days of college and the last few matches she could play with her friends. She had always had a craze for volleyball, which was hard to explain to anyone. As Tania’s friends arrived, they started a friendly game.

The game progressed and a guy, who had initially been playing football with his friends, joined in. Tania saw as he effortlessly delivered a powerful spike, the ball slamming onto the other side of the court. She blinked in surprise. His serves were razor-sharp, his footwork smooth and his control near flawless. But what impressed her most wasn’t just his skill, it was his presence. He encouraged his teammates with spot-on compliments, gave precise suggestions and maintained a respectful, yet commanding energy.

During a break in the game, Tania and the guy, Arez, struck up a conversation.

“You’re really good!” she complemented. “Do you play volleyball professionally?”

Arez grinned and said, “Thanks! But no, I don’t. I once tried it in school and fell in love, but I just play whenever I can.”

Tania’s eyes lit up, and she said, “Me too! I was part of my school’s team. But honestly, my volleyball vocabulary increased through this anime, Haikyuu! I’m obsessed with it! Have you seen it?”

Arez’s face brightened. “Yeah, I love it! Bokuto’s my favourite, his determination, strength and confidence are insane. What about you?”

Tania grinned. “Bokuto is amazing, but Sugawara is my favourite. He’s selfless, kind and always puts his team first, even though he isn’t always in the spotlight. He’s the backbone of the team, and that’s what makes him unforgettable.”

Their conversation flowed effortlessly. Soon, they were breaking down volleyball strategies, debating the best techniques and exchanging stories about their most intense matches.

As their class time approached, Tania and Arez parted ways. The next day, Tania and her friends were back on the court, ready for another game. Arez was already there playing with a different group. Both Arez and Tania shared a friendly nod to acknowledge each other. Before long, he joined their game, his movements just as sharp as the day before. But this time, Tania watched him not just as a great player, but as someone with real potential.

During a break, she turned to him and said, “You know, you’re really talented. You should try out for nationals. I think you could definitely make the team!”

Arez looked taken aback, but a spark of excitement lit up his eyes. “I’ve never really thought about it,” he shrugged.

“You should seriously consider it. You have the skills, build, stamina and, most importantly, you have the passion,” Tania tried to convince.

Arez blinked, his expression shifting. A slow, wide smile spread across his face. It wasn’t just appreciation. It was recognition. For the first time, someone saw his potential, not for personal gain, not because of societal expectations, but because they genuinely believed in him.

And that belief, he later found out, meant something.

Years later, as Tania absentmindedly scrolled through her social media, something made her pause. A familiar face … Arez, standing on a podium, the national flag draped behind him, a microphone in hand. The caption beneath the video read: “Pakistan wins its first-ever international volleyball championship!”

Heart pounding, Tania clicked on the video. The crowd roared as a journalist asked, “How did this passion for volleyball start?”

Arez smiled. “It was really unexpected, but it was all because someone believed in me so much that I couldn’t help but push myself to pursue my passion.”

Tania smiled. In that moment, she realised, sometimes, all it takes to change someone’s life is one genuine moment of belief. And she was grateful to have been a part of his journey.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 12th, 2025