THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Dating With Marta

After devouring his lunch, Zachary made his way to the park, not far from hotel— and found Marta Romano waiting. All around her, the ice-filled winter trees swayed like a graceful ballet dancer in the seasonal breeze. The Italian wore a dark brown coat, tight jeans, and boots that protected him from the cold weather.

"Have you been waiting?" Zachary asked, feeling a little guilty. He was afraid he was late, letting him wait in the bad weather.

"Don't worry," she replied, giving him a smile. "I just got there, just a minute ago." He gave her a simple hug.

"That's a relief." Zachary sighed, glancing at his watch. "I didn't expect you to arrive earlier than we agreed. Should we go now?"

Marta gave him a smile in response.

And they went around town.

Zachary felt very warm in the sun and cold, despite the cold northern winds. After a relaxing massage, a walk in town seems like the best way to end her Friday.

"I watched your game yesterday" Marta began. "You stay on the bench all the time." He added, leaning his head, to see better his reaction. They walked on a footpath by a frozen river on the furthest side of the park.

"The coach decided I had to take a break for the quarter-final preparations" Zachary replied, his mind drifting. He thought of a strange day to take a walk around Riga.

He looked at the river to his right while passing by. It looked calm but still flowed languidly under the ice, seemingly waiting for refreshment by the softer touch of the warmer sun. Although the air was cold and the ground was completely frozen, the ice on it was sparkling with the gift of every newborn ray.

It is as if the creator (if any) has ensured there will be hope even on the coldest winter days. Zachary chooses not to see the blanket of ice but the water of life flowing deep beneath it, continuing on into the distant ocean.

"Are you still with me?" Zachary's daydreams are interrupted by Marta's voice as they walk down the path.

"Sorry," he said, shaking his head and focusing on the girl. "I was thinking about our defeat against Genoa yesterday. That worries me." She lies. He could not tell her that he admired the frozen river, rather than giving her his full attention. Losing is a credible reason to avoid awkward situations.

"Does it hurt when you lose the game?" She asked.

Zachary was confused by the question. He tilted his head to look at it better, only to find his eyes filled with pure curiosity. "Of course, losing a game is always painful," he replied, deciding to cheer him up. "Some players even cried after losing. If I lose the final, I'll be on the same boat—I think."

They continued to mince words as they walked, leaving the footpath by the river and joining the wide road. In the refreshing light of day, the streets have an artistic dream hue, a soft yet bold pastel.

"What part of Italy are you from?" Zachary asked. He never really asked about his home. He wanted the conversation to keep flowing as they toured the city, enjoying the scenery and occasionally taking photos.

"Milan," he replied with a smile.

"Courtesy of AC and Inter Milan!"

"Yes, the only, and the only."

Zachary looked at him curiously. "Are you a fan of one of those teams?"

"When I was young, I used to support AC Milan" Marta replied with a sigh.

Zachary noticed the melancholy in his tone. "You still support them. Don't you?" She asked.

"Not anymore," he asserted, shaking his head.

"What's going on?" Zachary punches.

"Something happened," he shook his head, closing his eyes as if recalling some unpleasant memories. He even stopped walking for a moment.

Zachary was quietly waiting by his side.

"I also used to play football when I was young" he said, leaning his head to glance at Zachary. "However, many things happened. I lost my love for this sport and my admiration for the team."

They continued to walk silently along the pedestrian path on the street. Traffic was sprinkled with asphalt that day as if those streets were playsets that came with only a few cars.

About an hour later, Zachary spent some Latvian to buy sandwiches and hot coffee before they went on their tour. They walk on cobbled streets, passing squares with the oldest houses and churches, all tourist attractions in Riga.

Riga is a collection of Art Nouveau architecture, easily recognizable from its arched doors and windows, female sculptures, quaint gargoyles, and romantic nationalist imagery. Marta was amazed at the House of the Blackheads when they reached Town Hall Square in the old town of Riga. He took some pictures of a red-brown brick building decorated with many statues hanging in front of him.

Zachary was surprised to see how the day passed faster than he had expected. Before he knew it, the night had come, prompting him to return to his hotel for dinner.

"So, what are you going to do after the academy?" marta asked while driving her back to the dormitory. The afternoon sun casts a long shadow on the cobbled streets.

"Play professional football, of course," replied Zachary, his tone flat.

"You're going to play for Rosenborg?"

"That's the plan, for now," Zachary replied with a gentle smile. "But enough about me. How's your music school? How did you go from playing football to being a music student? The two fields were almost unrelated!"

Marta looked at him with a curved look. "That's a story for another time. You should take me out next time to hear it. We're here." He said, pointing to a dormitory building in front. "Do you want to have dinner together at the nearest fast food restaurant?"

"I'm sorry" said Zachary. "The coach won't be happy if I don't come back at six. He even received a phone call at night. I can only disappoint you."

"Don't worry. I've had a good time." Martha gave him a gentle smile. "My brother must have been waiting for me for dinner. I'm going to go see him" he said but did not move a single step into his dorm building.

Zachary sighed in his heart. Martha has been a close friend for over a year. But he never thought about it more than that. However, seeing him confined in the rare winter sun, the cold Baltic wind blew the long braid of his black hair from his face, hugging his arm in a swollen chest to ward off the cold, and the cold, the, she suddenly became a young woman. He suddenly became a young man, not a reincarnated old soul.

His pulse accelerated as he watched her with great expectation. It seems he was expecting something from her. But she held back and gave him a gentle hug instead. "I'll call you" he said before leaving.

He decided not to push his feelings on her. He wasn't sure it was the right time to be in a relationship. The relationship is always marred by complications. Complications bring instability, and instability will slow his career progress.

**** ****

After Zachary left, Marta sighed, shaking her head before entering her building. She finds her sister, Melissa, sleeping when she enters her room.

He smiled gently as he recalled his last moments with Zachary, how he was unbalanced and hesitant as he watched him on his building doorstep.

He had seen Zachary play against BK Frem and JFC Riga, and he hit him like one of those assertive men who never doubted themselves. But he just realized that he was a quiet person off the field. Martha smiled even though she was herself. He's in a good mood.

However, he felt his phone vibrate in one of his pockets. His face paled as he read the caller-ID from his smartphone screen. He stepped out of his room, beyond the hearing range of his sister, to pick up the phone. He then took a deep breath, calming his nerves before speaking on the phone.

"Hello, Grant" he said, his tone formal but also polite. "Why do I owe you the pleasure of your calling?" He has lost his Italian accent.

"How far along are you?" The voice from the other end of the phone asked, without caring about the greetings.

"I was trying," Marta said, trying to keep her voice polite. "I need more time."

"Do I need to teach you how to approach a boy?" Marta grimaced as the voice on the other end scowled. "I'm running out of time, and I want your task completed as soon as possible. Are you not making progress? Nothing I can use?"

"I need more time" answered Marta briefly.

"I'm running out of patience" the voice sounded, with a loud but calm tone. Don't forget who pays for your music school and living expenses. I'll be disappointed if you fail." The person on the other end of the phone hung up right after.

Marta's eyes were wet as memories of how she ended up in her current state flooded her mind. But a girl has to do what she has to do to survive. He will try his best to complete Grant's task.

**** ****