Part-79

  The revetion hung heavy in the air. So, Ryan, the schoolyard bully, was a skilled athlete, training alongside champions. It painted a whole new picture of the boy James thought he knew.

  Ryan's gaze flicked between James and Mili, a hint of amusement pying on his lips. He sauntered closer, his initial question seemingly fotten. "Well, well," he drawled, a hint of his former arrogance peeking through. "Look who decided to grace us with his presenbsp; The mighty champion, syer of unruly kids."

  James bristled, his hand instinctively g into a fist. But before he could retort, Ryan's demeanor shifted again, the amusement repced by a surprising siy. "So," he tinued, his voice devoid of its usual snark, "are you finally ied in joining the judo club? We could always use some fresh blood, even if it's a little… inexperienced."

  James stared at Ryan, dumbfounded by the sudden ge in tone. This wasn't the same bully he'd faced before. This Ryan was almost… friendly. A strange sense of utled in his stomabsp; What was going on here?

  "Actually," James began, his voice surprisingly steady, "I wouldn't mind learning a thing or two about judo. Maybe you could show me the ropes sometime?"

  A genuine smile broke across Ryan's face, the first one James had ever seen directed at him. "Sure thing, champ," he replied, a hint of his old pyful jab returning, but this time, it cked malibsp; "Just don't expect to go easy on you. Even beginners need a good challenge, right?"

  James couldn't help but grin.

  A deep voied from across the training area, halting their versation in its tracks. "Mili, you're here." James turo see a figure approag them, a man radiating a quiet authority that anded respebsp; He was well-built, easily six feet tall, with a kind face etched with the lines of experienbsp; His dark hair was flecked with gray, and his eyes held a familiar warmth that sent a jolt through James.

  Mili's smile widened as she turowards the man. "Yes, I'm here with James," she replied, her voice brimming with excitement. "You know, the brother of Lin Lily Khan. And James, this is my father, Kashem Chowdhury."

  James extended his hand, a polite greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Chowdhury."

  Mili, ever the helpful one, chimed in with additional information. "My father is the Judo coach here, James. And not just any coach, he's the Managing Director of Chowdhury Martial Arts ter."

  Surprise flickered across James' fabsp; So, this wasn't just any training facility for Mili; it was a full-fledged martial arts ter, run by Mili's own father. The pieces were starting to fall into pce, painting a clearer picture of Mili's life and her e to this pce.

  Kashem's smile deepened as he grasped James' hand in a firm handshake. "Ah, it's that kid," he chuckled, a hint nition lighting up his eyes. "I haven't seen you in many years, James. How is your father doing now?"

  James felt a tug in his chest, a mix of fusion and a strange sense of familiarity. He didn't remember ever meeting this man, ahere was something about his presence, about the way he spoke, that resonated deep within him.

  "He's… he's doing well," James stammered, struggling to find his voibsp; His mind raced, searg for any scraps of memory that might ect him to this man, to this pbsp; All he could see were hazy fragments, fleeting images that refused to coalesto a coherent picture.