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Pape, as Dejan describes, is the baby brother of Tottenham. Radu, disregarding what Dejan thinks of Pape, is skeptical.
The players go to the club training ground for three days of the week and practice the basics. Each day, Radu watches Pape closely. Each morning, rain or shine, though mostly raining because London is not known for sunny weather, Pape dresses in the most fashionable clobber. His fits consist of colorful sweaters, flowery jeans, and white trainers. His greeting comprises sunny smiles and soft hellos, yet every player in Tottenham appears to fall for his bright smiles.
Pape, who is the same age as Radu, receives the love from every Tottenham player. First, Bissouma plays with him like he's the brother of another mother. Second, Son, the captain of the team, hugs him like he's a teddy bear. Third, both vice-captains of the team, Maddison and Romero, eagerly egg Pape on the training pitch. Lastly, Brennan, who is only a year older, pets Pape on his head like he's a puppy.
Not to mention the special treatment from the rest of the team like Emerson, Destiny, Micky, Vic, Richy, and so on.
"You're thinking too loud," Destiny says right next to him.
Radu shrugs. There is a solemn expression on his face, and Destiny finds it, as strange as it sounds, hilarious. "You don't like Pape?" asks Destiny, untying his trainers, poise ready for a shower.
"Of course not."
"So you don't like him."
"That's not what I'm saying."
"But that's what you said."
A sigh comes out of Radu's lips. "C'mon, you know what I mean."
"No, not really." Destiny says, a smirk quirking on the corner of his lips, "I don't see why you are so serious around Pape. Pape's quite nice and likable."
"I'm not saying Pape is not nice."
"Then why are you being judgy on Pape?"
"I'm not judgy, and judgy is not an English word."
"Fine," Destiny replies, "but you're judging Pape though."
"I'm just," Radu relents, putting his fingers in the air quote, "judging the type of person Pape may or may not be."
Destiny breaks into a fit of laughter. "Instead of watching him like a hawk, maybe you should try to talk to him," says Destiny after his laughter subsides.
"Maybe."
"Trust me, Dragu," Destiny says, patting his shoulder, "once you interact with Pape, you’ll fall for him too."
Radu finds that hard to believe. He has met big-name footballers in his life that everyone fawns over. Cristiano Ronaldo, for one, in Juventus. What makes Pape so special that everyone in Tottenham favors him?
Then, one day, he finds out why.
That morning is rather moody, with the sun hiding behind the gray clouds, and the air balmy and wet despite a rainless day. After dressing in the training kits, Pape skips over to Radu. Something about the nimbleness in his movement vaguely reminds Radu of a zebra or cheetah. When he comes closer, however, Radu firmly concludes that he's more of Bambi from a Disney movie.
"Hi," Pape says when they begin their rondo together.
"Hi."
Unlike the tenebrous weather of London, Pape is sunny and blithe. His smile is effervescent, his voice soft and mellifluous. When the ball flies past his feet, he squeals, ending with giggles and grins.
The sight of Pape's cheerful smile burrows into Radu, like a cotton ball rolling against his skin. His face itches to return a smile, so the corners of his mouth curl up, just a bit of a small smile.
Pape's eyes round when he meets Radu's softening gaze. "Oh, I didn't know you can smile too."
"I am a human."
"So, a perpetual frown on your face?"
Radu chuckles. "I'm not always frowning."
"Not always, but often."
Radu doesn't realize that he's touching Pape's cheeks until Pape, cocking his head to the side, titters. Then he, too, laughs with Pape. "I'll try to smile more, Pape."
"Okay," Pape replies lightly. Behind him Son calls out, beckoning them to gather around. Pape makes off, running in the direction of their captain. Once he arrives there, Son slaps his arm and Romero kicks his bottom. A usual sign of their affection.
Staring at Pape’s cheery grin and lively eyes, Radu thinks to himself, okay, maybe Dejan and Destiny have a point, Pape is just cute.