Best Friends

76. Reason

'But what made you changed your mind?'

'I told you na when I will reach there, I will tell you. Stop spamming me with same text. Don't trouble Ash also, he doesn't know'

'But bata na Vi'

'If u text me this question one more time, airport se hi wapis chala jaunga'

'Khadoos Rabbit, come soon! Bye!'

Virat shook his head as they were at the airport waiting to board the flight. Rohit has been so happy since he told him about coming back and it was so contagious that Virat had started to realise, what happiness felt like, again.

'His curiosity is not wrong, even I want to know'

'Ash, patience! I will tell you. Waise 3rd ODI is tomorrow right, use pehle we will reach na?'

'Ha we will, but you cannot participate in this one! Abhi time hai'

'Arey I know, just reaching there will help Rohit! We will play test together like always'

Ash couldn't help but smile at that, 'if doctor clears you and you feel well, you can play last ODI as there is gap between that, let's see', he said informing him.

'Also what about juniors?'

'What about them?' asked Virat confused about it.

'How do you feel to be back with them?'

'I told them, it's all in the past! I meant it at that time and same today. I have no grudges against anyone'

'You didnt feel bad or upset' asked Ash as he knew how Virat was an emotional person and this kind of things affect him.

If this would have happened with him, he himself would have felt bad.

'I did at that time when I heard it but my mind was so occupied in sorting things for Rohit, Mahi bhai and team, I never gave it thought. I would like to leave it that way, I am sure they already realised their mistake and apologised too. What's the use of dragging it, not gonna do good to anyone'

Ash kept hand on his forehead, 'are you okay?'

'I am' said Virat confused by his action.

'Sensible things and you, weird!'

'Shut up, let's go! its time'

At the team hotel,

'Virat bhaiya is coming today, please dont say anything stupid'

'Jassi please, we are already guilty of what we did' KL said having moist eyes already hearing that Virat was coming.

'Sorry couldn't help myself'

'Guys, breakfast?' Rohit asked as he arrived with Mahi bhai.

Everyone could notice the difference today in Rohit's and Mahi bhai's demeanour. They looked happy.

Rohit tried to initiate small convos with the juniors, he could see that they felt out of place.

After a while,

'Hayee mere do Anmol ratan, aa gaye! Bhuvi aarti ki thali la' said Jaddu dramatically wiping his tears.

Rohit smacked him on his head and hugged Virat tightly catching him off guard.

They had just arrived at the hotel only to see Jaddu, Bhuvi, Rohit and Mahi bhai waiting for them in the lobby.

'I have no importance' Ash said but silently admired.

'Aaja Ashley, I will welcome you' Jaddu said spreading his arms to which Ash backed away, 'no thanks, I am okay here'

Rohit already dragged Virat to their room they were gonna share. Mahi shook his head at them.

Surprisingly Mahi hugged Ash before even meeting Virat, 'Thanks Ash without you he would be lost, I know he didnt need us this time but someone else because every emotion was related to us. He needed a new perspective and someone who could understand him without getting their own emotion in between. And I am glad it was you who could approach him', he said gratefully.

'Bhai' Ash didnt know what to say.

'I know something was bothering him and he just couldn't share with us. You talked to him about it and you stayed with him, it helped him a lot. We wouldn't get our Cheeku back without you'

Ash got emotional and speechless at that.

'Bhai he is my friend too, pretty weird friendship but ya!'

'I know Ash' Mahi patted his cheek and they went to RohiRat room after Ash kept his luggage in Jaddu's room.

'So tell us first what made you comeback' said Rohit as they seated around the room.

'Par meko bhuk lagi hai yaar' said Virat knowing it would irritated Rohit.

'Bhukkad, let me order! Aaane mai 20 mins lagenge, you have to say it! I cannot wait anymore, understood!' said Rohit firmly making Virat agree.

'So a day before I called you, Ash had taken Prithi and girls to the market. Anushka and Vamu were at home as Vamu was cranky to go outside that day' Virat began.

Flashback,

'Vamu calm down please, wait let us watch something' Virat heard Vamu crying and Anushka was consoling her as he had wrapped his session and freshened up.

Virat was gonna go inside but stopped at the door hearing Anushka.

'See, Dada! Dada, its him playing' Anushka showed Vamika and she immediately traced fingers on the screen caressing his cheeks.

She was clapping whenever she would hear the crowd cheer as he scored four or six.

'Mama, Ro cha too' Vamika said seeing Rohit at other end.

Virat leaned on the door folding his hands to his chest and watched his daughter clapping and even jumping when she saw him hugging Rohit as they both scored century.

Anushka changed the match to other one.

'Vamu you know your Dada is so strong' she gestured to her showing her biceps indicating strong so that she understands easily.

Vamika bobbed her head at that and her pony tail would shake with it, Virat couldn't help but adore her how cute she looked when she listened intently.

'He got boo boo and still played, see!' Anushka showed her when Virat played with stitches.

Vamika clapped and kissed the screen on the hand he got stitches as Anushka showed her, she was understanding where he got hurt.

Virat was so overwhelmed by the love of his daughter.

'Your Dada is fighter and such a wonderful person, we are so lucky to have him' Anushka said and kissed her cheek, hugged her tightly.

'We love Dada! Dada.. best!' Vamu said and Virat saw how eyes shined bright when she again turned attention to the screen.

Present,

'So that made me change my mind, I saw how Vamu just kept clapping and clapping, her hands were not getting tired. She was so happy, kind of admiring her Dada to say the least. Anushka always share stories with her, even thought she is little baby to understand but she does some of them. It just filled my heart and then I decided, I have to get back to myself as I was before everything because that's what will make me happy and everyone around me'

Rohit hugged him and everyone joined.

Mahi kissed his head, 'We are proud of you Cheeku as Vamu is, you are our pride! We are with you now, always and forever', he said cupping his cheeks.

'And we will help you to get back from Virat to King Kohli on the field' Jaddu said hi-fying with him.

'We second that' Bhuvi and Ash said together.

'We are together in this' Rohit said side hugging him.

Virat felt happy at that moment.

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