Snippets, Incorrect Quotes and More

Lonely musings - Tre - (Ft. Mahi and Rohit)

"Am I, Bhaiya?" Rohit took a look around and slipped off the chair to sit on the floor next to the recliner, placing his head against the cushioned seat. It felt a bit like older times. "I would like to think so, but I have always known that you have preferred Virat's company over mine."

"No Rohit! You are two very different people! Why would you even think that?"

"Because there are no photos!" The words dragged themselves from the depths of Rohit's heart and was flung with alacrity. "Not one. Not really."

"Photos?"

Rohit nodded. "Of you hugging me. Of... I searched!" His eyes burned and Rohit dashed a hand over them. "Virat mentioned how cared for he felt when you hugged him after the match and of course the internet went up in an aplomb! Mahirat moments! But of course. And all I received was that...that... measly...that....thing."

"A handshake?" Mahi Bhai prompted and Rohit could make out the distress in his voice. Which pained him too.

"Yes that." A murmur and Rohit placed his face on raised knees. "Stupid of me. I... The hugs were always for Virat. For Harry. For Rishab... Not for me."

"Rohit!" A hand was carefully dragged through his hair and Rohit closed his eyes in comfort. "They were for your too, kiddo. Only thing is that you choose to indulge less."

Indulge less.... Another cinema reel from the past cropped up

2022

"H-Hi Mahi Bhai."

"Hey. How are you doing, Rohit?"

Rohit's hand curled harder around the phone. "I-I... Did you see the news?"

A moment of silence. "Yeah.. Both Virat's announcement and that of your elevation... Congratulations."

The coolness had drenched Rohit and he had barely held back his despair. "You hate me for this, don't you?" The words had erupted in a frenzy of hurt and convoluted feelings. "Bhaiya... I never meant this to happen.. Never like this. Yes, I wanted to be the Captain, one-day. Someday. But not like this. I did not steal Virat's..."

"Did I say that?" The interruption was immediate. "I would never think it, much less say it, Rohit! Do not think so less of me! I know you. And I know Virat. And neither of us would ever think so lowly of you."

"Oh..." Rohit trailed away. "So.. You did not.. I mean..."

"I did not call you? Congratulate you before this? Sorry kiddo. I just needed a while. Virat had been hurt and hurt bad at that. I just needed to be there for him. At least for a while."

"Of course you did!" The emotional pain was unlike anything Rohit had felt before. "It is just me. No issue. I can wait."

"Rohit..."

"No Bhaiya... Mahi Bhai! It is quite alright. 2014, 2017, 2019... I know that what Virat became for you I can never be. He became your shield and more. He is that good. He deserves better. I cannot even blame you."

"Rohit.. Kiddo..."

"I..." Rohit had to swallow back his tears. "I just wanted to be my Bhaiya's pride. If only for once."

"Once? You have been my pride so often Rohit that I cannot isolate a single incident. Why would you think about such stupid things? You are not my overthinking kid. And I am ecstatic at your elevation to the Captain. You will do great."

And the thoughts had all but been erased from Rohit's mind. "You sure, Bhaiya?"

"Always Rohit. Always."

Back to the present

"Rohit?"

"Hmm?"

"What were you searching for, kiddo?"

The moniker had the power to draw tears from Rohit even now and he blinked back against them. "Hugs. Pictures of where you are hugging me. There are almost none. Too few."

"Just because your hugs were always away from public gaze or from the camera lenses, doesn't lessen their existence one bit. Or their importance. Do you need that validation, Rohit?"

"Maybe, Bhaiya. Maybe sometimes. I come off as such an aloof person that people can hardly believe that I am even close to you. They probably think that you hate me. Ouch!" Rohit rubbed his head; a hard slap had been anointed upon him. "What?"

"You have lost whatever brains you had, Rohit! Yes, you and Virat are different. Maybe I am a little closer to Virat; as a friend. But you have always been my constant too. You, Virat, Jaddu, Sonu and that moronic Yuvi Pa of yours. The others are also important, but all of you are somewhat different. Have always been." His hair yanked and Rohit was forced to look up at his Mahi Bhaiya. "What is wrong with you? With all of you? All of you are fathers, and yet you keep letting jealousy take over."

"No Bhaiya... I...."

"Shut up!" Mahi roared and Rohit's mouth snapped close. "Not one stupid word! Or I will beat you so bad.... All of you are different and you hold different places in my life. And if you ever feel that you ar missing out, just call me, alright? Come and hug me like Virat does or like Harry did! Alright?"

"You would prefer that?" Anxious eyes looked up and Rohit felt the seedlings of the budding hope get crushed. "That I be more vocal, more..."

"Oh dear lord!" Mahi dragged a hand over his face and Rohit could only look on in confusion. "I do not need you to do anything, Rohit. You are fine, perfectly brilliant, just as you are."

"Then why...."

"If you need it, Rohit! Not for me! For me my this Rohit is perfect. And I do not like to mess with perfection. But if you seek to be more like Virat, then that is your call."

"Like Virat? No... Not really... I mean, I cannot be. I am happy being how I am."

"Then?"

Yet again, Rohit looked out at the ground, only partly lit now, and spoke in some confusion. "Then we wouldn't have any pictures Bhaiya!"

"Do you want me to call a photographer?"

"Would you, Bhaiya? I mean... It is just me... Just Rohit..."

"Just Rohit? No, kiddo. My Rohit! It is just my Rohit! And will always be my own."

"Always, Bhaiya?"

Rohit felt the faintest touch of lip on the top of his head and finally smiled. "Always, my kiddo."

A/N - I do hope that you do not completely hate it. Never have I written a story this fast (One hour) and I could have gone on. Pta nhi.

Totally wrote in a go. Not proofread.

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I may write a few more if the inspiration strikes.

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