Hearts in Doubt [Snippets/OS]

Hidden in Plain Sight

The RCB squad was flying out to Lucknow for their next match against SRH.

It had been a long week—press conferences, back-to-back matches, travel delays—and it was starting to show on Virat.

His body ached, sleep clung stubbornly to the corners of his eyes, and the thought of another cramped flight didn't help.

But there was no choice. The show had to go on.

To make things more entertaining, the SRH team had boarded the same flight.

And while most players settled in quietly, the younger ones, specifically Ishan, Abhishek, and Nitish, seemed to have made it their mission to drain the last drop of Virat's patience.

"Bhaiyya, what protein powder do you use?"
"Ek reel banani hai na bhai, just one!"
"Virat bhai, what's your Spotify playlist right now? Asking for... research."

Virat, in the middle of yawning, raised a hand in surrender. "You all have two options. Either sit down quietly, or I'll start telling you about Jaddu's stories in full detail."

Abhishek gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "Emotional blackmail!"

Nitish cackled. "Scary storytelling from the king himself."

"Go," Virat said, pointing vaguely behind them, already half-lost in a daze of exhaustion.

Finally, when the boarding commotion slowed, Virat made his way down the aisle and sank into his window seat near the very back corner of the plane.

Solitude. Blessed, blessed solitude.

Only... he wasn't alone.

Josh Hazlewood was already seated beside him, earphones in, quietly reading something on his iPad.

He was in quiet relaxed corner which was reserved for fast bowlers, no one could see him, or he thought so!

He looked up and gave Virat a small, polite nod.

Virat exhaled in relief. A quiet neighbour. Perfect.

Josh removed one earbud. "Tired?"

"Wrecked," Virat admitted with a hoarse chuckle, leaning back as the plane vibrated under him. "And if those SRH kids try talking to me mid-air again, I'm jumping."

Josh smirked. "Don't worry. I'll hold them back."

Virat smiled gratefully, eyes already beginning to flutter shut.

For the first time in the last 48 hours, he could finally breathe.

It had been days since he got proper rest, and now, he finally let go.

Josh sat quietly beside him, flipping through his book now keeping ipad aside, the pages turning in rhythm with the subtle rumble of the aircraft.

The chaos of the boarding had passed, and peace had settled—for the most part.

Five minutes later, Josh felt a gentle weight press against his shoulder.

He looked down.

Virat's head had lolled to the side, resting on him in his sleep. His brows were relaxed, lashes fanned against his cheeks, and his lips parted slightly in exhaustion.

Josh smiled to himself, barely moving to not disturb him. "Wrecked," he whispered under his breath again, amused.

But across the aisle, someone wasn't quite as entertained.

Pat Cummins sat a few rows back with the rest of the SRH squad, a faint smile plastered on his face as he politely listened to the boys chatting beside him.