Snippets

Talk Shows

Rohit's head had just hit the pillow when his phone, kept on a table on the other side of the room, began to ring. He looked at it for a few seconds, wondering if he should ignore it. He was feeling very comfortable and he could just let sleep claim him....

The phone, as of hearing his thoughts, began to ring louder and Rohit got himself up to pick up the call.

He squinted at the scene for a moment and then at the clock before picking it up.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Rohit bhai? Are you busy right now?"

Yes, Rohit wanted to say. I was busy with my much needed sleep. But alas, the woes of being an elder sibling were numerous.

"No, Shreyas. But is there a reason you are calling me at 11 in the night?"

" Er.. bhai.. um.."

Rohit was instantly on guard. When a person like Shreyas Iyer hesitates before speaking, you should too.

"Out with it!"

"Ihavebeeninvitedtoatalkshow."

Rohit blinked.

"Again? Slower this time."

"I have been invited to Kapil Sharma's show, Bhai. And I want to go."

"No. Absolutely not. Have you lost your mind? Have you learnt nothing from Harry and KL? You are not going there."

"But bhaiii " Shreyas whined. "I will be careful. I won't speak anything out of line. Pleaseee?"

"No, you idiot. Go to sleep and don't bother me about this again. If you even think of going there, there will be no one worse than me. Understood?"

"Meanie. I will never talk to you again." Saying so, Shreyas cut off the call with a huff and Rohit was left looking at it, wondering why he was saddled with all the idiots.

—----------------------------------------

A week passed and Shreyas was still not speaking to him.

Rohit, not knowing what to do since sam-dam-dand-bhed had all failed, went to Virat, expecting help.

He really should lower his expectations.

Virat laughed in his face the moment he heard the problem

"Stop laughing and help me, you dolt!"

"How am I supposed to? You could have gently turned down his request. Tried to reason with him. But no, you just had to use your 'I am the captain' voice."

Rohit made a face. Virat finally controlled his laughter.

"See, you could either wait —"

"Not an option."

"Or you could go to the show with him."

Rohit stopped in his pacing and stared at Virat. Virat stared back.

"Are you kidding me? Me? Going to a talk show? BCCI will have my head."

Virat waved a hand. "They are always after our heads. The joys of being senior cricketers."

"Don't you have a better idea?"

"You can change Shreyas for one of my lot? Just don't take Moi. Or Miyan." Virat suggested.

Sighing, Rohit got to work. He had to coordinate with the BCCI and inform Kapil that he was coming with Shreyas.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------

They went to the show, had a great time even but unfortunately it set a bad precedent.

Hardly 4-5 months later—

"Rohit bhai?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you come with us to a talk show?"

"Not again