Snippets

Apologies

Rahul did however need to go and meet them because if he did not then

a) The two would be sulky tomorrow.

b) They would not talk to him.

c) He himself felt more than a bit guilty for ignoring them like he had today. He had not thought about it then but now it felt more than a bit hurtful. Not to mention, he had promised to visit Mahi and his team the previous day as well as forgotten.

Sonu was not staying in the same hotel, so there was no way of upholding his promise to him but he could go and meet Mahi, who Rahul had been informed was staying on Rahul's floor.

He picked up his crutches and walked out. He did not try to call MS. Why try something you already know the result of?

Rahul gave an obligatory knock at Mahi's door before entering and being greeted by an unusual sight.

Mahi was lying on the bed, clearly asleep while Jaddu and Ruturaj sat on either side of his bed on chairs.

"What happened?" Rahul asked them, closing the door softly behind him.

The two looked up at him with tired faces, eyes full of sleep.

"Mahi bhai fainted in the middle of dinner today. Physio says he over-exerted himself today." Rutu answered, his eyes barely open.

"And you two are here instead of sleeping because......" Rahul asked them, eyebrow raising.

"To check his temperature every half an hour, give him medicine if it rises and make him eat dinner if wakes up during the night." Jaddu explained.

Rahul looked at the two of them, tired faces, sleepy eyes. They had a match tomorrow and had practised for over 6 hours today as well. The decision was easy.

"The two of you go and sleep. I will take care of him." Rahul ordered them.

The two protested for a while but agreed after some convincing, promising to be there at 7 a.m. sharp before leaving. Rahul waited for the two to leave before sitting in the seat Jaddu had just vacated.

Idiot, Rahul thought looking at Mahi, He pretends to be the responsible older brother but he is still the idiot who sneaked out for bike rides at midnight.

Mahi's temperature fortunately did not rise throughout the night though Rahul did not give up his vigil until 6:30 in the morning which was when Rutu came. He talked with the boy for some time before returning to his own chambers to get a few hours of sleep.

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The relief that Rahul felt when they won the match against CSK was something else. It was partially because he had not dared to hope for a win even after Mahi's wicket because when you had Ravindra Jadeja at the strike with 18 needed off 5, anything could happen.

The players had gone for the post match presentation and Rahul had been enjoying his tea while going over his notes when someone cleared their throat behind him.

"I heard you were the one who watched over me last night. Thank you." Mahi said, looking rather awkward.

Rahul squinted at him.

"Are you... angry with me?" He asked, unsure.

"Am I angry with you?" Mahi repeated. "No, of course not. Why would I be angry with you for ignoring me not once but twice and then leaving this morning before I could wake up?"

Rahul winced. Angry Mahi was a sarcastic and cranky Mahi and it would not take him much time to turn into jealous Mahi.

"MS, I was–"