Rishabh spent the whole evening sulking. Only difference was, this time he was sulking in the hall, looking at the tv screen, watching another match.
MS knew the only person who could make Rishabh understand was Virat. So he called Virat and appraised him of the situation.
"Rishu, Virat ki call hai, le baat kar" MS said, forwarding the phone to Rishabh.
Rishabh took over excitedly, "Kaise ho bhai aap? Aaj maine suna aapne boht achhi innings kheli, I missed it"
"Tere liye agle match mein fir khel dunga, udaas kyun ho rha hai? " Virat persudaded him.
"Agla match 5 din baad hai" Rishabh pouted.
"Tab tak baaki ke match dekh, yun nikal jayenge, pata bhi nhi chalega tujhe. Practice kaisi chal rhi hai? "
"I hate it bhai. Match bhi miss ho gya aaj aur fir bhaiya ne 20 laps lagwaye wo bhi 10 minute mein, socho" Rishabh complained.
"Morning mein jogging pe nahi jata na tu, gym bhi nhi jata na? 20 laps bachcha must hai tere liye" Virat said.
"Aur match bhi miss karna pada" Rishabh insisted on the other detail.
"It's okay Rish, if ever you have to choose between a match you want to watch and a match you have to play or a practice session you have to attend, always, I mean each and everytime, choose the latter" Virat advised.
"But I just wanted to watch you" Rishabh said, a bit meekly.
"Tujhe pata mai na sachin paji ka boht bada wala fan tha, a literal worshipper, abhi bhi hu but that's not the point. Toh jab bhi unka match hota tha na, mai pahle hi baith jata tha chips, chocolate ye sab leke aur phir jab tak wo out nahi ho jaate the, chipka rehta tha tv se " Virat told.
"Par jab se maine khelna shuru kiya na, I had to miss many of his matches. Bilkul achha nahi lagta tha, kabhi practice session ke liye, kabhi match ke liye, kabhi gym session ke liye but you know what, all that is worth it now when I play with him" Rishabh was now listening to Virat attentively and Virat knew his words were sinking into Rishabh's brain.
"Samajh gya bhai, I'll not miss practice. Aapke sath khelna hai mujhe bhi, in the national team" Rishabh said and Virat smiled. He didn't want to say the same himself, that would be too big of a pressure on the kid, but if he wants to do it himself, he would encourage him fully.
MS was grateful. Virat had made him understand what he couldn't. Rishabh didn't make excuses to skip practice after that, he sulked sometimes but that was natural for a kid of his age.
One month had passed and Rishabh was now coming to know what Virat meant when he said MS was an excellent teacher. He was hard on him sometimes, but he was an excellent teacher indeed. He could see his skills improving and he couldn't be happier.
"How is school going on Rishu? " MS asked.
"Achha chal rha hai bhaiya, agle week se bol rhe hain ek inter-school tournament shuru hone wala hai" Rishabh told.
"Hmm, padhai kaisi chal rhi hai? " MS asked.
"Sahi chal rhi hai" Rishabh said non-chalantly.
"Be attentive in the class bachcha. I know you are not able to take out enough time for studies here, but that time in class is precious. Make full use of that" MS told.
Rishabh hummed. What they did in the class was exact opposite, he had a group of some real crazy people, and when they all met at one place, no way one could concentrate on class.
A week later, the IPL had finished for RCB and Virat came back. Rishabh engulfed him in a bear-hug as soon as he arrived. He had to hold Rishabh tight to balance himself from falling. MS came there from office just then, he smiled as he remembered it used to be Virat who used to jump on him like that. MSD's nostalgia was short lived as Virat left Rishabh and jumped on him just like that.
"Rishu c'mon get ready, we are already late" MS told Rishabh, who was clinging to Virat and was in no mood to come to the academy.
Rishabh showed his puppy eyes "Can we not take a day-off today pleaseeee? Virat bhai abhi aaye hain"
"No" came MSD's reply "You have 5 minutes, get ready"
Rishabh snuggled into Virat's chest "dekh rhe ho bhai kitni hitler-panti karte hain ye bachche ke sath" . Virat just smiled at him ruffling his hair.
"Any more minute you take after completion of these 5 minutes will be resulting in 2 extra laps" MS said.
Rishabh cried out "bhagwan bachao mujhe inse. Ghar pe bhi shuru ho gye ye"
"Rishu get ready bachcha. Mai aa rha hu tere sath academy mein aaj" Virat said and that did the trick.
"Waah sachchi! Abhi 2 minute mein aaya mai" Rishabh squealed and ran away to get ready.
"Bachcha hai bilkul" Virat sighed as Rishabh ran out of ear shot.
"Cheeku you should rest bachcha, abhi aaya hai tu " MS said.
"Bore ho jaunga bhai yaha pe akela mai" Virat said "chalta hu isse achha toh rishu bhi khushi khushi aa jayega, warna poore din muh fulake baitha rahega wo, fir manate rehna aap"
"Aaja, par gym mein nahi jana waha" MS said making Virat sulk, he was planning just that "I mean it Virat, no gym today"
"Bhai I'm not tired. Just 2 hours ki flight thi, mai thodi na poore din travel karke aa rha hoon" Virat whined.
"You realise Virat, tereko aaye hue 5 minute nahi hue hain, na khana khaya hai, na chai-paani peeya hai, seedhe gym jana hai inhe"
"Wahaan jaake kar lunga bhai, itna toh aura hai apna wahaan" Virat said cockily.
"Chale bhai? " Rishabh, who had come back just now said.
"Bhaiya I got ready 1 minute earlier, ab 2 laps kam kar doge? " Rishabh asked grinning, earning a whack from Virat.
"Aalsi, boht aalsi, aur fir aate hain ye bhaisaab" Virat taunted making Rishabh pout.
"Main aalsi nahi hu" Rishabh shouted thumping his feet "Bhaiya se puchho mai roz practice pe jata hoon"
"Wo toh I'll see" Virat smirked.
As soon as Virat reached the academy, he was surrounded by students. Virat made his appearance there once in every few months and everytime he came, the kids and the staff showered him with love.
He patiently took photos and selfies with everyone who asked, gave autographs to hundreds. Since it was an unplanned visit, the euphoria was even greater, they were not expecting Virat to walk in unannounced like that.
"Virat it's so good to see you back here. Although we were not expecting your visit today, what brings you here? " One of the senior coaches said.
"First of all thankyou so much Sir, it's always a pleasure to be here. This place feels like home. I just came back today from the ipl stint and Mahi bhai and Rishabh were coming here so I thought it would be nice to just yk pay a vist" Virat said, formally.
"Same here Virat, tum jab aate ho toh lagta hai ki ghar ka bachcha ghar waapis aaya hai" The coach said with a content smile on his face.
Virat just smiled shyly in answer. "These kids look up to you as an inspiration, would you like to share a few words with them?"
Rishabh sat with the kids on ground, looking forward to hear from his idol. He was lucky to have him as his brother, but he was one among them, one of his millions of fans, one among lakhs of his admirers.
"Sure sir" Virat said turning to the kids "Ab tak waise aap logo ko andaza ho gya hoga ki mai kya bolne wala hoon. I speak the same thing everytime, that you should always try to give your 100 percent everyday on the field, try to be the best in the room, try to improve your skills and the rest everything will take care of itself"
Virat received a thunderous applause as soon as he finished the sentence, as coaches nodding thier heads in agreement.
"Another thing that is very important in the sport is fitness. When you step in the field, your body should feel 100 percent fresh. And that comes with proper diet and exercise regime" Virat added, now eyeing Rishabh who was sitting in the front row.
"And yeah, that's it, enjoy your game, enjoy your time on field. You have got the best of coaches, just follow what they say and that's all" Virat completed his short-speech.
As soon as the students dispersed, MS spoke to him "Cheeku go to the rest room. Tea is ready. Omelette hai, kha lena. Aur rest there, your entry in the gym is not allowed"
"Nahi jaunga gym. Chill karo aap. Rishu wait kar rha hai jao aap" Virat uttered. MS went back to his job, he had made proper arrangements for Virat to rest, whether he liked it or not.
Right after having his tea and eating the omelette, Virat made way to the gym. Mahi bhai would be busy with Rishabh and there was no one else to stop him, or so Virat thought.
"Sir stop, I'm sorry but you cannot go there like that" One of the guards stopped Virat as he put a feet inside the gym door.
"Like that? Like what? " Virat asked confused.
"We need to see your id card sir " The guard replied.
"I'd card? " Virat asked again if the guard had lost his mind.
"Yes sir" The guard replied politely.
"You are literally asking Virat Deshmukh's id ? Like what the heck! " Virat said.
"MS sir has asked not to let anyone in without an id. So I'm sorry but i cannot let you in"
"Aur agar mai andar ghus jaun toh kya karoge? " Virat asked with a smirk.
"Sir please samjho, MS Sir ne mana kara hai. Jaan le lenge wo hamari, job chali jayegi meri" The guard panicked.
Virat shook his head in frustration. He should have known better, Mahi bhai was not as innocent as he looks, the man controlled everything. If he said he cannot go to the gym, he would make sure he doesn't go to gym. Virat thumped his feet and went back to the rest room. He scrolled his phone for sometime before he got bored and marched outside to the field.
He saw Rishabh running his laps there and joined him. "Faster Rishu, race karte hain"
Rishabh ran faster, only to realise that Virat was way too fast for him to compete with him. "Kya kar raha hai, bhaag na, ruk kyu gya? " Virat shouted, who had ran some yards ahead of him.
"Mera 9th round hai ye, khatam hone wale hain mere laps. Daudte raho fir aap" Rishabh uttered.
"Oye? Abhi kaha? 20 nahi bhagta tu? " Virat asked.
"Nahi. Punishment milti hai tab double kar dete hain bhaiya rounds. Waise 10 hi hain"
"Galat baat hai. 10 mein kaise kaam chalega bey tera? Mahi bhai ko permanently 20 kar dene chahiye" Virat pressed.
"Chup ho jao khuda ke liye. Kyu meri lanka lagwane pe tule ho? Sach mein 20 kar diye toh punishment ke time pe 40 ? Bhagwan bachaye mujhe" Rishabh said horrified.
"Great luck Rishabh. Kyunki bhai ki jagah mai hota, toh bilkul aisa hi hona tha" Virat spoke.
"Bhaiya ne rest karne ko bola na aapko, rest karo jaake fir" Rishabh uttered.
"You are ordering me? " Virat asked narrowing his eyes.
"I am warning you. Bhaiya kahaan gaye, abhi bolta hu unko ki aap rest nhi kar rahe. Bhaiyaaaaa.. " Virat held him and kept his hand on his mouth to stop him, but to Virat's displeasure, MS had arrived to the scene.
"Kya kar raha hai tu yahaan? Ek baat samajh nahi aati? " MS asked, scolding Virat.
"Mai kuchh nahi kar raha bhai. Mai bas aise hi" Virat started telling but Rishabh beat him to it "Mere sath race kar rahe the bhaiya. Jabardasti"
MS glared down Virat, who in turn glared at Rishabh "Dekho bhaiya dara rahe hain ye mujhe"
"Darta bhi hai tu mujhse? " Virat asked whacking him.
"Bhaiya dekho mara bhi" Rishabh cried. Virat looked at him incredulously, the boy had become full brat.
"Isse pahle ki I twist your ear here in front of everybody, either go home or to the rest room, believe me I would enjoy it" MS warned Virat.
"Maaf kardo mujhe. Ja rha hu mai...Waise bhai ye 10 laps kuchh jyada kam nahi hain? "
Rishabh gave him a horrified look, he hasn't thought Virat would actually suggest that to MS.
"You let ME decide that" Rishabh sighed in relief as MS said this.
"Ab ja" MS said in an extra polite tone.
"Bhalayi ka zamana hi nhi hai. Ek suggestion hi toh de rha tha" Virat muttered as he went out of the field.
"Ho gaye tere laps poore? " MS asked Rishabh, who happily shook his head in yes.
"Chal toh start doing squats then"
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