When Rahul decided to saunter in Virat's room like it's his birthright. He didn't ever, like not in his wildest dreams thought to witness the highly perturbating scene in front of him.
For a few seconds, he stood baffled, frozen on his steps. The people he had certainly walked in mirroring his expression while Rahul rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
But even after rubbing his eyes more then a couple of times the scene in front of him didn't quite change. Yuzi was still sitting on Virat's shoulder, Washy and Nav were still clutching on Virat's legs like upset toddlers refusing to let go of their parents and Virat was still looking like an exasperated parent at his wit's end.
"Ummm...," Rahul cleared his throat, clearly perplexed with the scene going in front of him. He didn't know what to say to diffuse the awkwardness in the air?
"Hey, Rahuliyaaa!" Yuzi greeted him looking totally in his element on top of Virat's shoulder. The other two just nodded at him and then went back to pestering Virat.
Virat looked thoroughly at odds with the whole situation. Rahuliya decided he better come a bit later to greet his brother, who was certainly quite involved with the whole thing. How did Yuzi climb up on Virat's shoulder or what they were really trying to do was beyond him? But mumbling a soft, "I'll come back later," Rahul escaped Virat's room. He didn't wait for their reply but the flurry of voices chasing after him.
"Aren't we your kids Virat?"
"Bhaiyuuu, for us please!!"
"Bhaiiii!!!"
"Guys!!" Virat's lit with laughter voice ringing in his ear, as he took the turn towards the lift. Rahul didn't know why but those words pinched his heart a lot. What were they even trying to do? He hadn't got to spend time with Virat for what feels like ages? The damn bio bubble and quarantine rules coming between them and now, when he finally got the chance with his Virat. Those people were already in Virat's room, hogging his time and attention, like only they had a right on Virat.
It pinched Rahul, Virat not asking him to stay bruised a corner of his heart and the oddness of the scene he witnessed, made him think, really think about everything that changed in the last few months. Sighing, sulkily he walked towards the lounge area, where the rest of the team was lounging and flopped himself in between Mayank and Hardik.
"What happened? Weren't you going to call Virat down?" Hardik asked the gloomy soul slumped beside him with raised brows. He hadn't expected Rah to return so soon to be truthful but here he was and Harry was kind intrigued with the whole situation.
Hearing Virat's name, even Shreyas, Rishab, Jassi, Kuliya and Subh perked up throwing Rahul curious gaze, eyes roaming around the place trying to spot a certain Kohlito, who truly wasn't anywhere in sight. Feeling quite rueful, Rahul rattled about everything to the lot of them. He could feel the protesting vibes emitting out of them, especially, a certain Hardik Pandya even before he finished, his ramblings.
Hearing, Rahul speak Hardik couldn't believe what a great dunderhead his best friend has been. Why did this idiot leave? He could have been the knight in shining armour for their cap, saving him from those over clingy chimpanzee-chipmunk hybrids but no, this idiot was sulking here.
God, why was his brother so stupid?? Hardik didn't know but his wisdom inducing lecture intended for his stupid creature of Best Friend was thwarted by their coach, even before he could begin.
"Boys, the bus now!!" The coach said in a no-nonsense tone, half of the team was complaining on the bus. The other half was lounging here like they had the whole time on the world.
And the coach was done with them already. They were being their stupid annoying selves. Grumbling, the boys boarded the bus certain their coach wasn't going to leave until they made their way to the bus.
"Looks like someone woke on the wrong side of the bed," Mayank whispered in a mock conspiratorial tone, flopping beside Rahul on the team bus.
Harry and Jassi taking the seat opposite to Mayank and Rahul, snickering, along with Kul who took the seat behind them and Shrey and Rishu, who took the seats beside them.
The team was waiting for the last late latif people to finally board the bus, surprisingly for the first time in their lives, since they became a part of this squad, their captain Virat Kohli was part of that late latif group. The kids could feel the curious looks being passed around the bus, eyes searching and seeking their quite missing captain.
At that moment, the missing three members of the team boarded the bus passing totally non-apologetic grins to the coach, whistling merrily Yuzi flopped beside his Kul. The seat was after all always reserved for him. Washy and Saini took near by seats and all Rahul and other ICT kids could focus on was a missing Virat.
"Umm...where's Virat bhaiya?" Again, they were beaten in vocalizing their query for their Virat bhaiya, by a certain Mohammed Siraj.
"Ugh...he isn't joining practice today," Yuzi replied nonchalantly, capturing the outside view on his phone.
The rest of the team gaped at Yuzi, Virat not joining the practice was what people calls once in a Blue Moon thing. Why wasn't Yuzi sounding concerned then? What was wrong with these people? Don't they know how rare Virat skipping practice session is?
The ICT kids couldn't help but ponder as they exclaim yelled a hasty, "Why???"
"He wasn't feeling well," Yuzi shrugged again and Rahul wanted to turn face Yuzi and demand why was he climbing on Virat if he wasn't feeling well? Yelling loudly.
But again, that wasn't his style. He didn't scream like that but he might definitely if things continued this way.
"Then why are we leaving for practice? Shouldn't we stay with Virat bhaiya? He might need us and the company will help," Kuliya queried instantly, overy concerned for his Virat bhaiya. After two days of strict quarantine, they couldn't miss the chance to be with Virat now.
And Virat bhaiya might have missed him and his hugs terribly too.
"Do you really think Virat bhaiya will let us skip practice for him?" Yuzi couldn't help but ask his Kul incredulously, and Rahul as much as he hated to agree with Yuzi couldn't help but see the point in Yuzi's words.
Virat won't ever let them skip practice for him.
"But it's Diwali today. It should be holiday anyway and we hadn't come that far, we should just turn around and go back to the hotel," Kuliya said, frowning slightly. He didn't like this situation at all.
Rahul, Harry, Shrey, Rishu and Jassi agreed hundred and one percent with Kul. They should just turn around and go to Virat.
"Virat would hate that Kul. We alreadyy tried," Nav said somberly, sipping on his smoothie. Yes, he had prepared it in Virat's room, along with Virat Bhaiya's smoothie which Yuzi stole.
"Chin up, Kuli boy, don't worry, AB sir will keep on checking on Virat bhaiya. It'll be fine, he won't be lonely," Yuzi promised, knowingg what was bothering his Kul really.
"Yeah, AB sir, will check on his biscuit. He'll even scold Virat bhaiya if he is doing something, he shouldn't. Virat bhaiya will listen to him." Washy agreed hundred percent with Yuzi.
"Yeah, remember when Virat bhaiya.." Nav began and he didn't have to finish the statement as the rest of RCB kids started grinning already getting the reference.
"That was crazy, AB sir was fab," Siri added whole-heartedlyy, others chuckled reminiscing whatever incidence they were reminscing.
"We should just inform the goofball aboutt this. He is free anyway, quite as well help Virat bhaiya" Nav suggested, and all the other RCB kids started chuckling again.
"I don't know about help but I'm certain Virat will be thinking about adopting more puppies for sure," Yuzi laughed, the RCB kids shaking in silent laughter.
ICT kids fumed silently and totally visibly beside them. Yeah, they were quite aware that they spent the whole IPL seasonn clinging to Virat and having inside jokes. They didn't need to rub that on their face like this and where was Rohit when you need him?
God, if Rohit was here, Yuzi wouldn't have brought up ABD's name so insolently. They wouldn't have been so smugly talking like this but their dear, B-Ro wasn't here and Yuzi had no problem, insolently declaring "ABD will handle everything"
The training was going good through RCB kids talked in their own weird mannerism and used many inside jokes much to the fury of the rest of the ICT kids. They didn't understand the references and why will they suddenly start laughing like crazy yelling different sweet names.
After practice, when they were kinda chilling with each other just sitting and talking. They heard Yuzi on call with certain Zampa creature wishing each other, Happy Diwali and Zampa offeringg to parcel some chocolates and stuff for Virat and them as Diwali gift.
ICT kids on the other handd felt their tempers flare terribly as another inside jokes session, started in front of them.
"One of these days, I'm going to tie him up on the top of our team bus," Hardik muttered glaring angrilyat the laughing people in his line of sight.
"I'll help!!" Shrey added, shooting similar kind of looks to the laughing people.
"I'll get Jaddu bhaiya to drive that bys," Rishu promised and so unlike, his normal behaviour Rahul found himself agreeing to the boys plan. Well, it'll certainly help Yuzi sort out his priorities and Kul might mind this thing.
But Rahul was certain they'll manage to get Kul on board with them. After all it was for the greater good and Yuzi, really needed to get his priorities sorted.
The whole journey back the ICT kids mind was filled with plans and ideas that involved certain people and some very thrilling situations. Reaching back in the team hotel, the first thing they did was to rush in Virat's room.
But finding their Kohlito asleep. The kids decided to not disturb him, even though they sent many rueful glances towards his phone. They silently traveled back to their rooms.
Their spirits quite dampened but they were certain to get back their Kohlito. They just needed to help somee people sort out their priorities first.
Satisfied, with that thought they entered their rooms but something seemed to amiss. After a little looking around, they found half of their wardrobe missing.
Okay!! This was a strange day. They'll admit, first with their kohlito missing practice and then Rahul couldn't actually dismiss the strange scene he witnessed in the morning, the inside jokes and plans. A certain Zampa trying to send their Kohlito Diwali gifts.
And now half of their things missing.
Okay, what was actually going on around?
What the world was coming too?
They didn't know. They should be searching for their luggage but they didn't know what was going on?
~the chronicles of confused ICT kids~
So, what's happening here people?
How are you all?.
Tried my hand in a little humour after ages. So, yeah, see you again with the next update.
Till then Tata, bye-bye, take care!!