After leading India to win the U-19 WC, Virat earned his India call up for the Sri Lanka series in August 2008.

The seniors straight away made a fool of him by telling him that everyone new in the team had to touch Sachin sir's feet as a mark of respect. Since he had pretty much worshipped Sachin all his life, he did it without complain, and the rest of the team burst into laughter as Sachin sir pulled him up by his shoulders.

A red faced Virat was muttering apologies or something to his idol when he noticed Rohit Sharma grinning at him from behind Sachin sir.

It wasn't a mocking grin, it was just a friendly, nice sort of grin.

Virat once again felt that this guy was so... impossible to dislike.

He found himself grinning back.

___________

Virat made his debut on 18th August. It was just an average performance by him, and as he had prayed, like everyone else, that he played fearfully well on his debut, he felt quite down in the dumps after the match ended.

He was walking to his room in the hotel when a voice behind him said, "Hi!"

Virat turned and saw Rohit, wearing that friendly smile again.

"Hi," said Virat.

"I'm Rohit Sharma," said Rohit, extending his hand.

"I know that," said Virat incredulously, taking his hand. Then he blushed and stammered, "I mean--I've seen you play for India in the last year... I'm Virat Kohli, by the way."

"I know that, too," said Rohit, his eyes twinkling. "I've seen you lead the U-19 team to win the World Cup!"

"Nice," said Virat, grinning, all his awkwardness melting away suddenly.

Rohit noticed the room number on the key in Virat's hand and said delightedly, "Look, we've got adjacent rooms! It's good, because I'm awful at waking up on time, and I don't like it when the seniors have to call me, it sounds too much like I'm in trouble. You can call me tomorrow though--if you're any good at punctuality?"

Rohit paused for breath and Virat said, "I'm pretty good at it, so don't worry, I'll wake you up."

"It'll take quite some effort," sighed Rohit as the two of them started to talk towards their floor together.

And just like that, they were talking like they had known each other for ages--it was always that way between the two of them.

They spent the evening in Rohit's room, and at one point, Virat took out his phone and asked for Rohit's number, which was when Rohit realised with dismay that his phone was not with him.

"I must have left it in the stadium," said Rohit in consternation.

"Tell someone immediately!" urged Virat.

"It's the second time I've lost it this month," wailed Rohit. "Mahi bhai said he'll bench me for one match if I repeated it!"

"But how can you just lose your phone like that?" said Virat, shocked.

"I don't know. I'm defective that way, I guess," said Rohit, sounding so mournful that Virat couldn't help laughing.

"Don't laugh!" said Rohit. "What am I going to do, Mahi bhai will kill me... Virat! Can you tell Mahi bhai for me?" he asked, brightening.

"Do you think that's going to be of any use?" demanded Virat. "He'll just tell me to send you to him."

"Come with me, at least!" begged Rohit.

"That I can do," said Virat obligingly, and they went to look for Mahi bhai.

__________

Mahi bhai opened his door to find Rohit and Virat standing there.

"Mahi bhai," began Rohit nervously. "You see..."

Mahi took in Rohit's shifty demeanor, and Virat's half amused, half supportive look at Rohit, and his experienced mind saw a lot more than either of them could have imagined.

"Let me guess," he sighed. "You've left your phone back in the stadium again."

Rohit nodded, looking apprehensive.

Mahi bhai shook his head in exasperation and called one of their staff from his phone and instructed him to retrieve Rohit's phone.

"Thanks a lot, Mahi bhai," said Rohit, trying to edge out of the room. "See you--"

"Don't think I've forgotten my threat," said Mahi bhai sternly.

"Are you really going to bench me?" Rohit asked anxiously.

"Ideally, I should."

"Please don't do that, Mahi bhai," said Virat, surprising himself with his courage. "He'll not repeat it again."

Mahi bhai smiled knowingly. "Last chance, Rohit."

"Thank you!" cried Rohit in delight and he and Virat exchanged a grin.

As they skipped away, Mahi bhai's gaze lingered on them.

He already knew what neither Rohit nor Virat did.

He already knew that this was the beginning of something extremely special.

Mahi bhai always knew.

_________

"It's really risky to leave your phone lying about!" Virat told Rohit that night. "Why do you do that?"

"I don't do it on purpose, you know," said Rohit sheepishly, and Virat felt something powerful and strange stirring inside him.

He later realised that it had been a very strong liking, mingled with a wish that Rohit becomes a close friend of his....

Some day.