He and Ritika had decided yesterday that they could start sharing their news now. Of course, the first people Rohit thought of were his teammates-- his closest ones, Virat, Jinks, Ash, Jaddu, Bhuvi, Hardik, Bumrah, Shikhar.

He still remembered the day Shikhar had announced that Ayesha was pregnant. The team had shouted and danced and congratulated Shikhar more than they had even after his CT2013 MoT. Rohit remembered the happiness he had felt too, and all the others.

He couldn't wait to tell his friends that he too was going to get a kid like Zoraver.

____________

After the practice session had ended, and the team was lounging around in the common room, Rohit called for attention and said, with a hint of pride, "I'm going to become a father soon!"

There was a silence at his words instead of a outbreak of cheers, which kind of irked Rohit.

He glanced at Virat, who was sitting beside him.

Rohit was stunned to see Virat's shoulders shaking as he laughed silently. On seeing Rohit's expression, Virat lost his self-control. Within moments, he was positively howling with laughter.

Almost as if they had been waiting for this, everyone in the room except a confused and rather hurt Rohit was roaring with laughter by now.

"What is the matter with you all?" demanded Rohit, and he turned to Jinks, his last hope.

Unfortunately for him, Jinks was choking with laughter too, though he was probably the only one who was trying to stop.

Shikhar thumped Rohit on the back and screamed with laughter. Jaddu promptly fell off his bench, as he was rocking so much.

When had he ever seen Ash, Bhuvi and Bumrah, normally so calm, shouting with laughter like this? thought Rohit, aghast. And as for Hardik, his demonic laughter should've been heard in the next city and beyond.

Rohit waited steelly for the laughter to stop.

Virat, wiping off his tears, managed to choke, "You're going to become a father?" and this set them all off again.

"Yes, what's wrong with that?" cried Rohit, scowling.

"It's just that-- it seems a bit--" began Shikhar.

"Funny?" asked Rohit sarcastically. "Oh, I never could've guessed!"

"Don't be offended, Ro," said Jinks contritely. "We didn't mean to laugh like that."

As Rohit turned his glare on Jinks, Virat said, "You're too irresponsible."

"And forgetful," said Hardik gleefully.

"And lazy," added Jaddu snidely.

Rohit folded his arms and maintained a grim silence.

"But we're really happy for you, Rohit," said Bhuvi in his childishly honest way.

"Of course," said Shikhar, taking his arm. "Three cheers for our little Rohit!'

Everyone cheered for all they were worth, and they hugged Rohit and slapped his back and proceeded to celebrate as crazily as they had the day Shikhar made his announcement, much to Rohit's relief.

__________

In the course of the party, an arm grabbed Rohit's, and he turned to see Jinks grinning at him.

"You didn't mind us, did you, Ro?" he asked.

"Of course I did," grumbled Rohit, turning away.

"I'm sorry! No, listen, Rohit..." said Jinks. "You might be irresponsible and lazy and all those things they called you..."

"You forgot forgetful," said a helpful voice behind them-- Virat's, predictably.

Rohit looked seriously offended again.

Shut up now, Jinks's eyes glared into Virat's.

"--but I know you'll make an amazing father," said Rahane warmly.

"Huh, I don't believe you," huffed Rohit. "You were laughing too--I saw you!"

"But he was the only one who tried to stop," Virat defended.

"You keep quiet," commanded Rohit.

"All right, all right," said Virat placatingly.

"You're awfully kind-hearted and loyal, you know, Rohit," said Jinks.

Rohit stared at him, rather taken-aback.

"Those things matter much more than the others."

"Oh." And though Rohit didn't show it, he felt extremely pleased at his words.

"I daresay his son will be as idiotic as him," Virat told Rahane. "They'll make a fine pair!"

"I won't talk to you ever again!" cried Rohit, as he stalked off with dignity.

"Hah! I'll take you up on that!" called Virat after him, laughing.

Rahane shook his head in exasperation. By now, however, he had given up on the hope that either Rohit or Virat would ever grow up.

____________

Just as Rohit was leaving for his room, Virat came flying over to him and gave him a bear hug that almost made them both overbalance and fall.

"I can't wait for your kid to be born!"

Rohit intended to snub Virat, but then Virat added, "I bet he'll be my favourite nephew if he's anything at all like you!"

Instead of turning away, Rohit found himself grinning and hugging Virat back, the happiest he had felt all day.

Nearby, Jinks was grinning too.

Some friendships are made by God. It's no use trying to deny them.

___________

Rohit's daughter Samaira was born on 30th December, 2018, while the Indian team minus Rohit was still in Australia.

Rohit sent the first picture of Sam to Yuzi, much to Virat's indignition. However, that night, Rohit and Ritika video called Virat and showed him Samaira properly.

"I'll descend on Mumbai any minute now!" Virat warned, his eyes misted over with love for his best friend's first born.