Virat and team had just returned from an amazing England tour. The wishes and praises for Virat were unstoppable to say the least. Everyone was praising him for his redemptive performance in that tour.

Team had gathered for the next T20 series. Everyone was excited for that. Most excited was Virat as he get to meet Mahi bhai.

"Ro, kab ayenge bhai?" Virat nudged Rohit who was apparently taking a nap in the room as they were waiting for Mahi bhai.

Rohit stirred irritatedly, said, "Vi we have come 1 hour before, thanks to you! And it's been just 15 mins, wait for 45 mins more.. and don't disturb my nap", he yawned and went back to sleep resting his head on Virat's shoulder.

"Lazy panda!" Virat mumbled and Rohit just slept more comfortably holding his arm.

Virat tried calling Mahi bhai again but it was not reaching.. "kaha reh gaye bhai?" he said to himself and slept himself waiting for him.

Mahi arrived at night and went to his room seeing it already open and his two kiddos sleeping there.. that brought a smile on his face.

He got freshen up and sat beside them. He caressed Virat's hair which caused him to wake up.

"Kitni der laga di" said Virat as soon as he opened his eyes and cuddled to him.

Mahi chuckled at his complaint, no 'hi'.. 'hello Mahi bhai' .. direct complain.

"Dinner kiya?" Mahi asked softly to which Virat nodded in no against his chest.

"Get up then, wake Ro up till I order dinner.." Mahi said but Virat did not leave him.

"Bacha, bhuk nahi lagi hai? Have dinner post that we will sit together! Okay, I am not going anywhere.." Mahi said caressing his hair.

Virat got up reluctantly. He woke up Ro by shaking the life out of him. Mahi ordered dinner for all of them. Rohit had left to his room taking his dinner as Ritika called him.

Mahi saw Virat silently playing with his food, not having it and lost in thoughts.

Mahi took the plate from him which gained his attention.

"food is not for playing cheeku, have it", Mahi said and forwarded him a bite.

Virat had it but didn't say anything still.

"If u want to be fed by me, toh u would have said it na!", teased Mahi trying to cheer him.

"Cheeku, kya baat hai Bacha? What's troubling you?" Mahi asked once they finished dinner.

"Bhai do u think I just.. I mean-" , fumbled Virat on his words.

"Cheeku u know na, u can share anything with me, I will never judge you!" Mahi encouraged him seeing him fumbling.

Virat kept his head in his lap.

"Bhai do u think that I am self-centered?", asked Virat in a low voice.

Mahi was a bit surprised by the question.

"What makes u think that? How u came to this thought?", asked Mahi stroking his hair.

"Aap batao na, do u think that?"

"Don't u know the answer to that Cheeku? I don't think that! U are most selfless person I have met!"

"U are just saying because u love me", said Virat with a pout.

"Acha ji, who said I love you" teased Mahi.

"Bhaiiii", whined Virat.

Mahi again tried softly, saying "what happened kiddo? Did someone said something?"

"Bhai, did I just play selfishly and because of that we could not win the series in England! Even there were some tweets like how this was second overseas disappointment!"

(This tweet was there after we lost the test series)

Bhai, I really wanted to win this series, I tried really hard .. but.."

saying that Virat burst into tears.

Mahi felt bad seeing Virat crying like that. He had given his whole in the series. It was redemption for him after that 2014 horror.

He had read that what was written about the loss but didn't pay attention because he knew the team had tried their best.

"Cheeku, stop crying bacha!" Mahi said softly seeing him sobbing.

"You did everything u could. Results are never in our hand kiddo. We can just do our best. You are not selfish.. you were man of the series! That shows how much u have contributed! Don't read outside articles kiddo!" Mahi explained him softly.

"Why u were not picking my calls, I thought I let u down.." mumbled Virat.

"I was not picking ur calls so u came to this conclusion!" Mahi asked to which Virat nodded.

Mahi sighed and then said, "how much overthinking a person can do?"

"U are scolding me now!" Whined Virat still laying in his lap.

"What to do then? Did I tell you anything like this? Why do u overthink and assume urself ?" Mahi asked a bit sternly.

"Toh aap mera phone Kyu nahi utha rahe the? Pata hai I had to share so much when I scored that 149, 97 and 103.. I wanted to say that because of you I reached here! Because of u as you showed faith in me at that time in 2014! Because of ur love and belief in me.. but u didn't pick up!"

Virat said which made Mahi smile.

He was smiling because Virat was cutely complaining and also he was thanking him.

"I have always believed in you Cheeku! And I always will no matter what happens!"

Mahi said softly.

"Why didn't u pick my phone?" Virat asked again.

"Why are u still stuck on that, I am here Na" Mahi said not wanting to upset him.

"U are hiding something from me i can feel that" Virat said seeing Mahi avoiding something.

Before he could say anything Virat's phone rang and it was Anushka so he went in balcony.

Virat answered the call and said, "nushkie what happened? All okay? U calling this late"

"Bubs, did u talk to Mahi bhai? I met Sakshi and got to know that Ziva was very sick last whole week and bhai was very tensed! So u talk to him okay.." Anushka said.

"Is she okay now Nush?" Virat asked fearfully.

Anushka smiled at his concern, said, "yes I met her and she is okay! I just reached home so thought to call u! Take care!"

Virat went inside the room and saw Mahi waiting for him.

"Aap Meko aapna nahi samajte" Virat asked sitting in front of him.

(U don't consider me as your own)

"Cheeku what are you saying bacha?" Mahi asked shocked at his question.

"Toh why didn't u tell me ki Ziva was sick and u were tensed and busy in that. Bhai, Mai aapko bar baat batata hu, no matter how silly or serious it is! Toh why can't u do it?"

Virat said turning his face and pouting in anger.

Mahi sighed at that and said "Acha meri taraf dekh toh Sahi"

Virat turned his face from him. Mahi chuckled at his childishness.

Mahi cupped his cheeks and made him look at him but still being stubborn Virat didnt lift his eyes.

"Acha tell me, if i would have informed you that ziva is sick then you would have left England tour and came back running to her na?" Mahi asked softly.

Virat nodded at that. "Dekha so I didnt tell you because i didnt want to worry you kiddo, she is fine now.. once this series is done I will take you and Ro to Ranchi.." Mahi said.

"Now will u talk to me" asked Mahi seeing him silent.

"Pehle aap promise karo you will always share everything with me ... never hide anything.. because I want to be always there for as you are always there for me" Virat said holding Mahi's hands.

"Acha baba promise!" Mahi said.

Virat hugged him tightly to which Mahi reciprocated with equal love.

"Pata hai how scared I was, I thought u are upset with me" said Virat cuddled to him.

"Stop assuming things kiddo, I can never be upset with u related to cricket.. you always make me proud" said Mahi caressing his hair.

"I love you Bhai, thank you for always being there for me" Virat said and closed his eyes.

Mahi smiled at that, said, "I love u too kiddo".

....................