"Yaaro dosti badi hi haseen hai

Yeh naa ho toh kya phir bolo yeh zindagi hai"

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August 2008

A young 18-year-old Virat Kohli got his maiden India call-up for the 5 match ODI series against Sri Lanka, few months after his under-19 triumph. Though he led the Indian U19 to terrific win, a call up in the senior team, too so soon was a dream come true for lad. 

He walked into the hotel in which the team was staying, fidgeting, nervousness written all over his face. 

Will I be able to fit in??

Will the team like me??

With all these thoughts he approached the receptionist for his room key. But what he failed to notice, was the three pranksters, who are apparently his 'seniors', smirking at his direction. 

Yuvi, Munaf and Bhajji straight away managed to prank him, by getting him to touch Sachin sir's feet. Jo bhi naya aata hai, usko yeh toh karna hi padta hai! were Yuvi's precise words. This one incident had left Virat embarrassed for the rest of the year. 

As Sachin made Virat stand up, the entire team present there started laughing. It was not the first time any youngster was planned by Yuvi and co. But each time it would be hilarious.

Virat mumbled sorries to Sachin, his head down due to embarrassment and ran out of the room without glancing anywhere. As soon as he stepped turned, he bumped, literally bumped, into someone.

"Hey are you okay?" asked that someone.

"Huh? Yeah I'm fine" Virat said rubbing his forehead and looking up at the person.

There stood Rohit Sharma, the guy who was the talk of the town, his batting, his timing, had made Virat a fan of him ever since he had watched him bat in the T20 WC.

"By the way, I'm Rohit Sharma", said Rohit, forwarding his hand, an enthusiastic smile on his face.

He was finally meeting Virat Kohli. Gosh! The guy had just led the U19 Indian team to an emphatic victory. Even scored a 100 in tournament. Rohit was so looking forward to meeting him.

"I know you.. I mean I have seen you bat. I'm Virat Kohli" replied Virat, mirroring Rohit's expressions and taking his extended hand for a handshake.

"You led the U19's to a World Cup win.. I know you too" said Rohit with the same smile on his face.

"but why are you running away?" Rohit asked. Virat remembered what happened in the room and his cheeks flushed again.

"Don't tell me they pranked you too?" said Rohit, stifling back a laughter.

"well kind of yeah, they did" mumbled Virat, narrating the entire story.

Rohit laughed out and said "Don't worry, you're not the only one. Someone or the other is getting pranked all the time by them. You'll get used to it"

Virat looked at Rohit, surprised at how it not even an ounce of awkwardness between them. 

Rohit then glanced down at the key Virat was holding. "hey you have got the room adjacent to mine!" he exclaimed.

"That's great" replied Virat. He didn't know why but he was feeling unusually happy at being friends with Rohit.

"Let's go our rooms then. You can freshen up and come to my room if you aren't tired" said Rohit, already dragging him towards their rooms.

"No I ain't tired. I slept in the flight" said Virat.

"Great. It'll be good to spend time with someone of same age" laughed Rohit "it's mostly seniors around. Sonu is their but he also hangs out with the seniors most of the time"

"Okay give me 10 minutes" said Virat, unlocking the door.

Right after 10 minutes, Virat knocked on Rohit's door which flew open as if it was waiting for him. Rohit pulled Virat inside and plopped down on the bed together.

The rest of the evening, both of them spent talking about almost anything. By the time of dinner, they had known everything about each other.

Both of them were surprised at how openly they shared everything, as if they had been friends for long.

After dinner as well, both of them landed up together in Rohit's room, because they comfy in each other's company.

Rohit told Virat everything he knew about the the Indian team, how it was beautiful family, how Mahi bhai was the best brother ever, while Virat narrated his U19 stories, which mostly consisted of him, Jaddu and Manish.

They were laughing about something Virat told about Jaddu doing something weird when Mahi, who was passing through the corridor, stopped in front of the room, hearing the jovial voices of the two boys.

Mahi instantly had a smile on his face looking at them.

A start to a very special friendship, I see.

Mahi left the boys on their own and went to his room, reminiscing the time he became friends with his best friend, Yuvi.

As the night grew darker, Virat and Rohit fell asleep together in the same room, feeling a whole new sense of belonging and warmth in their hearts. 

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So sorry, I'm late! Was off to the beach for the entire day.

Hope y'all like the first chapter...

Louuu you aaalllll! *Nags entered me* (Side effects of watching Mr Nags videos 😂)

-Jiya❤