"We are not your ordinary family but we are a family."

Virat could feel his throat clench painfully. His throat felt very dry and raspy. He needed water. And he didn't want to wake up.

He was awake but he didn't want to open his eyes. It was like an internal fight, couldn't he continue with his sleep. He really didn't want to get up. But his dry like sandpaper throat seemed to have another plan and the water wasn't going to walk to him.

The water won't just appear in front of him and announce "dear Virat, you were thirsty so here I am, "

Gosh, why is his consciousness like this? Why his consciousness loves to be so sarcastic to him? But what if he could just summon water.

Now, that would have been a wonderful talent if he could just summon water right now.

But sadly he can't. So, he needs to get up now.

So feeling greatly irritated he opened his eyes and blinked several times. He is still feeling very sleepy, mind you. And then blinked sometimes more.

Cause the sleeping face of one kung fu Pandya a feet away from his face was the first thing he saw waking up.

Okay, WTF???

And why his hands, legs, and whole body is kind of feeling trapped.

Craning his neck a little, he looked around him and yes, he is definitely trapped.

Trapped by his brothers.

Hardik was sleeping on his right side along with Jassi who was all but sleeping on his right arm with his face buried on his side and his hands wrapped around him.

And that's one of the reasons he came face to face with Harry after waking up as Jassi was using his hand as a pillow. And was kind of snuggling in him too.

Kulya was snuggling to him like a baby from the left side. Kulya was using his torso as a pillow and beside him, Yuzi was using his left hand as a pillow.

Rahul's legs were resting on his legs as he slept using Jassi's stomach as a pillow and on the other side, Shreyas legs were also resting on his legs while Shreyas head was resting in a very awkward and painful angle on Kulya's stomach.

Okay, firstly when did Shreyas arrive here?

And secondly, why is he being used as the team pillow?

Or

Is he being used as the team teddy bear?

He isn't quite sure as both Jassi and Kulya snuggled more in him with each futile try to loosen their vice grip on him.

And then there is Yuvi pa and Jaddu sleeping on the sofa with a silent tv being played in the background.

And why on the whole planet were they watching cricket news?

And that too in silent mode.

Okay, where is Ro, Jinks and his Gabbar?

Mahi bhai?

Bhuvi?

Damn it, he is thirsty and well, not at all enough heartless to wake, anyone, sleeping beside him right now.

Though, he wants to kick both Rahul and Shreyas legs away from his.

And who sleeps like this?

His team apparently, figures.

With great effort and even greater patience, he succeeded in placing both kulya and Jassi's heads on pillows and loosening their vice grips on him. And that too without waking them up.

A very hard feat, he must say.

The next course of action was kicking...umm...okay not kicking but laying Rahul and Shreyas legs away from him.

And that was again a very difficult task.

For after every few minutes someone was cuddling to his hands or placing their legs on him.

He really wanted to give up on this whole thing and shout at them all to scramble away from him.

But he didn't, he is kind of good like that.

So, after many such futile efforts. He has finally managed to untangle himself without waking anyone up.

Jeez, he hates being injured and sick. His whole body is aching and feeling totally stiff right now.

God, his back is killing him and great, the jug is empty.

Should he call for someone??

Naah, he shouldn't disturb them.

Maybe they're also sleeping. And he should really talk to Prisha right now.

They have so much to talk about, he needs to thank her for being there.

For not considering him a panauti like the rest of the world.

For trusting him, for holding his hand when everyone let go. For holding him together. For loving him.

Water first, talk later.

He doesn't want to shutter like an idiot on the call. So, collecting his phone from the bedside table along with the empty jug.

Someone else can get thirsty too. So, there should be water in the room if someone else woke up like him feeling thirsty.

So, collecting the Jug and his phone. He walked towards Ro's kitchen and obviously he knows where the kitchen is, he has been in this house hundred of times.

He can walk blindfolded here and still reach the place he wants too.

Though he really doesn't want to walk blindfolded ever again in his life. 

He doesn't think, he'll survive the experience without having many panic attacks. With his eyes closed, he can hear those words.

The words repeating around him.

"India will end."

"You chose the wrong side, Virat."

"You'll die."

"I'm sure the world won't be that sad at your loss."

"Even your team doesn't love you."

"They bear you because they have too."

"You're a panauti Virat, "

"Everyone wants you gone."

The words won't stop. It was like someone wanted to break him. The words were the only thing he heard, blindfolded and then there was the pain.

Punches or being hit by rods, bottles or bats. He isn't sure, now. He just remembers the pain and the words.

He just remembers waking up in the middle of the night screaming and there was no one beside him at first.

No one and then there was Prisha, holding him, telling him it's safe. No one is going to hurt him here. He didn't believe her. He couldn't sleep and she stayed up with him.

He is thankful for her and maybe, maybe in love with her too. A love he can't define in words.

So, in a daze, he walked towards the kitchen. Almost sleepwalking and stopped on the threshold of the kitchen.

Watching Ritzi cooking a storm in the kitchen. He didn't know what to do, he has never felt this uncertainty. This hesitation in entering the kitchen or talking to her.

He was as close as Ro to her and now, here he is not knowing what to do?

But he didn't have to make the decision as Ritzi spotted him, standing there looking totally lost.

"Virat, needed something? Well, where are those idiots btw? Prisha said you needed to rest and here they are making you work. Wait, I'll take their class those idiots." Ritzi said totally noticing Virat's hesitation.

She hated how uncertain and unsure Virat looked. He was her dearest brother-in-law, her partner-in-crime in teasing Ro. He is her family, her brother in all but blood.

And here, he is looking so reserved and uncomfortable in his own home. It's totally not acceptable and where are those idiots anyway. So, she ranted in front of him like always.

"Well, Is Prisha giving instructions to all of you, now, how to handle me?" A confused yet amused Virat asked Ritika. He didn't quite know why his whole team was doing Jaap of Prisha from the morning.

Rahul, Harry, Kulya, Jassi even Yuzi were threatening him saying "Prisha bhabi ne bola" like really.

Gosh, he didn't know whether to be amused or annoyed.

"Well, I know how to handle you. So, she isn't telling me how to handle you. She is telling me what to feed you and how you shouldn't go anywhere near the gym also." Ritika counter-attacked rolling her eyes at his words. She is handling him and his tantrums since she became Ro's manager.

"What did you want again? You should be in bed like a good boy, you know." Ritika reminded him again watching him stand there looking at her all amused and back in his comfortable form around her.

"I was thirsty and the jug empty, " Virat said looking all too innocent to Ritzi as he forwarded the jug to her proving his point.

She really wanted to pull his cheek and tell him he is just too cute.

"Here" she handed him a glass of water and watched as he finished it all in one gulp.

"Waise why didn't you send those hooligans sitting with you from morning? They can do this little work, you know" Ritzi asked Virat

"They're sleeping and I didn't have the heart to wake them up, " Virat told her truthfully and Ritzi gave in as she ruffled his hairs in a sisterly manner.

"Go rest now, I'll send this jug with Ro," Ritzi said knowing he shouldn't put pressure on his shoulder. He has been shot there for god sake. A few inches down and he would have been shot in his heart. She still shudders thinking so.

Ritzi still can't believe, he has been shot and tortured.

How can someone be so cruel? How can someone hurt her cute, mischievous brother like that?

"But I don't want too, Ri. I've been resting from morning. I'm tired of resting. Can I walk around a little? I promise, I won't exhaust myself"

"Virat"

"Ri, please na"

"Okay, but no going out. why don't you sit on the swing on the balcony? You'll feel fresh too." Ritzi suggested knowing too well that Ro was on the balcony.

And she is sure, he won't let Virat exhaust himself.

"Yaay, thank you" Virat exclaimed hugging Ri lightly as he walked away from the kitchen happy.

"Please God, keep them happy and together like this forever." Ri silently prayed to God watching Virat's fleeting form.

Virat felt that his stamina has become quite low. God, he was feeling weak after climbing stairs for the second time.

And why the hell there wasn't any instant recovery medicine around?

He didn't like feeling this weak and tired.

He needs to start exercising soon and of course, talk to Prisha. He himself doesn't know till when he needs to just eat and rest.

And again, standing in the balcony he was stuck with hesitation watching Ro, Jinks, and Sikh already there. They were sitting on the swing, discussing something.

Should he go?

Should he ask them whether he can join them?

Would they mind if he came?

While he was thinking this, Ro spotted him.

Standing there looking lost. And instantly mother hen Ro stirred.

"Vi, " shouting so he was instantly beside Virat.

"You okay??"

"What are you doing here?"

"You should be resting. I knew it, I shouldn't have left your bedside. They're all useless."

"And what are you doing wandering like this? You're not superman, okay that after battling with guns you'll heal in a day. You need to rest like a normal human."

"And you weren't even supposed to battle guns. You're an idiot, why aren't you resting. You should just sleep and eat. So, that your body can heal."

"And get fat. I don't want to become a panda alright, " Virat snapped annoyed at Ro who was talking constantly not giving him any chance to speak.

Why is he freaking out like this?

He just walked, he didn't climb any mountain for Ro to panic like this.

And just sleep and eat. He'll turn into a mammoth in two days if he did just that.

"Abhi bhi fitness, you're injured need to recover but who cares right but I'm not allowing you to enter any gym, alright," Ro warned Virat angrily

"Who are you to not allow me?" Virat asked him annoyed. His body was aching badly again and this guy is questioning him? And then looked surprised realizing what he spoke.

He really needs to get his tongue under control.

"Your best friend and brother. You can't do anything without my permission, got it. Well, I'm your guardian angel, Vi..." Ro told Virat bossily and Virat looked at him totally shocked.

He thought Ro will get angry or upset. But he never expected Ro to make it clear what he was to him.

"Aah, " Virat winced though he was going to tell Ro that he isn't his guardian angel that's Mahi bhai. He is the annoying devil in the back of his mind.

Who pipes in whenever he is near yummy food telling him: "Virat look it's so tasty, it will feel yum have a bite na" but instead he ended up wincing.

Damn it, how come his body becomes so weak??

"Vi, what happened?"

"Did you tear any stitch again?"

"What's hurting?"

"Should we take you back to the hospital?"

And like that his three besties i.e Ro, Jinks and Sikh were panicking beside him.

"Nooo" Virat screamed when Sikh asked him whether they should take him back to the hospital.

"No, no hospital and I'm fine, it's just my body is aching." He confessed truthfully.

He was unceremoniously hauled up by the three of them and dumped on the swing.

"And that's why you were supposed to rest, mister, " Ro announced bossily again as he slumped next to him.

And he ignored, his bossy git of a bestie.

"What's aching Virat? Are you sure you didn't aggravate any stitches?" Jinks asked him worriedly as he scanned him, checking him for any damages.

"Nops, I'm pretty sure. It's just weakness" he answered Jinks truthfully not wanting to worry him and really, Jinks need to check him like this.

"And that's why we need to stuff good nutritious food inside you," and there goes Jaat, Ji.

Why everyone wants to feed him??

"No, you don't need to stuff food in me, " He dismissed Sikh instantly noticing the glint in his eyes.

And he knows Sikh enough to know that won't end well for him.

He and Sikh knows each other since his Delhi Ranji days. While Jinks and Ro also knew each other playing for the Mumbai Ranji team.

So, they were always close but they become besties when they were in the ICT.

Sikh-Ro-Vi-Jinks the four besties. They were inseparable.

Sikh was the mast maula of the group. The one who didn't give a damn about the world.

Jinks was the calm, collective one. The one you won't ever call a prankster looking at him. Everyone will be like he is a good boy and we are the trouble makers. But don't ever let his calm look fool you.

Ro, well Ro is also known as the goody-two-shoes. Sharma Ji ka beta who can't do any wrong but trust him when he says: "His Ro is a devil"
And the heart of their group.

And then there is he, the bestie of these three. The chaos maker and the synonym of trouble.

You can check the records if you want, Ro and his and Sikh and his partnerships are destructive. Well, when he and Ro plays together the entire nation just prays "God no runout, please"

He loves them and sometimes when Mahi bhai used to get fed up with them. He was like "you guys won't share rooms, no, not under any circumstances you will share a room with any of these three."

Mahi Bhai had put him up with poor Bhuvi. Ro was put with Ishant ( Mahi bhai's exact words were dono Sharma jhelo ek dusre ko ab). Shikh was put with Jaddu (yups, that was a perfect recipe disaster) and Jinks was placed with Ash.

The experience wasn't good for any of them. They were begging Mahi bhai to rethink this point. They weren't comfortable with anyone else. Means as long as it was with Shikh,  Jinks, and Ro. It was fine.

They were besties and absolutely comfortable with each other. But no, Mahi bhai was in his "keep them away from each other" mood. Yeah, they kind of had locked Zak pa in the washroom, hid his luggage and spilled juice (by mistake) on his bed.

So, Mahi bhai was sure they needed to be punished for this prank and they absolutely couldn't be together. If together they'll plot and have the courage to do more such pranks.

So, they absolutely needed to be kept away from each other.

Poor Bhuvi, who was new to the team at that time was like "what have I done to bear this??"

Feeling the silence around them stretching awkwardly. Virat decided to break it.

"You're not my guardian angel, Ro that's Mahi Bhai," he said dryly bringing Ro back from his frowning mood.

"Why? Why can't I be your Guardian angel?"

"Firstly because a guardian is always older than you."

"Well, I'm one year older than you."

"I'm 3 years older than you"

Both Ro and Shikh countered immediately as Jinks facepalmed.

Were they really debating on this right now?

"And still I'm not calling any of you bhaiya ever, " Virat deadpanned

"But it will be fun na, " Shikh whined

"Just imagine the chaos the media will create if in a press conference you by chance let slip Rohit bhai is the best," Rohit said his eyes twinkling with mischief

"No, " Virat denied instantly

"Areey but their reaction will be amazing just think na Vi, "

"The world will go mad thinking when did Ro became Rohit Bhai" Shikh added totally in support of Rohit.

They could clearly see the chaos.

"And then I'll post an Instagram live video saying Virat is the most annoying younger brother ever," Ro added gleefully

"It'll be so fun, Vi. More than your fake rift and rivalry" Shikh added totally in support of Ro. He'll be the one shooting all the videos.

Think the headlines "Rohit Sharma calls Virat Kohli Annoying? Why did Rohit Sharma say this? Peep in to know?" Shikh spoke dramatically

"And we can trend on twitter as perfect brothers. Sikh and Jinks can add our videos on their feeds. Like Ro looking lost without his Vi? Oh god, it'll be fun." Rohit announced looking all gleeful and planning everything in his mind.

Virat gave him an are you really serious look?

While Jinks interjected in the crazy plans. If he left them like this, they'll somehow plan to destroy something or someone soundly.

"If you were feeling weak then why are you wandering like this? Shouldn't you be resting?" Jinks asked Virat knowing well that sitting still was a very difficult task for Virat.

"I was thirsty and...."

"And...' All of them looked at him with a look that said if you lie, we will know.

" I...ugh, I kind of wanted to talk with Prisha, " Virat said rubbing the back of his neck and he didn't know why was he feeling shy??

"Oooooh"

Okay, maybe because his besties gave this kind of reaction.

"Ohh, about Prisha Virat remember you promised us, You won't date any girl..." Ro started sounding very serious and Virat interjected before he could complete his statement.

"I'm not breaking my engagement because you guys don't approve, " Virat said giving Ro a look which Ro ignored and finished his statement.

"As I was saying before someone interrupted, we approve of her. She is good for you."

"And your engagement isn't considered legal as we weren't present there. So engagement will happen again." Shikh finished Ro's statement sounding very pleased with himself.

Virat looked at them like they had lost their brains and gave Jinks a look that screamed: "even you're on board with this crazy plan?"

And Jinks affirmed with his eyes and Virat groaned.

"What if I had married her?" He asked them

"Well, we wouldn't have considered it legal then too. You can't get married without us. So, after approving her we would have made you marry her again with all of us present." Both Ro and Shikh spoke in perfect sync and Virat groaned.

God, they have gone mad?

"Umm...you were about to call Prisha, I guess." Jinks reminded Virat with a mischievous smile.

"Yeah, It'll be good to inform her about this re-engagement thing," Ro said totally seriously.

"Yeah, we need to fix a date too," Shikh announced totally innocently as Virat just glared at the three of them.

"Areey call kr na, " Jinks asked Virat watching him looking at them

And Virat gave him a "not you too" look.

"Mein ni, meko ni baat krni ab" Virat said pouting

"But humein krni hai na, " Ro spoke eagerly

Virat pouted.

Ro snatched Virat's phone and unlocked it.

Yeah, his fingerprint also unlocks Virat's phone.

And he is surprised, Virat didn't change it after their fight.

"Ro, no......" Virat warned Ro watching as the phone was unlocked.

"Ro, yessss" Jinks and Shikh screamed drowning Virat's protests.

He is an idiot.

"What's happening here???" Mahi bhai asked them sounding highly suspicious as he looked at mischievously grining Ro, Sikh, and Jinks.

And Virat facepalming.

Virat perked up hearing Mahi bhai's voice.

"Mahi Bhai," he said totally in a "dekho yeh log mujhe pareshan kr rhe hai" tone.

"Tu yaha kya kr rha hai? Neeche  saare pagal ho rhe hai Tu kaha gayab ho gya yeh sochkr." Mahi bhai asked the poutingVirat

"Paani"

"Yaha knsa pani milta hai??" Mahi asked Virat with arched eyebrows

"Mahi bhai, They were troubling me na. Ro even snatched my phone see" Virat complained like a little kid complaining about his pencil being stolen pointing at Ro, Jinks, And Sheik.

Who nodded their head in negative hastily denying the accusations landed on them.

Mahi didn't know what to do with these four or to be truthful with any of them.

Sometimes not sometimes, most of the time they act like kids and then there are times when they'll act like grown-ups.

"But..."

"Bhai see Virat was strolling the whole mansion when he should be resting. You should scold him." Ro interrupted Virat while Mahi took a long-suffering sigh.

Now all of them will debate on who he should really scold?

"Come inside, Right now" he ordered them in his no-argument tone.

And nodding like little kids they got up from the swing and walked towards him.

Ro and Jinks holding onto Virat, who looked totally annoyed with this hovering.

When they were on the steps walking downstairs. They heard Harry yelling on top of his voice "Virat gayab ho gya."

Followed by Jassi's yell of "Don't scream, "

And Mahi couldn't help but think he had gotten the world's craziest family.

"Ek se badhkar ek character hai sb yaha, "

But all the characters loved each other a lot too. Mahi thought fondly as he made his way downstairs amidst the chaos.

~to be continued~

Okay, not the heart to heart I wanted. But that's in the next part, I guess.