The time Rohit got to know about Virat gaining consciousness, the rest of the team were being dragged out of Virat's ward. All of them reluctant through the Kids were in the form of statue and had to be literally dragged out of the room.  And the news was forwarded to the doctors to check on the patient, after all, the ruckus that has been created in the room.

When Rohit was informed about the matter. He was on cloud nine and burning in a fire of self-torment simultaneously. He wanted to see Virat and the wait was killing him. Literally and the gloomy looks of his teammates weren't helping the matter too.

After what appeared an eternity to Rohit but were just a few minutes, Prisha existed Virat's ward. She told the nurse something and let him enter the ward.

Rohit's lips trembled watching his besties condition. Virat was lying on the bed with squinted eyes as he grinned at him and all Rohit wanted to do at that moment was sob hard.

Virat looked so much in pain and Rohit couldn't help but blame himself. Even though that idiotic best friend of his was grinning. Ro couldn't help but notice the pain lines on Virat's face. He couldn't help but notice how Virat leaned a little more on his left side. No doubt, his friend was paining badly on the right side.

Unknown to Ro, Virat's whole body was painting it was just the right side was being unbearable. So, he was leaning on his left and watching his bestie stand there looking as if he is about to break down. Virat actually didn't know what to do? So, he tried to beckon Ro to him yelling happily. Well, he wanted to yell but he didn't succeed in doing so. His voice still came out as a harsh whisper.

"Oye Ro, why are you standing there looking constipated. Come here, join the merry party."

Hearing Virat's instigating words Ro wanted to be angry. He wanted to yell at his bestie but he couldn't the fear of losing him, the way he hid his pain wasn't ignored by Ro. He couldn't scream or shout watching Vi's this condition. No matter, how hard he tried all he could do was sob as he clung to Virat.

Repeating sorry again and again like a broken tape crying and Virat held onto him forgetting all his plans of acting angry just to torment him. He forgot everything besides the fact that he couldn't, just couldn't see his Ro crying. He hated when Ro cried. He wanted Ro to be angry, he wanted Ro to scold him, call him stupid. He would even take a punch from Ro in this condition but he just couldn't take Ro's crying. It felt like his heart was breaking with Ro's and yups, he will take physical pain over Ro's cries any day.

After what felt like an eternity, Ro calmed down after hearing Virat's repeated I'm not angry with you, statements. You weren't at fault and I also acted like an idiot.

Yes, you did" Rohit wanted to snap and then scold Virat in a total Jadu like manner but watching his friend's droopy eyes, tiredness and pain. He felt like cursing himself again.

Virat is weak, he should be resting and not consoling him. So, Ro hastily wiped away both of their tears and ordered Virat sternly "sleep"

"I'm not a baby" Virat rebuffed looking totally sleepy yet not wanting to sleep.

"Well, you're proving otherwise," Ro grumbled annoyed as he patted Virat gently. Wincing every time, his fingers gently traced over the scars on Virat's torso. He is surely going to kill someone very soon.

"What are you doing?" Virat slurred holding onto Ro's hand.

"Putting you to sleep"

"I'm not a baby" Virat denied vehemently but he was really speaking almost gibberish to Ro right now.

"Could have fooled me?" Ro said with a gentle tug on the corner of his lips. He couldn't help but smile watching his best friend acting like a baby.

"Idontwantyoutogo.....butimnotababy" and at last Virat was actually speaking gibberish like a baby and Rohit couldn't help but smile. Only, Virat can make him smile like this even without trying too.

"Sleep, I ain't going anywhere, " Rohit promised, ruffling Virat's hair and watched as even in the brim of sleeping he made an annoyed sound. Rohit couldn't help but gently massage Virat's hairs.

He watched as his friend slowly-slowly relaxed in the lands of slumber and Rohit couldn't help but look at Virat's pale sleeping form. The numerous healed cuts which have left scars on his torso.

The scars Rohit would have never known about if this didn't happen. Rohit couldn't even think about how Virat played in that match with all these wounds? Then again this is the same stupid human who batted with eight stitched on his hand.

How can he even think the person who batted with eight stitches on hand during an IPL match, won't play totally injured during the world cup finals. He won't play when his team needed him.

Ro couldn't help but feel like scolding Virat. what was this idiot thinking? Didn't he know, he'll totally lost and miserable without him? Didn't he know, he can't spend even a day without bickering with him? Heck, even now in this condition they were bickering. How will he live without teasing him? Whom will he boss around? Who will make excuses for him? Who will save him when he forgets his own anniversary? Who will help him with the last-minute gift shopping?

Ro couldn't help but be angry at Virat for not thinking about himself. Even kids have better survival instinct than this idiot with obsessive love with for the game. Huh, he is so angry on Virat yet with each look at his wounds Ro continued getting more pissed on himself. How couldn't he notice his best friends misery?

And because he was acting like a stupid person drowning in his self misery. He hurt his best friend more, couldn't he just keep aside his anger and hurt aside for even a single time. He could have prevented all this only if he called this idiot once.

They would have fought, bickered but in the end, it all would have been alright but now it wasn't. His Virat was in so much pain and he could have prevented it if only he tried.

Rohit didn't know why but he suddenly had a very strong urge to shake Virat awake. What if this all ends up a dream? What if Virat never opens his eyes? What if he fails to talk to Virat again? No, no he needs to wake Virat. He needs to make sure Virat will wake up again.

Rohit could feel the panic gripping his cells with every single thought of Virat not waking up but he took deep breaths calming himself.

"Virat will be fine. He will wake up. He will come back. He always does. He said so." Rohit chanted in his mind, reminding himself that Virat needs to sleep. He needs the rest.  He is going to be fine.

Calming himself Ro continued looking at his friend, noticing the pained lines on his face. The creases on his forehead, his whitening hair. He was clearly younger than him but getting white hairs.

"Humph, don't know to care about himself but still will walk with the burden of the whole world. Idiotic stupid moron" Rohit mentally ranted and scolded a sleeping Virat.

A Virat who seemed to smile with each of Rohit's scolding words. Smiling, he mumbled gibberish in his dreams cutting Rohit's angry rants.

"NoRofight......bromancegoalsonly."

And Rohit couldn't help but smile again, his bestie was really a child and Ro didn't know why but he had a gist Virat was dreaming about him. He better be if he dreams about that AB. Well, Ro will surely haunt someone for the rest of his life.

Ro didn't know when he fell asleep thinking about Vi, cursing AB remembering AB's one interview where he said he was scared of telling Vi about what he likes anymore as Vi will gift that thing to him.

And yes, Rohit was furious. why will his bestie gift that guy anything he mentions he liked? This was so wrong, totally not acceptable. Virat is his bestie. He will gift Virat things and Virat him. Well, he doesn't even need to gift Virat things he can take anything he likes from Virat without informing him. After all, he is his bestie. Whatever is Virat's it's his too by default.

Rohit fell asleep with that pleasant thought holding onto Virat's hand. He didn't want to sleep, he wanted to care and look after Virat the whole night but sleep consumed him unexpectedly.

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"Ro"

"Oye, Sharma Ji"

"Ro" the insisting continues poking and probing of an evil soul disturbed his peaceful slumber.

Rohit woke up, totally unhappy that the prospect of being shaken awake. He was sure this was Virat's work but as soon as Virat's name raised in his mind. The past few hours tagged along like a free commodity too.

And the pain and fear jolted awake Ro without any delay within seconds he totally was awake and staring at Jinks whose hand was resting on his shoulder and then his eyes landed on his brother still sleeping peacefully.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know when I fell asleep. I'm really sorry."

Jinks never thought a day will come where Rohit will apologise for falling asleep but it was happening, right now. Rohit Sharma was apologising for falling asleep.

"It's fine, Ro. Even Vi is asleep." Jinks brushed aside his apology knowing Virat's condition affected them all very badly. No one was the same.

"Oh! When did you come?"

"Just now, you should go home and rest for some time."

"No, I am fine"

"Ro"

"No, I ain't leaving him till he wakes again"

Jinks knew arguing with Rohit was futile. So, both of them sat beside Virat's bedside. Waiting, lost in their thoughts. Both of them as opposite as possible to each other yet connected by the fine thread of friendship.

And their wait got over when Virat woke up with a gasp looking all panicked, scaring them too.

"Virat, you okay? What happened is it paining? Should we call the doctor? Of course, we should." Both Jinks and Rohit asked Virat simultaneously sounding totally panicked and looking incredulously guilty.

"I'm fine, guys." Virat tried to shake away their concerns but his raspy voice betrayed him just fine.

"Call the doc, Jinks," Rohit commanded Jinks ignoring his bestie.

Jinks nodded and turned to walk out of the room but Virat's pitiful voice stopped him from going.

"Don't go na Jinkya...I'm fine." Jinks turned around to find Virat looking at him miserably, shaking his head in an indication to not go and Jinks gave in.

Virat watched as both of his besties hovered around him looking all guilty and about to start a sorry Puran and Virat wasn't under any condition wanted to deal with that in the morning.

"No, more sorry, please. I am not angry at anyone."

"But"

"No, buts I missed you all," Virat said lost in his own thoughts, remembering the way he craved to meet them. He really thought he lost them for good.

"We missed you too. Don't ever scare us like that" Jinks muttered embracing Virat careful of his wounds while Rohit snuggled on his other side.

"Yeah, otherwise I will definitely lock you in a room and I'll make sure you don't touch your phone ever leave any social networking sites and I'll feed you only greasy food." Rohit threatened half-heartedly though he was really contemplating locking away Virat under their observation.

Neither Ro nor Jinks missed the way Virat flinched hearing the word social media and they remembered the backlash. They didn't even want to imagine what kind of messages Virat got to flinch even at the name of social media. Yups, they were definitely avoiding media and telling others to do the same.

"Well, Kulya will save me from you meanie people," Virat mumbled glaring at Rohit.

"I will order him not too," Rohit drawled

"He will listen to me. I'm his fav bhai." Virat reminded back Ro cheekily

"Whatever helps you sleep." Ro shrugged it off as Virat narrowed his eyes at him and then turned to Jinks.

"Jinkya, tell this big meanie to shut up, " Virat complained totally like a child to Jinks

Shut up, Ro" Jinks repeated Virat's words off handy at Ro.

Ro spluttered indignantly while Virat looked too smug with an expression screaming "look he listened to me".

" you traitor" Ro accused Jinks as Virat snickered and turned his glare towards Virat pointing his finger at him as he said very seriously "you baby"

"You meanie, I'm not a baby" Virat retorted back looking at Jinks to support him.

"Yes, your choice of words makes me totally believe it," Ro said rolling his eyes and even Virat did so as he huffed and turned to Jinks.

"Jinks my brother tell this sleeping beauty to not call me baby."

"Jinks tell this baby to shut up, I wasn't the one sleeping for two days continuously."

"Jinks tell him that he can sleep for more than two days continuously if we don't wake him up. He is a Kumbhkaran."

"Kumbhkaran and what you're the wizard of oz?"

"Oye, shut up you two gits and act your age. Virat don't rile up Ro and Ro stop doing the same to Vi." Jinks commanded both of them resting his hands on his waist. The calm composed Jinks can act like an angry father only because of these two hooligans he calls his bestie. Hooligans who can't help but even bicker in the hospital.

"Yes dad" Rohirat muttered together mockingly as the three of them unexpectedly starting laughing which ended with a sudden yelp of pain from Virat.

"Laughing is really a bad idea, right now," Virat muttered to himself but both Ro and Jinks heard him.

"Dard kisi ko hua, asoon kisi aur k nikle" phenomena could be totally witnessed there when Virat yelped in pain but tears sprang in Ro and Jinks's eyes.

Not paying any heed to Virat's protests this time. Jinks went and called a Doctor to check on Virat. After checking on Virat the doctor warned Virat to not move much or do anything that can tear open his stitches.

Virat tuned out the doc's words but both Ro and Jinks heard everything with great attention. They were ready to make sure this idiot doesn't do anything idiotic in general.

After that Virat chatted with them a little more and then fell asleep due to the effects of medicines. After Virat fell asleep Virat sent Ro back home to rest and stayed with Virat then he was changed on the shift by Mahi Bhai. People generally have a person staying in the hospital but because they were ICT and all of them wanted to see Virat. It was decided after an hour, the shifts will change.

This thing continued for the coming days. Everyone sat beside Virat's bedside complaining, crying, scolding, consoling.

It was Virat's last day in the hospital and Harry was sitting beside Virat. He had fought really hard (read whined) until everyone gave up. No one wanted a Harry induced headache though Jassi and Rahul were ready to fight for that spot. But they were stopped by Mahi bhai and Ro who didn't want to bear Harry's whining.

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Harry was sitting beside Virat chatting merrily. Well, not exactly chatting. He was speaking (boasting) while Virat listened to his boasts genuinely liking to hear his voice.

"Chiku bhai, you know I have this magical chewing gum after eating which you can hit sixes,"  Harry told Virat very seriously and Virat only smiled at his words with a feeble reaction of " really" not at all the reaction he was expecting.

"Yes and you know I was even teaching Mahi bhai my original helicopter shot," Harry said very proudly and Virat just ruffled his hair with a smile.

"Well done, Harry" it wasn't the reaction Harry was expecting. He hadn't been scolded by his Virat Bhai for what felt ages. He hadn't been glared at or given a "shut up, harry" look. He hasn't been called "you're an idiot" by his Virat bhaiya for ages and he didn't like this at all.

"Oye, why did you suddenly go silent tell me what else you did?" Virat bhaiya asked him so genuinely that Harry was visibly terrified something was very wrong with his Chiku bhaiya.

"Oh! I was planning to castrate Sanju Manju." Harry said totally cheerfully even though he was feeling depressed from inside.

"Really," Virat bhai said sounding amused and Harry knew something was wrong. Yet, he entertained Virat with his animated talks even though he wasn't getting the reactions he wanted.

So, while chatting with Virat Bhai he sent two messages. The first one to his Prisha Bhabi. Yes, he succeeded in getting her number before anyone else in the team.

H: heya, bhabs can you take the night shift today?

P: Yeah, sure but won't Ro mind?

H: Naah, I've some very imp work with Ro bhai.

P: Alright, then.

The second message was sent in the team group chat.

H: important team meeting tonight.

Rahul: who let you call team meeting? 🙄

Rohit: I've night shift with Virat.

Bhuvi: what are you planning? 🙄

H: I talked to Prisha bhabi, she will take the shift and I need to talk about Virat bhai. Something is wrong.

Jadu: you've Prisha's number?

H: not the point Jadu bhaiya

Kuliya: what happened to Virat bhai?

Rahul: where will the meeting happen?

Rohit: my place.

As Harry said something was wrong with Virat. Everyone agreed to the meeting and it was kept in Rohit's place. Where the whole team was already staying.

Feeling accomplished Harry snuggled with Virat, telling him about how he was trying to find a girlfriend for Yuzi and even preparing his Dance moves for Virat's wedding until Prisha came to take the night shift.

"Heya bhabs, you looking beautiful." Harry complemented Prisha acting like a prince as he got down from Virat's bed.

He had climbed in it saying he was feeling sleepy and the bed have sufficient space for him. He just wanted to snuggle to Virat knowing Kulya, Jassi will snatch this spot as soon as they got the chance.

"Hey" Prisha greeted them looking at both of them with raised eyebrows, totally amused by this team's antics.

"Bhabi Jaan, I protected this man with my whole honour now I'm handling him under your protection,"  Harry spoke totally dramatically

Prisha chuckled at his antics as he left the ward giving her a side hug and she took her seat beside Virat muttering "he is totally crazy"

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Harry was the last one to reach Ro's place where he found everyone sitting in the living room looking all grim.

Mahi bhai looked the most worried and Harry thought back to his words. Yes, it was really a worrying matter.

"What happened Harry?"

"What happened to Virat?"

"What's wrong with him?"

The numerous questions bombarded him suddenly as he sulkily took his seat beside Rahul and announced dramatically "Virat Bhaiya, Just won't scold me."

Surprising the whole room.

"And this is what's wrong with him?" Bhuvi questioned back Harry not believing his ears. Did this idiot make him worried sick thinking various horrible scenarios, just to announce this?

"Yes," Harry replied back like it was the most important thing in the whole world.

"Harry, " Mahi bhai began warningly but Harry cut him in between speaking in a tone that signified how worrying Virat not scolding him was to him.

"But bhai, he didn't even call me out when I said I taught you the helicopter shot. He just ruffled my hair."

"Well, that's odd" Sikh stated the oblivious

"Yeah, Virat didn't even guffaw when I told him about the haunted house story of Jamnagar and the highest building. He even genuinely wanted to hear about my incident with that lion in Jamnagar as if he believed me. I mean, yeah they're the truth but Virat doesn't react to them like that." Sir Jadeja added the startling incidents he witnessed with Virat.

"He won't call me Rahuliya, not even once," Rahul complained in a whiny tone while the team looked at him like he has grown two horns.

"Why will he call you, Rahuliya?" Harry demanded totally interested but Rahul didn't give any answer to his pestering.

Even Mahi bhai thought that Virat was a little too clingy with him these days and when he spoke to him it was like Virat wasn't speaking his mind. He was filtering his thoughts first before speaking.

Ro and Jinks realized the same with under thought that Virat looked a little panicked if anyone mentioned leaving or they weren't beside him after he wakes up.

Every single member of the team thought about the changes they noticed in their captain while they spent their time beside his bedside and frowned realizing he was acting a little different really.

All of them suddenly realized something was really wrong with Virat when Kuliya's timid voice echoed in the whole room.

"But he is the same with me, " kuliya mentioned softly watching the others frowning

Then why was Virat acting differently with them? The other's couldn't help but ponder quite loudly.

~to be continued~