Samaira's birthday is on Dec 30 so the next day also the team is staying in Rohit's house only.
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The Indian Team has decided to welcome the new year together from Mumbai and Rohit's house has got enough space to accommodate everyone along with their families. They all had so much fun together and made way to the new beginnings leaving behind the fights and regrets of the previous years.

After spending a good amount of time with their loved ones, it's time for the men to leave for another tournament and though this time it's only for a month, it was an emotional moment to let go of one another.

After Shreyas left for the airport, Shresta, Shreyas sister confronted Ananya.

"Bhabhi, let's go to the hospital".

"Shreshta relax, I am fine", replied Ananya with a smile.

"No you are not...just look at your face, how pale it is? I doubt how Shreyas ignored your health?", asked Shresta knowing well about her brother.

"I told him it's because of weather change and there is nothing to worry about", replied Ananya.

"Bhabhi, please don't ignore your health. I was so scared yesterday when you were about to faint and since then I am observing you are not as active as you were before...your diet also reduced. Please let's go and get the tests done", requested Shrestha.

"And I am warning you, I will tell this to Shreyas if you don't visit the doctor today. Only because you wanted me not to tell him anything before his tour, I was quiet", threatened Shreshta making Ananya smile with happiness looking at her care.

"Okay baba, I will go", agreed Ananya.

"I will also come with you", insisted Shrestha.

"Not needed bacha, you have shoot today right. I will manage...don't worry", assured Ananya.

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In the hospital after consulting with the doctor and got done with all the tests, Ananya waited for 30 minutes to get the reports and now she is sitting in the doctor's cabin while the doctor was examining the reports.

"Mrs. Iyer, there are complications near your throat. Do come back with your husband tomorrow, we will discuss further. I will give you medicines", saying which the doctor was about to scribble a prescription when Ananya interrupted.

"It's okay mam, I can take it. Tell me what is the actual problem".

"Well, we shouldn't discuss all this with the patient but all the reports are pointing to oesophagus cancer Ananya and you delayed it already.  I think the symptoms might have started two months back and you have been ignoring it...am I right?", asked the doctor looking at Ananya.

"I don't remember properly mam, it's true that now and then I used to face difficulty in swallowing food but nothing so significant. Are you sure doctor?", asked Ananya to make sure that what she heard is right.

"Well, that's the problem with this disease, it won't show much effect until it worsens. Still, let's go for a second opinion. I will send these reports to another doctor and let's see what he has got to say. Don't worry because of the improvements in medical field, the survival rate is high", said the doctor with an assured smile.

"Thank you, doctor", saying which Ananya walked out of the room and as soon as she stepped out of the hospital, tears rolled down her eyes and all the memories she had since she first met the Indian cricket team to the time she spent with Shreyas flashed in front of her eyes. She didn't knew when she got into the car waiting for her and how she reached her home, as she was all lost in her thoughts. She came out of her thoughts hearing the driver's voice.

"Mam we reached"

Wiping her tears, she went in.

Looking at her, Shreshta immediately asked "what did the doctor say?"

Gulping down and forcing a smile onto her face Ananya replied "it was just a mild food poison...nothing to worry"

"Oh thank God", saying which Shreshta hugged Ananya.

"I will go freshen up", said Ananya moving into her room.

Closing the door, she immediately opened her tab and started researching about oesophagus cancer, the treatment and the survival rate. She also went through the after-effects of going through surgery and chemotherapy. All the articles she went through has decreased her hope of a bright future.

As she was battling with her heart and mind as of what to do further, she received a call from Shreyas. Looking at the time she picked up the call instantly.

"Shreyu, you are okay? You must still be on a flight right...why did you switch on your mobile?", asked Ananya being worried.

"I am fine Anu. How are you?", asked Shreyas.

"Come on Shreyu, it's been just 6 hours since you left...what will happen to me?", chuckled Ananya trying to sound normal.

"I don't know Anu, I started feeling restless suddenly. I will make a video call as soon as the flight lands", said Shreyu.

And after Ananya assured that she is fine, Shreyas disconnected the call.

The next day, the doctor confirmed that Ananya has to get the surgery done in the next two months. All night Ananya was thinking about her disease and what to do further. Looking at the survival rate, she didn't feel like taking a chance...so she thought she would go with the flow and decided to burn the reports as she didn't want anyone to know about it.

After taking the pictures of the reports, she burned it away and decided to live the remaining few months of her life as per her wish. She didn't want to be the reason of worry for her husband or her brothers. They always need to have a smile on their face whenever they remember her.

Ananya hid all her pain and suffering and was taking her medicines regularly.  After the tournament as Shreyas returned back, one day

"Anu, if they are not your friends, oh my God...I wouldn't have entertained them", complained Shreyas joining Ananya in the kitchen where she was placing snacks in the tray.

"Why? Didn't you like them?", asked Ananya with a smile.

"Oh no they are too chipkali types", replied Shreyas moving closer to Ananya.

"You didn't like anyone", Ananya asked again and this time her tone is a bit disappointing as she wanted to find a good partner for Shreyas before she leaves so that he won't feel lonely.

"Hmm...actually I like someone", said Shreyas thinking deeply and moving closer to Ananya. Pulling her towards him,

"And her name is Ananya", saying which he kissed her cheek making her blush. As Ananya was busy with her friends,

"Anu, my phone is dead, can I make a call from your phone?", asked Shreyas and Ananya agreed not thinking much.

He unlocked the phone and as the call button is beside the gallery, by mistake it opened, and looking at her cute selfies, he couldn't help scrolling down. And he landed upon a white sheet and as he looked closely, he got the shock of his life.

He sent it to his mobile and left the house immediately. He reached Virat's house and collapsed on the couch.

"Shreyu, is everything alright?", asked Virat looking at his worried face.

Without speaking anything, he showed his phone and looking at which Virat shouted.

"Shreyu, this report dates back to last month. Why didn't you inform us before?".

"I got to know today itself", replied Shreyas holding his head with his hands.

The whole hall was filled with silence. After what seemed to be an eternity, Shreyas broke the silence.

"Bhai, she will be fine right?"

Virat looked at Shreyas who was about to breakdown. Putting his hand around Shreyas shoulder, Virat took his phone and dialed the hospital's number.

"Hello, this is Virat speaking, can I talk to Dr. Kavitha?", asked Virat.

"Sure sir, give me a minute", replied the receptionist.

As the call got connected with the doctor,

"Dr. This is Virat Kohli, Ananya Iyer's brother. I wanted to ask about her health condition"

"Thank God you called. I have been asking her to get me in touch with her close ones but she was not at all willing to. She has already wasted one month sir. We need to do surgery as soon as possible. Please talk to her and convince her. Though the survival rate is low her age would be a booster for her. We will do our best and delaying more would only complicate things", explained the doctor.

"Okay doctor we will get back to you as soon as possible, thank you", saying which Virat disconnected the call and looked at Shreyas who was looking at him with a lot of hope.

"Shreyu, she will be fine. We will make sure of that...okay?", Virat tried to assure Shreyas but it was more like he was trying to convince himself.

He immediately dialed Ro, and Mahi bhai's number connecting them in a conference call, and informed them.

In a few hours everyone gathered at Shreyas house, Ananya felt very happy about their surprise visit which was short-lived as they announced the reason for their arrival.

"Guys relax, I am fine and I don't want to die being stuck in a hospital", said Ananya.

"Will you please shut your mouth", shouted Shreyas and even others were very angry with her as she hid such a thing from them.

"Listen, I didn't want you all to get worried...I have done good research and when death is inevitable...why to delay it by chemo and all which would only make things difficult for me and you all", Ananya tried to justify herself.

"Bhai, it's a waste of talking to her. Let's speak with the doctor and ask them to arrange everything for the surgery", said Virat to Mahi.

"Anu, there are many people who defeated cancer and you will be one of them. Okay, I only want you not to lose hope...if not for you at least for us...is that clear?", asked Mahi for which Ananya didn't respond.

"Anu, I am asking you something?", this time Mahi's voice is stern and Ananya just nodded her head in agreement having no other go.

"Good, Cheeku take appointment for tomorrow. We will go and visit the doctor", said Mahi and Virat did as said. The remaining time was spent with all the girls spending some quality time playing with the kids while the men were discussing the surgery and they left no stone unturned in contacting all the doctors in their circle to know more about it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------That's all for today guys, hope it's not that disappointing.

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Thank you,

Praahi.