Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: The Taj, Mumbai

After a tremendous series win against West Indies, the BCCI had called for a get together in the hotel the team was staying in to felicitate the gamechangers of the series, namely Virat, for his fabulous century, Jassi, for his amazing spell, and Harry, for the fantastic fielding. 

A special mention to Virat here. He was tremendous in this series, scoring runs but playing risk-free cricket. He had remained unbeaten in the run chases finishing the games and taking the team to victory. Not to mention the brilliant captaincy. And guesses who was the happiest seeing this?? Well, who else, the one who calls Virat his own, the one who's Virat is the absolute favourite, the one who is lovingly called Mahi bhai by the entire team.

Yes, Mahi bhai was beaming when Virat received the award from Dada, who was also beaming proudly at Virat's achievements. Dada gave a small speech on how happy he is, how proud he is of Virat and how lucky Indian Cricket is to have a gem like Virat. Virat and Dada also had a whispered talk on the stage due to which Virat laughed out and Dada hugged him lovingly. While watching all this, Mahi was having a different kind of feeling, but he was not able to put a finger on it. But he didn't get to think more about it as Virat had walked up to him and was hugging him. He hugged Virat back and said, "I'm so proud of you", making Virat's face light up like a light bulb. 

Dada went on to give the awards to all the other recipients and everyone else received mementos too as a token of appreciation. 

After the prize distribution, everyone settled down to have dinner. Virat sat beside Mahi bhai and Dada, basically in between both of them. Both Mahi and Sourav smiled at him and ruffled his hair as they started eating. Which resulted in Virat making an annoyed face towards them both, because he had spent half an hour to style his hair for that evening. Mahi saw his face and laughed out while Dada shook his head muttering, "Kids".

"Hawww, Vi. Your hair is looking like a bird's nest", teased Rohit, knowing very well that Virat will be annoyed more because one thing Vi loved is his perfectly styled hair. And how can one let go of an opportunity to tease one's best friend?

"Yes Vi, it looks like some birds just pecked on your head", joined Jaddu, because why not. He also has the rights to tease his Veer.

Virat made a face and turned towards Dada, wailing, "Dadaaaa, dekho naa, everyone is teasing me. Am I looking bad? Is my hair looking like a bird's nest?", bringing out his best puppy eyes.

"No, Cheeku. You are looking very good. Everyone, stop teasing him and eat your food", Dada ordered to stop the discussion- about- to- turn- into- debate atmosphere. Well, the boys around him were looking fully ready to debate back and forth on the topic "Whether Vi's hair is looking like a nest or not?" and were seriously looking seconds away in making him the moderator. So, he commanded them to stop the din. Virat gave all of them a smug grin and a happy one to Dada, before diving into his plate. 

Dada shook his head again, totally missing the slight frown on Mahi's face.

When Virat turned towards Dada after being teased, the uneasiness he felt after seeing Dada and Virat's camaraderie on the stage returned back to Mahi. Mahi couldn't help but feel a little down. "Virat always wails to me when cornered, but why didn't he do so now?", Mahi thought, completely forgetting that he was also teasing Virat and Dada was the only person not teasing him. So, it obvious for him turn to Dada.

But, no, he chose to dwell on the fact that Virat did not wail to him. He does not say this but Virat giving him all the importance and attention is something he really cherishes. So, now with Virat giving attention to Dada made him feel a bit..... jealous. And he tried to slap that thought away but he couldn't. 

Both Virat and Mahi were batty about each other. If Mahi can be jealous on someone's behalf, then it is Virat Kohli, no, not Virat Kohli, his kid Cheeku. He even forgot the fact that he was being jealous of his own Dada, because of his nonsensical thoughts. 

Just then, Virat noticed him not eating and just cutting a cucumber slice into many more little slices with a fork. "Bhai, why are you eating? Why are you murdering the poor slice of cucumber?", asked Virat loudly, and everybody turned towards Mahi. 

"What happened Mahi, why are you not eating your food?", asked Dada, confusingly looking at Mahi.

"Nothing, I was just thinking something", said Mahi sheepishly. Dada shook his head exasperatedly, at his insane kids. God, he just wanted one sane kid, is that too much to ask?

"Why are you staring at me now? Eat your food", said Dada and Mahi immediately went back to his food, while Virat snickered. Apparently it is too much to ask, concluded Dada., looking at Mahi and Virat.

After dinner, most of the people retired to their rooms for a good night's sleep. Virat, Mahi and Dada decided to go to Virat's room and spend the night together. Rohit also wanted to stay but he got a call from Ritika and his patutie Sammy so he had to leave. The three people were sitting in a circle and talking about everything existing in this whole world. Dada even told Virat some hilarious stories about his Mahi Bhai and Yuvi Paa, which rendered Mahi sulking and Virat laughing.

They were chatting when suddenly, Dada felt a weight on his shoulder. He saw that it was Virat, who had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Dada patted Virat's head lovingly and signalled all the others to stop talking. He carefully lifted Virat's head and rested it on his lap, making Virat sleep properly on the bed. Virat unknowingly snuggled into Dada's lap as he made himself comfortable. Dada smiled at the child sleeping peacefully on his lap. And they call him arrogant and aggressive, thought Dada, running his fingers through the kid's hair.

Unknown to Sourav, Mahi was watching all this unfold with eyes filled with jealousy. He didn't know why but he didn't like everything that happened right now. Cheeku always slept on his lap, so many times, and now seeing his Cheeku sleeping peacefully on Dada's lap he could help but feel more than a little jealous. It didn't once cross his mind that Virat had fallen asleep and his head fell on Dada's shoulder and Dada being the awesome elder brother he is, didn't have the heart to wake him up. 

"Dada, I'll make Virat sleep on the pillow", said Mahi eagerly

"No, Mahiya. Can't you see he is looks so tired. Let him sleep as he is sleeping. You go to sleep", said Dada looking at Virat's tired face. Of course he would be tired, after playing a match and dancing so much in the party.

"But Dada...", Mahi tried again. He could not say that he wanted Virat to sleep on his own lap, but he obviously couldn't say that. 

"It's okay, Mahiya. You go to sleep. I'll be okay", said Dada, thinking that his Mahiya might be worried that he will have to sleep sitting all night and might get a back ache, which was somewhat true but a little bit. Dada had no idea that a major part of his kid's mind is filled with jealousy.

Just then, Virat rolled over and fell off Dada's lap. Dada could barely control his laughter at the childish guy. Who will believe that this same guy is the fierce captain of the team if they saw him right now? Dada caressed Virat's hair and kissed his forehead. And Mahi, although was feeling quite angry, couldn't help but smile at his kid, sleeping like a baby. He and Dada made Virat sleep properly and covered him with the duvet. They both also laid down beside Virat, and slept off in an instant.

Late into the night, Mahi woke up due to his sandpaper like dry throat. He didn't want to wake up at all but his throat had some other plans for him. He, very lazily sat up and picked up the water bottle from the side table with half open eyes. He drank the water, kept the bottle back and turned towards the people sleeping with him. And what he saw made his eyes go wide. Virat was sleeping with his arms and legs draped over Dada and Dada had his one hand on Virat's head, which in turn was on Dada's chest. It was a cute sight but not so cute for Mahi.

Why is Cheeku sleeping like that? Aajkal toh main usko dikhta hi nhi hu (He doesn't even notice me these days), thought Mahi begrudgingly. 

Cheeku's this behaviour had started getting to Mahi now, a lot. Mahi didn't once think that all of this might have been a coincidence because Virat had unconsciously hugged Dada in his sleep. And over all, Virat loved Dada too, because he was his Mahi bhai's Dada and also a lot more like him.

But Mahi could only see his Cheeku getting unusually closed to Dada.

And Mahi was getting more and more annoyed.

Very annoyed.

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There goes the first part, tell me how it was....

I was awwing very much while writing this chapter because I imagined so many cute moments in this. And there would be more cute moments in this story and an even cuter Mahi Bhai

Hope you all like it.

Love,
Baishali<3