MI camp
29th april, 11:00 p.m.

Jassi, Hardik, Sky and Ishan were huddled whispering something amongst themselves in Sky's room.

"But they'll feel bad no? Like they have been left out?" Ishan asked feeling bad for the other MI boys.

"Ishu we'll not tell them no, and it's better than facing Virat's wrath. He had strictly told me to keep the MI celebrations separate." Hardik said.

"Plus if he sees Polly sticking to Ro bhaiya, hell will break loose." Jassi said, horrified at the mere thought.

"Ok then, is everything ready?" Sky asked looking at Hardik, "Yes, only the cake is remaining." He said casually.

Hardik heard the collective shocked gasps and promptly received a smack from Jassi, "Do you have any sense of organization Harry? I knew I shouldn't have entrusted you with anything." Jassi said.

"Don't worry bhaiya, I already have a cake, I knew Harry bhai would cause some blunder." Ishan said laughing.

~~

Virat who was told or to be more precise ordered by Jassi to sneak in quietly through the back door, was tip-toeing inside the MI camp.

He looked around the familiar camp, having been here multiple times, before he collided onto someone.

He gasped seeing who it was, "Mahi bhai!" He exclaimed and Mahi immediately shushed him, "Don't shout." He said.

He looked at Jaddu and Jinks and smiled his evergreen smile at them. They carefully went towards Sky's room and knocked.

The MI boys, discussing amongst themselves got startled hearing the knock, "Bhaiya what if it's Akash or Tilak?" Ishan asked nervously.

"Wait let me check." Jassi said putting up his big brother hat on, but slumped immediately seeing his big brothers as he hugged Mahi and Virat.

He ushered them inside, and they again were attacked with more hugs. "So now you guys are here, where are the others it's already 11:15." Hardik said impatiently.

"Wait what do you mean by others?" Virat asked narrowing his eyes.

Mahi rolled his eyes, "Do you really think our ict family will not come to wish Ro? It's like a yearly routine now, get used to it." He said.

Just then the door was knocked again and Virat was going to open the door before Ishan pulled him back.

"This is MI camp bhaiya, you are not supposed to be here." Ishan whispered and Virat nodded his head solemnly.

They looked back at the door to see Yuzi, Dhruv, Ash and Yashasvi coming in while talking about something in hushed tones.

"Did Jos really see us?" Ash asked and Yuzi nodded his head, "He also said that he'd like to come." Yuzi said.

Virat scowled at that, "Benstokes! Is he here with you?" He asked, Jaddu, Hardik and Yuzi burst out laughing.

"Obviously no bhaiya, Ben Stokes might be in England." Yashasvi said and this caused Ishan to join in the laughter fit of Hardik and Yuzi.

"Kiddo he was asking about Jos." Mahi said trying his best to not laugh because the poor boy already looked embarrassed, "No bhaiya obviously we did not bring him." Yuzi said.

Mahi glared at the four to make them stop laughing and not embarass the kid further.

"Good, because literally everyone is behind my Ro." Virat said pouting like a child.

Ishan's phone pinged with a notification, he checked it and facepalmed himself, "Shubhi is lost, and can't find the way. Wait I'll go and get him." He said as he hurried out of the room.

On his way, he saw Shreyas and Rahul talking, which looked more like they were fighting and Rinku who was looking like he could be anywhere rather than being in the middle of this.

He rushed towards them and pulled them to a side, "Why are you fighting like that in tbe middle of the loby? What would have happened if someone had seen you bhaiya?" He asked exasperated that he had to do Rohit's job.

"He said that Ro bhai will like his gift more." Shreyas accused glaring at Rahul. Rinku looked at Ishan helplessly.

"Obviously he will, I am more thoughtful than you plus he loves me more. I don't be a brat and increase his headache like you." Rahul shot back, glaring with equal fervor.

Ishan took a deep breath, and now understood how Rohit must be feeling when he and Shubhman fought.

"Can you guys please continue this in Sky bhai's room? Anyone can see you here." Ishan whispered, gritting his teeth.

Rahul and Shreyas promptly stopped the glaring battle and nodded understanding the situation.

Ishan, along with Rinku, heaved a sigh of relief, "I'll go get Shubhi who is being a lost puppy, please don't fight till you get in the room bhaiyas."

Ishan moved towards the gate, muttering something about Virat and Mahi bhai will handle it now.

He spotted Shubhman standing behind a vase which did nothing to hide him. He snorted a laugh and went towards Shubhman.

"You know this does nothing to hide you, lambu." Ishan said trying to reign in his laughter in an effort to not get noticed.

Shubhman still looked at him like he had hung the moon and not teased him. Ishan rolled his eyes and dragged Shubhman along towards Sky's room.

~~

"Oh god it's 11:30 already where are Bhuvi, Rishu and Kullu? They are the only ones remaining now." Virat asked, to no one in particular, pacing back and forth.

"They'll be here, calm down bhaiya." Jassi said placatingly, which was apparently of no use.

Bhuvi came inside pushing the door open and everyone looked at Ishan and Shubhman pointingly.

"You did not close the door." Jassi said and Ishan and Shubhman just looked down apologetically

"Calm down cheeku, see Bhuvi is here Rishu and Kullu will come too." Mahi said and just then the door bell rang.

"These rooms have door bells?" Hardik asked, like he had solved some missing puzzle. Yuzi and Jaddu also joined in, "We don't have bells back at our RR camp." Yuzi said.

Jaddu also nodded his head, "We also don't have one, we knock on the doors." He said.

"What are they even discussing oh god." Ajinkya asked Mahi and they just face palmed.

"Kunaach kaay tar kunaach kaayar." Ajinkya mumbled under his breath. (Idiom meaning- the situation is something and the people are discussing something altogether different.)

The door was opened by Sky, to see Rishabh and Kuldeep looking like they had escaped the lion's den.

They immediately rushed inside and were bombarded with questions.

"Whete were you?"

"We'll be late."

"We were waiting for you."

"What took you so long."

Mahi and Jinks looked at each other, like they were so done. "Stop it!" They both said at same time.

"Why were you late?" Mahi asked calmly once everyone was silent.

Rishabh who looked terrified sighed hearing that tone, "Bhai Ricky almost caught us." He said.

Kuldeep nodded, almost frantically, "We were so scared." He said and Virat frowned.

"But Ro said he's not as strict as he looks." Virat said and Rishabh and Kuldeep shook their heads, "That might be because Ro bhaiya is everyone's favorite." Kuldeep said.

"Ok enough of all this let's go now, it's 11:45." Jassi said bringing everyone's attention back for the thing they were gathered here for.

Everyone nodded, "Be extremely quiet because we are a lot of people." Mahi warned everyone.

~~

Rohit was sitting in his room looking some emails Ritika had sent him to look into, on priority basis.

He actually was kind of upset and was just trying to distract himself. No one had talked about his birthday this year like they always do.

Be it the kids, or Mahi bhai, everyone always fussed about how to celebrate him. But this time no one uttered a word about it.

It wasn't like he was a huge fan of birthday celebrations, but truth be told be was spoilt by them only.

He was just immersed in his thoughts when he heard some commotion outside of his room.

He opened the door and his eyes widened in shock to see everyone standing there.

They quickly entered his room, and in no time his empty room, was now filled with people and love.

Rahul came forward and made Rohit sit on the chair, while everyone stood around him, like making a protective circle around him.

They started the count down and ended it with a big and a very loud Happy Birthday, which Rohit was sure was heard by everyone.

He cut the cakes which were kept in front of him by Ishan, Virat and Mahi. As soon as the cake was cut he was promptly attacked with cake.

His face, his t shirt, his hair, his arms even his neck was smeared with cake now. All of them took pictures and Rohit let them, he let them take those embarrassing photos and he let himself be immersed in their love.

He knew that no matter if he won the world cup or not, no matter if he was a captain or not, he'll always be loved by these precious humans.

A/N: I obviously HAD to overcome my writing block for today.

I honestly got into cricket just because of my parents' obsession with Sachin sir and then I as an  individual liked Mahi first.

But then I fell in love with Virat and Rohit and have never looked back. Honestly for me they are Cricket and I can't imagine growing up without watching them.

So here's to the man who'll always have my heart, Happy Birthday Ro I love you 💗