Requested by @shewillhuntyoudown
This is from the pre ranji finals time.

~~

"Vi I am not getting a good feeling about this, when did you last talk to him anyways?" Rohit asked Virat on the video call.

"Ro you are unnecessarily worrying yaar, Jinks isn't like us. We overthink everything he doesn't." Virat said but he himself wasn't completely convinced.

Rohit just shook his head and was going to say something when Ritika called him, "Ro look what Rads is saying." She came in to see Virat on the video call.

"What happened Rits? Are they ok?" Virat asked. "No Vi, nothing is right. Jinks is thinking of retiring." Ritika said.

"What???" Rohit and Virat exclaimed together in shock. Ritika just nodded her head remorsefully.

Rohit gave an 'I told you' look to Virat and he just looked down guiltily.

"Vi meet me near his house, we need to see to him." Rohit said, now angry. "Obviously how dare he decide something like this without talking to us." Virat said with equal fervour.

"You guys are not going there to shout at the poor man get it?" Ritika said firmly and they just nodded their heads like the obedient students they most definitely were not.

~~

Rohit knocked on the door which was opened by a visibly tensed Radhika.

She let them in and asked them to follow her to their room where Ajinkya was sitting.

"Bagh na yaar Ro tyala, retire honyachya goshti karto aahe." Radhika said and Rohit nodded "Baghunach gheto tyala atta" he said. (Look Ro he's talking about retiring)
(I'll really see to him)

"I think you guys can talk in hindi right?" Virat asked sarcastically feeling left out.

"Shut up Virat, let's go." Rohit said as he dragged him in the room where Ajinkya was sitting reading a book.

Ajinkya looked up startled to see Rohit and Virat here out of the blue.

"What? Why are you calling me Virat?" Virat asked pouting and Rohit gave him a displeased look.

"Isn't that your name idiot?" Rohit asked smacking the back of Virat's head.

"Roo you don't call me that, and why are you now calling me an idiot? Am I not your best friend now? I knew you are as it is sticking to that lambu." Virat said sitting besides an irritated Ajinkya, crossing his hand.

"What ths hell are you talking about Virat, why do you always drag that poor Polly in all of this." Rohit asked frowning.

"See did I even take his name? But you-" Virat was complaining further, "CAN YOU GUYS STOP FOR ONCE?" Ajinkya yelled storming out into the lawn.

Rohit and Virat were just stupefied, staring out at the retreating form of Ajinkya. "Did he-" Virat started, "Loose his cool?" Rohit completed.

Radhika facepalmed as she smacked both their arms, "Are you here to help my husband or increase his problems?" She asked sarcastically.

"Mi aahe na Rads Tu kaalji karu nakos I'll make everything right." Rohit said and dragged Virat who was definitely going to ask what was said. (I am there na, you don't worry)

~~

"Jinks we are sorry na." Virat said shaking Ajinkya endearingly. Rohit sat beside Ajinkya on the couch and Virat occupied the other side.

"What happened Ajju?" Rohit asked and kept a hand on his hand so as to reassure him.

Virat did the same and when Ajinkya looked at him, he smiled his warmth filled smile.

"I don't know guys, I don't think I can do this anymore." Ajinkya said finally looking down as a tear rolled down his cheek.

"Why do you think so Jinks?" Virat asked. "I am not playing like I used to Vi, my cricket is finished." Ajinkya said as he wiped the tear.

"You remember what you told me just before that Asia Cup in 2022?" Virat asked and Rohit looked at him questioningly and Ajinkya just nodded.

"You know Ro, he told me that the numbers are not the indication of your sport but the will to play is." Virat said looking at Rohit.

"So Ajju do you really think you have no will to play and would be ok quitting this sport forever?" Rohit asked.

"All of these people on the social media are nothing but just that, faceless people who literally don't matter." Rohit said pulling out the phone from Ajinkya's pocket which had twitter open on it. He shook his head and kept that phone on the table.

Virat gasped seeing that, "Jinks what? You always berate us for going through those trolls and overthinking it. And here you are doing the same?" Virat said glaring at him.

"Not only that Vi, sir was a step ahead of us. Thinking about retirement." Rohit taunted.

"Shut up guys, I need your comfort and you guys are just shouting at me." Ajinkya said as he now made a show of wiping his tears.

Before he could complete that show, he was smothered in a bear hug by both of his best friends.

"Tell us honestly, do you really wish to quit?" Virat asked and Ajinkya shook his head.

"That's like our Ajju." Rohit said as now Ajinkya was literally suffocated with the love of these two people who had come to be a huge part of his life.

"I know you'll come back stronger." Rohit said softly.

~~

And did he come back stronger, winning the finals of the Ranji trophy and bringing it homs to Mumbai.

Rohit was waiting for him in the dressing room. As soon as Ajinkya entered he was attacked by Rohit as he jumped on him for a hug.

"Didn't I tell you, you would come back stronger?" Rohit said excitedly getting away from Ajinkya after that hug.

"I knew it too." Virat yelled from the phone which was on the table nearby.

Rohit looked at Virat and they both yelled in unison, "CONGRATULATIONS." and just like that, with the two of the most important people in his life, Ajinkya felt like even if he had failed, which he did not, he would have been ok.

Just because of them, he would be ok. Just like he always was.

A/N: Please vote and comment your views. Requests open :)

Till next time Toodlesss :))

Words: 1000+