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"Rohit, if Sammy wakes up, you'll have to deal with me" Ritika whisper-yelled at him.

"But Rits, I'll quietly put her next to Vamu," Rohit said timidly, earning a glare from Ritika.

"Sammy and I are staying right here. You want to go back to your Vi, right? Then go, sleep on the couch," Ritika said, tossing a pillow at him.

"Alright, fine, come outside," Virat muttered to himself, leaning against the door and eavesdropping on their conversation.

"And yes, remember, if this door closes, it won't open until after the finals," Ritika warned him with a deadly stare, causing Rohit to pause.

"Yeah, so what are you waiting for? Go get your jersey and kit," Virat mumbled again.

"No, forget it. I'll discuss the strategy with Vi in the morning," Rohit said halfheartedly, lying down. Ritika smirked while Virat sulked outside.

"Huh, he's such a coward. If Nushkie wasn't sleeping in the room, I'd send him there without a second thought. It wouldn't be a problem at all," Virat mumbled to himself as he headed toward his room, but stopped in his tracks when he heard the voices.

"Oh please, Shubh, admit it—you get clueless infront of papa" Sara said, annoyed, during their video call.

"Oh please, I had cramps today; otherwise, I would have made a century," Shubman said defensively.

"Yes, I told papa the same thing—look at the dedication. Then, a little while later, Dad showed me the reel of you and Ishan, the one you liked," Sara remarked sarcastically, and Shubman blushed.

"Hey, I was just appreciating the editor. It was such a cute edit," Shubman replied.

"Why is it that whenever I talk to Papa about you, you end up doing something silly? Sometimes you get out after scoring just 9 or 10 runs, other times it's those stupid reels, like doing Karwa Chauth with Ishan or something else—always something," Sara huffed in annoyance.

"Well, look at your dad too—he sits there with those black glasses on, as if I make a single mistake, he'll issue a death sentence for me," Shubman complained.

"SHUBH??!!" Sara shot him a warning glare.

"I know he's your dad, but he's also Sachin Tendulkar, you know," Shubman remarked.

"Yes, and you and Ish..." Sara abruptly trailed off, staring at the screen and leaving Shubman puzzled.

"Who's that behind you?" Sara asked, causing Shubman to turn around and look behind the sofa.

"Virat Bhaiya You, here!" Shubman said, astonished, while Sara was also taken aback by the unexpected discovery.

"Why are you sitting there? Come over here and relax," Shubman said, making space beside him, while Sara sighed.

"Uh, no, I just happened to be here and was about to leave," Virat said with a sheepish smile, and Shubman seemed convinced.

"Come on, bhaiya, sit here for a while," Shubman said, pulling him over, and Virat settled down casually.

"Hey Sara," he waved, and the girl smiled in return.

"Hello bhaiya, you played so well today! I mean, kya record toda hai apne papa ka!" Sara chirped, amusing Virat.

"Ha, thanks! I appreciate it," Virat replied, a bit awkwardly.

"You know, I've been watching that clip on loop; it has a special kind of magic in it," Sara said, and Virat smiled at her compliment, while Shubman sulked at the interaction.

"Yeah, Virat bhaiya, you're the best!" Shubman chimed in, jumping into the conversation and draping an arm over Virat's shoulder.

"Um, thank you, guys. That's really sweet of you," Virat said, feeling a bit awkward.

"Virat bhaiya, it's incredible how you've got everything sorted. A stable career, a loving wife, a daughter, and a best friend—everything's in place. What clarity you have!" Sara said, while Virat looked at Shubman, bewildered.

"I mean, those who admire you should take a page from the clarity you have in your life," Sara remarked, and Virat smirked at the sulking Shubman.

"Well, in my long life, the only lesson you've picked up from me is clarity, Sara," Virat laughed, making Sara feel a bit self-conscious.

"Well, no, bhaiya, but clarity is important too, isn't it?" Sara said, while Shubman remained silent.

"Sure. By the way, what were you guys talking about?" Virat asked eagerly.

"Nothing much, bhaiya," Shubman said dismissively.

"Nothing much, actually. Bhaiya, we were just discussing how dumb Shubman acts in front of papa," Sara teased.

"Well, if we're talking about today, it was just a stroke of bad luck, you know," Virat said, defending Shubman, who grinned in response.

"I know, and I don't doubt his skills or anything, but every time I try to talk to Papa about him later, he ends up doing something silly. Ugh, I'm so fed up with it," Sara said. Virat hummed thoughtfully, realizing this was the first time they were discussing their dynamic with someone.

"And I know how possessive Sachin Paaji is about you," Virat said, and both of them nodded in agreement.

"Bhaya, please help us. Can you talk to Sachin Sir for us?" Shubman pleaded.

"Why are you getting me into trouble, Shubhi?" Virat thought to himself.

"Seriously, Shub, what will Virat Bhaiya talk to him about?" Sara said with a sharp edge in her tone.

"Come on, you don't know? He's Virat Bhaiya, and Virat Bhaiya can handle anything because he knows everything and is never wrong. That's just how it is with him—he's always right," Shubman said, while Virat smiled broadly and Sara shook her head.

"Okay, I have an idea. There's something you both can do," Virat said calmly, piquing the curiosity of the other two.

"What is it? Hurry up and tell us, Bhaiya!" their voices echoed in unison.

"You all should just run off and get married," Virat said casually, causing Shub and Sara to spring up in surprise.

"WHAT??" they exclaimed in unison.

"Bhaiya, what are you saying?" Sara asked, clearly shocked.

"Bhaiya, I think you might be tired," Shubman said, both concerned and shocked.

"No, no, I can't do something like that," Sara said, shaking her head.

"Shahneel Di and Ishan will kill me, and if there's anything left after that, Sachin Sir will finish me off," Shubman gulped, fear evident in his voice.

"And marriage—I mean, it's way too early, you know?" Sara said, and Shubman nodded vigorously in agreement.

"Calm down, kids, calm down. I'm not really telling you to get married. Just pretend as if you've run off and gotten married," Virat said, leaving them confused.

"What? Why?" Shubman asked impatiently.

"Look, just see Sachin Paaji's reaction. If he believes it after a while, it means Shubman has a chance. But if he doesn't buy it, just say that Jaddu dared you both to do this prank. Simple," Virat said, shrugging casually, making the other two think it over.

"What are you thinking? You guys are sure about each other, right?" Virat asked, and Shubman and Sara glanced at each other and nodded, making Virat narrow his eyes.

"Sure," Virat said sarcastically, causing Shubman to stammer.

"Um, we don't really know, Bhaiya," Shubman admitted honestly.

"Yeah, we don't even know what our parents would say and all those other things, so we never really thought it through deeply," Sara said, and Virat sighed.

"Ugh, kids these days. You know, even when I wasn't dating Anushka, I had clarity about things. And then there's you two," Virat boasted, causing the duo to smile awkwardly.

"No worries. When you run off, you'll have the clarity you need about whether you want to go through with it or not. And if you decide midway that you don't want to run away after all, just come back. It's not like anyone's really forcing you to run away," Virat said casually, observing their uncertain expressions.

"Yeah, but where will we run off to?" Sara asked.

"Come on, go to a temple. Where else do people run off to get married? Just go there, take a selfie with the priest, and come back. It's simple," Virat explained the plan to them.

"But Bhaiya, isn't this a bit much? I mean, we can talk things out directly with them," Shubman asked.

"Hmm, alright, give it a try then," Virat said, and Shubman immediately backed off.

"But Bhaiya..." Sara thought.

"Come on, kids. You just said I'm the clarity king and that I have all the answers, so just do what I'm saying," Virat insisted.

"Okay, Bhaiya," they agreed reluctantly.

"Yeah, so why are you just sitting there? Get ready to run away," Virat said.

"Do we have to run away right now?" Shubman asked.

"No, tomorrow morning, get Sachin Paaji's blessing and then run away with his daughter. The day after is the final day—there won't be time to run away then, so whatever you need to do, do it now," Virat said, giving him a light whack.

"Okay, fine. I'll handle the packing—wait, no, packing isn't needed since we're not actually running away. Umm, I'll find a temple through Google Maps" Sara said quickly.

"I..... I'll go and call a cab," Shubman said.

"Hey dumbo, what cab will you find at this hour? Just run away like this," Virat said, and Shubman nodded, feeling both nervous and excited.

"Okay, Sara, come to the gate. I'm coming," Shubman said, hanging up and heading out.

"Bhaiya, how do you have so much experience? Have you ever tried this yourself?" Shubman asked, star-struck.

"No, actually, I was very interested in doing it, but our family was so easy-going about it. They didn't put up any fuss or make a scene," Virat said, sounding disappointed.

"What are you standing around for? Go on, and don't stop. If I say run, then run. You have to be back by morning. If Rohit finds out..." Virat said, trailing off as he muttered to himself. Shubman got up and headed out.

"Okay, listen, take care, and on your way out, make sure to puncture all the tires of the cars," Virat said as Shubman ran outside.

"Let Sara know too!" Virat shouted, but Shubman was already out of earshot.

"Oh wow, this is so exciting!" Virat said as he sprinted back inside.

"Ishan, Ishan, wake up!" Virat said, shaking Ishan from his beauty sleep.

"What is it, Shubhi? We'll talk in the morning," Ishan mumbled sleepily.

"Hey Ishan, it's me, Virat. Wake up—Shubman has run away!" Virat said, shaking him.

"Why? What has he done now?" Ishan asked.

"Hey, Shubman and Sara have run away to get married!" Virat said, and Ishan woke up with a start.

"What? How can Shubhi get married without me?" Ishan said, half-asleep, as he got up and bumped into Virat.

"Hey, open your eyes—I'm standing right here," Virat said.

"Where did he go?" Ishan asked.

"He just left; he shouldn't be too far," Virat informed.

"I... I'll go now," Ishan said, slipping on his slippers and running outside.

"Hey, you're wearing one of Shubman's slippers!" Virat yelled, but Ishan had already disappeared.

"Ah, whatever." Virat shrugged casually as he read a text from Shubman, stating that he and Sara were heading towards the temple.

"Nice, now what should I do? Oh yes, Nushkieeee!" Virat said excitedly, singing to himself.

A/N HEY GUYS THAT WAS THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THIS OS. IDK IF YOU GUYS FOUND IT A BIT BORING BUT BE PATIENT AS THE REAL FUNS BEGINS IN NEXT CHAPTER. PLEASE IT IS A FICTION AND TAKE IT AS ONE AND DO TELL ME IF YOU GUYS LIKED IT. YOUR COMMENTS AND VOTES WILL BE APPRECIATED. KEEP READING <3