The squad for the SA series was declared and Mahi was back in the team. The whole team had worked hard enough to make Mahi forget the dreadful incident, making him feel loved and important. After all he was the most important person to almost everyone. 

The 3 match ODI series had been levelled 1-1 and it was the series decider match today. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. They put up huge score of 324-5 making it pretty difficult for chasing. Rohit and Shikhar went to open the innings. But unfortunately for India, Shikhar's wicket fell on 18 runs. Virat joined Rohit on the crease. They produced a steady partnership of 76 runs but as luck would have it Rohit got out. Harry too was not able to do much and score was 144/3. That's when Virat signalled for Mahi. Virat knew that now only Mahi would be able to fish them out of this trouble. After all it will be the Mahirat duo on the pitch together.

The whole stadium once again stood up on their feet screaming extra hard than what they had been doing till now. The chants of 'Dhoni Dhoni' could be heard quite clearly.

"DHONII DHONIII"

"THALA DHONIII"

"DHONIIIIIIIIII"

Virat looked at Mahi and smiled a big smile. Mahi smiled back as he took strike. Morris bowled the first ball to him. Mahi missed it. The second ball met the same fate. The third was a lucky escape, if not then Mahi would have definitely ended up in the hospital. Virat had started feeling worried now. Mahi bhai missing three continuous balls was not something that we generally see. And Morris was bowling normal deliveries, not some very extraordinary balls, that Mahi bhai wasn't even able to pick it. It was worrying. Very worrying. He realised that Mahi had lost his confidence due what happened in the past few days and he needed just one shot, just one, to bring back Mahi's bhai confidence in himself. 

The next ball, Mahi managed to pull it to the covers and Virat took a blind run to get Mahi to the non-striker's end. His main concern was to not let Mahi Bhai get hurt now.

Unknown to Virat, Mahi was feeling more than a little dismantled. He was feeling under the weather to be precise. He tried but couldn't get the ball on the bat. He didn't know why but all that happened in the past few days started to haunt him. He tried to push those thoughts away, tell himself that it's over, everything is fine now, but failed miserably. He saw Virat run blindly, almost getting out on 47, just to protect him. Virat hit the next ball for a boundary, the last ball was a dot ball and the over completed without any further mishaps.

During the over break, Virat walked up to Mahi bhai. "What happened Bhai? You seem a little.... down. Is something bothering you?", asked Virat. 

"No Cheeku. I'm fine. It's nothing", said Mahi, trying to put on a happy face, but it's Virat we are talking about. He saw right through the façade.

"Bhai..", Virat began, but couldn't say anything further as the umpire signalled for the next over. "Be careful, Bhai. Don't get hurt", he said as he went to his end. 

Mahi nodded as he took strike again. On the first ball of the next over, Mahi again tried to connect it but again he missed it. What's happening to me? he thought, furious with himself.

He was starting to feel helpless when his eyes automatically landed on Virat's. Virat's worried but pleading eyes seemed to scream "WE NEED YOU BHAI" at him. Mahi suddenly saw a flash in his mind. Why was he doing this? His team needs him, his country needs him and most importantly his younger brother has to say to him that he needs him? Isn't he supposed to know that already? The people who matter are loving him, trying to make everything normal for him, his Cheeku also had an outburst a few days back due to this sole reason and still he is dwelling on the words of those utterly ridiculous people who just want to put him down. Who don't know him at all? 

Mahi felt disgusted with himself for even thinking that way. He steeled himself up. No, I can't do this to them. They need me, and I will play for them, he thought fiercely, as took his stance.

What followed was totally the show of the Great Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The balls were blasted all over the stadium, with some beautiful running between the wickets, by both Virat and Mahi, thus bringing back the dangerous Mahirat duo.

Virat watched as Mahi Bhai came back into his vintage lethal form. He was feeling fearfully happy all of a sudden. As Mahi reached his fifty, Virat hugged him with all his might, bursting with joy.
"I'm so happy, Bhai", he whispered into Mahi's ear. Mahi broke the hug and scanned Virat's face, and the next moment he knew that he can hit many more such fifties just to see Virat's face light up with happiness like it was now.  

They chased down the huge total within 48 overs with Virat completing his century by hitting a beautiful cover drive on the last ball. He and Mahi hugged each other with genuine beaming smiles on their faces. The whole team was on top of Mahirat hugging them and screaming in happiness like there is no tomorrow. 

For it was a normal ODI series win for the world, but for them it was much more. They got their Mahi bhai back, well, almost. 

The team celebrated wildly, until the commentators announced the presentation ceremony. Virat was given the adjudged player of the match, but he called up Mahi on stage too, quoting that, "I couldn't have done it if it was not him on the other end. Him being there gave me the confidence to execute my plans."

Mahi looked at his Cheeku, and suddenly felt himself to be a jerk, to have even thought of leaving him and the team. What was I thinking? How can I ever think of leaving them, he thought. He side-hugged Virat and grinned at him. Virat grinned back. 

When the anchor requested Mahi to say a few words, he spoke in his typical diplomatic tone, "I am happy that I was able to perform for the my team. We needed a long partnership and I'm glad Virat and I produced one, and took India home. He was exceptional", he said the last line looking at Virat, but beneath those words were some unsaid emotions.

I'm proud of you, Cheeku.

Me too, Bhai.

After wrapping up the presentation ceremony, and posing with the trophy, the team returned back to the dressing room. Everyone was very happy and full of energy even after playing a 100 overs of cricket. Harry and Rishu were all but clinging to Mahi while Jassi, Kuli and Yuzi were pounding on Virat. The seniors shared indulgent looks, seeing Mahi Bhai smiling and laughing his heart out with the kids. Somehow, after calming the kids who were on fifth gear, they all managed to get to the hotel, where the celebrations continued.

It was after a good two hours, that Mahi got Virat to himself, because both of them were being hoarded the whole time. 

"Mahi Bhaaiii", hollered Virat, as he jumped on Mahi for the nth time for the day. Mahi held him with a smile on his face. "We won, Bhai, we won", said Virat, his voice suddenly down to a whisper. 

Mahi pulled back from the hug just to see Virat's misty eyes and smiling face. "Yes, We won, Cheeks."

Not only the match, we won a lot more Mahi bhai, we won you. We won you back, said Virat through his eyes as he suddenly found it difficult to speak.

I won myself back, conveyed Mahi, his own eyes getting moist.

At that moment, Virat knew Mahi bhai was okay. He was fully back. Virat was over the moon to have his Bhai back, happy to see his confidence back. He knew Mahi would be alright, he knew because no matter what happens, even if the earth starts revolving in the opposite direction, still he knew Mahi would be alright. 

"I LOVE YOU SO MUCH BHAI", Virat suddenly shouted startling Mahi.

"I love you too, kiddo", replied Mahi, though surprised by this sudden voicing of affection by Virat.

Then turning a little serious, Virat pulled out of the hug and said, "Just remember one thing Mahi bhai, I will always be there for you the same way you are there for me. Whenever you need me, you will always find me by your side."

Mahi was stunned but he composed himself and said, "I don't doubt it, Cheeku. And I never will"

Virat spent the whole night in Mahi bhai's room, talking about every possible topic, playing FIFA, just enjoying each other's company. At some point, Mahi looked at Virat, who was immersed into the game, and realised how lucky he was to get a younger brother like him. Who didn't listen to anyone and believed him blindly.

May I be able to keep his faith always, Mahi silently prayed to God, before going back into the game.

Mahi was always thankful for his life and grateful to this game of cricket. This crazy game that has given him all he has.

It has given him elder brothers like Dada, Sachin Paaji, Rahul Bhai, who were always there for him.

It has given him best friends like Yuvi and Sonu, who had always stuck with him.

It has given him a whole lot of little brothers like the one sitting in front of him, who love him to the end of this world.

It has given him a family which is with him forever.

And he will remain grateful forever.

 -----------------------------The End----------------------------

So, here goes the last part of my first ever book. Tell me how it was....

Thank you for all the love that you all have showered on my book, I don't think I would have ever got the confidence to write further if not for your comments and votes. Thank you so so so much. I'll be grateful to all of you. LOVE YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART💕

Anyways, It's lovely to read your comments so please comment. It makes my day..

Love,
Baishali💖