On the next day, everyone was there in the dining area for breakfast except two people and they were RahIya.. The kids Sammy and Vami were the ones who were keeping everyone busy by their antics and all were enjoying with them.

Anu: Yeh Tia kidhar reh gayi?

Virat: Rah bhi nahi aya

The juniors who knew what has  happened looked at each other. They were hell worried for them. Though they were at Athiya's side as she was actually not trapping Rahul but Rahul's behaviour has shocked them all and moreover he was not a person who would come late at any place and here he is almost half hour late for the breakfast.

Soon enough Athiya came there. All could see her red and puffy eyes.

Anu: Tia kya hua kiddo?

Before she could say anything, Virat spoke.

Virat: Are yaar.. phir se nahi uthaya..

Anu: Kya hua?

Virat: Rah ko kab se call kar raha hoon utha hi nahi Raha

Athiya though got worried for him but she remembered whatever happened yesterday and maintained her straight face but her brain and her heart were fighting.

Athiya's brain: Usko jo karna ho kare mujhe kya

Athiya's heart: But you care for him na..

Athiya's brain: But what he did yesterday? Your care should not be for the person who think so low of you

Athiya's heart: Don't forget Tia you LOVE Him.. L.O.V.E love him..

Athiya's brain: Aisa bhi kaisa pyaar jo self respect se uper ho jaye?

And this time her heart could not counter. He has hurted her self respect.

Athiya's heart: Don't forget Tia he is a nice human being. Agar usne sirf crush hone ke nam pe aisa reaction diya hai to there is a chance ki koi wajah hogi.

Athiya (in mind): Nahi.. Mera dil chahe jo kahe, main sirf apne dimag ki hi sunungi. I won't forgive him

Virat: Main check karke..

He said this much when Rahul entered the dining area and sat beside Virat. Athiya sighed internally seeing him normal.. well he looked normal but she felt something off. Virat was glaring at Rahul but he was all oblivious to it.. sitting lazily and rubbing his eyes every now and then.

Virat (quite angrily): What is this behaviour Rah?

It was the first time Rahul looked at Virat after coming.

Rahul: Haan kya hua?

Virat: Kab se hum log wait kar rahe hai tumhara breakfast pe aur tum ho ke half hour late aaye ho. For a change aaj to Ro bhi time pe uth ke aa gaya hai and you came late.

Rahul: Oh yes.. sorry guys

He said it as if his late coming was nothing.

Athiya (in mind): Kaise behave karta hai yeh admi.. aise bol raha hai jaise sab ko bhukha rakhna is normal

Athiya's heart: Tum khud bhi to late aayi thi bahen

Athiya ignored her heart's voice and looked here and there and found almost all were surprised seeing Rahul like this

Rohit: Rah.. tum kabhi late nahi hote

Rahul nodded in yes while rubbing his eyes

Rohit: Aaj itna late ho gaye.. and you were not picking up the calls to Vi pareshan ho raha tha

Rahul: Oh sorry for the delay and about phone.. woh silent pe tha to suna nahi sorry..

He again rubbed his eyes. Virat got more irritated.

Virat: Will you stop rubbing..

He said this much when he realised Rahul was almost rubbing his eyes every now and then and he was behaving quite weirdly. He looked at Him whose hand was still stuck at his eye which he was rubbing when Virat asked him to stop.

As the realisation hit, Virat's gaze instantly softened and he gently took his hand from his eye.

Virat: Phir jalega.. itna rub nahi karte Rahuliya

Rahul: Ji bhaiya..

Virat closed his eyes tightly as he cursed himself internally for not getting what his kiddo was going through by just looking at his eyes which were still hell sleepy.

Harry, Rishu, KulCha all looked at each other including the team too as they all got that something is off with Rahul as he didn't speak his favourite dialogue as well as he called Virat bhaiya..

Virat himself fed Rahul with breakfast making sure that he made him feel that he was there with him.

Once the breakfast was done, Virat spoke.

Virat: Everyone.. be ready at 9:30. We will go for practice.

All nodded in yes.

Virat: Athiya.. Bus se ja rahe hai ya cars se?

Athiya was startled with the question.

Athiya: Ji??

Virat: Bus se stadium jayenge ya cars se?

Athiya: Haan.. woh bus se.. main arrangement dekhti hoon

She left from there. She has almost forgotten about the practice. But now she has decided to focus on her job.

During the ride to the stadium and  during practice session too, Virat made sure he kept Rahul around him or he himself stayed around him. It was not unnoticed by the team and Athiya. Team got that it's needed whereas Athiya's brain was irritated that Rahul was being pampered but her heart was happy that he was having a caring elder brother

Athiya was sitting beside Anu in the dug out. Anu has noticed her puffy red eyes and her eyeing angrily at Rahul whenever possible.

Anu: You okay Tia?

Athiya: Yes Di..

Anu: Kaisa laga yaha ? Team members kaise Lage?

Athiya: Abhi to shuru kiya hai kam. Age dekhte hai.

Anu: Hmm..

Anu: Did you cry Tia?

Athiya looked at other side.

Athiya: Na.. nahi to.. why would I?

Anu: Kuchh hua hai kya? Tumhare aur Rah ke beech me?

Athiya shook her head looking down but a lone tear escaped from her eyes. Anu took her in a side hug.

Anu: Hey Tia.. kya hua?

Athiya: I.. I am not a bad person Di jisko logo ke paiso ki.. unke fame ki padi ho specially cricketers ki.

Anu: Of course kiddo. I know

Athiya: Rahul ko lagta hai ki main aisi ladki hoon just because I have a crush on him

Anu: What??

She was shocked hearing this. She couldn't believe what she heard

Anu: Are you sure Tia? Because I know Rah woh Aisa ladka nahi hai.

Athiya: Maine to unko motivate hi Kiya tha Di game ke liye.. lekin phir bhi unko Aisa lagta hai ki..

She sobbed.

Athiya: Di unko to yeh tak lagta hai ki uss Bus driver ko maine bola tha mujhe aisi waisi nazaro se dekhne ke liye..

Anu was beyond shocked.

Anu: Kisne dekha tumhe aise? Kab hua yeh sab?

Athiya narrated the incident and how Rahul comforted him and then whatever happened in yesternight.

Anu: I am with you okay Tia. Koi ho ya na ho. Don't worry okay kiddo.

Athiya: Thanks Di

She hugged Anu tightly who rubbed her back.

**********************************

It's been two days. Rahul and Athiya were avoiding each other as much as possible. Rahul mostly used to stay in his room if not in the team room. He generally used to come only for meals. Harry tried to talk to him but he used to give him small replies. The limited talk was scaring him.

On the other side, Even Athiya was feeling alone as apart from Anu and few senior players and coaches, the youngsters with whom she has gelled were busy with Rahul.. always trying to talk to him and spend time with him. She thought they will support her but then she realised whom she was fooling.. why would they support her when they have their team mate to support and who is she to them.. a mere manager. Anu too was maintaining some distance with Rahul as she was angry at him for behaving like that with Athiya. Virat has also noticed it and today he was going to clear things.

Virat: Nushkie.. kya hua hai? Why are you not properly talking with Rah?

Anu: Vi.. it's not like I don't want to talk to him normally but I am not able to. Usne Tia ke sath jaise behave Kiya..

Virat: Kaise behave Kiya?

Anu told him everything. Virat cursed under his breath.

Virat: I should have talked to him earlier and asked him in detail what happened. It's not what she thinks Nushkie.. it can never be that

Anu: How can you be so sure?

Virat: Because I know the reason Nushkie.. the reason of his reckless reaction. He was already uncomfortable and this..

Anu: Wait.. Uncomfortable matlab??

Virat sighed.

Virat: Nothing. Main Rah ko bula raha hoon and tum ek kam karo please Athiya ko bulao yaha.

Anu: Lekin..

Virat: It's a misunderstanding Nushkie sach. Please call her.

Anu called Athiya whereas Virat asked Rahul to come there. Virushka kept the door open.

Athiya came first.

Athiya: Di aapne bulaya? Hi bhaiya

Virat: Hi Athiya

Anu: Tia sit na..

Athiya sat on the bed beside Anu and was playing with Vami.

Rahul came there and stood at the door as firstly he saw Athiya there and got disturbed again and secondly he too has observed that Anu was keeping him at a distance and he thought to not bother her.

Virat: Rah come..

Rahul: Bhaiya mujse hi kam hai to hum bahar baat kar lete hai na..

Vami: Rah Cha..

She squealed. She was jumping on the bed while sitting on it. A smile came on Rahul's face. He just waved at her.

Virat: Rah come here and sit beside me.

Rahul came inside and sat beside him. Vami almost jumped from the bed if not Anu held her and put her down. That girl has different level of love for her Rah Cha. Vami ran to Rahul and he picked her up and made her sit on his lap.

Rahul: My Bachcha..

Vami looked at him with her big doe eyes. She stood up in his lap and hugged him. Rahul again felt the same peace in it. Vami broke the hug and poked at his dimples making him chuckled. Athiya saw him smiling and a smile came on her face without her realising it. Anu saw it and nudged her to which she came back to her senses.

Virat: Vami.. beta baad me khelna abhi betho aap yaha

He made her sit on Rahul's lap

Virat: What's going on between you two?

Rahul and Athiya both looked here and there but didn't say anything.

Virat: Look.. I am the captain and I will not tolerate any sort of personal problems amongst Indian unit. Agar zaroorat padi to baki sab tum dono ke against honge. So it's better to speak up

They still kept mum.

Virat: Rah.. Athiya.. speak..

Athiya: I have nothing to say bhaiya.. inko bharosa hi nahi hai.. inko lagta hai that I wanted to trap him..

Rahul cut her.

Rahul: She was just buzzing around me. Accidentally ya intentionally mere aas paas rehna.. woh sab..

Virat hold Rahul's hand. Rahul took a deep breath. Vami saw him disturbed. She hugged him.

Rahul: It was a plan bhaiya.. mujhe.. mujhe fasane ka..

Athiya (quite loudly): I was not trapping you for God's sake.. Why would I trap you when I was happy loving you from far away.. And no matter what no girl can ask anyone to look at her with.. with lus.. in that manner.. jaise.. jaise uss driver ne..

Anu rubbed her arm.

Rahul: Maine kab bola driver ko tumne bola tha?

Athiya: Weren't it you who told that I planned everything.. every moment happened between us?

Rahul (quite angrily): I was talking about the airport meeting, flight and the talk we had in bus.. the way you motivated me.. Not about the driver thing damn it. I can't even think about it when I ..

He stopped and gulped down. There was a silence for a while. Anu was rubbing Athiya's arm and Virat was rubbing Rahul's back.

Athiya: Maine aapko motivate iss liye nahi kiya tha ki apko fasa saku.. you are a great player and you just have to believe that you can do this.. I know you have the ability to make a solid comeback Rahul.. and it's not only me.. my entire family likes you as a player.. aur maine jo kuchh bhi kaha woh unka manna bhi hai.. Main yaha sirf apna kam karne aayi hoon Rahul.. kisi ko fasane nahi

Rahul: I am sorry if you feel maine driver wali baat pe bola lekin frankly main uss motivation ki baat kar raha tha. Driver.. driver wali baat ko I .. I can never think like that.. I know how much uncomfortable you were at that time.. I.. I know it was real and not any act.

Athiya: It's okay Rahul. I misunderstood you and I am really sorry for that. And I am really sorry if you feel uncomfortable because of me..

Rahul: Nahi.. I.. I am sorry Athiya.. It's again my fault. I.. I should not have behaved like that with you. Sorry..

Anu: Okay guys.. dono se misunderstanding ho gayi thi kahi na kahi jo ki ab solve ho gayi hai I guess

Rahul: Ji bhabhi.. (to Virat) Bhaiya.. main.. main chalta hoon

Virat: You are not going anywhere Rah.

Rahul: Bhaiya main..

Virat: Shut up and sit here only (To Anu) Nushkie.. can you please adjust with Athiya tonight? Vami ko bhi le jana (To Athiya) Is it okay with you Athiya?

Athiya: Yeah it's cool

Anu looked at Virat with what happened expression to which he signed towards Rahul who was sitting while looking down but was continuously tapping his foot. Anu nodded in yes and then she took Vami and went with Athiya..

Virat: Let's sleep Rah come..

Rahul: Mujhe neend nahi aayegi Bhaiya main room me hi..

Virat: Shh.. chalo

He made him got up and lie down on the bed. He sat beside him and started caressing his hair. Rahul closed his eyes but instantly opened it. Virat gently took his head and put it in his lap. Rahul turned and hugged him tightly hiding his face and shedding tears.

Virat: I am here Rah. Kuchh nahi hua hai okay. Everything is fine.

Rahul: Bha.. bhaiya..

Virat: Yes Rah.. bhaiya is here only. Sleep okay..

Anu came there to take her night clothes and Vami's night clothes. Virat signed her to keep quiet to which she nodded in yes.

Anu (mouthed): So gaya?

Virat shook his head in no. Rahul sniffed. Anu was shocked. She was about to come to him but Virat stopped her.

Virat (mouthed): Not now

Anu nodded in yes and took the clothes which she has kept on the table only.

Virat: Sleep kiddo.. Bhaiya is here only

Anu stood there looking at Rahul who was finally now sleeping. As Anu took time, Athiya came to call her with Vami.

Athiya: Di yaar kitna time..

She said this much when Virushka shushed her.

Virushka: Shhh...

Rahul hearing the voices flinched in sleep to which Virat started rubbing his back.

Virat: Bhaiya is here Rah. Sleep.

There was a silence for a while.

Athiya gave sleepy Vami to Anu. She then came towards bed and covered Rahul with comforter.

Athiya: Jab neend me dar Lage to aise cover karke rakhne se better feel hota hai

Virat: Thanks

Athiya nodded in yes and went from there to her room.

Virushka looked at each other.

Virat: Indeed Vami ke Rah Cha ke sath tumhari Tia se better Rah Chi nahi ho sakti.

Anu chuckled but nodded in yes. She too went from there wishing him good night. Virat too slept after assuring Rahul was in deep sleep.

......................................................................

So here is the update.

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