Virat had let go of the matter, but only for the time being. The little brother in him couldn't unsee the disturbed looks of his big brothers. His suspicions came back to the him the next day. And he became determined to know the truth.  

Virat knew that it was an unusual sight for Mahi bhai and Yuvi Paa to not fight with each other. He had noticed Mahi Bhai fussing over Yuvi Paa quite a few times. He knew something was not right. He tried asking them, following them, even spying on them but couldn't find what was wrong.

On the other hand, Mahi and Yuvi were noticing the suspicious eyes of their younger brother. They were scared. They didn't want him to know just yet. Because to tell him and to handle him, both of them need to prepare themselves first. And currently neither of them were prepared.

After practice, both of them escaped everyone's eyes after engaging them in a random activity, and returned to their room. They freshened up and Mahi made Yuvi take all his medicines under his watch. He didn't even move a toe till Yuvi gulped down every tablet. And Yuvi not fifnding any excuse and knowing Mahi's stubbornness in these cases, gulped down those 'bitter' tasting medicines.

"Mahi, you saw Cheeku today? How he was looking at us? I'm 100 percent sure he is suspicious. What will we do Mahi? How will I tell him?", said Yuvi, all in one breath, working himself up thinking about the consequences.

"Calm down Yuvi!! We will tell him together, how many times do I repeat that?", said Mahi, gripping Yuvi's shoulders and trying to calm him down.

"What will you tell whom?", came a voice from the door and Sachin and Dravid walked in.

Yuvi and Mahi visibly tensed up. They didn't tell their big brothers also and now that they are standing in front of them with a comforting questioning look, they felt like blurting everything to them.

Mahi looked at Yuvi and knew that he was dying to tell everything to the men standing in front of them. He just indicated him to tell them because somewhere in his heart, Mahi knew that now only their big brothers can provide Yuvi with the comfort and assurance he craved for.

Yuvi seemed to not need any more encouragement. He threw himself in Sachin's arms and started crying bitterly as he narrated everything, everything he had in his heart, he poured it out in front of his big brothers. 

"I...I ha..ve can...cancer, Paaji. I don't.... I don't want... to die. It... pains a lot..lot sometimes. Please... save me.... Bhaiya...please", stammered out in between his body racking with violent sobs. 

Mahi was looking down continuously trying very hard to not let the tears flow. On the other hand, Rahul and Sachin were shocked and totally speechless. This was the very last thing they ever expected.

Sachin couldn't believe his ears, his whole body had frozen with shock. Rahul, on the other hand, got over the shock a little as he approached his weeping kid. He shook Sachin out of his daze and Sachin instantaneously wrapped his arms around Yuvi, but his face was still blank. 

Mahi walked up to the drawer and took out Yuvi's scan reports and prescriptions, with trembling hands. He then went to Dravid and handed him those papers. Dravid took Mahi in a side hug,not sure if that hug was of any use, and started leafing through the papers. Sachin parted away from Yuvi for a moment to read the reports. He signalled Mahi to hold Yuvi, and Mahi was by Yuvi side in a second. Both Rahul and Sachin started reading the reports, both held a sudden anticipating fear in them. 

The more they read ahead, the more shock they became. Yuvi's condition was so bad yet they never noticed. How did they become so ignorant to the changes? How did Yuvi hide this so masterfully? Sachin and Rahul didn't know. Heck, they didn't even know what to do now. The technical and medical terms went over their heads and they knew this was not in their hands. And for the first time, both the big brother felt utterly scared for their youngee.

It is the worst feeling to know that your younger brother is suffering and you cannot to anything about it. That's what Sachin and Rahul were feeling right now. But still, they had to calm Yuvi now, who was crying his heart out in Mahi's arms.

"Yuvi, stop crying baccha. Nothing will happen to you. You are the strongest person we know. You will be fine" coaxed Rahul, desperately hoping that his words become true.

"Yes baccha, stop crying like this. You are pressurizing yourself", said Sachin, hugging Yuvi.

After a lot of coaxing and listening to a lot of sweet nothings, Yuvi finally calmed down. He broke the hug and wiped his tears. Mahi handed him a glass of water which he chugged down in one go.

When Sachin was sure that Yuvi has fully stopped crying, he asked, "Who else knows about this?"

"Only Mahi. I have not yet told anyone else", said Yuvi.

"That's the problem, Sachin Paa. We have not told anyone, and it's very visible now that Yuvi's health is not good. We are very worried about Virat. We don't know how he is going to react. He loves Yuvi too much", said Mahi, in one go.

That's when it struck Rahul and Sachin, that what was actually worrying their kiddos now. They were concerned about their younger brother and causing him pain.

"On top of that, he has been scrutinising us since yesterday. He has asked 'What happened' gazillion times since yesterday. We even caught him spying on us", said Yuvi, rolling his eyes as he remembered Cheeku's stunts.

Rahul chuckled a bit at the familiar impatient tone of Yuvi and said, "Don't worry. We will handle him for now. But I hope you know that he will eventually come to know about it. So don't let him get to know about this via outer sources. He loves you both way too much, that he will feel bad if that happens"

"No Paaji, I know that. And I will tell him myself. It's just that.... I don't know", said Yuvi, sitting down on the bed and running his fingers through his hair, frustratingly. 

Sachin sat down beside him and put a hand on his shoulder, "Yuv, we will get through this together. We are with you kiddo. Just don't lose hope."

"And about Virat. Don't worry, that kid can be engaged in anything that interests him in the click of fingers", said Sachin, which drew a fond smile from everyone, thinking about the their inquisitive Cheeku.

"Now chin up, both of you!!", said Sachin in a commanding tone, not liking the crestfallen faces of his little brothers, "Why are you worrying so much? Be optimistic. Nothing will happen. Don't think about this. Think about the world cup. Think about the team. It will make you feel better."

"Yes, I will, Paaji. Come on Mahi, Paaji said the whole thing to you too. Bro, stop looking like 5 year old being snatched off his favourite toffee", teased Yuvi, which just made Mahi throw an annoying glance towards Yuvi.

Sachin and Rahul shook their head as the two boys in front of them bickered back and forth again. They left the boys at their devices and walked out of the room. 

Once they were out of the earshot of the room, Sachin said, "We have to tell this to Dadi"

"I was thinking the same. But I still can't understand... Yuvi.. how...", said Rahul, still not able to believe that its their Yuvi who has a deadly disease.

"I know Jammy, I just hope that he will be fine", said Sachin, sharing Rahul's sentiments.

"He will be. He has to be", said Rahul, indignantly.

"What has to be what, Rahul Bhai?", came a familiar voice from the back. Sachin and Rahul looked at each other for a second sharing a known look, before turning around and facing the source of the voice.

There stood Virat looking at the men, with a typical Virat like earnest gaze. "Sorry I overheard", said Virat scratching the back of his neck, "I was just passing by"

Sachin recalled Mahi and Yuvi's concerns and decided to keep the kid out of their room because apparently, he was headed there only.

"Arey Virat", said Sachin, slinging an arm around Virat's shoulders, "I was looking for you. How many days it has been that I have not spoken to you properly. Let's have a talk today", he finished cheerfully.

Virat looked confused, "But Sachin Paa, I am going to Mahi Bhai's room now", he said innocently.

"You only spend time with your Mahi Bhai. Forgot that you have other elder brothers also? But It's okay if you don't want to talk to me", said Sachin, making a fake hurt face.

Virat shook his head in a no vigorously and said, "No no Sachin Paa. I will talk to you, Let's go"

"Okay, let's go to my room", replied Sachin. He turned back and saw Rahul giving him an 'I'm impressed' look. Sachin mouthed a 'You go. I'll handle him' to Rahul before turning his attention towards animated talks of Virat. Rahul nodded his head and went off to his room to call Sourav. He knew it was a task to tell Sourav about the unexpected news but he also knew that only he and no one else can handle Sourav.

The eldest brothers managed it for a day for their little brothers, as Mahi and Yuvi thought of ways to disclose the news to everyone, especially Virat.

They could just hope that Cheeku will not be broken after this. They just hoped that their Cheeku would be strong.

---------------------------------------------------

Hey guys, I know I said I'll update on Tuesday, but due to mock practicals and lab work, I had to delay the update. I'm very very sorry.

But finally I managed to complete the second chapter, tell me how it was...

If you have suggestions or ideas for this story then do share with me, I'll more than happy to add your essence to this book 😊

Love,
Baishali💖