It was just few months after Virat became the captain. He had MS by his side like before and he was quite sure that this transition of captaincy can't affect anything inside the team.

But today, he read an article and that was taking a toll over Virat.
Virat generally never read those stupid articles but he just came across one and couldn't resist after seeing the headline. Again the same arguments, same controversy.

Was MS forced to step down?

Is he planning to retire?

Does Virat want to drop MS?

Dhoni-Kohli rift!

Everything not normal between Kohli-Dhoni!

There were comments on how Dada left captaincy because of MS and now the same would happen with him also. It was getting on Virat's nerves. Why can't people let things go smoothly?

MS was never in these stuffs and he rarely gave importance to what media says. Virat knew this but he has seen how Bhai used to get upset on Dada's retirement issue. He never shows up but Virat was one of the few people who could see behind his facade. He had even heard from Yuvi that they had had a hard time consoling Mahi after all that.

Virat felt sick thinking all this. He never wanted this captaincy to affect their bond.

It even narrated one incident of their practice session in which MS and Virat were involved in heated argument, according to them.

He remembered that incident. MS had chided Virat and occasionally Virat had just answered him back a bit rudely. It was anything but a fight. He had apologized to Mahi Bhai for that and even Bhai had shrugged it off. But the media had narrated it with exaggeration. There were so many comments which had disrespectful content either for MS or Virat.

Virat was trying his level best to not think so much but random incidents one after another led him to overthink. Was Mahi Bhai really not the same with him?

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

During a match against Australia, Virat had got involved in a argument with Faulkner after which MS and Rohit were seen talking to Virat, more like trying to calm down him.

In the post match interview when the interviewer asked MS about what he was saying to Virat, MS casually answered.

"We were discussing the things we do normally. A healthy discussion of strategies with skipper is always healthy for the game."

"Weren't you and Rohit saying that it's not good to get involved in an argument while match?"

"You can't tell your skipper what's good for him and game as he already knows the best"

MS had said that so that it wouldn't become the headlines next day but Virat took it in altogether different way.

"Why did he say like that?", Virat cried to himself.

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

Team was having dinner and as usual Virat was sitting with Mahi Bhai on one side and Rohit on another.

"And those horses in Jamnagar can fly too", said Jaddu seriously and everyone bursted out laughing making him sulk.

"Kuliya, where did you buy that watch?", asked Hardik almost pulling Kuldeep's hand.

"Don't call me that.", complained Kul. "And I took this from Mahi Bhai.", he said delighted at being the only person Mahi Bhai shared his watch with.

"Really? Bhai, I want the one you bought in England last month", demanded Hardik.

"And I want that one..", started Jaddu.

"I'm not selling watches", said MS rolling eyes.

"But you never share your watches", complained Rohit.

"He shared with me", said Kul grinning.

"What happened, Vi? Why are you so silent?", asked Jinks.

"Nothing", replied Virat while trying to get something from other end of table and in the process, managed to hurt himself from knife at his hand.

"Cheeku.. Careful", said Mahi Bhai instantly pulling away his hand.

"It's bleeding", said Rohit moving towards Virat.

"I'll get the first aid", said Jinks.

"Give it to me", said Mahi Bhai taking the first aid and started applying ointment on Virat's hand.

"Ahh.. It hurts", winced Virat as MS pressed his wound a little while bandaging.

"It will be fine.. Just a second, bacha", said Mahi Bhai doing it more gently now.

"Cheeku, you should have been careful.", scolded Mahi Bhai after he was done.

"Galti se ho gya, Bhai", said Virat sulking.
Here, I got hurt and he is scolding me instead of pampering me.

"You are not a kid, Cheeku", said Mahi Bhai shaking his head.

"I know that. You don't need to tell me.", snapped Virat. "You didn't even need to do this", said Virat while walking away from there angrily.

"What happened to him?", wailed Rohit to Jinks who was equally surprised.

"Cheeku... Cheeku", shouted Mahi Bhai to stop him but he was gone.
"Do you guys know anything?", He asked to others and everyone shook their head in denial.

"I'll go to him. You guys have dinner", said Mahi Bhai walking out.

Virat was sitting on his bed with his door shut. He was already upset and somehow Mahi Bhai's statement made him extremely angry. He doesn't know himself what made him so angry but he felt so offended when Bhai said that. He knew this was because he read those useless comments but he can't help it.

"Cheeku, open the door", he heard Mahi bhai calling from outside. He didn't get up.

"Cheeku..", he called again.

"I don't wanna talk, Bhai", said Virat.

"But I do wanna talk. Open it, Cheeku", This time, Mahi Bhai's voice was stern that Virat was compelled to get up and open the door.

He opened the door and moved away to let MS in.

"Cheeku, what's wrong?", asked Mahi Bhai in a concerned voice.

"Kuch nhi, Bhai. You were right. I'm not a kid. I'm sorry for talking that way", said Virat turning away.

"Cheeku, look at me", said Mahi Bhai making Virat look at him.
He made Virat sit on sofa and knelt before him.

"Now tell me, what are you so upset about?", Said Mahi Bhai taking Virat's hand in his.

"Kuch nhi, Bhai", lied Virat looking down.

"I'm listening, Cheeku. Say", said Mahi Bhai gripping his hands.

Virat couldn't hold anymore and he knew he wanted to talk to Bhai so badly. He just couldn't bring himself to but now having Mahi Bhai asking him to talk out like this, he couldn't stop himself.

"Bhai.. Bhai, will you stop treating me like before now that I've become captain?", asked Virat looking at him in a desperate tone.

"No, Cheeku. Why are you thinking all this?", asked Mahi Bhai shocked at Virat's question.

"Bhai, will this captaincy change our bond too? Am I not your kiddo anymore? I don't want to be skipper for you, Bhai.. I just wanna be you Cheeku. Do you...", Virat was continuously ranting looking down and he didn't realise when his eyes became misty. He stopped as he felt Mahi Bhai wiping the tear at the corner of his eyes. He looked at him to find him smiling.

"Why.. Why are you smiling?", asked Virat slowly.

"Because just now I realised how wrong I was when I said that you are not a kid.", replied Mahi bhai getting up and sitting beside Virat still holding his hands.

"Cheeku, was I not your brother, your Mahi Bhai when I was the captain?", he asked to which Virat shook his head vehemently.

"Then how can you even think that you won't be my Cheeku after becoming captain?", Said Mahi Bhai and Virat looked at him.

"Cheeku, won't I be your Mahi Bhai after you...",

"You will be. You will always be my Mahi Bhai.", said Virat cutting Mahi Bhai.

"The same way you will always be my kiddo... my Cheeku.", said Mahi Bhai cupping his cheeks.

"Nothing can change our bond, bacha. Neither this captaincy nor anything else. You were and you will always be the same little brother to me! You are irreplaceable, Cheeku", said Mahi Bhai and Virat hugged Mahi Bhai tightly and Mahi Bhai hugged him back.

"I love you, Bhai.", Virat whispered in the hug making Mahi Bhai smile.

"I love you too, kiddo. Don't even think that this captaincy or anything else can make me not treat you as my Cheeku. And Cheeku, I was the proudest person when you became the caption. You know why?", asked Mahi Bhai breaking the hug.

"Because my kiddo became the captain and it made me incredibly proud of you.", said Mahi Bhai.

Virat felt overwhelmed hearing his words. "Bhai.. I.. Thank you so much, Bhai. Thank you for always being there.", said Virat hugging him again.

"You are right, Bhai. Nothing can change our bond. It's those stupid articles and comments that I read and.. ", said Virat after breaking the hug.

"And you thought I will stop scolding you now?", asked Mahi Bhai with eyebrow raised, "Then you are wrong. You are not getting an escape from them so soon."

"I don't even want to. Never. Infact I'm not giving you the right to let me do mistakes. You have to stop me before I make any mistake and scold me after I make one", said Virat smiling, "But not too much", he added making Mahi Bhai laugh.

"I will always be your Cheeku and you will always be my Mahi Bhai. And nothing can change that", said Virat keeping his head on Mahi Bhai's shoulders.

"Yes, bacha. You will always be the little kiddo for me, Cheeku", said Mahi Bhai ruffling his hair.

"Now get up. Let's have dinner. Everyone must be worrying.", said Mahi Bhai.

"Let them have dinner. I wanna be with you.", said Virat in a childish tone.

"I'm here only, Cheeku. But let's have dinner first.", said Mahi Bhai.

"Okay. But on one condition.", said Virat with a grin.

"What?",

"You will give me the watch Harry was asking for?", said Virat.

"Okay.. I will. Now, come", sighed Mahi Bhai.

"Okayyyy", Virat jumped in delight making Mahi Bhai smile at his antics.

"My cheeku", he thought fondly as they walked out of the room.

As soon as they reached dining everyone breathed a sigh of relief after they saw Virat back again. And Virat started roasting about how Mahi Bhai will give him his watch making Hardik wail on he had asked for that watch first. But who cares?!

A/N

Happy Mother's Day! This is dedicated to all the beautiful mothers in the world!

I would have updated this yesterday itself but my wattpad was having some kind of fever that I couldn't use it.
And thanks to PARIMALA020
for the amazing cover pic😘❤

Do vote and comment. They make my day.

Love ❤