Virat was waiting in the back room for the manager to call him for the post match press conference. The manager was probably getting the media seated and everything arranged. And for some odd reason Vi was tensing up.

It was his first match as a full time captain and they had won. Mahi bhai was still in the team, Mahi bhai has himself passed this onto him, and he himself was there to mentor him through his initial days, so he should technically be happy. He had always wanted this. But he didn't know what he felt. He felt nervous, he felt shaken, he didn't want to face the media and he couldn't help but remember his father today.

The man who had dreamed this for him before he even could know how to dream. And the man who couldn't live to see this day.

"I miss you papa" he whispered to the air.

He closed his eyes, he saw himself first day of cricket academy. He was walking through the gate, he turned back to see his father, he bent down, fixed his collar, and said "Jaa Cheeku, achhe se sikh, main yahi rukunga tere liye."

And with the assurance, and new found confidence, little Virat walked in, knowing his papa would be waiting for him

But what about today, when he was feeling lost, he didn't have his papa. Questions crowding his head. Questions he knew the media would ask. Was he right for India? Did he force MSD into stepping down? Will there be power struggle or ego war in the dressing room with the ex and current captain together? The questions to which he didnt know how to answer to. Somehow he felt just like that apprehensive little boy waking into cricket academy for first time.

The team was in the dressing room celebrating the win. Nobody generally comes into the backroom.

Virat covered his face with both his hands. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He looked ap at the firm yet warm touch.

Mahi bhai was standing there smiling at him.

"Cheeku, kya baat hai?" he asked warmth oozing out from his voice.

"Bhai aap yaha?" Virat said, trying to hide his shaky voice.

"That was not the answer to my question" MS said "Baat kya hai? What's going on in that head of yours."

"Kuchh nahi" Virat lied.

"Idhar aa" he said leading Virat to a bench in the room and making him sit.

He himself kneels in front of him, takes Virat's hand in his and says "Kya hua hai tujhe? Mujhe nahi batayega?

Virat sat there quitely.

"I miss papa" he said at last "I just kinda wish he could see this. It was his dream and..."

"Hey...hey...hey...kiddo listen" Mahi said cupping his cheeks "Who said uncles not with you ha? He is, your strength, your inspiration he is there in your every step every achievement."

Vi looked at Mahi bhai with teary eyes.

"Cheeku, the ones we love, never truly leave us; they are always with us" Mahi said firmly "right here" he patted the left side of Virat's chest. Vi nodded

He pulled Virat into a hug and rubbed his back. Vi snuggled into his shoulder, he felt so stable when bhai was around.

After a while Mahi parted from him. And Vi felt a bit better with Mahi there with him.

They sat quitely for sometime, MS giving Vi tims gather himself.

After sometime Vi spoke again.

"I don't wanna go out there" He said with a sudden childish stubbornness.

"You have done this before too na Cheeku for the tests" Mahi said trying to calm him"it's the same just for the ODIs. Why are you so worked up now?"

"I hate press conferences" Virat said stubbornly.

"Yeah they aren't the best things in the world" MS chuckled "But you know just bear with them."

"You were good at them...I am not." Virat stated.

"Hey we all have our own ways to deal with them, mine was with sarcasm, yours might be something else....do what works for you...you are the Indian captain...you are in charge not them" Mahi said.

"I don't wanna do this" Virat whined.

"But you have to" Mahi affirmed "You are the captain now Cheeku"

"Can't you do this?" Virat said "Just for today?"

Mahi couldn't help but smile at the childishness of tbe request.

"You know I can't" He said calmly.

"But they will be asking me about you stepping down and then they will bring in your 2014 test retirement" Virat ranted "And I don't wanna talk about it."

"Then don't" Mahi said "Tell them you don't wanna answer."

"But then they will think there's some rift between you and me and it will be all over the papers" Virat said.

"Do I even care?" Mahi said cupping his cheeks "Say whatever you think is appropriate out there, I know my Cheeku loves me and nothing changes that."

"Bhai are you sure, I am the right person to lead the team?" Cheeku asked voicing his insecurity.

"More than anything in the world" Mahi replied "I chose you Cheeku, I know you will be better than I ever was."

"But limited overs captaincy is so much different than test." he said

"Cheeku u have done this for under 19 too, you got this kiddo" Mahi assured "And I am there to help you out, you don't have to figure out alone bachcha"

"Bhai...I..." Virat was about to say something but the manager walked in.

"Virat everything is ready, let's go" he said, confusedly looking at him and MS.

"You go I am coming" Virat replied.

The manager left.

"Listen Cheeku" Mahi said "I know you will kill it out there. Don't let them dominate you, you are in the lead, answer what you want, don't answer what you don't want, but maintain a polite tone. Ok kiddo? You got this."

Vi nodded.

MS wiped Virat's sweaty face with his hands, fixed his hair and straightened his collar and said "Go and do you job Cheeku, I will wait for you back here."

And with that assurance, confident captain Virat Kohli walked out to meet the press, he knew his Mahi bhai would be waiting back here.

He had someone to return back to.

(Because Mahi bhai will always care for his Cheeku)

(And Cheeku will always respect his Mahi bhai)

(And they will always make each other laugh)

(There is very childish side if Vi that will always come out in front of his Mahi bhai.
Mahi bhai is straight up giving him: The uff this kid look)

A/N: This OS dedicated to a fellow MahiRat fan, for her birthday.

Kumarishivani happy birthday🎂!!!!

You were one of the first few people I met on watsapp. I remember you first story very well.

And you turned out to be one of my close friends.

Hope you like your birthday present.

As you are celebrating your birthday in Quarentine, I hope this OS made you happy.