April 4, 2014, Ind vs SA.....

Every single bowler of South Africa was mercilessly being thrown out of park every now and then by none other than Virat Kohli.

India was just three runs away from the world Cup semi final when Suresh Raina lost his wicket and the captain walked in.

Virat gave a full fledged smile to Mahi Bhai and Mahi smirked to himself knowing what's going on in Cheeku's brain.

"How was the show, Bhai?" Virat asked grinning.

"Absolutely fierce!" Mahi replied with a small laugh before both of them walked to their positions.

Virat took a single on the second last ball of the over and gave the strike to Mahi on the last ball of the over.

"Bhai, finish it off!" Virat said grinning.

Mahi just smiled and walked back.

As the next ball was bowled—whole India including the dressing room and the non striker impatiently expected a last ball six by their captain—Mahi just defended the ball and refused to rotate strike.

Virat was about to run when he ran back as he realised Mahi Bhai had just blocked the ball as he didn't want to take run.

Virat couldn't hide the fact that even after being today's match winner, he wanted Mahi Bhai to finish it by the look on his face which was almost impulsive.

"Why, Bhai?" Virat asked through gesture.

Mahi royally gestured him to take his strike ignoring his question and everyone could see the elder brother ordering the younger one with ultimate bossiness.

Yes, it was a captain too, giving the last ball to the deserving one who almost won them the match single handedly but the brotherly exchange of eye gestures between them couldn't be missed out.

Mahi gave a smile to Virat. You won it for us, you finish it for us! Virat gave a laugh as he walked past Mahi Bhai to take the strike.

Virat hit a four on the next ball and finished it off! India won and whole dressing room erupted in the celebration with half of the team running towards the ground.

As Virat hugged Mahi, he ruffled Virat's hair very slightly to not get caught on camera, his eyes reflecting utmost pride and happiness for his younger brother. His Cheeku deserved all the success in the world!

And Mahi Bhai was the proudest person on each milestone or success achieved by Cheeku!

"We won, Bhai!" Virat whispered and grinned at Mahi Bhai before each of them started greeting other players.

"Why did you do that, Bhai?" Virat asked sulkily as both of them were walking towards the dressing room.

"You don't know?" Mahi replied with a little smile. He was laughing a few moments ago. Now what happened to him?

"Yeah but—" Virat began but turned his face midway. "—I don't know!"

"Cheeku," Mahi laughed and slung an arm around a sulking Virat. "How does it matter who finished the game, kiddo? All that matters is India won, isn't it?"

"I know I won't win over you on this, Bhai!" Virat complained and walked ahead of him.

Mahi shook his head to himself looking at Virat.
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"Cheers to our knight in shining armour!" Jaddu said, grinning.

Everyone at the dinner table laughed hearing to him.

"Yeah, cheers to Cheeku!" Rohit teased.

"Don't call me, Cheeku!" Virat warned.

"Cheeku?" Mahi said promptly.

"Haan, Bhai?" Virat said quickly turning from Rohit to Mahi Bhai, forgetting the sentence he said a second ago.

Everyone started laughing including Mahi and then Virat realised why they are laughing.

"Don't call me Cheeku!" Rohit said mimicking Virat and everyone laughed even more.

Virat snorted.

"I don't want to talk to you guys!" Virat said grumpily and started eating the food left in his plate carelessly.

"Bhai, why's he grumpy today also?" Jinks whispered to Mahi who was sitting beside him. "Doesn't look like Ro and he fought!"

His best friends were two grown up kids who couldn't be trusted!

"No, they didn't, Jinksy." Mahi chuckled. "Don't worry!"

"Okay, if you say so!" Jinks said confusedly.

"Cheeku, aaram se kha." Mahi said as Virat was gulping down the food in hurry.

"I'm not talking to you as well." Virat said grumpily.

"Okay, don't talk to me but eat carefully." Mahi said calmly with a smile.

"Huh.." Virat finished his food and left to his room.

"We were supposed to be celebrating today but this idiot is in angry mood today also." Rohit complained dejectedly. Why does he have the biggest idiot as his best friend?

"Are you sure you wanna celebrate instead of sleeping, Ro?" Mahi asked.

"No, Bhai, you got it wrong. By celebrating, he meant he was supposed to be sleeping peacefully today but now Virat is angry so he won't let him sleep." Jaddu said gravely. "Do you want my horses to guard your room, Ro?"

"Why am I being teased instead of that idiot now?" Rohit complained again.

Everyone laughed out and Rohit sulked. Mahi stroke Rohit's hair while laughing as he walked out from there.
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"Cheeku?" Mahi called out, entering their room.

Virat looked up towards Mahi.

"Why are you so worked up? Ro was technically right. You should be happy today." Mahi asked, sitting beside Virat.

"Sorry, Bhai!" Virat said, leaning on Mahi's shoulder. "I was just worked up."

"Yeah, that's exactly what I'm asking. Why are you worked up?" Mahi asked.

"Because I wanted you to finish!" Virat said with childishness.

Mahi sighed. He has a job to do now!

"Cheeku, why are you still stuck on that? How does it even matter?!" Mahi said. "And as far as I know my Cheeku, he loves to win the matches for his country! Then why are you overthinking today?"

"I did win it for us, Bhai but I just wanted you to finish it!" Virat explained earnestly.

"And how does it make any difference?" Mahi asked.

Virat didn't say anything. Even he didn't know the answer!

"Is there something bothering you, kiddo?" Mahi asked gently after few moments.

"I don't want people to feel that I want to be ahead of you, Bhai because I really don't!" Virat whispered audibly.

"What?" Mahi asked, being confused.

"Leave it, Bhai! It's nothing!" Virat said hastily trying to cover up.

"Cheeku!" Mahi said sternly, looking at him.

"Mahi Bhai, after the match," Virat said, lifting his head and facing Mahi. "I heard a few players say that... that this was a good way of staying ahead of the captain and not letting him take away the credit as usual."

Virat completed the last bit with his fists clenched in anger.

Mahi sighed. He should have expected something like this!

"Cheeku, this isn't the first time we are getting to hear something like this, is it? Why are you getting worked up on such a small thing?" Mahi said calmly. He was used to hearing such things now!

"But Bhai, I really never want to be ahead of you. I always want to walk behind you!" Virat said slowly making Mahi smile.

"Cheeku, I want you to be ahead of me! Always!" Mahi said, smiling at him.

"But I don't!" Virat said, leaning back on Mahi's shoulder.

"Cheeku, I want you to know this and always remember that I'll be the happiest and proudest to see you ahead of me, okay?" Mahi said tenderly.

"But why, Bhai? Why are we even talking this? I'm much happier with you being ahead of me!" Virat said desperately. "I want you to always be ahead of me! I—I just feel protected and I don't want to lose that."

"Why do you think you would ever lose it, Cheeku? I'll stand behind you when you need to go ahead and I'll even stand ahead of you whenever you need that protection. I'll stand behind you, ahead of you! I promise, kiddo, I always will!" Mahi said, reaching out to ruffle Virat's hair.

"Bhai, I—" Virat wrapped his arms around Mahi Bhai, not knowing what to say.

Mahi smiled and ruffled his hair.

"I know you will!" Virat said after some time, smiling slightly.

"Bhai, let's do something?" Virat said.

Virat's tone told Mahi that Virat wasn't upset anymore.

"Do what?" Mahi asked.

"Go and jerk Ro out of his beauty sleep!" Virat grinned at him.

"Not a very bad idea, Cheeku!" Mahi chuckled. Jaddu wasn't wrong!

"Let's go, then!" Virat said, getting up.

"You go, I'm coming." Mahi said.

"Okay!"

Virat was about to leave when he turned back again.

"Bhai?"

"Yeah?"

Virat came back and hugged Mahi Bhai, amusing him.

"What happened, kiddo?" Mahi asked, hugging him back.

"Thanks for everything, Bhai!" Virat said genuinely. "Still for me, I'll always be behind you! I love you, Bhai!"

Virat gave a smile to Mahi Bhai before sprinting out of room, not giving Mahi the chance to reply.

Mahi laughed seeing him run out of the room to disturb his best friend's precious sleep.

"I love you too, kiddo!" Mahi smiled to himself.

In that moment, Mahi and Virat both knew in their hearts that no matter who stands ahead or who stands behind, they will always be with each other, together, no matter what!
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A/n

Hey everyone!

How are you all? I hope you guys are staying safe!

I'm sorry that last chapter of EARNING YOU BACK is delayed but I had my own reasons. I'll try to update that one soon!

Hope you guys liked it?

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Love ❤️