After the beautiful new year celebration with some of his most favourite people in the whole world in person and virtually, celebrating themselves and their bond and promising to be so, for the rest of their lives. Virat opened his eyes next day to a beautiful Mumbai morning. It was a beautiful day though Virat's guts were screaming it wasn't going to remain so, Virat decided to ignore his guts and get along with his day.

After all, it was new year and Virat was very-very excited for any of these coming days, he'll get to hold his little baby in his arms. Oh!!! how much he was looking forward to that day. Humming, playing with little Agastya and indulging an overly childish Hardik, who had decided to shift in Virat's house, because he didn't want to miss the birth of his nephew/niece birth, on his every demand. Virat's day was going as usual.

Nush and Natasha were talking among themselves and indulging into quality girls times. So, Virat and Hardik were left to their devices, which involved, playing with little Agu, cooking together (Virat cooked Hardik criticized), cleaning (Again Virat cleaned, Hardik made more mess) and video-calling Bhuvi to trouble him on the pro-max level.

Everything was going fine until Virat got the news of Dada getting hospitalized. Hell Worried. Virat instantly queried about dada from his family. Harry and he consoled them and reassured them that they were there and they can contact them at any time.

Most of the day, Virat and Hardik spent worrying for Dada. Waiting for new from both Boria sir and even going as far as holding a convo with the Doctor about Dada. Simultaneously, Virat was also on call with Mahi bhai, presently, more Dada's worried Mahiya then his Mahi bhai. He kept on consoling and keeping his Mahi bhai updated on everything from docs words to Dada's surgery, everything.

In all this, Virat actually missed the drama brewing in Australia until it was late in the night. Nush was asleep. Harry was also snoring in the living room on the sofa and Virat felt like he should wake the kid and make him sleep properly in the guest room.

Smiling at how innocent Harry looked while sleeping, absolutely like a kid, the way he was snuggling to the sofa cushion. Virat smiled at how stress-free, calm, and at peace, Harry looked while sleeping. He didn't want to wake Harry up but then again he was worried Harry might fall down from the sofa if left like this.

Virat softly tried to wake up Harry. After a few attempts, Harry's eyes squinted open.

"Ugh...Dada?" He asked worry clear in his sleepy orbs as he looked at his brother.

"He is fine. Go sleep in your room (Harry had claimed a room his personal property which is kinda disputed because of Rahul and Shreyas)"  Virat ordered.

Harry just sighed as he stood up, threw his arms around Virat and gestured him to carry half of his weight to the room as he almost closed his eyes again, leaning on Virat. Almost sleeping while standing.

Shaking his head, at this absolute childish kid who was apparently also a father. Virat dragged both of them towards the room when his phone pinged.

Thinking about Dada's update. Virat checked his phone, halting on his steps. But it wasn't an update on Dada. It was a message from Bhuvi asking about Aus mess.

Okay! What mess was created there?

Virat thought confused as he checked on news and got the shock of his life. He couldn't help but scream "WTF", on top of his voice. Totally shocking and startling awake Hardik, who, looked at Virat with wide eyes.

"What happened Bhaiya??" Hardik asked super worried and in normal Hardik tone.

But Virat was frozen on his spot and worried, Hardik peeked in to see what got his brother in this stance. Reading the article about the alleged bio-bubble breach and Ro-Subh-Prithvi-Rishu-Nav being involved in it.

Even Harry couldn't help but scream, "WTF" as he watched his Virat bhaiya hastily dial Ro's number.

The second Ro picked up, Virat launched with his questions but could you blame him? He was in the panic zone, after reading the article. Stuck between worrying for his bestie, kids and team and the consequences all at once.

"Ro, mere bhai, mere pyaare bhai, please tell me you didn't forget the quarantine rules. Please, please, tell me you didn't, you forget your bat, gloves, luggage, passport, jersey and everything but please, tell me you didn't, please!!"

Virat all but pleaded Rohit to say "no", for god sake, he couldn't take a " yes" as an answer. He would have a mini-panic attack here if Ro said "yes". God, God why now? The possible consequences of this breach making him shudder even thinking about them.

" no, we didn't," Rohit said normally, but Virat could hear his brother's silent pleading to believe him clearly in those words.

"Okay," Virat said.

Believing Ro instantly for they might bicker and fight all the time. But they believed each other and knew each other the best too, if, Ro said he didn't. Virat knew it meant he didn't.

"You believe me??" Virat could all but feel the disbelief in Ro's voice. Certainly, his best friend had been hounded and grated by many throughout the day.

"Of course, dummy. I do!! Now, switch to video call, I wanna check on my kids.  My poor kids facing such a fright," commented Virat dryly, feeling Hardik slump again, against him.

"Your kids and poor!! I've not heard a more ironical statement ever," Ro countered grumbling as he switched the call to video call.

Virat's eyes scanning his bestie the second the video was turned on. He could see the fatigue rolling off him. His brother was tired of this drama and Virat silently assured Ro that he'll get this handled. He trusted his brothers, after all.

And he'll protect them always. Even when he wasn't with them as he fussed over his poor Navi, Subhi, Rishuuu and Pri. He noticed the somewhat solemn atmosphere surrounding them and decided to cheer them.

After all, it was his jobs.

"Jinksy!! Pujji!! Jaddu! Ash!!" Virat yelled drawing their attention to himself, when he had it. He began over-dramatically as usual.

"How can you let him go alone? You know he's the biggest bhoolakar in the whole planet. At least, one of you should have gone with him and did anyone of you check what else he had forgotten there?"

"I didn't forget anything!!" Ro denied Virat's suggestion.

Jinksy spluttered about handling other kids.

Jaddu looked unimpressed.

Ash and Pujji didn't know whether Virat was being serious or joking, for his tone was joking, eyes not so much.

"Did he have his purse?" Virat continued ignoring, Rohit's protests.

And to add fire to the fuel, the kids went along with Virat ticking everything off Virat's list. Checking and re-checking Rohit's luggage.

Noticing, Rahul not participating much. Virat drew in his reclusive kid too.

"Rahuliya! My most Samajhdar kiddo!! Will you do me a favour? Will you babysit your B-ro? I can only trust you with this great task!" Virat said dramatically, drawing a smile from Rahul as he looked at his brother.

And a sleeping monkey attached to him.

"Sure!" Rahul nodded.

While this ignited a whole lot of debate from the rest on how they were samjhdar kiddos too. Especially, his Washy, who was sending him totally betrayed looks.

But Virat's ploy of distracting them had succeeded. So, he spent the rest of the time boosting their confidences and egos alike, as he praised his kids, bickered with his besties and ordered all of them to sleep.

All the while, having his own silent eye conversations with Jinks and Rahuliya. Letting the over-worried and thinking souls know, he'll sort it all out. He'll handle everything from here. He won't let anyone hagger his brothers.

Not now.

Not ever.

"I'll handle it" his eyes reassured Jinks again, while the same eyes let Rahul know, "I'm proud of you,"

For the way, both of them seemed to have been pulling the team through it all.

"Just don't give in. Don't give up. Be there for each other. For it's all that matters," he reminded them again, they were playing for themselves.

After disconnecting the call, Virat dragged and dropped Harry back to his room. Wishing him goodnight. Virat turned to leave, only to be stopped by Harry's sleepy question.

"You'll get it sorted, right, bhaiya?"

"Yeah, I'll" Virat promised.

****