Rahul was lost in his thoughts as he walked towards the hotel lobby the next morning. They were going to leave for their practice session in few minutes and Rahul couldn't sleep properly, the night before. It was very hard on his soul. Last night, had ignited a series of unwanted memories in his mind. The dreams haunted him, his mind was restless, he couldn't sleep fine. It was hurting.

Last night was hurting, it hurt really bad, tugging on the strings of the world-cup memories, there was hope and the hope crashed again.They believed they could do it, when it was them on the crease. The world had faith, they believed, if anyone could make a miracle happen, it was them.  Well, not them actually, the world had faith on Virat, the chase master. They thought he could do it, they believed just on him and Virat's dismissal diminished that faith. Rahul tried to do what they expected from Virat. He tried to do what Virat had done many times but he failed.

He couldn't make it possible. The pressure of scoreboard too much on his and Harry's inexperienced shoulder, they tried, they failed and it all hurt.

But nothing hurt more than the look in his brother's eyes. The broken and haunted look possessing his brother. God, What he would not have done to erase that look! He would have opened after keeping for even a hundred overs if that could erase that look from his big brother's eyes. He could do anything to do attain that and he was actually surprised when he heard voices coming from the lobby. He was walking late. The team should have been in bus by now.

Though, it didn't really surprise him that he hoped one of them will be Virat. He really needed to check on his brother. When they finally came in view, he notices that his guess was right everyone has already got themselves on the team bus, besides Shreyas Iyer and Rishab Pant - and there is Virat! Rahul feels strangely grateful. He can check on Virat in relative peace right now. Virat can't runaway from him now or make any excuse of checking on someone else. The guy needs to be checked first.

And Virat's back towards him is making the situation more  ideal for Rahul. Well, Rahul can't see his face either to gauze his mood. But he has two more brothers for help, Shrey and Rishu, who are pretending to be casually chatting with each other but there eyes were stuck on Virat like hawks while Virat was searching for something in his bag or is this some new pretending to be busy technique?

Rahul doesn't need to do more to get their attention. He just looks at them, his eyes querying about Virat's condition, both of them looks down nodding their head in negative. Their brother (yes, brother for the world he might be just their Captain but for them he was more) wasn't in a good mental space and it was hurting all of them. Did he really think with him in a bad space they will be in a positive atmosphere? He was a fool if he thought so! And his brother wasn't a fool as far as Rahul knows.

"Umm...What's up guys? What are you searching Veerat?" Rahul questions, almost breathing down Virat's neck, successfully sneaking up on him but the fresh red bruise peeking through Virat's jacket glaring at him. Rahul couldn't help but gasp a little noticing it. Virat pulling his to jacket to hide it almost made Rahul want to pull that jacket down and inform his brother, that he isn't blind, he really noticed it.

And what did he do to practically injure himself there? How can someone injure themselves there? It seemed impossible. It was beyond Rahul's understanding...Just what did he do? Is he okay? Okay, that was a very stupid question, of course, he isn't okay with the whole world after him like blood hounds. How can he be okay?

And why isn't Virat answering to him? Why didn't he turn around yet? Rahul looked towards Shrey and Rishab for help. His eyes questioning them on whether they got a glimpse at Virat or not? Did Virat talk to them? They nodded in negative as Rishab decided to try and gain Virat's attention.

"Bhaiyaa!" Rishab suddenly yelled, successfully gaining Virat's attention and forcing him to turn. Virat couldn't ignore his kids yell, now could he?

"Yes!" He asks worriedly and now that Rahul can see his face . He couldn't help but feel distraught. Virat looks unnaturally pale almost like a vampire. Those big, big eyes of his are full of pain. He can't really hide anything from them. His eyes gives him away. And the lines under them aren't helping either. He looks miserable.

Questions and worries swirls in Rahul's mind. He could see the same worries in the eyes of Shreyas and Rishab too. Their expression giving it away that Virat had been hiding his face from them too, all this time. They all were worried. Virat quickly looks down and resumes his search in his bag as soon as he sees their looks. Rahul hopes Virat will cover his eyes with the shades. It'll create more trouble if someone else notice, Virat's as red as a vampire eyes.

"Bhaiya! You alright?" Rishu asks the question in all of their mind carefully, sharing a look with the other two.

"Of course, What can happen to me?" Virat question backs with an almost wan smile.

And Rahul doesn't want to think even for a second how Virat's last night would have been. Wandering in the corridors like an empty spirit, punching walls, crying into the pillow - it can be anything from the above options or all of them too. He again shares a look with the other two, their heart break at their brother's condition apparent in their eyes.

"You were saying something Rishu?" Virat questions, again bend over his bag, checking for something.

"Ugh...I was thinking to call Mahi bhai, asking tips and stuff, you know..." Rishu shrugged.

Virat just gave a curt smile on Rishab's remark, ushering them to follow him to the bus. His dark glares finally resting on the tip of his nose, successfully blocking his eyes from the world view.

The three of them follow Virat's out. Rahul thinking calling MS wasn't a bad idea. After all, MS is the only person in the whole planet who can make Virat feel like himself again. He lets the other two know that with his eyes.

"Umm...I think calling Mahi bhai sounds like a good idea," Rahul brings up the idea almost conversationally, not missing how they had unconsciously formed a protective circle around Virat.They weren't letting anything hurt their Virat on their watch.

"He's with his family, enjoying a family function...let's not disturb him, now. He had given more than enough time to us. Let's leave him to enjoy a few peaceful moments to himself" Virat dismisses the idea with a soft smile not reaching his eyes. Rahul could tell even with the glare on.

Virat's words had almost managed to freeze the three of on their steps. They never imagined Virat will say something like this ever but he had and it suddenly made the situation seem more grave to them. But they weren't the ones to give up and this time, it was about their brother. How could they give up?

Oh! How they hoped Virat bhaiya will just speak to Mahi bhai!!Mahi bhai always managed to make Virat seem like himself. They hoped he could do that again. They hoped MS will succeed in giving them back their Virat bhaiya but Virat was refusing to speak with anyone and their hopes were crashing spectacularly.Virat didn't seem in the mood to talk with MS and they didn't know what else to do.

At that moment, Rahul decided to step up. He'll bring his Virat back somehow. He'll walk on the dark roads along with Virat. He won't let his bhaiya wander in dark alone ever. He'll let Virat know he wasn't alone ever. He'll talk with Virat during the practice session. He'll get his brother back.

He let Shreyas and Rishab know so through his eyes. He'll need their help to corner Virat, after all. But alas, they didn't get anytime to do so during the practice session for Virat was acting possessed. Everyone were steering clear of Virat's path while Rahul felt like walking in the eye of the storm.

He couldn't walk away from his Virat. He never could. So, it wasn't that surprising that the place beside Virat was occupied by him most of the practice session, even though he couldn't speak with Virat. He was there beside him like a loyal shadow.

_________________________

Rahul's eyes had strayed from Virat for just few minutes and now, he couldn't find his brother anywhere. He had checked his room and everywhere inside the hotel. It was raining cats and dogs outside, Virat can't be out, can he?

Rahul thought super worried glancing outside at the crying sky. The sane part of him informed him; he was insane to even think of venturing out right now. But the worried brother in him couldn't stay put. He needed to go out and check. He just needed too. What if Virat was out and alone? He just needed to be sure.

So, determined Rahul walked on the top floor of their hotel, searching his Virat on the large open terrace. He ran his eyes along the deserted terrace, trying to spot his brother, it was the perfect place for him. Quiet, no one will disturb him here on the terrace with the heavens pouring. Rahul wanders around the terrace with no sign of Virat yet. Hell worried, he looks around frantically squinting his eyes for better vision in pouring rain. He runs all around the terrace searching his brother. Where is he? Where could he have gone?

Dejected, almost on the brink of giving up.He finally spots Virat, a totally drenched Virat sitting cross-legged in a shady corner easy to overlook on the edge, lost in his thoughts. And for the first time in ever, the first emotion Rahul feels watching his brother is anger but the relief coursing through his veins, overwhelm the anger.

Even though his heart almost starts beating in his mouth, watching, his brother sitting on the edge of terrace under a pouring sky. Okay, those scenes looked just good in movies. He doesn't want to ever see such scene in reality ever, such scene involving his brother -Never.

So, he isn't surprised that the first thing he does is wrap his arms around Virat, hugging him to death and the second thing he does is yelling at his brother.

"Where the hell is your phone?"

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"What were you even thinking?"

He is just so mad and terrified right now. That's not at all a good combo, but Rahul couldn't help himself. He is always an over emotional fool when it comes to Virat. Virat looks at him as if in daze, like he couldn't quite process Rahul's words and Rahul's heart breaks a little more at this. He is so angry at the whole world right now?

Understanding Rahul's words, Virat just gestures towards his pocket and Rahul really wanted to scream then great, just great. Rahul had been dialing his number non-stop for the past few hours and he had the phone on him all the time.

Rahul wants to yell and rant. He wants to drag Virat back in the hotel and scold him for eternity but he doesn't. But he couldn't. He quites understand his brother's mental frame right now. He was quite similar after the KWK fiasco. So, he just orders Virat as sternly as possible pulling Virat's arms; "Virat! you will catch cold. Let's go inside"

"I'm good here"

"Why? What are you even up to?Letting your eyes rain with the rain! Come on! Don't be stubborn! Let's go inside, come on"

Rahul knew he shouldn't snap like this. He shouldn't speak like this but he wasn't blind, you know, he could see the tears quite clearly even with the rain. He hated this. He hated feeling this helpless. He hated not knowing how to help his brother when his brother was being a damn fool.

Why was he hell bent on self-tormenting ? Why couldn't he see his behavior was hurting them too? Couldn't he shares his problem with them? Why was he behaving like this? Keeping everything to himself.

"You're getting drenched. You should go away"

Virat ordered not meeting Rahul's eyes and Rahul couldn't believe it. This guy is just so infuriating and Rahul isn't letting him succeed. He wants to get rid of him. He isn't going anywhere. He isn't leaving him ever. Rahul didn't want to snap but he couldn't help himself.

"And what about you? Aren't you getting drenched or are you some waterproof creature, I wasn't aware of? Let's go inside and talk"

Virat doesn't at all react to his words. Frustrated Rahul states as firmly as he could letting Virat know he knew what he was trying to do and he won't fall for Virat's tricks.

"You can't get rid of me. I'm not leaving you, so listen to me and come inside!" His words finally igniting a dry laugh from Virat and Rahul didn't know what was so funny in his words?

"You'll Kiddo. You'll too. Everyone leaves" Virat almost snaps lowering his head all gloomy and broken and muttering so Rahul couldn't hear, "One day, you'll act like a known stranger too,"

Rahul couldn't help but flinch hearing Virat's words. he could understand the mentality behind it but this statement directed to him was absurd.

"I won't leave you ever bhaiya. No matter what happens. I'll be with you," Rahul reassured sitting beside Virat. His act symbolic to the fact that no matter, how hard Virat tries, Rahul wasn't going to leave Virat ever. He used his hands to shield Virat's head from rain. It wasn't doing any good to be truthful both of them were already quite drenched.

"You know, I used to do the same to with my papa," Virat spoke suddenly out of blue, startling Rahul. Virat rarely mentioned his father these days and Rahul didn't exactly know what to speak now. He didn't need to for Virat continued speaking in that gloomy tone of his.

"You know when the metro started for the first time in Delhi. I was so eager to ride it. It was a new thing.I wanted to know what was the fuss about I so wanted to ride it. One day Papa took me with him knowing what I desired, I never asked but he knew. It was the best day for me, riding the metro for the first time with Papa. Just Papa and me. You know, nowadays, I just sit and imagine how dad might have treated my child. how happy he might have been? Would he have taken him/her on trips too?"

There was so much sadness emitting from Virat that Rahul couldn't help but feel his heart break into pieces, literal pieces, when did his brother become so broken? Rahul again didn't know what to say, so he just pulled his brother in a warm reassuring embrace. He wasn't leaving his brother ever.

"I just, I miss him so much" Virat all but whispers, forgetting it's his kid beside him not his elder brother. "You know he'll always hold my hand while taking me out afraid I'll get lost. I'll hold onto his fingers tightly too. Never letting go but I had too. They snatched the finger from me. You know even now, after each match irrespective of the results when I'm alone, I...I expect him to walk in and embrace me. I know...it's dumb, so stupid, I mean, he's dead. He isn't coming back yet my eyes still search him. Isn't it mad?"

"It isn't. I may not understand how it feels but it isn't mad, it's just love" Rahul reassured wrapping his arm around Virat's farther shoulder, pulling him in for a side-hug. His brother sounded too hurt to him.

"I guess, I really got lost without him..." Virat said softly, lowering his head.

"Then Let me guide you back. We will get out of the darkness together and even if we couldn't break free. We will together. Wouldn't we?" Rahul asked, tightening his grip around Virat,that's what he has been trying to tell his brother the whole day. Even if they get lost, they'll get lost together. Even if they had to wander in pitch dark, they'll do it together. He won't ever leave his brother's hand. Never. They'll be together forever, guiding each other and no matter what happens, they won't ever turn against each other.

Virat doesn't actually respond to Rahul's words. He just buries his face in Rahul's shoulder sobbing softly. The emotions churning in his soul finally bursting in the arms of his most beloved little brother. Rahul didn't know what to do? He never dealt with crying people. Hell, he was the crying one in Virat's arm always. Now, when the situation is reversed Rahul doesn't quite knows what to do to be truthful. He just keeps on rubbing Virat's back like Virat always did to him.

"You know, you don't need to keep everything to yourself bhai. You can tell me what's troubling you." He speaks softly, rubbing Virat's back, begging him to tell him, to let him in, to let him help.

"Don't...Don't I deserve to experience the birth of my first child, Rahuliya?? Does wanting to be there is a crime? What wrong did I do? I just want to be there don't I deserve even that Rahuliya? What wrong I did?" Virat sobs brokenly in Rahul's arms and Rahul's heart shatters for his brother, still, he continues whispering in his brother's ears that he isn't wrong. He did nothing wrong. He deserves every goodness of the world.

After sometimes, something changes in the air. Virat doesn't sob. He pulls away from Rahul, scrubbing his face with his hands. He isn't sad anymore. Well, he is, the pain is still in his eyes but suddenly anger overtakes and Virat's words come out full of venom;

"The world is full of fake people. Nobody cares about nobody. They don't care about anyone. They don't care how they're hurting people. Everyone runs after their own advantages and ulterior motives only, ruining bonds, ruining everything. You know most people wishes me, praises me and uses me. They just want to be in there with me. They don't care about me. They don't care about anyone. They just care about my title and how it fits their motto."

The bitterness in his brother's words are palpable. Rahul  could feel it. He could see it. He could see every thing Virat mentioned happening around. People just over hyped his brother, used him for their gain. Even the people his brother knew, respected and honored using the brand Virat Kohli, all or their gain. It was all hurting his brother, breaking him, actually and Rahul didn't know how to make him feel better.

Rahul didn't have to speak anything as Virat seemed not done with his words. The anger still simmering in Virat's heart, oscillating between anger and hurt.

"The whole world is full of hypocrites, you know. One day, they make you feel the most loved, the next day they push you down a dark abyss, snatching and closing every routes of escape. They stand above, watching and enjoying the show of your slow death. They enjoy the wonderful death of a soul slowly dying and then they cry for a day acting like the knights" Virat speaks smiling lopsidedly,brokenly, finding dark humor in his words.

Rahul on the other hand didn't find any humor in Virat's words, not at all. He didn't hear anything beside dying to be truthful. He didn't want Virat to talk about death at all and he didn't hold himself back this time. He let Virat know so quite loudly,  "Don't talk about dying!!!"

Hearing Rahul, Virat just looks at him tilting his head to one side a wan smile on his lips again. Rahul hated that smile.

"You know, sometimes I feel like leaving everything behind and going some place, where no one judges me, where no one knows me, far away from everyone, very far away from everyone. Somewhere, no one can ever find me," Virat speaks lost somewhere in his mind, and fear suddenly grips every cell of Rahul's body. He grabs onto Virat tightly, afraid, Virat will leave him, right then

"Don't talk about going away either," Rahul warns very firmly to Virat, in his mind begging Virat to never speak, not even joke on this topic ever.

Virat smiles wanly again and did Rahul mention how he hated that smile.

"But I really feel like disappearing kiddo. I feel like I should go somewhere, maybe in a jungle or somewhere where no phone, no media, no social media can ever reach. Somewhere, I can just be me without being judge every single moment, where I can spend a single breathing moment without being hated or misunderstood. Somewhere far away in clouds maybe,"

"Virat!!!!!! Don't talk like that" Rahul screams, he couldn't hear this anymore. He is so done with him acting like this.

"Areey, I'm not leaving now and even if I leave, it's not going to make any difference kid. Someone will take my place, the world will continue as it is and think kitne logo ko shanti milegi if I leave. They wouldn't have to deal with a clueless person like me anymore. A clueless person, who can't win anything ever," Virat said with eyes closed, obviously reminiscing something.

Rahul couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't hear his brother's utter rubbish anymore. What's wrong with this guy? Couldn't he see they'll shatter without him gluing them together? Couldn't he see how much he means to them? Why did stupid people's words matter more than theirs?

Rahul couldn't help but yell, " Stop it. Stop it. Stop talking like this. I don't care whether it'll make a difference for world or not. I don't care whether anyone will miss you or not. I don't care about that but I'll bhaiya. Your Rahuliyaa, can't stay without you. It'll make all the difference in my life. Don't ever dare to leave me. You can't leave me alright. You're not allowed to leave me. You'll stay for me and if you dare to leave, I'll follow after you. You can't ever get rid of me."

Rahul sobbed wrapping his arms around Virat super tightly, afraid the second he lets go, Virat will disappear. He'll leave them. He'll give up on them. Rahul couldn't let that happen ever.

"Areey, I'm not leaving now kiddo. I don't think I can disappear even if I wished too. Nush loves acting, she won't ever leave me and I can't ever leave her. So, you'll always know where I'm even if I'm not here" Virat speaks lightly, rubbing KL's back reassuringly, suddenly remembering where he is and with whom he is talking?

"Don't you get it. Don't talk about leaving ever. You're not leaving me ever. I know, I'm not much reason to stay but won't you stay for me, Virat. Please, don't ever snatch my bhaiya from me." Rahul almost begs and Virat tightens his grip around Rahul, that's the reason he doesn't want to let his emotions out. He ends up hurting his kids.

God, his intent wasn't to make his Rahuliyaa cry ever. He should have kept his mouth shut only but being the idiot, he is, he hadn't and here he has successfully made his kid cry. He is certainly an idiot. And how should he tell this kid, he is more than enough reason for Virat to face everything thrown his way. Virat's staying because of them only.

"Please don't ever give up on me bhaiya," Rahul mumbles meeting Virat's eyes, " I promise, we won't turn out like them. Our bond will stay like this forever," Rahul promised. He ain't letting anything come between them.

"I won't kid. You'll be always my Rahuliya, my star," Virat promised, his brimming eyes shining with love.

"And you won't ever talk about leaving. I know, I'm not as experienced. I can't help you much in the game like Rohit bhaiya and Mahi bhai did but I can help lessen your worries, can't I? Don't bolt your emotions bhai, share it with me. I'll be a good ear, I promise, just don't disappear like this ever," Rahul said firmly holding on Virat's hands, making him promise, he won't ever give up on them.

"I'll!" Virat promised, he couldn't ever say no to Rah's begging eyes."Let's go inside. You'll catch cold," Virat added, repeating his earlier statement, he was more worried about KL as always.

"I said the same thing," Rahul declared, smiling slightly, still not leaving Virat. He needed to be certain his Kohlito won't ever leave him. He should just fit a tracking device on Virat.

"Well, I'm repeating it now again," Virat stated, rolling his eyes as he let Rahul pull him up.

"Nothing, it just means I'm more sensible than you," Rah retorted

"You're a kid, kiddoliyaaa" Virat said very seriously.

Rahul just stuck his tongue out utterly childishly at Virat then made a totally sour face, when the rain drops touched his tongue. They walk together inside the hotel. Pushing each other, splashing water at each other and commenting on everything along the way, cracking jokes and what not.

No one can tell they were crying a few minutes ago, or making full fledged plans of leaving everything behind. Rahul doesn't think he has ever seen Virat this vulnerable. And it isn't lost on him that he is the only one among the kids, who Virat would let see that side of him. It makes him feel a little more special for Virat doesn't it. Rahul just wants to be there for his Virat always.

Some how reaching near Virat's room. They found a very worried Shreyas and Rishab pacing in front of the room and just like Rahul, the first emotion they felt watching the thoroughly drenched hulrat was-anger.

"Where the hell are your phones?" Both of them screams together, not at all caring about the people they scared.

Obediently, Hulrat pulls out their phone from their back pockets. Their drenched phones actually which somewhat works, showing about a thousand missed calls from the people before him. They just smile sheepishly at them.

Rishab and Shreyash looked somewhat resigned as they hug Virat. Eyes querying Rahul about the progress of the situation. Rahul reassured them through his eyes it was under control. They just needed to make their brother feel very loved and needed.

So, if anyone found the sight of Rishab and Shreyas drying Hulrat's hair while scolding them with a large towel odd, no one said anything about it. If they found the three kids always with Virat following him around like his loyal shadows odd. No one commented on it or asked about it.

No, one said anything about it.

After all, some even odder things had come to pass in ICT.

~the end~