Some real things can be different in these stories
Rohit face a huge challenge during the test series. First one is his best friend is not by his side for more than a month. Most of the senior players were not in the squad. There were few new players who debut in this series too. But no need to tell about the support Ash, Jaddu and Rahul bhai gave him. More than everything his first kiddo was near him as his vice.
They were able to give a good game for the England team. Yes it was also fun to be around new players Ro started to remember his early days time to time.
"Why are you smiling bhaiya ?" Jassi approached him
"Oh.. Jassi.. nothing much I just remembered my early days. I'm feeling sorry for Mahi bhai " Ro told him
"Why is that bhaiya?"
"I and Vi were not the best kids someone could ever ask for. We troubled him a lot. Seeing these kid I missed my old days"
"Bhaiya..." before he tell anything Yashu came with Shubi.
"Ro bhai I was searching for you. You promissed you will sit with me in the dinner " Yashu said without a preamble.
"Nooo. Bhai I performed well today. You should take me to an Ice-cream treat " it was Shubi.
"No way bhai I came first. Tell him to go away."
"You..."
"Stop this you two. How old are you ?" Ro ask them. Usually this makes them close their mouths
They both showed three fingers. Yes they have caught him.
"Ok toddlers can you wait at my room. I will join you two. And Shubi you can get your treat after the series ok. I don't want you to have runny nose tomorrow "
Ro sent them away. He was looking at their direction with adoration.
"Honestly Jassi. They reminded me of you two. You and Harry. Why you two grew up this fast" Ro sighed
Jassi felt a pang in his heart. He had a feeling that some people are going to replace his position
"Jas.. see you tomorrow. Take a rest ok " Ro patted his back and left.
Same thing happened after the second day
"I performed well in all the matches. You should treat me bhai " Yash wined.
"Bhaiya, I got the POM in the test 4 but couldnt even talk with you properly. Let me spend time with you. They always hanging around you" Ok who made Juru like this. He was an innocent kid back then.
Jaddu was passing them.
"What is going on Ro? Are these kindergarten kids troubling you " he asked and Yashu glared at him.
"I'm questioning my life choices here..." Ro whispered
"BHAIYA"
"God. Stop screaming. I should get punished for pampering you all. Now you are becoming naughty kids day by day"
"We cant help when you are the teacher " Juru said sheepishly.
"Ok my annoying kids. You both can stay with me. And please don't provoke Shubi. I cannot handle any more. Jaddu that warning is apply to you too"
"Aye aye captain"
Ro spend the night with the kids. He woke up early in the morning due to a back pain. He tried to got up and winced. Yashu was woken by his voice
"What happened bhai " he sleepily asked
"I don't know Yashu. My back is hurting." Ro was keeping his hand behind his back
"Bhaiya is it serious. Should we go to a hospital. Should I call some one. Oh god "
Juru also woke up due to the screaming.
"Calm down Yashu it is nothing series. Can you call the physio"
Yashu ran out side.
"Are you ok bhai " Juru asked him.
"I'm ok bacha. Can you go and take Jassi here"
Juru followed the order.
Physio said Ro has strained mussels and need to take rest. Just then Jassi came with Juru. He sat beside Ro
"Bhaiya, what happened ? Are you alright "
"I'm ok Jass. Just a stiff back "
"What did you all do yesterday which made him like that ?" Jassi asked other two. They both lowered their heads.
"Stop Jas. They have nothing to do with this. I was feeling off since the evening. And the important thing is I want you to captain the third day"
"Bhaiya.. I "
"You can do it Jas. This is not your first time"
After a bit of convicting Ro was able to make Jassi's mind.
Jassi didn't make him disappointed as they lead by 64 runs.
As usual juniors were taking pics with Ro. Jassi couldn't even get a chance to take a photo with him.
Jassi decided to Visit Ro bhaiya's room. Usually bhai would have called him by now.
Usually after he captaining a match Jas spends the night in Rohit bhaiya's room. Ro will praise him for his captaincy and give him instructions to improve himself. More than everything Jassi wanted keep his head on his bhaiya's chest and sleep like that. Even his heartbeat can calm him down
Surprisingly he found the door locked. Captain suite is never locket. He tried few more times.
"Jassi" It was Ash who was going to his room, which was near Rohit's room.
"Oh bhai"
"What are you doing here Jassi. Ro is not here"
"Where did he go ?" Jassi asked as Ro didn't mentioned about going out.
"His new troublemakers dragged him alone with the. They will not return until midnight I guess. Do you need something ?"
"No bhai, I was bored and decided to stop by. I will go back to my room" Jassi left
Maybe Ash is not experienced enough to deal with kids like Ro, but he could see that something is wrong with Jassi. He kept a mental note to tell this to Ro later.
Jassi couldn't sleep. He started to get memories of his early years. Few years ago, it was he and Harry beside his bhaiya. How did that change. Yes he also got busy after the marriage. He stopped barged into bhaiya's room in the middle of the night. Has his place been replaced by new kids
On the other hand Ro was able to get free from the kids.
"Bhai lets play a game ?" Sarfaraz suggested him
"No kiddo. You all can play. I really need my sleep now " Ro patted his head and left after biding them good bye
Ro checked his phone while going to Jassi's room hoping he was awake. He saw a message from Ash
"Ro, if you come early check on Jassi. I think he is upset "
Ash
Ro walked fast and opened the door of Jassi's room without making any sound. The room was pitch black. He thought Jassi may be sleeping. When he tried to close the door he heard a sniffling sound.
Ro turned a wall light. There his Jassi curling into a ball on the bed. He was awake
"Jassi " Ro called as gentle as possible. Jassi opened his eyes
"Bhaiya..." just by listening to his voice Ro know there is something wrong with his kiddo
"Jassi... what happened bacha " Ro approached him.
Seeing no response from him Ro tried to hug Jas. But he pulled away
"Jas..."
"Don't you love me anymore bhaiya. " his voice was weak
"What ? Jassi what happened kiddo... why did you ask such a question ?" Ro tried to find out what is wrong with his Jassi
"You are no longer spending time..with me..." His voice broke at the end
"Jassi listen..."
"No today you listen to me bhaiya.. I know I'm married and have a kid on my own... but did I ever act different with you bhaiya... tell me... why don't you love me anymore" He was sniffling
Ro couldn't speak for a while. He didn't know he made his kid feel like this. Ro did what he could do best at that moment. He hugged him closer to his chest. Jassi struggled to pull away.
Damn this kid have gotten stronger. But Ro was able to stop him from struggling. Finally Jassi buried his face in the crook of Ro's neck and cried like that.
Ro kept saying sweet nothing to calm him down. Finally he stopped crying and pulled out of the hug. They settled side by side on the bed.
"Now tell me what happened...?" Ro asked him
"I... bhaiya..." Ro wait patiently until He telling all story
"They are stealing you " Jassi avoid Ro's eyes
"Who is stealing me kiddo"
"Forget about it bhaiya. Its nothing.."
"Its cannot be 'nothing' if it is hurting my Jassi."
"Bhaiya... You have forgotten about me. I know you have to share your time with youngsters. But aren't Shubi and Yashu enough ? now there are Sarfaraz too. Not to mention Juru. I didn't even know he could speak like that with you " Jassi talked without stopping
"Slow down my fast bowler... You know Jas they are still new to international cricket. I have to make they are comfortable like I did to you.."
"But you didnt visit me today after the match. You went out with them"
"Where am I now" Ro pointed himself
"Stop giving an answer for every question bhaiya." Jassi wined
"Jassi.. I'm sorry for hurting your feelings kiddo. I forgot I have to take care of you too"
"Please don't apologize bhaiya. I just wanted you to treat me like you used to do"
"I promise baba. I will spend more time with you"
"But if they act in front of me like they are owning you I will teach them a good lesson " Jassi kept his head on his bhaiya's shoulder.
"Of course of course. I remember someone's ball was going to hit Ishu's head 'accidently' during the practices after his bhaiya hung out with him"
"He was annoying. I'm not afraid to do that again" Jassi mumbled. Ro took a mental note to warn other kids not to get in to his nerves.
"Can I cuddle you like my early days bhaiya ?" Ro know exactly what he is asking. When he was restless due to the work pressure he used to sleep keeping his head on Ro's cheat.
"Do you ever have to ask Jas " Ro opened his arm. Jassi happily settle with his bhaiya to sleep. Everything will fall back in place now.
"Bhaiya..."
"Mmm?"
"You know bhaiya. I hate sounds when I sleep. Not even the sound of clock. But your heartbeat is different. It calms me and help me to sleep " Ro didn't say anything. He leaned down and kissed Jassi's head.
His kiddo. No matter how much Jassi has grown. He is still the kid who was scared to look into his eyes. Who used to held Ro's hand when there were lot of people. Still his Jassi with the innocent smile. His boom.
............................................................................
Hope you liked it ❤️