Chalk and Cheese

3

The next morning was the start of the Border-Gavaskar trophy. The team was pumped up, as cricket was back after a whole year. Both the Indian captain and vice-captain were doing their jobs perfectly; no one from outside could say that they were not on good terms with each other. But the whole Indian dugout was on edge; it was like they were waiting for a ticking bomb to explode. They were walking on eggshells around Virat and Jinks.

India won the toss and chose to bat first. It was a bad start for them as their openers got out cheaply. Pujara and Virat tried to stabilize the inning, but Pujji got out after scoring 43 runs, and it all went to their captain and vice-captain's shoulders. It made the whole team hold their breath. The start was good between them; Virat was looking great too. But the moment, everyone was anticipating came pretty soon.

Due to a misunderstanding between both of them on the pitch, Virat was run out. Jinks was horrified; his face went pale, and he was looking at his partner with wide eyes waiting for him to say something, to yell at him, but nothing happened.

When Virat got out, he was so frustrated and all he wanted was to yell at the other person because of whom he was run out. But with a single look at Jinks' face, his anger melted away. Virat could see all his guilt, and insecurities and he knew how he was the only one who could help his best friend. So, he walked towards the dressing room without a word.

Even though Virat didn't say anything to Jinks, his guilt was overpouring, resulting in his dismissal. When he went inside the dressing room, he avoided everyone and headed straight to the showers. Even when he came out of it, he avoided everyone until they reached their hotel, where he rushed to his room.

In his room, he played with his daughter Arya, but his mind was somewhere else. He couldn't believe that Virat didn't say anything to him when he got him out. Virat's silence affected him more than his words would've.

'Maybe Virat doesn't want anything to do with me.' He said to himself but hearing Virat's name Arya's eyes lit up. She started making noises as an indication to show that she wants to see Virat.

"Even you love him more than me." He said to Arya while chuckling and lifted her in his arm towards the ceiling, making her laugh loudly.

"Do you think I should talk to him?" He asked her, not thinking that she would reply, but she did give her nod of approval. Jinks took it as a signal, and he handed her to Radhika, who had just come out of the washroom. And with full determination, he started walking toward Virat's room.

But when he reached his door, he didn't have any confidence to knock. 'What will he even say to him? They had never fought before, so how could he mend their relationship, and more importantly, it was Virat's fault too, so why would only he apologize?' He thought.

He didn't see Jaddu leaning near the door and looking at him with his whole concentration while eating chips.

"I knew you would come here." Jaddu's voice startled him, and he went a few steps backward.