We are Forever ft. Us

Virat takes up the most annoying job in the universe

A/N: This was there in a previous book of mine as Rohirat's first meet, too. It is how I believe their first meet was, so didn't change it.

August, 2008

Leading up to the U-19 World Cup 2008, Virat had been wont to believe that the squad, led by himself was the best young talent India had to offer.

Then suddenly one day during practice, he saw his teammates talking about someone called 'Rohit Sharma', who was about to make his India debut, apparently.

Virat knew now that he had been an arrogant brat in his younger days, because he had asked, "How come he gets to play for India when he couldn't even make it to the U-19 team?"

"He's 20, I think," someone said.

"Don't you guys have anything better to discuss?" asked Virat.

However, after that, he heard their coach talking about the ridiculously talented new guy Rohit Sharma. Then he heard that Sourav sir had praised him extravagantly.

Then he heard that Sachin sir, his idol, was also praising Rohit Sharma.

Who the hell was this Rohit Sharma? wondered Virat uneasily, with a twinge of jealousy, because he worshipped Sachin sir and he knew that he had been Sachin sir's favourite youngster till Rohit Sharma burst on to the scene.

Virat determinedly sat down in front of the TV to watch Rohit Sharma's debut match in the T20 WC 2007.

Before he had watched Rohit face 6 balls, Virat's contemptuous, angry demeanor had given way to open mouthed awe.

It couldn't have been clearer why everyone was so caught up with this guy.

His shots...his class...his timing!

God, Rohit Sharma must be an absolute natural talent!

After that, Virat became just one more of Rohit Sharma's fans. He made sure he watched every match Rohit played in, and concluded that he was, though talented, reckless and impatient.

Try as he might, Virat couldn't dislike Rohit Sharma, even though he was getting to be Sachin sir's favourite, even though he was jealous of all the attention he was getting.

Rohit Sharma's behaviour, words and demeanor as seen on the field was simply un-dislikeable, Virat felt.

Of course, he didn't know what the future held.

***

After leading India to win the U-19 WC, Virat earned his India call up for the Sri Lanka series in August 2008.

The seniors straight away made a fool of him by telling him that everyone new in the team had to touch Sachin sir's feet as a mark of respect. Since he had pretty much worshipped Sachin all his life, he did it without complain, and the rest of the team burst into laughter as Sachin sir pulled him up by his shoulders.

A red-faced Virat was muttering apologies or something to his idol when he noticed Rohit Sharma grinning at him from behind Sachin sir.

It wasn't a mocking grin, it was just a friendly, nice sort of grin.

Virat once again felt that this guy was so... impossible to dislike.

He found himself grinning back.

***

Virat made his debut on 18th August. It was just an average performance by him, and as he had prayed, like everyone else, that he played fearfully well on his debut, he felt quite down in the dumps after the match ended.