CSK '23

Mahi and Matheesha and he misses his family

a/n: my friend and I went to see a match at chepauk and Pathirana was fielding very verrrry close to us for like an hour straight. we had the biggest crush on him then, and he was being such a cutie. gotta love him XD

Mahi ALWAYS sat with the juniors for dinner. So it didn't take him long to notice that one particular kid wasn't there at the table with him, one very quiet one. He looked around, and he was indeed missing.

"Where's Pathirana?" Mahi directed to Theekshana, who was closest to him in the team.

"Uh.. he told me to go and said he'd come, but..." he sounded unsure and Mahi decided it's best if he checked up on him. He quickly finished his plate and when Baby Malinga still didn't show up, he strode to his room.

He tried the door and thankfully it was unlocked. He slowly opened the door and saw nothing but darkness. As the outside light slowly flooded into the room, Mahi walked inside, and his eyes spotted a curled up figure huddled against the wall on the floor.

On first instinct, Mahi could only panic. But he knew in his right mind that he had to be calm to approach the kid. His shoulders were visibly shaking, and Mahi didn't miss the silent whimpers in the air. He silently shut the door and didn't bother switching on any lights. Mahi crouched down next to the kid who hadn't even noticed his presence. Mahi put a loving arm round his shoulder and he stiffened, looked up and when he registered Mahi bhai's face under the pale moonlight from the half-opened window, he grew alarmed.

"Shh, it's okay, I'm only here to help you, kiddo," Mahi said tenderly and Matheesha broke into sobs again.

Mahi tightened his grip around his shoulders and Matheesha hesitantly buried his head on the crook of his neck. Mahi softly stoked his head with the other hand and let him be like that for the next couple minutes.

This is so embarrassing, Matheesha thought. He already thinks I'm a kid and now he must've made sure.

But despite that, he couldn't stop crying, because the real hurt was overwhelming and unfamiliar.

"What happened, Matheesha?" Mahi asked gently. "Did someone say something to you?"

He shook his head, still buried inside Mahi bhai.

"No? What is it then?" Mahi said, getting Matheesha to face him.

"I.. I miss them.."

Mahi's heart broke. The kid was only twenty and had very little experience staying away from family for such a prolonged time. He'd dealt with his brothers. But this, it was all the more difficult, because Matheesha was a kid. An actual kid, not a grown up one.

"I know how that feels..." Mahi started but Matheesha cut him off fiercely.

"I've never stayed away from them!" He said, as hot tears flowed down his face. Mahi stayed quiet, knowing it was best to let him vent.

"And.. and amma called... she was crying- I've never heard her cry, mahi bhai, and she was crying because she misses me.. says it's been hard without me... I want them to be here, bhai... please..."

"Okay, kiddo," Mahi said, rubbing his back. "Ask them if they can come visit. For a week or so. I'll make arrangements."

"Really?" Matheesha sounded so young, so vulnerable. Mahi's heart broke for the second time that night.

"Yes, really." Mahi said, noticing the towel in the bed. He reached for it and handed it to him. Matheesha accepted it, furiously wiping his face. "Slow down. And you know what, though they miss you wildly, you must also know that they would be very, very proud of you. Look at you, Mathee, so young, and yet you are already such a hard bowler to pick. You are feared."

Matheesha smiled, extremely overjoyed for being complimented by Mahi bhai.

"You're making your parents and sisters proud. You are their light. And I know how it must feel to not have them with you, but trust me, you will get used to his feeling. It'll all be okay."

Matheesha nodded, feeling Mahi bhai's words in his heart.

"Come to me wherever, okay? Whenever you feel homesick. Or to Maheesh. Whoever. But don't sulk about in your room and skip dinner." Mahi said gently.

Matheesha nodded again. "Thank you, mahi bhai." He whispered.

"Anytime. Now go wash up, we'll go for dinner." Mahi said, getting up.

"It's okay, bhai, I'm good."

"No, Matheesh, up you get." Mahi said firmly and when someone twenty years elder to you uses that tone, Pathirana knew better than to deny. So he washed up and together they went to dinner. The others had gone by now and it was just the two of them.

He got Matheesha food and he ate in silence. Mahi watched him, feeling overly protective of this new kid. More like a father than a brother. And that was new.

Matheesha on the other hand, felt grateful for having him as the skipper. He couldn't ask for someone better. And he was getting overly excited over meeting his family again. But he felt at ease already at Mahi bhai's words.

Like he had family in the CSK camp.

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"You have nothing to worry about Matheesha. He's always with me."