The Broken Leader

Chapter 2 - The calm before the raging storm, or is it?

A/N - This story, though I wanted to write as a one-shot, but finally decided to split into parts to make it easy to read. It will not be too much. Please do review. I really need to know if I am doing okay. Thanks and much regards.

Author's note and disclaimer – I am really lucky to have started on Wattpad and you all, my readers, you have been fantastic. Every single comment acts like a balm against the wounds of the world.

Please let me know if you like the storyline. I may write some more if inspiration strikes and will also try to update my original story soon.

Please read and review.

Disclaimer - This is a fan fiction. A little tribute/my version of what may have happened to lead to or after these events. Other than the general outline of the events (which actually took place) everything else is made up. Some events are taken from interviews etc but the rest remains a head canon of mine. It is probably not what happened (more than probably) and should not be taken as any modicum of truth. I am just writing the story as I try to cure myself of a bad case of writer's block.

The incident in this fanfic is probably one of the most controversial we have had in recent times. I have just written about my head canon, which is in no manner related to the truth.

There is no intention to hurt or malign anybody. All members of ICT are most respected by me and this is just a fictional point of view. No incident have any resembled to what actually may have happened.

I finally decided to Go for Chapters, to make it easy to read.

Summary - It was just after the South Africa wherein Virat had announced his decision to step down from the Test Captaincy. MS had lent his support and had tried to boost up the youngster's morale. Therefore, the 'message' came as a surprise. What was ailing this young protege of Dhoni's? Can the Captain lead the youngster to the right path again? Or will Virat take some drastic decision? How does the team, specially Rohit, Jinks, Hardik Pandya, and, Rahul have to do with this?

Primarily – Mahirat. RohitMahiRat to some extent. May Include some other members of the ICT. Texts and calls and flashbacks are in bold. Flashback general POV and thoughts are in italics. 

Chapter No 2 - The Calm Before The Raging Storm, or is it?

"Virat!"

Wiping his hands on the apron he was wearing, MS bounded over to the door, extending his hand out for a handshake. But Virat, after dropping his backpack on one of the chairs, threw his arms around MS and grabbed the man in a in a bone crushing hug, ignoring his stained apron and all.

MS ran his hand over the bowed head and tightened his own arms around the youngster.

"Welcome home, Cheeku," he murmured affectionately.

Virat looked up, met MS's eyes and smiled. A smile that held a tad more bitterness than MS's liking, but it was a smile nevertheless.

"Yeah, this is home too. It's just been too long since I had last been here."

"You could have come anytime," MS maintained firmly. "Even if we are not here. The door always remains open for you."

"Always, Bhai?" There was vulnerability in Virat's voice, to the extent that MS had seldom heard. It worried him; it worried him greatly.

He nodded. "Of course, Virat. You do not need to ask this, do you?"

A shrug was the only reply and MS let it go for now. "Go and freshen up," he said, instead. "The food is hot. Let us have an early dinner, ok?"