Homecoming

Be like snow - Cold but Beautiful

A/N - Even as I have bitten my fingernails bloody, I had to write. Because it was the only thing that would keep my blood pressure from spiking as New Zealand is batting and I am praying for a wicket! And Md. Shami drops a catch! And takes two wickets!!! Fingers crossed

Fingers crossed!

This was to be a two shot but will end up being a three shot (hopefully, nothing more)

Happy Reading!

Chapter No - 2 - Be like snow - Cold but Beautiful

"More coffee?"

A pleasant voice broke Virat out of his thoughts and he saw a girl standing, no doubt the server. She looked to be in her early twenties and bore a striking resemblance to the elderly woman who had been their barista all those years back in 2014.

"Repeat the same, please." MS said. "And can we get something to eat?"

The girl nodded. "We have muffins- Chocolate, blueberry, banana... And Croissants - Butter, Chocolate, Nutella and Strawberry..."

"One Blueberry Muffin for me and One Nutella and Strawberry Croissant for my friend here."

The girl nodded, smiled and left, before Virat full registered MS's words and protested. "I cannot possibly have that! The calories, MS!"

"Oh shut up! You are retired! Act like it, for once."

"Retired from cricket, not from fitness!" Virat grumbled. He fished out the phone from his pocket and scrolled to Rohit's name. "This moron! What is he thinking! I will never let him..."

"Hey!" MS reached over and plucked the phone away, disconnecting the dialled call. "It is a done deal, Virat. I have Rohit's message on my phone; unread for now. He was quite determined to retire and when it comes to him, I actually support this move."

"What? Why?" Virat banged on the table for added effect, making MS frown.

"Do not act like a kid, Virat! Why do you think Rohit has not announced his retirement before this?" MS tried hard to keep his patience.

"How would I know why that-that panda does what he does?" Virat intoned, pulling a face. "He did not discus anything with me! And he is not picking up my phone! He did not even come to the party! Neither did you."

MS could feel a few more of his hairs turning grey.

"The same party from where you pulled off a runner, halfway, to come to Melbourne? Where you had directed me to meet you?"MS asked wryly.

Virat pouted, putting on his best 'kicked puppy' expression for MS. "We could have pulled off a runner together?" he hazarded. "But Rohit, Bhai? The team losing both of us at once?"

MS looked at Virat with pure adoration and even some exasperation. "The Team will be okay, Cheeku. But he was only waiting for your retirement; Rohit, that is. I do not know the reason for that, but he was ready for his own retirement long back."

Virat could not make either head nor tails of MS's words. In all his interactions with Rohit, he had never had the slightest indication that his friend was tired of the game or playing. But thinking back, he could remember a few isolated moments where Rohit had just looked weary.

"Can you captain for this one match, Rahul? I am not feeling my 100%"

"Virat, do you think that the boys are ready to take on an ICC championship on their own?"

"Vi...should I give up the Captaincy? I think they are just-just going to boot me otherwise."

"Hey...Vi-Virat... do y-you think that I need to be fitter?"