Homecoming

If snow melts down to water, Does it still remember being snow?

A/N - I am literally in tears. Just praying hard. But with the Team all the Way. Good Luck Team India. 

Chapter 3 - If snow melts down to water, does it still remember being snow?

Flashback -

The day before India's first match of ICC Men's World Cup 2023

Virat was sitting with a mug of coffee staring out at the night sky of Chennai. He was trying to get his mind space moulded for their match against Australia which, in many ways, may set the tune of how they and their team is viewed in this World Cup Championship.

Having been privileged to have been a part of a team which had lifted the World Cup in 2011, Virat had first hand experience of the sheer breath stopping pressure which would exist till the very last bowl had been bowled and for some, even after.

It was pretty balmy outside and Virat could just imagine and dread the conditions which would exist tomorrow as they would go in to play. But he was equally looking forward to the crowd of Chennai, whose sheer intensity would definitely take care of any small discomfort.

The creak of the door opening alerted Virat to the presence of Rohit Sharma, who walked out to the balcony, a pensive look on his face.

"Hey." The Captain of the Indian Cricket Team murmured, ignoring the chair and dropping down to sit on the false grass carpet on the floor, siting back against Virat's chair. His head came up to Virat's knee and he rested against his friend.

Though slightly taken aback at this unusual display of comfort seeking, Virat ran a hand over Rohit's head, ruffling his hair. "What happened, Cap?" He quipped, keeping his voice light and flighty.

Rohit shook his head, unable to give words to the turmoil brewing within him. Virat maintained the silence and Rohit slowly slipped into a trance like state with the balmy air, tiredness and Virat's support lulling him into a sense of security and serenity,

When Virat had begun to think that maybe Rohit had dozed off, that the later finally spoke up.

"You had a RCB Podcast a few months back. You were asked about who does the Greats go to; for advice, for help. You gave such a heartfelt reply about Mahi Bhai; about him being there for you when few were."

"Yeah?"

His head slightly bowed, Rohit murmured, "Who do I go to, Virat? Though I am far from being Great..."

Virat interrupted. "Of course, you are not Great!" An elbow to knock in Rohit's head, "You are just one of the Greatest I have seen."

Rohit looked back with a slight smirk and it was then that Virat caught the tears filming his friend's eyes. "Rohit?" Virat could only manage a whisper.

"Where do I go to, Virat?" The Captain questioned again, looking back towards the dark night sky. "M-Mahi Bhai is not h-here... I tried to read him over the phone too but..."

Virat had had an inkling that they would not hear from their Mahi Bhai before the World Cup ended, unless something untoward happens. He placed his hands on Rohit's shoulders and squeezed it in support.

"You have the Team. You have Jaddu, Ash, Rahul Bhai..."

"And you?"

"And me. And me, always." Virat repeated the words to himself, much like a mantra, an affirmation.

"Are you sure? After how I behaved after the 2019 World Cup loss.."

The words were spoken very softly; Rohit wanted to give Virat a modicum of denial if he choses to walk that way.