WANTED: for the greater good

The daru party

Present time (Thursday, 5:15 am)

"We were taking it unnecessarily lightly," said Virat evasively, in answer to Kuldeep's question why their situation had suddenly changed from a joke to serious. "But it's nothing the four of us can't manage. But you guys have to return to the hotel--you can--you can manage the excuses there, for disappearing for a day and a half!"

"And also justify why we're not flying back to India with you," added Rohit quickly. "Lots of brains required there, we wouldn't trust anyone but you guys to--"

"WE ARE NOT IDIOTS, ROHIT BHAIYA," Jassi screamed.

"Shhhhh!" went everyone desperately.

"Jasprit?" came a voice from somewhere below the treehouse. "Did I hear Jasprit's voice?"

"How can you possibly hear Jasprit's voice here, Marnus?"

"Well, he is in the city..."

A horrified Shubman covered Jassi's mouth as the others all hushed each other.

Splash!

"For Chirssake!"

"Did Travis fall into the pool again? Go fish him out, Maxi..."

"Why me?"

"Coz you're the only one who doesn't get high, you dimwit!"

"I heard Jasprit's voice! I tell you I heard Jasprit's voice!"

"Fine, you heard it! Now go bring the rest of the drinks, they're on the second shelf from right..."

"Why always me?"

"Coz you're the youngest."

"Steve, tell Mitch to stop having bullying me. He's always bullying me!"

"Ahh..."

"Why," Virat whispered, "does it sound like the Aussie team is having a daru party in this kid's backyard?"

"Maybe this kid is Pat's kid," said Ash drily, "or Warnie's."

"I won't bring the drinks, I won't bring the drinks every time!"

"All right, all right, I'll go."

"You can't go, Pat, you're the captain, give them orders, you dolt."

"C'mon Mitch..."

"Ah," said Rohit. "Can the captain give orders?"

"No," said everyone except Shubman.

"Some captains indeed feel like captains," said Rohit mournfully. "I s'pose that's World Cup or WTC winning captains for you."

"Rohit!" Virat scolded. "You think we're in a situation to go into those now?"

"What, did you forget we lost a World Cup and a WTC to Pat's team this year just 'cause we're on the run?"

"Stop it!" Jassi said, though in a marginally lower voice. "For heaven's sake, stop it, both of you. What the hell are we going to do if they're partying in the backyard? We can't leave by six!"

Virat and Jaddu exchanged a glance.

"We don't know the way to the docks, and we don't have a single phone," said Virat. "How about we go and ask them?"

"Sh-should we?" asked Ash, thrown off-balance.

"Definitely worth the chance," said Jaddu, and gave Jassi a shove. "Go down, Jasprit, Marnus heard your voice."

Jassi glared at them all to make his feelings clear, and then--he climbed out of the treehouse without a warning.

"He really went!" said Kuldeep.