Something's Missing

Part 1 - Bhool gaya sab kuch

It was a throw from the boundary and the fielder had ducked. Unfortunately Ishan who was running between the wickets got caught in the middle. Shubman who was running to the other end heard a loud thud and his heart nearly stopped when he saw Ishan lying on the pitch unconscious.

Shubman had no idea about what happened to the match . He only knew he had been in complete shock and had followed the medics as they took Ishan away on a stretcher. Nobody stopped him, he thinks. For if they had, he hadn't even realized. He didn't care, to be honest. It was one cricket match. Here was a part of his heart lying unconscious. Nothing else mattered, ever.

He vaguely remembered being asked to stay out as Ishan was wheeled into the emergency room. There was a rush of players and crew who were all friends of Ishan, somehow . He was so loved. By all. By him. Shubman loved him. So so much. He couldn't bear to wait for any news on Ishan. Why were the doctors taking so long? He had no idea he had tears streaming down his face until Virat offered him a napkin. He was also saying soothing words of comfort but none of it registered. How could it?

Cricket has had some unfortunate incidents when it comes to players getting injured or worse. He didn't want his Ishan to be named among those who were permanently harmed playing the game.

Suddenly, there was a burst of activity. He's awake, Virat bhai told him. Shubman had already gotten up to go visit him. He was grateful when everyone took pity on him and let him meet his Ishan first.

Ishan smiled as soon as he saw him.

"Gill, meri jaan. Tu ro raha tha kya?"

(Gill, my love where you crying?)

"Darra diya tha na saale" (you scared me saale)

He sat next to Ishan and took his hand in his.

"Kya Rohit bhai Virat bhai., isko sambhala nahi.. dekho kya haal bana rakha hai"

(What is this Rohit bhai, Virat bhai..you should've taken care of him, look what he's done to himself)

"Tu khud ko dekh pehle. Ball dekh nahi sakta tha?" (You look at yourself first..couldn't you have watched the ball) Rohit asked in his usual straightforward manner.

Ishan paused for a moment. "Actually bhai mujhe bilkul yaad nahi ki kya hua..."(Actually bhai, I don't remember anything)

Rohit and Virat exchanged worried looks. Shubman looked at Ishan's face searchingly.

"Aaj kaunsa match tha. Ye yaad hai?" (What was today's match..do you remember that?)Shubman asked.

Ishan frowned thinking. He held his head, "aaj Srilankai wala match tha kya? Mujhe yaad nahi aaraha" (Was today the match against Srilanka, I don't remember)

"Srilanka wala match tho ek mahine pehle tha, Ishu"

(Srilanka match was a month back, Ishu)

Rohit and Virat exchanged a quick look then Virat left presumably to call the doctor.

"Ek mahine pehle?" (One month ago?) Ishan looked confused.

"Ek mahine ka tujhe kuch bhi yaad nahi ?" (Don't you remember anything from the past month?) Shubman sounded distressed. Rohit put a comforting arm on his shoulder.

"Doctor ka wait karte hai... usko stress mat karo tum"

(Let's wait for the doctor..don't stress him out)

Ishan was rubbing his thumb along Shubman's wrist quietly reassuring him. Shubman felt like an asshole for having to be comforted when Ishan was the one who was injured.