Will you stand by me?

Chapter 6 - Maturity is the Moment

A/N - I really wanted to do this chapter from MS's POV but this is Virat's story. His POV is so important.

The lyrics are from "Lullabye for a Stormy Night" Song by Vienna Teng. Been a little in love with this song and somehow found it awfully appropriate for this chapter.

"Maturity is the moment one regains one's innocence."

"I do not know you at all, do I, Mahi Bhai?"

Virat barely stopped his voice stuttering from the cold, despite the ostensible warmth from the two jackets and the perceptible warmth of MS's embrace. The very occasional gust of strong winds would bring forth micro droplets of rain water drenching his face ever so often, causing shivers to run through every single cell of his body.

"Of course, I do not know you. You kept up such a flawless front and I fell for it, like the utter fool I am." A hand slowly reached out but hesitantly pulled back. "Was I not even worthy of being taught?"

Little Child, Be not afraid

Though rain pounds harshly against the glass

Like an unwanted stranger, there is no danger

I am here tonight

Virat sniffed; a little from the cold and from the tears burning the back of his eyes. He snuggled further into MS's embrace, trying to prolong the borrowed moments before he would be made to face the fallout from his one moment of derangement too many. 

"I...I did not mean to disrespect you on the field but I know that it came off as disregard; I just needed to...needed to.... What did I need to do, MS?"

Virat had not expected a reply and he did not receive one, but he could feel MS's shoulder rise the slightest bit.

A spectacular bolt of lightning pierced the sky, inking a separation in the unending night expanse; Virat inhaled sharply. MS's arm tightened around him, making him wonder, yet again, as to the absolute compassion of the man. A compassion that refused to diminish even as the man was flagellated for it.

The last visages of Virat's pride and the nonchalance he was portraying ebbed away, leaving him stranded and desolate from within.

Thunder followed and this time Virat's momentary, unfounded fear had his senses in a grip; the events since the morning threatened to take him under. It took him a moment to realise that MS was patting his back, the taps creating its own brand of beats to some unheard of music.

And someday you'll know

That nature is so

This same rain that draws you near me

Falls on rivers and land

On forests and sand

Makes the beautiful world that you see

In the morning

"Calm down." The dear voice hit all the right axons and Virat forced back the sobs climbing up his throat.

"I acted crazy, didn't I, Mahi Bhai? And you know what, it will happen again. My mind," Virat smacked himself on the back of his head, "My mind is such a dark abyss. It saunters and meanders its way into a path of its own fancy, uncaring for the casualties it leaves behind."

"Not always." Again the slightly croaky voice; still the underlying notes of affection.

MS had stood against the world for his Team. He had embraced all their losses and had credited them with the wins. The only thing he had expected from them was, when it was their time, that they would continue to take care of the Team. But wasn't MS a part of the team too?