Will you stand by me?

Epilogue - La Prima Parte

Epilogue - La Prima Parte
This is mainly for karu_nidzz who was asking Kane lolzzzz

Will look forward to hearing from all of you

Virat was, yet again, sitting at the boundary line, absent-mindedly pulling at the rope. Evening was just creeping in and there the chilly air still caused the occasional shiver to rush through him. Jinks had forced him to wear an extra sweater, and it was now coming in handy as Virat snuggled into it with relief.

"That was some knock, Virat."

The Captain of the Indian Cricket Team startled at the hand on his shoulder and smiled up at his opposition captain and friend.

"You did not leave me with an option, Kaney boy. What a performance by your team!"

A chuckle and Kane Williamson had dropped down to sit next to Virat. Virat mirrored the chuckle as Kane bumped his shoulder against his. "I did tell you that I would not go easier on you."

Virat flung his head back and guffawed. The action caused his head to throb from the enduring flush of fever but it did not bother him too much; a day's rest and the medicines had taken care of the worst of the symptoms.

"Trust you to hit such a knock after battling such fevers for almost two days. King Kohli back in the good books of his country's media?"

Though Kane's words were placed with due sprightliness but Virat could read the concern underneath; their memories over the years drew a shawl of warmth over Virat's senses. They held testament to each other's growth over the years and had been a constant even when the going had become tough, for either of them.

"Yeah. You know how the media works. Their opinions...." Virat flapped his hands with irreverence and leaned back till his back hit the grassy outfield. He stared up at the gathering dark clouds and pulled a face; it would probably rain again and he had had enough of rains. For the time being.

"Their opinions matters little, Virat. The people who admire you, really care for you, all these would not matter to them. They will stand by you, regardless of your form or the occasional mistake you make."

"Yeah." Virat raised his head the slightest bit and grinned. "They, my fans that is, they love the fact that I took your wicket. U-19 world cup. I used to be a fairly decent bowler."

"Keep telling yourself that!" Kane had reached out and Virat's smile grew wider as he felt his hair being pulled. "It is a good thing that you had MS who did not overindulge in your so called bowling antics."

"Hey! You take that back!" Virat made sure that there was enough of a 'threat' in his words and barely held back the urge to stick his tongue out.

"Never!" Virat felt Kane pushing at his arms and he retaliated in kind; soon they were rolling around the ground having a mock wrestling match.

It must have been around 5 mins and Virat was still trying to pin down the lanky yet spry  athlete when his concentration got interrupted by a muffled cough. And Virat found himself being overpowered by Kane and laid there, quite embarrassed, glaring up at the person who had caused the interruption; from his upside down position Rohit's grin came off as slightly creepy.

"You made me lose, you dumb Rohitolo."  A grumble and Virat tried to grab at the bottom of Rohit's pants, trying to make him turn turtle but the later smartly stepped back.

"Why on earth... Rather, what on earth are you two doing? The captains of the two teams having a wrestling match? Nice headlines it would make."

Virat flipped Rohit the bird and giving up on all shenanigans, went back to staring up at the lofty and vermilion etched sky. "It is peaceful here; sit with us." He patted the ground next to him and a moment later, Rohit dropped down to join their little group.