Your Efflorescence

Part 12 (The End)

Gauti felt hurt enough when he came to know Rickey is no longer his son. He wiped his eyes at a corner while all were busy in asking a lot of questions. He saw Mahi's answering proudly that he's the actual father of Rickey, a satisfactory smile also glittering in Sonu's face. Virat was shocked like others but now he too is happy, seems like he also wished the same. Only the innocent one, who couldn't get edge of the relation's dilemma, noticed Gauti's eyes. He smacked Mahi to take him off. As soon as he did, Rickey ran towards Gauti and hugged his legs.

"Daaaad...aap lo kiun lahe ho ? Kisne daanta aapko ?"

Gambhir lifted him up quickly wiping his eyes and tried hardly to smile.

"Nahi to beta, main kahan ro raha hun ? Aur mujhe kaun daantega ?"

"Nooo maine dekaa aap lo lae the......batao muje kya hua hai ?"

What will he say ? He knew one day the truth will be revealed but didn't expect that Mahi will cancel his marriage and claim Rickey and Sonu as his. Gauti's heart teared apart thinking that Rickey won't play again in his house, Sonu won't scold him back for scolding Rickey. The all time serious cricketer suddenly started crying like a baby holding little Rickey tightly.

"Saale dramebaaz!" scoffed wry-mouthed Virat while all were getting emotional for Gauti.

Mahi and Saurav gave him warm stares from both side but not seems that he felt a bit guilty.
Sonu slowly went to GG, he was also sad for the short-tempered man, he really loves Rickey a lot and maybe loves Sonu too.

Gauti controlled himself again feeling Sonu's hand on his shoulder.

"I'm so happy Sonu! Now you can live happily with your dreamboy, Rickey will get the best father to guide him..."

"Aise mat boliye please... aapka ahsan main kabhi nahi bhul sakta... Rickey aapka hi hai... from his birth he's saw you caring him, nourishing him... isiliye dekhiye naa kaise gale laga hai aapka jab hum me se kisine aapko notice hi nahi kiya"

Sonu's words made him emotional again. Now Mahi came before him, both eyes met for a few seconds, then Mahi said --- "sorry Gauti I can't help. Tum match jeetane ka credit le jao, lekin (indicating Rickey) mere *hardwork* ka credit main tumhe nahi de sakta"

Everybody including GG couldn't control laughing. Yuvi punched Mahi's head seeing his little brother Sonu's tomato like face.

"Kyu be ? Har moment pe savage banna hai ? Teri wajah se woh shaitaan (Virat) spoil ho raha hai! Abey Shukriya adah kar Gauti ka jisne chaar saal se tere hardwork ka khayal rakkha...."

"Yes of course" Mahi held GG's hand, "I'm really greatful to you Gauti, indeed you're a big-hearted man"

"No no Mahi, I don't need credit or anything. Bas mujhe Rickey se milne dena kabhi kabhi..." tears choked his words, full ICT family witnessed how Gautam Gambhir pleading to MS Dhoni. No❌ A father pleading to another father. Mahi held his hand more tightly;

"Don't say like that Gauti, Rickey tumhara hi rahega. Woh tumhe hi dad bulayega, mai uska Mayiii sunne me jyada comfortable hun. Aur woh bhale hi mera beta ho, uska guru tum hi banoge. I'm promising you, in future he'll play under your guidance only."

"Sonu"
Virat came with a stupid smile -- "sorry yaar, tujhe bohot embarrass kiya. Agar mujhe pata hota Rickey Mahi bhai ka beta hai......"

"It's ok badmash. Bas tu unka asamman kabhi mat karna jinhone tere Mahi bhai ke bete ko itne pyaar se paala"

Virat just nodded a little.

"Congratulations Mahi bhai... mujhe to Sonu ne pehle hi bataya tha. Aaj main bohot khush hun ki aapko apni full family mil gayi... Priyanka didi se apki shadi hoti to shayad hum itna khush nahi hote"