Ro's Boys

Chapter 2

Rishabh bounced up to them, his energy visible in his smile. "Good morning Virat bhai, Jassi bhai, Harry bhai and Rahul bhai." 

Virat ruffled his hair and said grinning mischievously, "Morning Rish!", and with a very subtle glance at Jassi, he added, "Did you have fun with Ro?"

Rishabh nodded, "I did Virat bhai, Rohit bhai has the best knowledge about sneakers." 

Virat chuckled, slinging an arm around Rohit. "The only topic our Ro here is interested in, is sneakers. I do not know why he loves them so much."

Rohit said, "Shut up, you love them just as much as I do. Only you- " Rohit stopped midway, as he saw Jassi glaring at the bag in his hand and Harry looking traumatized.  "Jas, Harry, are y'all okay?" 

"No they aren't", Virat said, struggling to maintain his composure. "Hardik lost his shoe- "

"Again?" Rohit interrupted. "Harry, how?"

"I don't know, Rohit bhaiya", Hardik mumbled. "I just did."   

Rohit felt bad for Hardik, also since he called him bhaiya too, so he thrust the bag in Virat's hands who promptly kept it in Rahul's hand with a sweet smile, and put an arm around his tall boy. "It's okay kiddo. If it happens with you...er...It must be happening...with everyone too. Dont worry, I- Jassi, Jassi will help you find it."    

"Will I?" Jassi, asked his eyebrows raised. And Rohit's look told him he will.

"I don't want that bhaiya", Hardik said. 

Rohit frowned, running a hand through the boy's hair, "Then?"     

"I want a new one!" Hardik said, pulling out the best adorable look he could muster.

Rohit grinned nervously, "Um..kiddo... you know we don't get a single shoe just like that, right?"

A loud laugh could be heard. Rohit glared at Virat.

Hardik was confused for a second but then understood. "No, bhaiya. I want a new pair of shoes. Will you get them for me?"

Rohit sighed in relief. A pair, he could manage easily.

"Of course", Rohit said smiling. "I will order it from Ama-"

"I WANT TO GO AND BUY THEM WITH YOU", Hardik yelled suddenly, making all of them jump out of their sleeves.

"Jeez Harry", said Rohit. "I got it, we will buy them together. No need to yell like that. We will go tomorrow."

Hardik grinned, "Thanks Ro, you are the best." Rohit chuckled and shooed them off to practice, noticing how silent Jassi was.

While walking, he pulled Virat to a stop and said, "Virat, why was Jassi looking so worried? He was practically glaring at Rishu and the bag."

Virat laughed, put his hands in his pocket and said, "You'll find that out soon, my dear Ro." Saying that he walked off.

Rohit frowned. What a bunch of wierdos!

-   

The morning practice session buzzed with intensity as the Indian cricket team prepared rigorously for their upcoming match. Jassi, usually focused and composed, found himself grappling with inner turmoil. He observed Rohit interacting effortlessly with Rishabh and Yuzi, discussing strategies and sharing laughs.

Jassi couldn't help but feel a pang of unease. Rohit's bond with the younger players seemed to be growing stronger, their camaraderie evident in every exchange. 

He glanced at Hardik, who wore a similar expression of concern as they practiced together. In spite of booking a shoe session with Rohit personally, Hardik still looked dissatisfied, "Same thing on your mind, Jassi?" Hardik finally broke the silence, his voice low.

 Jassi hesitated, not sure how to voice his thoughts. "It's just... do you ever feel like we're not as close to Rohit bhaiya anymore?" 

Hardik sighed, contemplating Jasprit's question seriously. "To be honest, I worry about that too." 

"Yeah," Jasprit nodded slowly. "I mean, we used to be his 'first kids,' right? But now..." 

Hardik sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know, Jassi." 

Jassi nodded, patting his back in a gesture of comfort. Virat, who was listening to all this, felt very bad for them, wanted to comfort them but he needed to complete his daily dose of entertainment. So he remained silent, enjoying every bit of this banter. 

-

As practice continued, Jassi and Hardik couldn't shake off the feeling of being on the outside looking in, watching Rohit mentor and bond with the younger members of the team. Jassi hated change, and if the change was anything related to his beloved brother, it terrified him.

Like kids, they had partial eyesight, so they only saw every pat Rohit bhaiya gave the kids, and every pat he did not give them when they bowled a good ball, but they failed to see their brothers concerned gaze lingering on them. 

After practice, the team gathered for a strategy meeting. Rohit, in his element as captain, discussed their upcoming matches and their game. Jassi's eyes were like a sieve today, so he let everything else go everywhere except watching the boys around Rohit.

As the meeting concluded, Rohit walked over to Jassi and Hardik. "You kids ready for tomorrow?" 

Jasprit forced a smile. "Absolutely, Rohit bhaiya. We're all set." 

Rohit studied them for a moment, sensing their unease instantly. "Is everything okay, kids? You seem a bit quiet today." 

Hardik exchanged a glance with Jassi before speaking up. "Yeah, Rohit bhaiya, everything's fine. Just gearing up for the match."

Rohit nodded, though a trace of concern flickered in his eyes. "Alright, remember, you are my boys, you can always talk to me. Make me proud tomorrow, boys!" 

Jassi and Hardik nodded in unison, their expressions conflicted. They appreciated Rohit's concern, but the conversation only heightened their sense of unease. 

As they dispersed, Jassi couldn't shake off the feeling that something had shifted within their dynamic. 

And as for Hardik, it was as if growing up, suddenly hit him like a truck.  

They had to do something. Soon.