Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 8

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue across the quiet streets of the small town where Rohit Sharma had built a new life far from the world that once defined him. The evening was peaceful, the kind that used to fill him with ease. But tonight, something stirred in the air—something unexpected.

Rohit sat in his living room, casually flipping through the TV channels, trying to distract himself. The retirement of his former best friend, Virat Kohli, had hit him harder than he wanted to admit. Memories of their friendship, their shared dreams of retiring together, haunted him. His heart ached at the thought of what once was, and what could never be.

Ritika, sensing the shift in his mood, quietly prepared dinner in the kitchen. Sammy sat at the table, engrossed in her project, occasionally glancing at her father with concern. Life had been peaceful here, but the past always had a way of creeping back in, especially in moments like this.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Rohit looked up, surprised, as visitors were rare in this part of the world. Sammy and Ritika exchanged curious glances before Rohit got up to answer the door.

To his surprise, standing there was none other than Ajinkya Rahane, his best friend from another lifetime. His heart skipped a beat as memories of their shared past flooded his mind. Ajinkya smiled warmly, but there was something serious in his eyes.

"Ajju," Rohit said, his voice betraying his shock. "What are you doing here?"

Ajinkya stepped inside, pulling Rohit into a tight hug. "I had to come, yaar. There's something I need to tell you."

They both sat down, and Rohit noticed Ritika peering from the kitchen, curious but cautious. Sammy, who had been working quietly, straightened up, sensing the importance of this unexpected visit.

"Ajju, what's going on?" Rohit asked, leaning forward slightly, his tone serious.

Ajinkya hesitated for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts. Then he dropped the news that would change everything.

"Moksh has been selected for the Indian cricket team," he said, watching Rohit's reaction carefully.

Rohit's breath caught in his throat. For a split second, excitement flickered in his eyes—the same joy he once felt when he first wore the Indian jersey. But it was quickly overshadowed by the weight of the past. His mind flashed back to that day—seven years ago—when everything had fallen apart.

The match-fixing scandal. The fake signatures. The accusations. His permanent suspension. The betrayal of his closest friends, even Mahi and Virat. The pain of leaving his cricket family behind. He remembered how a crying Ritika and little Sammy had clung to him as they left the country in the dead of night, broken and alone.

"No," Rohit said sharply, his voice cutting through the room like a knife. "Moksh isn't going back there. I won't let him."

Ajinkya frowned, taken aback by Rohit's sudden resistance. "But Rohit, this is his dream—just like it was ours. He has a chance to make it big."

Rohit stood up, pacing the room in frustration. "I'm not letting him go to a place that destroyed everything for me! I won't let my son face what I went through."

From across the room, Moksh had been listening. He peeked out from the hallway, eyes wide with disbelief. "Dad, what do you mean?" he asked, stepping forward. "I've been selected? For the Indian team?"

Rohit's heart sank as he turned to face his son. He could see the excitement in Moksh's eyes—the same excitement he used to have as a young cricketer. But he couldn't let him go through the same nightmare.

"No, Moksh," Rohit said firmly. "You're not going."

Moksh's face fell, the joy slipping away as confusion and hurt replaced it. He looked at his father, unable to understand why he was being denied this opportunity. "But why? It's my dream... just like it was yours."

Before Rohit could respond, Sammy appeared behind Moksh, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "Let's go, Moksh," she said softly, guiding him back to his room. "I'll explain later."

As the door closed behind them, Rohit's resolve wavered. He sank back into the chair, running a hand over his face. Ritika walked over, her eyes filled with concern.

"Rohit," she said softly, sitting beside him. "We can't protect him forever."

He turned to her, his voice laced with pain. "I lost everything because of them, Rits. How can I let him go through the same thing?"

Ritika took a deep breath, placing a comforting hand on his. "He's not you, Rohit. He deserves a chance to chase his dreams, just like you did."

Ajinkya leaned forward, his tone gentle but firm. "Rohit, you've been living in the shadows for too long. It's time to let go of the past. Moksh has a bright future ahead of him, but he needs your support. We'll make sure no one knows he's your son, just like you want. I'll take care of everything. But don't clip his wings before he even gets the chance to fly."

Rohit's shoulders slumped as he listened. He knew Ajinkya and Ritika were right, but the fear still gripped his heart. He didn't want Moksh to suffer because of his own past mistakes.

After what felt like an eternity, Rohit finally spoke, his voice heavy with reluctance. "Fine," he said quietly. "But on one condition—no one can know he's my son. You'll take him with you, Ajju, but I'm staying here. I don't want him getting caught up in my past."

Ajinkya nodded, relieved that Rohit was at least willing to let Moksh have a chance. "You have my word, Rohit. I'll protect him."

As they emerged from the room, Moksh's hopeful eyes met Rohit's. "Does this mean I can go, Dad?" he asked, excitement bubbling back to the surface.

Rohit forced a smile, fighting the bittersweet emotions swelling within him. "Yes, but remember, you're doing this for you, not for me. Make your own name."

Moksh's grin widened, and he lunged forward to embrace his father. "Thank you, Dad! I won't let you down!"

Watching the moment unfold, Ritika and Sammy shared a glance filled with understanding and hope. Perhaps this was the first step toward a brighter future, one where their family could finally heal from the scars of the past.

As Ajinkya prepared to leave with Moksh the next day, Rohit took a moment to breathe deeply, watching his son pack. The world had changed, but hope flickered like a candle in the darkness, illuminating the path forward.

Ritika smiled softly, knowing how hard this decision had been for Rohit. She squeezed his hand, offering him a small sense of comfort.

As the weight of the decision settled in, Rohit couldn't help but feel the familiar sting of heartbreak. His son was going to India—to the very place that had broken him. And while he knew it was the right thing for Moksh, it didn't make it any easier.

That night, as Rohit sat alone by the window, watching the moon rise, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something bigger. A chapter he had hoped would stay closed was about to be reopened. And this time, it wasn't just his future at stake—it was Moksh's.

30 comments and 30 votes