Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 9

Moksh stepped off the plane, a wave of excitement coursing through him as he took in the bustling sights and sounds of India. The air buzzed with energy, a stark contrast to the quiet life he had left behind with his family. Ajinkya stood beside him, watching his young friend with a mix of pride and concern.

"Welcome to India, Moksh," Ajju said, smiling as they navigated through the crowd at the airport. "Are you ready for this adventure?"

Moksh nodded vigorously, his eyes shining with anticipation. "More than ever! I can't believe I'm finally here! When do I get to meet the team?"

Ajinkya's heart sank slightly at the enthusiasm radiating from the boy. He needed to tread carefully, knowing full well the weight of the promise he had made to Rohit. "Soon, very soon. But first, we need to talk."

They found a quieter corner in the airport, away from the throngs of people, and Ajinkya crouched down to Moksh's eye level. "Listen, Moksh. I need you to promise me something important."

"What is it, Ajju Chachu?" Moksh's brow furrowed with curiosity.

Ajinkya hesitated, carefully choosing his words. "You're starting a new chapter here, and it's going to be exciting. But I need you to keep something to yourself. You can't tell anyone who you are or where you come from."

Moksh's eyes widened in surprise. "Why not? Don't they want to know who I am?"

"It's not that simple," Ajinkya replied, his tone serious. "Your father, Rohit, has a complicated past. People in this sport can be... unforgiving. If they knew you were his son, it might not end well. We need to protect you and keep you safe."

"Safe from what?" Moksh asked, a hint of confusion clouding his features. "I don't understand. Is my dad in trouble?"

Ajinkya took a deep breath, wishing he could share the whole truth. "Not exactly trouble, but things have happened that made him very cautious. This is just a precaution. Can you trust me on this?"

Moksh bit his lip, considering Ajinkya's words. He felt a growing sense of responsibility. "I promise, Chachu. I won't tell anyone. I just want to play cricket."

Ajinkya smiled, relief flooding through him. "Good. That's all I need to hear. We'll work together to make sure you shine on that field without anyone knowing the connection to your father."

As they stepped out of the airport, Moksh marveled at the chaos around him—the honking cars, the vibrant colors, the tantalizing aromas wafting through the air. He felt a thrill of excitement but couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

"Can we go to the academy now?" Moksh asked eagerly.

"First, we'll head to my place," Ajinkya replied. "You'll stay with me until training starts. It's just a short ride away."

The car ride was filled with chatter as Moksh bombarded Ajinkya with questions about the team, the players, and the cricket culture in India. Ajinkya answered each question, his heart warming at the boy's passion. Yet, he remained vigilant, ensuring Moksh stayed unaware of the shadows that loomed over his father's past.

As they reached Ajinkya's apartment, Moksh burst through the door, taking in his new surroundings. "This is amazing! I can't believe I'm really here!"

Ajinkya chuckled, watching the boy explore with childlike wonder. But as Moksh ran his hands over the cricket trophies displayed on the shelves, Ajinkya felt a pang of guilt. He wished he could tell him everything, to let him revel in the pride of being Rohit Sharma's son. But the promise weighed heavily on him, knowing that keeping Moksh in the dark was the only way to protect him.

"Okay, let's get settled in," Ajinkya said, shifting his focus to the immediate moment. "Tomorrow, we start with training. Just remember, be careful with what you say."

Moksh nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "I won't let you down, Ajju Chachu. I'm going to work hard and make Dada proud."

"That's the spirit," Ajinkya replied, forcing a smile. Inside, however, he felt the burden of his promise to Rohit. How long could they keep this up? How long could they shield Moksh from the truth?

As night settled in, Moksh curled up on the couch, the thrill of the day still coursing through him. Ajinkya stepped outside for a moment, his thoughts drifting to Rohit. He hoped that somewhere, far away, his friend was watching his son take his first steps into the world of cricket, proud yet burdened by the memories of what had once been.

But little did they know, the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, and the truth would not stay buried for long.

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