Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 10

The sun peeked over the horizon as the morning dew glistened on the freshly mowed grass of the cricket academy. Excitement buzzed in the air as the senior players gathered near the practice ground, ready to welcome a new batch of talent. Virat, standing tall and confident as the new batting coach, felt a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.

"Alright, everyone!" he called out, his voice cutting through the morning chatter. "Today, we welcome the newcomers who will join us for the upcoming season. Let's show them what it means to be part of this team!"

Just then, a burst of energy came racing through the gates, and everyone turned to see Akaay, Virat's son, bounding toward the group. His face lit up with pure joy as he spotted his father's ex-teammates—Jassi, Harry, Rahul, Rishu, Shreyas, Shubman, and Ishan.

"Chachu! Chachu!" Akaay shouted, his excitement infectious. He ran straight into the arms of Jassi, who lifted him high off the ground, spinning him around.

"Look at you, little champ!" Jassi exclaimed, his voice booming with affection. "Ready to show us what you've got?"

"Always! I've been practicing!" Akaay beamed, his enthusiasm radiating.

Harry with a playful grin on his face. "You better be ready to take us down, kiddo. We can't let our names be tarnished by a rookie!"

"Yeah, right! You guys are going down!" Akaay laughed, confident in his abilities.

Akaay then turned to greet his extended family, moving swiftly between his father's old teammates. " Rishu! And Shreyas! Chachu" He threw his arms around each of them in turn, eliciting laughter and playful jabs about how much he had grown.

"Man, you're practically a giant now!"Rishu teased, pulling back to get a better look at Akaay. "When did you get so tall?"

"Must be the cricket genes!" Akaay laughed, chest puffing out with pride.

"I'd say it's more the pizza!" Shreyas chimed in, grinning. "You've been living off that stuff since you were a kid!"

"Guilty as charged!" Akaay replied with a wink. "But it's not just pizza. I've been working on my skills too. Ready to show you guys what I've got!"

As they caught up, sharing stories and teasing one another, the air was filled with warmth and camaraderie. Virat watched from a distance, a proud smile on his face. His son was stepping into a world he loved, and he hoped Akaay would make his mark on the field.

Just then, the gates swung open again, and Ajinkya walked in, Moksh beside him. Moksh was taking in the scene with wide eyes, soaking up the atmosphere like a sponge. His excitement was palpable, and he couldn't help but smile at the laughter around him.

"Who's that?" Rishu asked, squinting at the newcomer.

As Moksh took a few steps forward, the group fell silent, their gazes drawn to him. There was an unmistakable resemblance to both Rohit and Ritika—his dark hair, striking features, and a certain spark in his eyes.

"Is that...?" Ishan began, but the words caught in his throat as he exchanged a glance with Shubman, who looked equally stunned.

Virat, however, remained focused on Ajinkya, who was now approaching the group. "What's going on?" he asked, curious about the sudden silence.

"Ajju Chachu!" Akaay called out, waving to his uncle. "Look, I am here!"

"Yeah, I see that," Ajinkya replied, chuckling nervously.

Ajinkya placed a reassuring hand on Moksh's shoulder, forcing himself to maintain a neutral demeanor. "Everyone, this is Moksh. He's new to the team and will be joining us for training. Let's make him feel welcome."

The seniors exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. "Great to meet you, Moksh!" Harry said, extending his hand. "I'm Harry/Hardik, and these guys are your future teammates. We're all excited to see what you can do on the field."

"Thanks!" Moksh replied, shaking hands with Harry and the others. His nervousness began to fade as he felt their warm welcome.

As Moksh approached, Akaay rushed over to greet him, extending a hand. "Hey! I'm Akaay! I heard you're new here."

Moksh smiled shyly, taking Akaay's hand. "Yeah, I'm Moksh. It's great to meet you!"

"Are you ready to show off your skills?" Akaay asked, enthusiasm bubbling in his voice. "We'll be the best duo on the field!"

"Definitely!" Moksh replied, his nerves beginning to ease as he felt the warmth of Akaay's friendship.

"Alright, boys, gather around!" Virat called out, clapping his hands to gather everyone's attention. "Today is all about teamwork. I want you to support each other and learn from one another."

As the team formed a circle, Virat's gaze fell on Moksh, who stood beside Akaay, visibly eager yet uncertain. "Moksh, you're about to embark on an incredible journey. Just remember, this team is your family now. Lean on them, learn from them, and have fun."

Moksh nodded, feeling a swell of determination. "I won't let you down!"

Yet amidst the excitement, a shadow lingered in the back of Moksh's mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The names mentioned in whispers, the glances exchanged when Rohit's name came up—he felt a heaviness in the air that he couldn't fully comprehend.

During a break, as the players gathered around for water, Akaay nudged Moksh. "Have you heard about the old stories surrounding some of the players? It's kinda wild."

"What do you mean?" Moksh asked, intrigued.

"Well, there's this one about a legendary player who was accused of fixing matches. Everyone thought he was guilty, but then it turned out to be a huge misunderstanding. They say he had to leave the game for a while," Akaay explained, his eyes wide with excitement.

Moksh's heart raced at the mention of the story. "Who was it?"

Akaay shrugged. "I don't know for sure. Just something I heard from my dad."

As Moksh took a sip of water, he felt an overwhelming urge to know more, to dig deeper into the stories. But he also felt the weight of Ajinkya's warning pressing down on him.

Virat, standing at the edge of the group, watched closely. He felt a strange pull toward Moksh, an echo of nostalgia that stirred something deep within him. Could it be that Rohit's spirit lingered in this boy?

"Ajinkya," Virat called out, moving closer, "can I have a word?"

"Sure, what's up?" Ajinkya replied, a hint of apprehension creeping into his tone.

"Can I talk to you privately for a moment?" Virat asked, gesturing away from the group.

"Of course," Ajinkya said, leading Virat to a quieter spot away from the eager chatter.

"Is it just me, or does Moksh remind you of someone?" Virat asked, his brows furrowed in thought.