Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 12

Moksh paused, looking to Ajinkya for guidance. Ajinkya shook his head subtly, a silent reminder to keep the secret of Moksh's lineage. Moksh took a deep breath before replying, "I learned it before training."

Virat frowned slightly, disappointment flickering across his face. "Before training? You must have some great coaches."

"Yeah, you could say that," Moksh said, a hint of a smile on his lips, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Virat sighed, unable to shake the sense that there was more to Moksh's story. He stepped back, allowing the practice to resume while a knot of worry twisted in his stomach. What were the odds that this boy, who looked so much like Rohit and played like him too, had no connection to the Sharma family? It felt too coincidental, too scripted.

Akaay, witnessing the exchange, stepped forward with a grin. "That was an amazing shot, Moksh! You've got to teach me that!"

Moksh's face lit up at the compliment, the tension of the past few moments fading as they bonded over cricket. "For sure! I'll show you," he said eagerly.

As the two young players began chatting about techniques, a sense of camaraderie developed between them, reminiscent of the friendship between Virat and Rohit. They joked about their favorite players and shared their dreams of playing on the international stage, blissfully unaware of the heavy shadows cast by their fathers' pasts.

Jassi and Harry, still lingering on the sidelines, exchanged uneasy glances. They had been part of a painful chapter in Rohit's life, one that had nearly torn apart the bonds they now cherished. Watching Moksh flourish brought back the memories they wished to forget.

************

Just then, Rohit's phone buzzed on the coffee table, breaking the heavy atmosphere. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from Ajinkya. His heart raced.

"Moksh is settling in well. The team loves him. Don't worry."

Rohit felt a slight sense of relief wash over him but was still haunted by the thought of Moksh's identity being revealed. He couldn't shake the fear that lingered in the corners of his mind, whispering reminders of the betrayal that had torn their lives apart years ago.

As the evening wore on, the three of them gathered around the dining table for dinner. Laughter filled the air, yet the undercurrent of anxiety remained palpable. Ritika watched as Rohit engaged with Sammy, trying to mask his worries for her sake, but she knew him too well.

After dinner, as Sammy excused herself to finish some homework, Rohit and Ritika found a quiet moment alone.

"Rohit, we need to talk about what happens if Moksh's identity gets revealed," Ritika said, her tone serious.

"I know," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "But what can we do? We can't change the past, and we can't control how people react. I just hope that if it ever comes to that, Moksh understands why we made these choices."

Ritika looked into his eyes, fear reflected in her gaze. "And if he doesn't? What if he resents us?"

Rohit reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. "We'll face it together. Whatever comes, we'll find a way. We have to believe that love will guide us through."

As they sat in silence, their fears intertwined, they could only hope that the bond they shared as a family would be strong enough to withstand whatever storms lay ahead. In the distance, the echoes of their past lingered, waiting to test their resolve.

**************

As weeks turned into months, Moksh settled into his new life in India, gradually building strong bonds with his teammates. The warmth and camaraderie within the team made him feel at home, and the laughter shared with Akaay felt like a breath of fresh air. Their friendship blossomed, creating a sense of belonging that Moksh had yearned for.