Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 15

Sammy's flight from London had felt endless, but her resolve never wavered. Every mile that passed, every fleeting cloud beneath her, only deepened her determination. Her heart ached for her father, Rohit, whose pain and trauma had never truly healed. His nightmares, his fear for Moksh, had driven her here. She couldn't let his years of suffering be in vain. She had to protect Moksh—her younger brother, who had no idea just how much danger lurked in the shadows of his identity.

As the plane touched down on Indian soil, Sammy's breath caught in her throat. The weight of her mission settled more heavily on her shoulders. She couldn't afford to let her true identity be known. No one could know she was Rohit Sharma's daughter, not even Virat or Mahi—her beloved Chachus. This secret had been kept too long, too carefully guarded, and now she was a part of it.

The cab ride from the airport was a blur, her thoughts swirling as the city of Mumbai passed by in a haze of noise and traffic. Finally, the car pulled up to Ajinkya's house—her sanctuary, the one place in India where she knew she'd be safe. She rang the bell, her heart pounding with both exhaustion and anticipation.

Ajinkya opened the door, his eyes widening in surprise as he saw her standing there. "Sammy?" he asked, his voice a mix of shock and confusion.

She gave him a small, tired smile. "Hi, Ajju Chachu. I'm sorry I didn't warn you I was coming. It was... sudden."

Ajinkya quickly regained his composure, stepping aside to let her in. "Come in, Sammy. Of course, you're welcome anytime. But what's going on? Why are you here so suddenly?"

Sammy sighed as she dropped her bags near the entrance and sat down on the couch, rubbing her temples. The exhaustion from the long flight and the emotional toll of the last few weeks was starting to catch up with her. "It's about Papa... and Moksh."

Ajinkya nodded, his expression softening with understanding. "I figured it had something to do with that. How's Rohit?"

"He's not doing well," Sammy admitted, her voice strained. "He's been having nightmares again, ever since Moksh left for training. He's terrified something will happen to him, especially if people find out who he really is. And... I couldn't just sit by and watch him go through this alone. I had to come, Ajju Bhaiya. I had to be here for Moksh, to make sure he's safe."

Ajinkya's face tightened, his protective instincts kicking in. "I understand, Sammy. It's a complicated situation. But you know the risks, especially with Virat and Mahi Bhai around. They're bound to figure it out if you get too close."

"I know," Sammy said, her gaze steady. "But I have to do this. I promised Papa I would look after Moksh. I won't let anyone hurt him, or let his identity get revealed. I'll keep my distance if I need to, but I have to see him. I need to know he's okay."

Ajinkya studied her for a moment before sighing. "You've always been as stubborn as your father," he said with a faint smile. "Alright. I'll take you to the practice ground, but you need to be careful. If anyone—especially Virat or Mahi—recognizes you, it could complicate things."

"I'll be careful," Sammy promised, her determination unwavering. "I've come too far to let anything slip. They won't know who I am."

With a reluctant nod, Ajinkya agreed. They both knew how risky this was, but Sammy's resolve was unbreakable. Later that afternoon, Ajinkya drove her to the practice ground where Moksh and the rest of the team were training.

As they arrived, Sammy felt a surge of nervous energy. She quickly pulled a cap low over her head and put on sunglasses, trying to keep as low a profile as possible. From a distance, she spotted Moksh on the field, practicing with Akaay—Virat's son. Her heart skipped a beat seeing him, a mix of pride and protectiveness swelling in her chest. He looked so much like their father, not just in appearance, but in the way he moved, the way he played. It was as if she were watching a younger version of Rohit on the field.

Ajinkya glanced at her warily. "Remember, stay low-key. Don't draw attention to yourself."

"I know," she whispered, her eyes fixed on Moksh. "I just need to see him. That's all."

As practice wrapped up, Sammy stayed in the shadows, watching from afar as the players began to leave the field. Moksh laughed and chatted with Akaay and some of the other teammates, completely unaware of his sister's presence. She smiled, relief washing over her knowing he was okay.

But just as she was about to turn away, a familiar figure approached the field—Mahi. Her heart stopped as she saw him, followed closely by Virat. The two of them stood watching the younger boys, their expressions thoughtful.

Sammy's heart raced. She couldn't let them see her, not now. But something in her wanted to stay, to hear what they would say.

Mahi's gaze shifted from the boys to Virat, a question lingering in his eyes. "Doesn't it remind you of something?" Mahi asked softly, his tone tinged with nostalgia. "Them, together like this... it's like watching a younger version of us."

Virat nodded but his expression was hardened, the usual warmth between him and Mahi still absent. "Maybe. But he's not who you think he is," Virat said, his voice colder than Mahi had expected. "He's just Moksh Sharma, not Rohit's son."

Sammy's chest tightened as she heard the bitterness in Virat's voice. The rift that had formed between him and Rohit hadn't healed, and now it was affecting Moksh too.

Mahi looked at Virat for a long moment, disappointment flickering in his eyes. "You're still carrying that weight, aren't you?"

Virat's jaw clenched. "We all are."

Sammy knew she had to leave before things got more complicated. She quickly made her way back to Ajinkya's car, her heart heavy with the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future.

As they drove back, Sammy couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping into something much bigger than herself. But she had made a promise to her father, and she would see it through, no matter the cost.

*****
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