Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 16

As Sammy hurriedly made her way out of the practice ground, heart still pounding from her close encounter with Virat and Mahi, she turned a corner and, in her haste, bumped hard into someone. The impact sent her stumbling back, and she winced as she fell to the ground. The person she collided with reached out to steady her, but when she looked up, her heart stopped.

Standing before her, with eyes wide in surprise, was none other than Rahul Chachu—her Banana Chip Chachu.

Time seemed to freeze as Sammy locked eyes with him. His expression softened as he studied her face, a flicker of recognition crossing his features. She could see his mind working, connecting the dots. His eyes, those warm and affectionate ones she remembered from childhood, narrowed as if he was trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

Sammy's breath caught in her throat. No. Not now. Not like this. She quickly pulled herself together and got up, brushing off the dirt from her clothes, trying to avoid his gaze. But her legs felt wobbly, and her heart raced as she turned to leave.

"Wait..." Rahul's voice was gentle but firm, stopping her in her tracks. "Excuse me... do I know you?"

Sammy froze, feeling his eyes bore into her back. She had to think fast, to not let him figure it out. But how could she? He knew her too well. She swallowed hard, then turned around slowly, forcing a calm smile. "No, I don't think so."

Rahul stepped closer, his eyes not leaving her face. He seemed unconvinced, his gaze searching her features, and with every second that passed, the tension in Sammy's chest grew. She had no idea how to fool him, not when he was staring at her like that, like he was seeing a ghost. "You remind me of someone," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Someone I used to call my little Cookie Monster..."

The nickname. It hit her like a punch to the gut. Banana Chip Chachu. Her childhood memories flashed before her eyes—him bringing her snacks, teasing her, always spoiling her with love. She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to burst into tears and throw her arms around him.

But she couldn't. Not now.

"I... I get that a lot," Sammy said, her voice shaky but still holding. "I have one of those faces, I guess."

Rahul's brow furrowed, clearly not buying her explanation. But before he could press further, she quickly changed the subject. "Actually, I'm here to meet someone—Moksh Sharma. I heard he's training here."

Rahul's face softened slightly at the mention of Moksh. "Moksh? Yeah, he's around. I was just heading back to see him," he said, his tone still carrying that hint of curiosity about her. "I can take you to him if you want."

Sammy hesitated. The last thing she needed was to spend more time with Rahul, risking her identity being revealed. But she could see the persistence in his eyes, that same protective streak that all her Chachus had. He wasn't going to let this go easily.

"I appreciate it, but I really have to leave," Sammy said quickly, taking a step back. "Maybe another time."

Rahul, however, wasn't giving up so easily. "Come on, it'll only take a few minutes. He's... a lot like someone I used to know."

Sammy's heart tightened at his words. She knew Rahul was still trying to make sense of her sudden appearance, but the risk of staying longer was too high. Yet, she couldn't exactly refuse without raising more suspicion.

Sammy clenched her fists for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. She didn't want to create a scene or draw attention, and it seemed like the only way out was to play along for now. "Alright," she agreed softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just a quick hello."

Rahul smiled, a strange mix of affection and confusion still etched on his face, and gestured for her to follow him. As they walked towards the practice ground, Sammy's mind raced. She had to be careful. She couldn't let him get too close, couldn't let any of the team figure out who she really was. But as they neared the field and Moksh came into view, Sammy felt her heart warm seeing her younger brother, unaware of the storm that was brewing around him.

Rahul led her to the edge of the practice area, where Moksh was laughing with Akaay, completely in his element.Sammy spotted Moksh from afar. His eyes caught sight of her too, and immediately, he broke into a run, rushing toward her with Akaay following close behind. The moment Moksh reached her, he wrapped his arms around Sammy in a tight hug, his excitement palpable.

"Didi!" Moksh exclaimed, his voice filled with joy.

Sammy, overwhelmed with relief, hugged him back just as tightly. Her worries, her fears about his safety, seemed to ease for a moment as she held him.

As they pulled away, Moksh, full of excitement, started blabbering about his practice. "Didi, you won't believe how well I played today! I hit a pull shot just like Dad thought me to... everyone was so surprised!"

Sammy smiled warmly at her brother, listening intently to his words. Her heart swelled with pride. But then she noticed the boy standing beside him—Akaay. Her eyes softened with recognition, memories flooding back to her.

"Moksh," she asked gently, her gaze still fixed on the younger boy, "who's this?"

Moksh grinned, gesturing toward Akaay. "Oh, this is Akaay! He's Virat Chachu's son. We've become really good friends!"

Hearing the name, Sammy felt a lump form in her throat. Akaay... she remembered him vividly, back when he was just a tiny baby. Her mind drifted to a memory, one she had tucked away long ago.

Flashback

Years ago, in a hospital room filled with joy, Anushka had just given birth to Akaay. Rohit, Ritika, and a much younger Sammy had come to visit them. Anushka was resting, her face glowing with happiness, while Virat stood beside her, proudly cradling their newborn son in his arms.

Rohit and Ritika had both congratulated the couple, their smiles wide with joy. But it was Sammy who had gotten the special moment. She had been just a little girl at the time, and she remembered how everyone cooed over her excitement.

"Do you want to hold him?" Virat had asked Sammy with a soft smile, carefully placing the tiny baby into her arms. Sammy, wide-eyed and nervous, had cradled Akaay gently, her heart swelling with a love she didn't fully understand yet.

"He's so small..." Sammy had whispered, staring down at the sleeping baby with awe. Ritika had smiled, gently stroking Sammy's hair as Rohit stood proudly beside his daughter.

That moment had been magical—her first real connection with Akaay, even though he was just a baby.

Flashback ends

Standing in the present, Sammy blinked, her throat tightening with emotion as she looked at Akaay now. He wasn't the little baby she had once held, but he was still so familiar to her heart.

"You've grown so much," she whispered under her breath, though Moksh didn't hear it.

Rahul, who had been watching quietly from the sidelines, seemed to notice Sammy's emotional shift. He didn't say anything, but his eyes studied her closely, as if trying to put together pieces of a puzzle that didn't quite fit.

Moksh continued talking, oblivious to the heaviness in the air. But Sammy's mind lingered on the past, on the connection she had with this family—especially Akaay and Virat Chachu.

She had come to protect Moksh, but now, seeing these familiar faces from her past, she realized just how much was at stake. Her father's pain, the secrets they were keeping, and the lives of the people she loved—everything was intertwined in a way she couldn't yet fully comprehend.

But one thing was certain: she wouldn't let her father's sacrifices be in vain. She would protect Moksh at all costs, even if it meant keeping her identity hidden from the very people she had once called family.

******
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