Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 37

The next morning at the farmhouse, a heavy tension filled the air. The events of the previous days weighed heavily on everyone's minds, particularly Moksh and Akaay. They sat on the porch, exchanging nervous glances as the reality of their upcoming match against Australia loomed large.

Rohit stood near the entrance, arms crossed, his brow furrowed in concern. He had always been the pillar of strength for his family, but now he felt torn between protecting them and allowing Moksh and Akaay to pursue their dreams. Virat approached Moksh.

"Moksh, listen to me," he said softly, placing a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "I know you're scared. I can see it in your eyes. But you have to remember why you're playing. Your father believed in you, and he would want you to fulfill his dreams."

"But what if something happens?" Moksh's voice trembled. "What if they come after us again?"

Virat nodded, understanding the boy's fear. "I know it's terrifying. But you have to be brave. Your father has faced challenges much greater than this. This is your chance to honor him, to show the world the kind of player he raised you to be."

Meanwhile, Rohit had taken Akaay aside, away from the prying eyes and ears of the others. He sat down, looking directly into the young boy's eyes. "Akaay, I know this is overwhelming for you," he began, his voice steady but gentle. "But I need you to focus. You have a game to play, and you have a team counting on you."

"I'm scared, cha—uncle," Akaay admitted, his voice small. "What if something goes wrong?"

"I understand," Rohit said, placing a hand on Akaay's shoulder. "But think about what you love about cricket. Think about your dad, about how proud he is going to be watching you play. You can't let fear win. You have to show them who you are."

"But what if they try to hurt us again?" Akaay pressed, anxiety bubbling to the surface.

Rohit took a deep breath, knowing the weight of the situation. "If they try, we'll be ready. We'll make sure you and Moksh are safe. But you have to believe in yourself. You're talented, and you deserve this chance."

Just then, Anushka and Ritika approached, their expressions serious yet supportive. "We're going to make sure everything is secure at the stadium," Anushka said, her voice firm. "You boys need to focus on your game, and we'll handle the rest."

Ritika added, "We'll be right there cheering you on. You're not alone in this, okay?"

Moksh and Akaay exchanged a glance, the reassurance from the adults grounding them a little. They nodded slowly, determination starting to replace fear.

"Okay," Moksh finally said, straightening his back. "We'll do it. For Dad."

"For Dad," Akaay echoed, newfound resolve shining in his eyes.

With the plan set in motion, the team gathered to finalize their preparations. As the sun began to rise higher in the sky, a sense of unity and purpose filled the air. Though uncertainty lingered, the promise of the game ahead provided a glimmer of hope and motivation. Rohit, Virat, and the rest of the group knew that their love and support would guide the boys as they stepped onto the field, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

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

As the day of the match approached, the tension grew palpable. Rohit sat in a quiet corner of the farmhouse, his phone buzzing in his pocket. When he saw Arun's name flashing on the screen, his heart sank. He answered, bracing himself for what was coming.

"Rohit," Arun's voice boomed through the speaker, filled with a dangerous calmness. "I heard Moksh is playing in the match today. You need to stop him."

"Arun, he's my son," Rohit replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "He deserves this chance. He has to play."

"Listen to me!" Arun snapped, his voice sharp. "If Moksh steps onto that field, he'll face consequences worse than what you went through. You know I can make that happen. I won't hesitate."

Rohit's stomach twisted with fear, images of what Arun could do flashing through his mind. "I'll talk to him, but you can't threaten my family like this," he said, his voice cracking.

But before Arun could respond, Virat snatched the phone from Rohit's hand. "You don't get to threaten my family, Arun. If you think for one second that you can scare us, you're dead wrong." His voice was firm, radiating confidence.

"You think you can protect them?" Arun's voice dripped with disdain. "I'll make sure they pay for your mistakes."

Virat's eyes hardened. "You don't know who you're dealing with. We're not afraid of you. Not anymore." With that, he ended the call, throwing the phone back at Rohit, who was seething with a mix of fear and anger.

"What the hell, Virat? This is my problem, not yours!" Rohit exclaimed, his voice raised.

Virat stepped closer, frustration evident in his expression. "You think you can handle this alone? You can't let him intimidate you like this, Rohit. We're a team!"

"Maybe you should stay out of my family matters," Rohit shot back, clenching his fists. "You have no idea what I'm trying to protect here."

The atmosphere in the room grew tense as the others watched, unsure of how to intervene. Anushka and Ritika exchanged worried glances, while the kids remained quiet, sensing the gravity of the situation.

Feeling the weight of his anger, Rohit stormed out of the room, heading towards the terrace for some fresh air. Sammy, unable to sit back and watch her father in turmoil, rushed after him.

"Baba, wait!" she called, catching up to him on the terrace. She placed a hand on his arm, urging him to stop. "Why won't you let them help you?"

Rohit turned to face her, his expression softening slightly. "Because, Sammy, I can't put their lives at risk. They're important to me, even after everything that's happened. I won't let them suffer because of my past."

"But you don't have to carry this burden alone!" Sammy insisted, her eyes wide with determination. "They care about you. They want to help. You taught us that family sticks together, no matter what."

Rohit sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I know, but I can't shake the feeling that this is all my fault. If I hadn't gotten caught up in this mess, they wouldn't be in danger."

Sammy shook her head. "It's not your fault. You're not to blame for Arun's actions. He's the one who's made this personal. But shutting everyone out will only make it worse."

Rohit looked away, the weight of her words settling in. "I just want to keep you all safe."

"I get that, but we need each other, Baba. You're not just fighting for yourself anymore. You're fighting for all of us," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "Please, let us stand by you."

The sincerity in Sammy's eyes began to crack the walls he had built around himself. With a heavy heart, Rohit finally nodded, knowing she was right. "Okay. I'll let them help. But we do this together, as a family."

As they turned to head back inside, a sense of unity enveloped them. Though the battle ahead was daunting, Rohit realized that with his loved ones by his side, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

*****