Hulrat- A Saga of Stories

The One with the Brother's Faith

Rahul and Virat were sitting on the terrace of the hotel.

"Bhai?"

Virat immediately became alert upon hearing that word. It wasn't usual for Rahul to call him "bhai." Mostly, it was "bhaiya," "Virat," or even "Vi." But when Rahul was disturbed, it was always "bhai."

"Why don't they drop me, bhai?" Rahul asked after a pause.

"Hain?" Virat asked, confused. "Kaha drop hona hai tujhe? Bol, mai le chalta hun."

Rahul shot him an annoyed look. "I'm talking about the team, bhaiya."

"Oh... acha... HAIN?!" Virat suddenly yelled, his voice full of surprise.

Rahul simply shrugged.

"Kyu—what—why—hain?!" Virat was still trying to process.

"Don't yell, bhai," Rahul rolled his eyes. "We're just having a simple conversation. Don't be so dramatic."

Virat responded by pulling Rahul by his ears.

"Zyada bada ho gaya hai tu? Simple conversation, haan?"

"Aah, ouch, bhaiya! Vi! Bhaiya, chhodo na!" Rahul yelled, trying to escape Virat's grip, who seemed in no mood to let him go.

"Kya bol raha tha tu? Repeat kar," Virat ordered.

"Bhaiya, let's have a civil conversation, na? Is this necessary?" Rahul asked, putting on his best puppy-dog eyes. Virat raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"Repeat it, Rahul."

And Rahul knew he was in deep trouble. Damn him for opening his mouth.

"Rahul! Repeat what you said!" Virat's patience seemed to be running thin as his grip on Rahul's ear tightened.

"AAH! I ASKED WHY DON'T YOU GUYS DROP ME FROM THE GAME?! I HAVEN'T BEEN SCORING, I'M A BURDEN ON THE TEAM WHEN YOU NEED ME THE MOST, SO WHY AM I HERE?! WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?!" Rahul finally yelled, both physical and mental exhaustion overwhelming him. Virat immediately let go of his ear and stood up. Rahul stood up as well, uncertain.

"I'm going to sleep. I'll tell Rohit you wish to be dropped from the squad, don't worry. Good night," Virat said, starting to walk off the terrace.

Rahul was stunned. Out of all the reactions he had imagined, this wasn't one of them. As Virat was about to step out of the door, Rahul yelled.

"Bhai! Bhaiya, please ruko!"

And Virat stopped. One leg on the edge of the terrace exit, hanging in mid-air, his little brother's voice stopped him.

"Jaldi bol, aur kya bolna hai?" Virat said coldly, without turning back. Rahul ran towards him.

"Bhai, please... let's just talk? Please, bhaiya... it was just a thought, you know? You know me better than I know myself, bhaiya... please don't go like this... please," Rahul pleaded, his voice trembling.

Virat clenched his fists. He hated hearing Rahul like this—so vulnerable, so lost.

"Talk to Rohit or Gauti bhai, Rahul. I don't make these decisions," Virat replied and was about to walk away when he suddenly felt a force on his leg, pulling him back. Virat looked down and was stunned to see Rahul's hands wrapped around his leg, almost as if he were a child clinging to his mother.

"Mat jao na bhaiya, please," Rahul whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. Virat immediately bent down and pulled Rahul into a tight hug. Rahul's face was smushed against Virat's chest as Virat untangled him from his leg, wrapping his arms securely around him.