Leading with Heart: Rohit's Bonds

Heartfelt surprise!

The hotel room in Dubai buzzed with energy as the Indian team got ready for the evening's match against South Africa. But amidst the laughs and camaraderie, Tilak Verma felt a strange emptiness. It was his birthday, yet something felt...off.

His teammates had done their best to cheer him up. Hardik, as always, had teased him, calling him "birthday boy" all morning, while Surya had dragged him to breakfast, insisting on ordering every dish Tilak loved. The guys tried, but the happiness felt forced, as if something vital was missing.

As the day wore on, Tilak couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. And when he overheard Hardik and Surya chatting quietly by the window, something they said caught his attention.

"Wonder if Rohit and Sammy managed to—" Hardik started, but stopped when he noticed Tilak in earshot.

In that moment, realization struck him. Rohit bhaiya hadn't called or messaged him all day. Nor had Ritika bhabhi, who always put up a sweet birthday post every year. And Sammy, his little bestie, hadn't sent her usual voice note wishing him a happy birthday.

He tried to brush it off, but questions crowded his mind. Did they forget? Did he matter to them as much as they mattered to him? Tilak hated how these thoughts took over, but his mind couldn't let them go. His smile faded as he quietly sat in the corner, scrolling through old pictures of him and Sammy. Every click of the screen just made his heart feel heavier.

Nearby, Abhishek Sharma was watching him. He hadn't known Tilak for too long, but he was observant enough to notice something was off. Tilak's usually bright smile was absent, and he kept fidgeting with his phone.

"Hey, Tilak," Abhishek said softly, pulling up a chair beside him. "What's up? Something's bugging you?"

Tilak glanced at him, hesitating. But the genuine concern in Abhishek's eyes made him open up.

"Nothing much, Abhi," he said with a sigh. "Just...missing home. It's my birthday, and it feels...weird without them. Especially Sammy."

"Sammy?" Abhishek asked, curious. "Who's that?"

Tilak smiled, the sadness momentarily replaced with fondness. "Rohit bhaiya's daughter. She's my little bestie. Every year, she's the first to wish me—either by call or a cute little voice note. We'd spend time together, and she'd make me feel like the coolest guy in the world. Ritika bhabhi too, she's always treated me like family."

Abhishek listened carefully, nodding. "And...Rohit bhaiya?"

Tilak's face fell slightly. "Rohit bhaiya...he's always there, you know? Whether it's cricket, life advice, or just chilling, he's like a big brother. It's just weird...this year, nothing. No call, no message. I mean, he's busy, but..."

Abhishek could see the hurt lingering in Tilak's eyes. He might be new to the team, but he knew what he had to do. After getting Tilak to crack a small smile, Abhishek excused himself and went straight to find Hardik and Surya.

"Hardik bhai, I need a favor," Abhishek said, looking determined. "Can I get Rohit bhaiya's number?"

Hardik smirked, crossing his arms. "Why should I give it to you? That's my Rohit bhaiya, alright?"

"Come on, Hardik bhai," Abhishek pleaded. "It's for Tilak. The guy's really down, and I think Rohit bhaiya could make his day. Please?"

Hardik glanced at Surya, who grinned and rolled his eyes. "Alright, here you go," Surya said, handing over the number. "But tell him it was my idea, okay?"

With a quick nod, Abhishek retreated to a quiet corner and dialed Rohit's number, feeling a bit nervous. He'd never actually interacted with Rohit one-on-one, but this was for Tilak.