Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 121

Two weeks later, the team had returned to India, and while most of them were taking a brief respite from their hectic schedules, it was a rush for Meera and Hardik. Hardik had to join the T20 squad, and since Meera had been on leave for the past few days, she was back in action as the security chief for the tour. Rahul and Athiya, along with Virat and Anushka and their kids, were all gathered in one place, enjoying some family time. Rohit had gone to spend a few days with his children, and the same was true for many others. Arjun had rejoined Maithili at the training institute, along with Colonel. Kabir had come for a brief visit with Rumi as well.

Meera sighed as she walked back into her room, feeling the exhaustion seep into every inch of her body. The security team was in chaos; most of them were juniors, and it was their first time working with her. She walked over to her closet, her eyes falling on the team sheet. Most of the names were unfamiliar to her. Apart from Hardik, whom she knew well, there was Nitish, whom she had seen during the Australia tour but hadn't interacted with much. Then there were Tilak, Surya, Axar, and a few others she had met only once or twice.

She missed Rahul. Just then, her phone buzzed with a text from Athiya.

It was a picture of Rahul, all dressed in a black suit, with their dog Luna looking up at him while he looked down at her. Meera smiled; it was such a cute picture. Just then, her phone buzzed again.

Athiya: "Virat says Luna is shocked at how your brother can look this cute."

Meera laughed, her heart warming at the playful banter. Athiya then video called her.

"Meeru, look!" she said, pointing the camera toward Rahul, who was currently at the mercy of Vamu, who was busy placing pretty pink clips in his hair. As Meera laughed, Virat chimed in from the corner, "Yeah, he didn't look this good even in today's pictures!"

Anushka walked in and playfully scolded, "Shut up, you guys! Don't tease him like that."

Athiya groaned, "Nush, you always take his side!"

Anushka laughed, "Yeah, because you and my husband keep bullying him."

Virat pretended to be offended, "Really? I'm a bully? That's what you think now?"

Rahul, now successfully cuddling Vamu in his arms, spoke up, "Yes, you are! Tia, how many pancakes have you eaten by now? Aren't you bored of eating the same thing?"

Athiya groaned dramatically, as if she were about to cry, "I can't help it! Pregnancy cravings!"

Rahul immediately changed the topic, "Alright, I'm sorry."

Virat and Anushka smiled at the couple, while Akaay, who was playing with Luna, babbled mildly, amused by the distraction.

Meera, watching the chaos unfold on the call, smiled. When Rahul took the phone, he asked, "How are you, madam? How's Kolkata?"

"It's good, Anna. A bit hectic but good," she replied, trying to sound upbeat.

Virat, noticing her tired expression, added, "You look exhausted, Meeru."

Meera smiled, "I'm okay, just a little tired, bas."

Rahul wasn't convinced. Anushka and Athiya chimed in, "Have you eaten?"

She looked up, "Yeah, I'll eat after I take a shower, okay? I'll see you later." She hurriedly cut the call, sensing their concern.

Rahul sighed, "She hasn't eaten, she's missing us, and she's too tired. She'd never eat alone. I should have never let her go on this tour."

Virat looked at him, "Should we talk to Arjun and send somebody else?"

Anushka and Athiya facepalmed. "You two are a bunch of overprotective idiots. Just call Harry; he'll give her company, and it'll be good for her to have someone around," Athiya suggested.