Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 124

Two weeks later, the team was celebrating their victory over England. The three-match ODI series was completely theirs, sealed with three commanding wins. The dinner was a lively affair—Rohit, Virat, Rahul, Hardik, Shreyas, Axar, Jadeja, Rishabh, Shubman, and the others, all in high spirits.

Shreyas had made a brilliant return to the squad, proving his worth with crucial runs. Shubman had finished the series with solid scores. Rohit had finally smashed a century after a long wait. In the final match, Shubman reached his hundred, while Virat, still regaining his rhythm after his knee injury, battled his way to his 73rd fifty. Rahul had contributed a gritty 40, taken some ridiculous stumpings behind the wickets, and, as always, held things together. The bowlers had been just as outstanding—Hardik's fiery spells, Harshit's breakthroughs, and Jadeja, who reached the massive milestone of 600 international wickets. It was a collective effort, a perfect team performance.

And yet, amidst the laughter and the chaos, a pang settled in Rahul's chest. His mind was miles away, locked onto his phone screen where Athiya's message glowed softly— "We miss you, Rah."

Before he could reply, Meera and Arjun walked in, still in their security chief uniforms from the match.

"Well played, boys!" Meera chirped, and the team raised their glasses in unison.

"Thank you, chief!" they echoed, grinning.

Arjun and Meera laughed when Hardik looked up at them, frowning. "Wait, why are you guys still in uniform? The match is over."

Meera shrugged. "Eh, little more of the day left."

Arjun, however, turned to Rahul, his tone casual but firm. "Acha, listen. You're coming with me."

The others turned, curious.

Rahul raised an eyebrow. "Why, even? Won't even let me have dinner in peace?"

At that, Meera and Virat exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter.

Rahul narrowed his eyes. "What?"

Meera smirked. "You have a virtual date with my vadinaa," she teased, dragging out the word dramatically.

Rahul blinked, dumbfounded. "Why would you do that?"

Meera folded her arms. "Because I'm a good sister, obviously."

Rahul shook his head. "I can't leave the team like this—" He turned to Virat. "And you knew?"

Virat merely shrugged, feigning innocence.

Shubman, never one to miss a moment, quipped, "People call Virat bhai senior but look at his off-field schemes—planning and plotting like a pro."

Virat shot him a look. "Shut up, Gill." Then he turned back to Rahul, grinning. "And you, Rahuliya—just go. My twinnie is waiting."

Rahul opened his mouth to protest again, but Virat cut in smoothly "Nobody here minds it, we all understand, isn't it guys?" He added, looking around.

Rahul sighed. "But—"

"No buts," Rohit cut in. "We're not kids, Rahul. We know how important your presence is for her. If not for these new travel restrictions, she'd be here herself. Just go. Have your time."

Hardik grinned, throwing an arm around Rahul's shoulders. "Yes, my best friend, go. Enjoy it while it lasts. Because once the baby arrives? Yeah, forget it. No more special treatment for you. All the attention? Gone. Straight to the kid."

The entire table burst into laughter as Rahul let out a resigned sigh, shaking his head. But the smile tugging at his lips gave him away. 

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