Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter 145 - Calling it a Day

Days later, a lot had happened.

The DC and PBKS teams had been taken out of Dharamsala by a special train, quietly and swiftly, owing to growing security concerns. News channels flashed tense updates - India and Pakistan were once again on the brink, border tension simmering close to the edge.

And amidst it all, something that shook the cricketing world: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both legends, had announced their retirement from Test cricket. No farewell tour, no grand goodbye. Just a quiet press release that left everyone stunned.

Everyone, especially Rahul.

He hadn't spoken much in the last 48 hours. Hadn't smiled, hadn't even scrolled through his phone. He had stopped mid-text to Virat three times, and each time deleted it before sending.
Angry wasn't even the word. He was furious. Not just about the sudden retirement, but because Virat hadn't said a word to him before doing it. And that, mixed with his spiraling anxiety over Meera's deployment, had turned into something restless and bitter.

He was lost in those very thoughts, sitting at the edge of the sofa, jaw tight and elbows on knees, when a sudden clink of metal hit his thigh.

His car keys.

He looked up sharply.

Athiya was standing there, holding baby Evu in her arms, swaddled in a peach blanket with ducks on it. Her eyes were sharp, no-nonsense. "You're driving," she said, already turning around. "We're going to meet Anushka, Virat bhai, and everyone else."

Rahul groaned, already knowing what she was trying to do. "No, we're not. We're not going anywhere."

But she didn't even glance back. She simply adjusted Evu on her hip, grabbed the baby bag from the armrest, and started walking toward the door.

"We are. Me and Evu are already waiting in the car," she said matter-of-factly. "I'm done with you siblings. One decides to run off into a classified mission without informing, and the other decides to sulk like a baby over his best friend instead of talking it out."

"Athiya-" he started, but her glare stopped him.
"Don't 'Athiya' me. You're angry, fine. Be angry. But don't sit here thinking you're the only one allowed to feel hurt. You're not."

And with that, the door shut behind her.

Evu's soft coo echoed even through the closed door.

Rahul sat there for a second, still stiff with resistance... but the silence didn't last long. His hand moved to pick up the keys. Because damn it, he loved them both too much. And maybe... just maybe, Athiya was right. As usual.

____

The Mumbai sky outside had just begun to turn indigo. The French windows were half open, letting in the ocean breeze, but it did little to cool the tension crackling inside the plush South Bombay apartment.

Toys were scattered on the living room carpet - a wooden elephant, a crayon box with its lid off, and Akaay's tiny shoe lay beneath the coffee table. But the grown-ups in the room paid no attention.

Ritika sat cross-legged on the floor beside a half-asleep Ahaan, her fingers moving absently through his hair. Anushka stood near the window with Akaay in her arms, shifting his weight side to side. Samaira and Vamika were curled up on the couch, earbuds in but gaze sharp, catching every word.

Virat stood by the kitchen counter, arms folded. Rohit was pacing near the centre rug, rubbing his temple like the headache wasn't just in his head but had rooted somewhere in his chest.

"So what is this," Rohit barked finally, voice rising, "a bloody competition? You had to retire because I did?"

Virat snorted. "I didn't even know you were going to retire, Ro. Apparently, an Instagram story was enough?"