Some things bigger than IPL

Part 5

We all noticed in the practice sessions that Kuldeep's confidence was at an all-time low. He was trying to pretend as if everything was normal.

But when I saw Hardik looking over at Kuldeep with a worried and sad expression on his face, I knew things are getting real bad.

I mean, Hardik is such a brainless fool that he can't possibly notice anything like this unless it's extreme.

But then, Hardik adores Kuldeep. Kuldeep, for his part, blindly worships Hardik. Don't ask me why. I don't have any idea. But whenever Hardik need feels the need to show off--his clothes, his new watch, a new football trick--he would go to Kuldeep. Kuldeep never disappoints.

*****

"Close your eyes," Hardik told Kuldeep.

Kuldeep obliged.

"Open them," ordered Hardik.

Again Kuldeep obliged.

Hardik was standing in a Delle Alli celebration pose.

"Oh, Hardik, you mastered it!" shouted Kuldeep, laughing and actually clapping in delight. "You're a genius, Hardik!"

"He's not a genius," said Bhuvi, rolling his eyes.

Hardik flashed an arrogant grin at Bhuvi. "You're just jealous."

"Teach me how to do it!" begged Kuldeep.

"God," muttered Bhuvi, and shaking his head, he went away, Hardik's shameless boasts to Kuldeep following him.

*****

"Virat. Did I show you my Omega Seamaster?" Hardik asked me.

"Yes, Hardik," I said politely. "This is the fourth time you're showing me."

"Well, then, I must tell you of its features!"

I looked around, and spotted Rohit nearby.

"I'm sorry, I've got to go for an urgent call, Hardik, why don't you tell Rohit?" I said hastily, and escaped.

"Rohit!" cried Hardik. "Do you know what an Omega Seamaster does?" He dangled his watch right in front of Rohit's eyes.

Rohit gave him a painful smile. "I--I do know actually. But I'm sure Bhuvi doesn't... and he's dying to know!"

"I'm not dying to know," Bhuvi told Hardik sternly. "Stop annoying people."

Kuldeep came in just then. Hardik's eyes lit up.

"Kuldeep! Kuldeep!"

"What?" Kuldeep rushed over to him at once.

"I've got the latest model of an Omega Seamaster--look!"

Kuldeep studied the watch in wonder.

"What does it do?" he asked eagerly, much to Hardik's gratification.

We all left.

When we came back to call them for dinner an hour later, Hardik was still boasting to Kuldeep, and Kuldeep was still listening in an awed silence.

"Kuldeep's admiration is really bad for Hardik," Bhuvi told Yuzi.

"We've got to do something!" said Yuzi cheerfully.

They couldn't do anything, but that was the beginning of Bhuvi and Yuzi's friendship, I remember. They had no choice--when their best friends were stuck together, one boasting, the other listening, they had no choice.

*****

I broke my thoughts away from Kuldeep's fan moments for Hardik. But anyway, Hardik did not, as you might expect, take Kuldeep for granted. He was very fond of Kuldeep too.

When even Hardik is worried, something has to be done.