In the Darkest Hour

The irreparable cracks

"I don't believe it," said Yuzi flatly.

"Do you think I want to believe it? And Virat bhai? Do you think he'd believe something like this without proof?" asked Kuldeep.

"Kuldeep--I know Rohit bhaiya, and he's nothing like that!"

"Just look at these messages, Yuzi!" Kuldeep thrust his phone in front of Yuzi's eyes.

As per Rahul's decision, he and Kuldeep were still part of the mutiny group, as spies.

Its messages had gone as far as deep seated planning about how to make Virat bhai look bad as captain on the field.

"It's Rayudu who's doing the talking!" said Yuzi.

"More than one people have received direct messages from Rohit bhai. Are they all lying, Yuzi? Why would they?"

And it was true.

Suddenly Yuzi suffered from a change in his steadfast opinion.

"But, Kuldeep," said Yuzi, sounding miserable. "How could Rohit bhaiya do something like that?"

Almost all the triumph Kuldeep felt at managing to assure Virat bhai of Yuzi's support vanished.

"Go and talk to Virat bhai, Yuzi," said Kuldeep, sounding unusually mature. "You two are having it worst."

Kuldeep didn't add, because they had loved Rohit best, but they both knew.

____________

"I've got to get a few things for Sam from the local mall," Rohit told Virat over the phone next morning. "Will you please, please come with me?"

Rohit was quite prepared to listen to Virat's groans and protests, but he knew he would come along anyway.

What he hadn't expected was a cool, composed, "Sure."

Was Virat turning over a new leaf? thought Rohit suspiciously.

Well, he'll soon see.

_____________

Rohit kept getting a gut feeling, all through their cab journey and shopping, that something was off.

Why did it seem like there was a subtle chill in Virat's behaviour?

Virat was speaking perfectly normally, however, and moreover, Rohit couldn't remember a single thing he had done recently to offend Virat. Also, when offended, Virat shows that he is offended, quite openly, actually.

Which was why the chill bothered Rohit, deep inside.

When they were returning, Rohit couldn't help asking, a little hesitantly, "Is everything all right, Virat?"

"What do you think?" asked Virat, challenging raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know why I feel... you're angry with me about something...?"

"Everything is fine, Rohit," said Virat with a nasty emphasis on the first word, as he got off the cab and walked away without a backward glance, leaving Rohit more confused than ever.

_____________

Hardik knew Bhuvi too well. He knew exactly what he had to do to take Bhuvi on their side.

All through lunch, Hardik was absentminded and wistful. He answered Bhuvi's questions in the same vaguely sad tone.

As he had expected, Bhuvi accompanied him to his room and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing--why do you ask?" asked Hardik unconvincingly.

"Don't lie," said Bhuvi impatiently. "I can clearly see something's wrong."

"Well...it's just that I'm worried about Virat." And though he felt slightly guilty about preying on Bhuvi's love for Virat, what he had said was perfectly true.

Hardik was worried about Virat. The only reason he was doing all this was to avenge Virat.

"I've noticed it too!" said Bhuvi at once. "He behaves do weirdly nowadays--sort of contradictory. I can't help feeling... he's really sad about something."

"He is," said Hardik. "Awfully sad."

Bhuvi's eyes widened. "Do you--"

"I know the reason." Hardik launched into his story, emphasising again and again on Virat's reaction, how miserable Virat was... sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously.

"Rohit?" was the only thing Bhuvi said in a disbelieving tone after Hardik stopped speaking.

"There's really no doubt about it anymore," said Hardik, his heart sinking unexpectedly, because he had been extremely fond of Rohit earlier.

"It seems so...wrong...but if Virat believes it...it has to be true..." Bhuvi looked nearly as downcast as Virat--their 2013 team bonding, again.

"We've got to teach Rohit a lesson," said Hardik viciously. "He has to be removed from the team."

"Don't speak like that, Hardik," Bhuvi tried to scold him, but failed. "Oh, God, what must Virat be going through?"

"You're on Virat's side?" asked Hardik quietly.

Bhuvi looked at him.

"What else would you suppose?"