Tables will Turn

Part 2

"Now finish your lunch. You haven't eaten anything since morning", saying which I concentrated on my plate. We both finished our lunch and went into the recreation area lost in our own thoughts.

Two days back,

I was getting ready for the office when I got a phone call from my assistant.

"Hello Aman, I will start in ten minutes. Is everything ready?", I asked him as we have to cover an interview with the ex-politician whose son is accused of a murder.

"Yes mam, apart from that there are few articles you need to verify before we publish them on our website", replied Aman.

"Sure", before I continued, I heard my doorbell, followed by the footsteps of Lalitha.

"Mam, actually...there is breaking news too", said Aman stuttering.

"About?", I asked him walking into the hall to see who has arrived at this early hour. 

"It's about Vi...", started Aman.

"Aman, I will call you back", I interrupted him looking at the person infront of me. After disconnecting the call, I immediately went and hugged him.

"Cheeku, what a sudden surprise? Where are the others?", I was looking behind him expecting the whole troop but none came, so I continued "You should have called me, I would have come to the airport to pick you up". Though I was very happy to see him but was equally worried by his sudden arrival. Without speaking a word, he went into his room while I instructed Lalitha to make arrangements for preparing his breakfast before I followed him.

"Cheeku is everything alright? You look disturbed", I said going into his room before he could close the door.

"I am just tired because of the journey", replied Virat without looking at me. Not wanting to probe more, I just said "That's okay, just freshen up and I will get your breakfast here".

After one last look at him, I came out and immediately texted Aman that I wouldn't be coming to the office for the day and checked my call logs for any missed calls from any one of the team but there is not even one. This increased my worry but brushing all the negative thoughts aside, I got busy preparing Omelette and fruits to go with green tea. Satisfied with my cooking, I went into Virat's room only to find him lying down on the bed staring at the ceiling lost in his own world. Placing the tray on the side table, I went and sat beside him.

"Cheeku", hearing me he came out of his thoughts and tried to smile at me which is easily understood to be fake. "Have your breakfast", I said getting the plate in front of him but he denied as expected saying that he is not hungry.

"Virat, I could feel that there is something bothering you. Please share it with me", I said trying to understand what made the most cheerful man so grim. 

"I...I am feeling sleepy Anu...", and before he could complete, I placed his head in my lap and started ruffling his hair to calm him as I saw tears forming in his eyes. Though I didn't know what upset him so much, I decided that whatever or whoever might be the reason for his pain will not get away easily. Just then my phone started buzzing with so many messages. In order to put it in silent so that it wouldn't disturb Virat's sleep, I opened the lock and before I could click further, one notification caught my attention "The run machine has become a thief, along with centuries he started stealing trophies", rubbing it to be a meme, I swiped right but then there were around 25 WhatsApp messages from Aman where he is sending me few links. Sensing the urgency, I clicked on a link and my heart started beating fast as I scrolled down. The article read "Virat Kohli, being one of the best captains of India is not at all expected to do such a disgraceful act. Assuming that his utter jealousy on his former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has forced him to do this. Early morning BCCI has raised a complaint that all the trophies which were won during the time of 2007 to 2016 (that is when Mahendra Singh Dhoni was captain) went missing in a single night. And the special team has to be appreciated as they have found the culprit in an hour that too very secretly as no one in the media could get a hint of it until the head of the special team "Sanjay Manjerkar" has called in a press conference. Sanjay further stated that they contacted Virat Kohli regarding the same and he denied but having solid proof against him, the BCCI is forced to suspend captain Virat Kohli and he is given 24 hours time to prove his innocence, after which he would be taken into custody for further interrogation". 

I was terrified reading it and came out into the balcony after carefully shifting Virat's head onto the pillow. To confirm it, I immediately dialed Rohit's number but only to hear that he is already in another call. I tried Mahi bhai's number too and I got the same reply. Having no other option, I scrolled down Aman's messages to get another shock of my life. There was another news article which stated "Very saddening to hear this about the most happening couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. Virat Kohli is accused of cheating his wife. Though we didn't get any official statement from Anushka Sharma, the close quarters of the couple have confirmed the news. They also said that because of this rift Virat went missing from his house and Anushka is not willing to speak with the media." Without reading any further, I dialed Anushka bhabhi's number and she picked it up after what seemed like an eternity.

"Hello bhabhi, where are you? Are you okay?", I asked getting worried because of all these mishaps.

"I don't know Anu...haven't expected that Virat would do this to me. We both were so happy together at least I thought we were made for each other. I don't understand what made him do this to me?", replied Anushka and it is clear in her voice that she has been crying.

"No no bhabhi, there has to be some misunderstanding and I don't need to tell you how much Virat loves you. He can never leave you not for anyone else", I said praying to God not to break this beautiful relationship.

"And how come you thought I would believe some external source over Virat. If it is not for him to accept it, I wouldn't have trusted...", before she could complete, I shouted into the phone.

"What do you mean, he accepted?", I couldn't find the correct words to continue.

"Yes, today morning he called me to break this news that he wanted to...", she broke down and I understood what she was about to say and thought to leave her alone for some time. "Take care bhabhi and remember that I am always there whenever you need".

Not knowing how to comprehend all this news, my mind stopped working and then to my relief I got a call from Rohit. I answered immediately "Ro bhayya".

Without letting me talk Rohit asked, "Is Virat with you?"

"Yes"

"Thank God", came two voices hearing which I lost all my control "Mahi bhai, Ro what's happening...I just can't make head or tail of it. I don't understand..."

Mahi Bhai interrupted "relax Anu, you just take care of Virat. We will handle other things. Sakshi and Rithika already left for Paris where Anushka went for her shooting. I have already called press meet in the evening to clarify to the world that we don't believe all these silly allegations and we are always with him".

Hoping that everything would be normal, I just went in only to find Virat watching the news with tears in his eyes. They were showing Virat being close with some model and highlighting the rift between Virat and Anushka. I immediately snatched the remote from him and switched off the television.

"Cheeku, you just go and wait in the garden, I will get you something to drink. The weather is so pleasant outside", I said faking a smile to enlighten his mood.

"Anu, trust me I am not at fault. I don't know what proof they have got against me, nor I cheated Nushkie. How can anyone think that I could be jealous of Mahi bhai Anu?", he broke down and I just sat beside him holding his hand and rubbing his back.

"Cheeku, you don't need to explain anything to us. We trust you. Mahi bhai, Ro everyone is with you bacha...don't worry", I tried to console him but my last statement seemed to confuse him because he moved back suddenly.

"Are you serious? Before coming here I called Ro and he is the one who said that he didn't want to interfere in this scandal as Mahi bhai has told him not to because if I get suspended, there wouldn't be anyone to lead the team except Rohit", said Virat this time making me confused.

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So yes, that's all for today. Sorry Virat bhayya, you are the best and I know how much you love Anushka and the country, you can't do anything of this sort. This is just a story of my imagination, nothing to heart, please.