Vritika stirred around noon and stretched slightly, wincing as the movement reminded her of the bruises on her body. She saw her mother sitting beside her, peeling an apple.

"Maa," Vritika croaked, her voice still hoarse from sleep. "TV laga do na... match chal raha hoga."

Her mother looked up. "TV ki padi hai tujhe?" she said shaking her head. "Tera kya hoga, Vritika? Pehle toh apni halat dekh."

"Please, maa," she said softly, gesturing toward the remote on the side table.

Her mother sighed but relented, switching on the TV and flipping to the sports channel.

 The sounds of the live cricket commentary filled the room, but Vritika's attention shifted as her mother placed a plate of steaming food in front of her.

Vritika obediently opened her mouth, allowing her mother to feed her. "Maa, I'm fine," she mumbled between bites.

"Fine? Agar fine hoti toh woh haalat kyun thi kal? Ek minute ke liye meri jaan hi nikal gayi thi, Vritika!Jo kar rahi ho, usme dhyan rakho. Apni maa ka thoda toh socho."

"I'm sorry, Maa," Vritika said softly, her eyes downcast.

Her mother brushed a hand over Vritika's hair and sighed again. "Ab khatam karo aur thoda rest lo. Main kitchen mein hoon."

After ensuring Vritika had eaten, her mother gathered the plate and left the room, leaving her alone with the TV. The camera panned to Rohit standing at the crease, the crowd roaring his name. A small smile tugged at her lips as she watched him prepare to bat.

She reclined against the headboard when her gaze fell on her old phone. Veer had said that the call had come on this phone—the one that had turned her world upside down. She grabbed the phone and unlocked it, opening the call recordings. She pressed play.

"Vritika, I am a teammate of Rohit and Virat," the voice began, calm yet urgent. "I just wanted to inform you that they have been in an accident and have been taken to a hospital. Please come quickly..."

Vritika's brows furrowed as she replayed the message in her mind. Something about it didn't sit right. She rewound and played it again, this time listening closely to every nuance of the man's tone.

The voice sounded familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. She tried to recall where she had heard it before. Was it one of their actual teammates? But it wasn't someone she had always met. 

No, it couldn't be a teammate. They didn't have this number. This was her business one. But anyone could have taken this number from her website....

Should she leave it? 

No, this wasn't just a coincidence. Someone had deliberately called her to deliver the news. But who? And why?

She shook her head. There was no point for her to worry about it. She didn't recognize the voice. I should just send it to Rohit and Virat. And that's what she did.

She attached the recording to a new message and paused, trying to find the right words.

Finally, she typed:
"I just found this. It's the call I received about the accident. I don't recognize the voice. Do you guys know who this is?" She stared at the message for a moment before hitting send. 

She then watched the match some more. Sri Lanka was not performing well.It was almost too easy for India to win. Only 145 runs to make. There was no stopping Rohit at Wankhade. The hitman was hitting hard today and it was a delight to watch him play like this, but a pang of longing tugged at her heart. She wished she was there but alas! 

She sighed, sinking further into the pillows as India won the first match. She didn't realize when she drifted off to sleep thinking about Rohit.

*****

Rohit stepped into the dressing room. The team was in high spirits, celebrating their dominant performance. After removing his pads and gloves, he grabbed his phone and collapsed onto the bench beside Virat, letting out a deep breath. The game was over but his mind was elsewhere.

Without wasting a second, he dialed Vritika's mother.

"Aunty, Rits kaisi hai abhi?"

"Beta, she woke up earlier and complained about her fractured bone paining. Thoda fever bhi hai, lekin maine dawai de di hai. She's resting now."

Rohit sighed in relief but couldn't shake the lingering worry. "Thank you, Aunty. Please let me know if she needs anything.Main match ke baad aata hoon."

"Aur tum apna bhi dhyan rakho, beta," she replied warmly before hanging up.

Rohit lowered the phone and ran a hand through his damp hair. Beside him, Virat had opened his phone and was playing the audio recording Vritika had sent earlier. 

Rohit's head snapped towards Virat and their eyes locked. "That voice..." Rohit muttered. He bolted upright in fury. "Saala kutta!" he spat.

"Ro, ruk!" Virat grabbed Rohit's bicep firmly but his own face was taut with anger."Ladai nahi karte. Aaj ICC ke members bhi yahan hain. Vri wouldn't like that, okay? Maybe it's not him?"

Rohit turned his steely gaze to Virat, his nostrils flaring. For a moment, it looked like he might ignore the advice. Then with a grunt of frustration he shook off Virat's grip and snatched the phone out of his hand. He crossed the room toward the couch, where Gautam Gambhir sat casually, sipping water.

The murmur in the room quieted, and every head turned to watch. MS Dhoni observed silently  as Rohit stopped in front of Gambhir, his phone thrust forward.

"Play it," Rohit demanded, his voice cold and sharp.

Virat tapped the screen, and the recording played. The urgent voice that had claimed Rohit and Virat were in an accident filled the room. Gambhir's face went pale.

"Gautam bhai, kys hai ye," Rohit saidin a dangerously low voice. "Explain. Now."

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Gambhir stammered, his hands fidgeting with the bottle in his lap. His eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape.

"Don't lie to me," Rohit growled, leaning closer. "This is your voice. You called her. You told her we'd been in an accident. Why?"

"I said I don't know anything."

Rohit grabbed the collar of his shirt. "You don't know anything? That's the excuse you're giving me? This is your voice, Gambhir. Admit it."

"Rohit," Dhoni broke through the heated moment. "Let him go."

Rohit didn't budge. "Mahi bhai, you heard the recording."

"And I will deal with it. But let him go. Now."

"Ro, let it go. I know you are angry—hell, I'm furious—but Vri wouldn't want you to handle it like this."

At the mention of Vritika, Rohit's grip loosened slightly though his glare remained locked on Gambhir. With a shove, he released him, making Gambhir stumble back into his seat.

"Everyone out.Now."

The players exchanged glances but were obedient to their captain's command. Slowly, they filed out of the dressing room, leaving only Dhoni, Rohit, Virat, and Gambhir behind. The door clicked shut.

Dhoni stepped closer. "You've got two options, Gambhir. Either you explain yourself right now, or I'll escalate this to the management, and you'll deal with the consequences."

Gambhir swallowed hard. "I swear... it wasn't supposed to go this far. I was angry and in the heat of the moment I called her," he started hesitantly.

"Go how far?" Rohit snapped clenching his fists at his sides.

"I just wanted to... to get back at you two," Gambhir admitted.

"Why?" Dhoni asked.

"Because of you!"

"Me?" MS asked.

"Why did you send Rohit when you were injured in the World Cup? I told you he was too young but you wouldn't listen."

"So this... this is about the World Cup. I was the Captain of the team and it was my decision." 

"I was senior, I had the experience, but no... You had to gamble on the youngster."

"But we won... didn't we?"

"Don't take credit for it Dhoni. We did not win because of you or him. It was a team and staff effort. Everybody was the same. I don't understand why all these people are calling you a hero."

 "You dragged my sister into this over such a petty thing. She's not even part of your insecurities!" Virat snapped.

"Oh please, tum toh kuch bolo hi mat. You don't even deserve to be on this team."

"Saale-"

"2 saal se RCB ki captaincy kar raha hai. Jit toh paa nahi raha."

Virat  took a step forward, but Dhoni placed a firm hand on Virat's chest to stop him.

"Gautam bhai, do you even hear yourself? You're so bitter that you're lashing out at everyone around you. Virat has nothing to do with your grudge against me or Mahi bhai."

"Oh, come on!" Gambhir sneered. "RCB ki captaincy ke chakkar mein iska ego skyrocket kar gaya hai. And you? Mr. Hitman? Acting like the perfect player. You're all just riding on hype. Lekin luck jyada din tikta nahi hai. Dekh lena."

"Gambhir," Dhoni said sharply. "You've crossed every line today. You brought personal grievances into a professional space and worse you dragged someone's family into it.

"I don't care about your lectures," Gambhir retorted. "You're not perfect either, Dhoni. You made mistakes too."

"Maybe I did as a leader and sometimes it happens," Dhoni admitted. "But I never stooped so low as to hurt someone else to prove a point."

"Oh please. Tumse better leader toh main hoon."

Virat was fuming. "Tumse kabhi leadership handle nahi hui, and you can't stand it when others succeed."

"And yet here we are," Gambhir shot back. "Your big words won't change the fact that you've failed to lead your team to a trophy. Do you even deserve to wear that jersey?"

"Enough!" Rohit roared. "You dragged my family into this. Mahi bhai do something. Because of him, Vritika is lying there in pain."

"Then go to her! Why are you still here?" Gambhir shouted.

"Because we are on national duty. We don't walk away when the country calls, no matter what's happening in our personal lives. That's the difference between people like you and people like us. We honor the jersey we wear."

The room was dead silent. The team members who had their ears pressed to the door heard it and their respect for Rohit increased tenfold.

Gambhir opened his mouth to retort but found himself at a loss for words.

Rohit glanced at Dhoni. "Mahi bhai, handle this however you see fit. But I'm done here. I need to be with Rits"

Dhoni gave a single nod. "Go. Be with Vritika. She needs you more than this mess does."

Rohit hesitated only for a moment before turning and walking out.

Virat pointed a finger at Gambhir "You don't get to talk about my captaincy or my family. Ever again. If you even think about going near my sister or contacting her in any way, you'll have more than just me to deal with."

He threw him a glare and then followed Rohit.

Gambhi closed his eyes and rubbed them. "I am sorry yaar. I was angry after watching their interview and called her and said it. But then somebody else picked it and I was relieved that somebody else responded and I immediately cut it."

"You shouldn't have done it anyway because now you have lost the trust." Dhoni left, leaving Gautam Gambhir alone in the room. 

He was left standing there. He didn't know what would happen to him now. But when he looked at his teammates, one thing was sure: He had utterly lost their respect. He could hear the squad whispering among themselves. He sank into a chair. or the first time in years, he wasn't sure if he truly belonged in the jersey he wore. And that realization was perhaps the most painful of all.

Catching up to Rohit in the hallway, Virat slowed his pace to match Rohit's. "Yaar, why did you just leave him there like that? That wasn't enough."

Rohit didn't look at him, his jaw still clenched, his focus unwavering. He held up his phone, showing Virat a message. "Because we don't have time for him right now. Look at this—Aunty just texted. Rits is in a lot of pain."

Rohit and Virat hurried into the house. They entered Vritika's room and their hearts sank at the sight of her. She was propped up against pillows, her face pale with streaks of dried tears tracing her cheeks. A doctor stood beside her working to secure her fractured arm in a solid cast.

At the sound of their arrival, Vritika hastily wiped her tears with her uninjured hand. Rohit knelt at the bed.

"What happened Dr Mehra?"

"She was in significant pain, so I decided to replace the sling with a solid cast. I've also prescribed a stronger painkiller."

"Will this help? How long will the pain last?"

"It will help, but the pain might persist for at least two days. Make sure she rests and avoids unnecessary movement.

The doctor left and Rohit sat beside Vritika, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Rits," he murmured, "you don't have to hide your tears from me."

"I'm fine, now. It's doesn't hurt as much as earlier when I woke in pain. " she said. "I didn't know a fracture would hurt so much."

"You should have told me earlier. I wouldn't have waited so long to come."

"I didn't want to disturb you,you had a press conference didn't you" she replied, resting her head gingerly on his shoulder. 

"Yeah, but Mahi bhai could have handled it."

Vritika lifted her head slightly looking up at Rohit. "Was everything okay at Wankhede? You both seemed so rushed when you got here."

Rohit's expression darkened. "We found out who sent that recording."

"You did? Who was it?" Her brows knitted in confusion.

He hesitated, his voice dropping. "It was Gautam bhai."

"Gautam?" she echoed, frowning. "Who's that?"

"Gautam Gambhir....You remember? He was in the second reserved player in the world come team."

"Oh. But why would he say that?"

Rohit rubbed his temples. " I don't know. He made that call, knowing it would send you into a panic."

Her eyes widened, disbelief written across her face. "Why would anyone do that? What did I ever do to him?"

"You didn't do anything," Virat said with anger. "This wasn't about you. It was about us—about his issues with Rohit and me. You were just... collateral damage. He has some grudge."

Vritika sat up straighter, wincing slightly at the movement. "That's ridiculous! Who uses someone's personal life to settle scores? What kind of person does that?"

"The kind who doesn't care about anyone but himself," Rohit said.

" I hate that you had to face him in the middle of everything. And now you're here worrying about me. You know what just leave him."

"How can you say that Vri? No...I am gonna teach him a lesson." Virat exclaimed.

"Veer, you being angry wouldn't solve anything. You should talk to him so calmly, so softly that he should feel ashamed of himself for holding such petty grudges. You know what, just ignore him. That should be punishment enough. He just wants attention."

Virat groaned, running a hand through his hair. "I hate that you're always right, Rits."

She gave him a faint smile. "I just don't want you both to carry this anger. It's not worth it."

Rohit sighed, sitting back on the bed. "Fine. But if he tries anything like this again..."

"We will deal with. For now I want to celebrate your win. Let's go out."

"Absolutely not!You need rest."

"I have been resting for more than 36 hours now. I want to get out of this bed. Come on, we will go in the gardens outside."

"Rits, you're not fully healed. The doctor said to avoid unnecessary movement. What part of that sounds like a walk in the gardens to you?"

Vritika rolled her eyes. "It's just the garden, Rohit. Not a marathon. I promise I'll sit as soon as I feel tired. I just need some fresh air. Please?"

Virat smirked, crossing his arms. "She's got that look, bro. You know, the one that says she's not taking no for an answer."

Rohit groaned. "Fine. But we're keeping it short, and you'll let me carry you back if you so much as wince. Deal?"

"Deal! Now, help me up."

Rohit immediately moved to her side, offering his arm for support. She winced slightly as she shifted, and he froze. "Are you sure about this? We can do this later—"

"I'm fine," she interrupted, gripping his arm gently. "Stop worrying so much."

They went out in the garden and sat down on soft grass. Vritika leaned back to the wall and let herself relax. She looked at Rohit who was watching her like a hawk.

She tusked. "Relax, Rohit." She grabbed his bicep and pulled him so that his was lying in her lap. She began running her fingers through his hair in slow, soothing motions. Rohit closed his eyes for a moment "You know, I could get used to this," he murmured.

Vritika chuckled and grabbed her phone. "Good. Because I'm keeping you like this for a while." She angled the phone and she snapped the picture.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Rohit asked, cracking one eye open suspiciously.

"Just capturing this moment," she replied innocently already opening Instagram. "It's too cute not to share."

Rohit groaned. "Rits, you're going to embarrass me in front of the entire world."

"You'll survive," she teased

@VritikaKohli: "When the tables turn, and I get to pamper him for a change . Life's good with him by my side🌸❤️ 💙 #Healing #JustUs #Together"

From a few feet away Virat groaned loudly when he saw them like that. 

"Can you two stop being so disgustingly cute for five minutes? I'm trying to enjoy the peace here."

Vritika laughed leaning down to press a kiss to Rohit's forehead. "Ignore him. And focus on me."

Virat tossed a twig in their direction. "Honestly the two of you are unbearable. Get a room or something."

"Jealous, Veer?" Vritika teased sticking her tongue out at him.

"Not even a little," Virat shot back.

Rohit chuckled and tilted his head slightly to look at Virat. "Feel free to leave, man. We'll survive."

"No way. Someone's got to keep an eye on you two lovebirds. "

"Rohit, how can someone be so jealous..." Vritika said teasing her brother.

"For the last time, I am not because I have found someone." Virat said smugly.

"Who will go and be chumantar in a week or so."

"Hey, don't jinx it, Chudail. This one's different, alright?" he said.

"Sure you are Veer," Vritika teased "I've heard that one before."

"I am serious yaar. My heart is like screaming that she is the one.."

"You are bluffing. You don't actually have anyone, liar."

Virat shot her a glare. "Of course I do! Her name is Tamannah Bhatia and she is gorgeous."

"Haaah! Got her name....wait, isn't she some south Indian actress or something."

"Yes, she is. Gorgeous, talented, and just perfect for me."

"Uh-huh," Vritika said, still unconvinced. "We'll see about that."

Virat groaned dramatically. "I'll prove you both wrong! You'll see! Just wait till we're in the same room, and you'll understand."

"Suuuuuurrrrre!"

*******

It took some time for Vritika's arm to heal but heal it did. A month to be precise. IPL was starting soon and Rohit was made captain of Mumbai Indians this season.Vritika couldn't be any happier.

Rohit had gone with his team to Lucknow to shoot some ads for the IPL season. They had just climbed down from the bus to go head to the airport. They were running late and Rohit and Virat both needed to catch this flight because they wanted to be at Vriitika's graduation ceremony.

"Oye, Rohit, time kya hua hai re?" Shikhar asked casually.

Rohit instinctively raised his left hand to check the time but froze mid-motion. His wrist was bare. Panic flashed across his face. 

"Arre, yaar, meri watch?" he mumbled, patting his pockets frantically like a man looking for his lost wallet.

"Arre, kya hua?" Shikhar asked, amusement already bubbling in his voice.

"Shit, yaar, Gabbar," Rohit groaned, still patting down every pocket he could think of. "Meri watch... hotel mein bhool gaya shayad!"

Shikhar threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh. "Arey, chill maar, bhai! Nayi le lena. Tujhe sponsor se mil jayegi aur bhi acchi wali."

 "Haa Rohit bhai, bas ek watch hi toh hai! Nayi le lena. Amazon pe same-day delivery ho jayegi!" Rishabh chimed in.

Rohit's face contorted in horror and he grabbed Shikhar's arm. "Nahi, yaar! Tu samajh nahi raha. Woh Rits ka gift thi. Ekdum special wali. Uspar woh, woh bhi that kya bolte usko..."

"Kya?" Shikkhar raised an eyebrow.

"Arey, woh pyaar se likhte hai na.."

"Love letter."

"Abey Saale!" Rohit snapped, glaring at him.

"Aey! Toh aur kya?" Shikhar defended

Rohit snapped his fingers repeatedly trying to jog his memory. "Arey, woh... with love type ka hota hai na? Personalized sa!"

"Inscription!"

"Haa woh. Rits ne apne haathon se likhwaaya tha! Tu samajh raha hai ki nahi?!"

"'Toh ab kya karega?"

Rohit turned to the bus, his eyes locking on the driver who was preparing to leave. "Oh, bhaiyaa, rukko!" he shouted, breaking into a sprint.

The driver  leaned out of the window. "Kya hua, sir?"

Rohit waved his hands frantically. "Meri watch hotel mein reh gayi hai, bhaiya! Bus leke wapas chalo!"

"Arey Rohit flight chali jayegi!" Mahi bhai shouted.

"Bhai Ritz mujhe maar dalegi!" Rohit climbed into the bus and called put to the driver. "Chalo bhaiyaa.Abhi ke abhi!"

Rohit took a seat and tapped his knee nervously.

"Arey, itni tension mat le, Captain Sahab!" the driver said glancing at Rohit through the rearview mirror. "Hotel wale mil jayega na, tension kyun lete ho?"

Rohit gave a half-hearted smile,

The bus roared to life, lurching forward. Rohit sighed and ran a hand through his hair. What is he going to say to the hotel people? They will give it back right ? What if someone stole it? He groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Rohit Sharma, tu kisi kaam ka nahi hai."

The bus began to move.

"ROHIT!"  

Startled, he jerked his head up, looking toward the back window of the bus. He pressed his face to the rear glass, ready to give his teammates a sheepish wave goodbye. 

But what he saw made his jaw drop.

 Virat was holding the watch. High above his head while grinning like a Cheshire cat. The team was laughing hysterically and pointing at Rohit's stunned expression.

"Abey, dekh kya raha hai? Yeh rahi teri watch!" Virat called out, twirling it on his finger like a trophy.

Rohit's jaw dropped. For a second, he could only blink. Then, he bolted to the front of the bus. "Driver bhaiya, rukko! Rukko, please!"

The bus screeched to a halt, and Rohit stormed out, pointing an accusing finger at Virat. "Tu na! TU! VIRAT KE BACCHE! Tu toh gaya!"

Virat threw back his head laughing like a villain in a Bollywood movie. "Arey, relax, Rohit. Itna stress mat le. Main bas check kar raha tha ki tera BP kitna high jaa sakta hai."

"BP?! Tujhe pata hai na yeh mere liye bohot woh hai!" Rohit snapped, snatching the watch back and inspecting it carefully for scratches. "Agar gir jaati toh?!"

"Phir Vritika ko bolke ek aur likhwa dete: 'To my bhoolakkad Rohit, with even more love." Mahi bhai couldn't help but add.

"Aur neeche likh dete, 'Handle with care—koi guarantee nahi.' " Virat added.

Shikhar was barely able to stand from laughing so hard. "Bhai, tere expressions toh dekhne laayak the! Kaise tension mein tha, jaise Vritika ne already maar diya ho!"

"Maar toh woh khayegaa." Virat singsonged. "Kyuki main Vri ko sab kuch batane wala hoon."

Rohit's eyes widened in horror and he took a menacing step toward Virat. "Pehle tu mujhse maar khayega, saale!"

Virat darted a few steps back. "Arre, sach bol raha hoon! Ritz ko bataana mera farz hai. Sacche bhai ka kaam hota hai sachai dikhaana.Raakhi baandti hai yaar woh aur waise bhi Honesty is the best policy, bhai."

 "Tu bas bata ke dikha, phir dekhta hu tere ko." Rohit glared at him.

"Abey tujhe toh thanks bolna chahiye! Jaan bachayi Maine teri!"

"Ha ha chal abhi." He shook his head, slipping the watch back onto his wrist as they all clapped him on the back, teasing him mercilessly all the way to the airport.

"Asli award toh Vritika ko milna chahiye..pataa nahi kaise sambhalti hai isko."

******

A/N

Thank you so much for your constant love and support, everyone! Your enthusiasm and feedback mean the world to me and keep me motivated to write more. You guys are truly the best! Stay tuned for the next chapter—there's so much more fun, drama, and laughter coming your way. Don't forget to vote, comment and make yourself heard.💖