December 2011, England series...

Team has reached two days before there first practise session to deal with jet lag and tiredness. That night soon after dinner everyone went back into their rooms and slept too tired to do anything else.

MS started walking towards Rahul Dravid's room when he found a figure sitting the garden behind the hotel. Out of curiosity, he leaned into the window to see who it was. 

"Shikar? What is he doing there?" He thought. But continued towards Dravid's room assuming Shikar might be practising some poems of his.

He brags into Dravid's room not caring to knock the door because they never do. Rahul was laying on the sofa with a book in his hand. MS walks in and sits right before him. Rahul was fully engrossed into the book completely ignoring the intruder.

"Bhai..." MS called out seeking attention. 

"Hmm..."Rahul said his eyes still fixed on the book.

"Bhhaaiiii..." MS said again stressing each letter really frustrated. 

According to Yuvi, Mahi is so habituated of getting all the attention from his elder bro's that lack of attention irritates him. Of course, MS never agrees to that.

"Let me complete this chapter Mahi," said Dravid trying not to smile at Mahi's frustration. Deep down he already knew that he won't be completing that chapter today But what's the harm in trying.

"You already read this book some 10 times before," MS said randomly. He don't know surely but he knew that Rahul Bhai has the habit of rereading the books so...maybe.

"This book released a week back and I got it just yesterday," Rahul said rolling his eyes.

"I have a very bad headache here and all you are concerned about is that book. No one cares about me." MS complained sadly. 'Now, This has to work. It always does.' Thought MS.

"Acha...Stop the drama now." Rahul signed as he put his book aside and sat straight.

MS grinning takes Rahul hands and puts them on his head as he shifts to the convenient position. 

"BCCI provides is a masseur  for the same purpose Mahi." Rahul teased as he started massaging Mahi's head.

"But you are the best," MS said as he relaxed with his eyes closed.

"Oh...Then I think I should apply for the masseur post after cricket." Rahul spoke out smiling.

"We know you are Mr.dependable for everything under the sun but why are you behind that poor man's job now," MS said dramatically and burst out laughing as Rahul hit him slightly on his head.

"I miss this Bhai..." MS whispered after 5 minutes with his eyes still closed as Rahul pressed his head.

Rahul, of course, knew what he meant. More than once over years he felt that this kiddo was forced to grow up on a spot but then...everything is worth it if India can win 2 WC's and find one of its best captains ever, He thought with a proud smile.

"Bhai...Let's have a gaming night." MS said excitedly. Moving back a little and facing Dravid.

"Weren't you having a headache just now." Rahul signed. 'Uff..This kid.'

"It was stomach pain. You heard it wrong and even that went away now." MS spoke. Rahul just rolled his eyes. Well, he already got used to Mahi's logicless ranting by now.

"Please na Bhai...It has been tooooo long." MS said making a puppy face that would work on his Dada, Anil Bhai and Rahul Bhai on any day. 

"Go...Get something then. I don't have any games with me now." Rahul said making MS grin widely as he ran out. 

While Walking back his eyes again fell on Shikar still sitting in the garden. Signing, he changes his direction and walks towards the stairs.

Shikar was lost in his thoughts. He was in an emotional mess. He felt lonely. His friends aren't happy about his relationship with Ayesha. His family are against it. No...He is not blaming them, He knows they were all looking out for him. They are sacred that He will be hurt in future. He tried and failed to make them understand. He knows that they will be happy for him once everything is fine. But sometimes he feels lonely. And today is one of those days. Yesterday's incident was playing in his mind continuously. 

*** Shikar went for shopping with Aliyah and Rhea. 

"Lift me up, Dadda...I'm too tired," 7-year-old Rhea demanded stretching both her hands making Shikar smile.

"You are just too lazy," Aliyah said sounding very matured for a 11-year-old as he walked alongside Shikar with her shopping bags in her hand. Rhea just hopped into Shikar's arm ignoring her sister.

"Dad..." Aliyah whispered as she stood stopped walking.

"Ha?" Shikar voiced confused.

"Dad... He is there" She pointed her finger towards there left and run towards directions as she screaming... 'Dad...Dad'.
Somehow he made Shikar's heart skip a beat... He felt some unknown feeling and he definitely don't like it

"We will also go Dadda...Walk...." Demanded Rhea sitting comfortably in his arms.

"Where is he?" Rhea asked excited as they spot Aliyah.

"He didn't stop," Aliyah said sadly looking down.

"Oo... You mistook someone else to him." Rhea said logically.

"Of course not Rhea... I can recognise Dad." Aliyah snapped almost immediately.

"Oo...Then Why didn't he stop? I would have introduced Dadda to him." Rhea said disappointed.

"Maybe he didn't hear you Aliyah." Shikar said comforting as she still looked sad. Showing no hurt in his tone... But what he don't understand is why was he even hurt.

"I don't think so..." Aliyah said in a slow tone. She looked at shikar for a brief moment and walked away saying that she would get herself an ice cream.

"Even I want Icecream. Let's go Dadda." Jumped Rhea in his arm. And they walked forward while Shikar's mind was struck at that moment only. ***

"You look like a 1st class boy who is forced to come to school one first day itself... You could have come tomorrow...you know... Actual training starts from the day after tomorrow only so..."MS's voice snapped out of his thoughts.

Shikar turned to see MS sitting beside him on the grass leisurely with his legs stretched and his hands behind him baring his body weight.

"I didn't want to stay," Shikar said on impulse. 

"I mean... At home, Boss orders us around...Do the Laundry, clean the mirrors, Keep your room clean, Don't do that, Do this... But here we are the boss." Shikar he added as he laughed out.

If MS wasn't as observant as he was, he would have believed that Shikar was normal.

"Well, About making you keep your room clean I don't think anyone can ever do that." MS teased.

"It's not that bad. Rohit has spread that rumour just like that." Shikar protested.

"I have seen your room too, Shikh. It's easily one of the worst I have ever seen but Ro's room isn't the best either." MS declared. Shikhar laughed it off as usual. Then they sat in silence. Shikar lost in his thoughts again.

"You can talk it out Shikar. Of course, only if you want to but... I maybe not really help but... I can always listen to anything." MS said genuinely. 

"Woh...Actually." Shikar muttered after a few minutes

"I'm listening Shikh..." MS said slowing as Shikar didn't continue.

"It's silly," Shikar signed with a forced laugh. He can't put his thoughts into words without looking stupid.

"If something is bothering you so much then I don't find anything silly about it," MS said honestly. MS tried to make his tone and gestures convey that 'Shikar can share anything without fear of being judged.' 

MS remained silent waiting for Shikar to respond... After nearly 5 mins... Shikher turned to see MS was still waiting for him to continue... And even he had enough...it's all bolting up in him. He had to talk it out.

"Bhai... Woh... Rhea and Aliyah...My daughters...yesterday I went out with them...I came across...There father(signing)" Shihar Started as explained the whole incident that was playing in his mind.

"Aliyah... She was struck...Choti hai but Matured hai...but the Ionging... I saw it in her eyes. Rhea calls me Dadda but Aliyah never did and we never forced her... Aliyah says Im her friend and I was ok with it... But yesterday." Shikar spoke out his mind not even trying to form a proper sentence while MS silenced silently.

"Bhai... Yesterday... I realised... I don't just want to be her friend... I want to be her father too... I want to protect them... Support them..shield them... I can't lose them Bhai... Not for anything in the world... I don't know...when they got so much into me... When Aliyah left my side looking around to see where he was... I felt...like... I don't know..."Shikar cried. He knew that it sounds so selfish and immature but he don't care.

"I tried talking to Maa. She was saying that... I have to face this my entire life... I can never be there father... Because I'm not one..." Shikar spoke in a broken tone as his eyes become teary.

MS suddenly realised how strong Shikar must be to hide so much hurt under his laugh. MS puts his hand around Shikhers shoulders and Shikher subconsciously leans into him. 

"It's killing me from inside Bhai... I realised... Our relationship...its nothing without girls... There no point... I can't even talk all this to Ayesha... I don't know that to do.. I just..."

"Nothing... Don't do anything Shikh... Just give it some time..." MS spoke for the first time.

Shikher turned towards him frowning...

"They are already your daughters...You only said that...just now... I not even for a second felt like... They are not." MS spoke. Shikar felt so ridiculously happy hearing that.

"They may be matured, Smart but still they are kids only na. It's confusing for even them... Rhea tho bhout choti hai... But maybe Aliyah is sacred that she may lose her father again... She may want to be in her shell...Abb thu inta parishan hai... Then think what that kid must be going through." MS spoke his prospective.

"You think she is insecure?" Shikar asked thinking deeply.

"I don't know. Maybe or may not be. It might just be that he needs some time to accept you. But I know one thing... You are the most beautiful soul I have ever seen... You just be yourself... One day Aliyah will you how amazing father you are... Because you are all ready the best..." MS assured with a smile.

Shikar smiled just at the thought... While his heart filled his usual positivity and hope... 

Maybe all that needed was 'an open-hearted talk' and 'assurance.'

"Now don't overthink. And you can always come to my room if you ever feel like taking. You know that don't you?" MS asked smiling making Shikar nod.

"Wanna have a gaming night?" MS proposed.

"Sure...But Gabbar never lose." Shikar said excitedly when his phone starts ringing

" Let's see that. Come after the call." MS spoke as he got up and walked upstairs towards Dravid's room.

"What took you so much time mahi? Trying to find the game I'm not good at so that you can boast about your win?" Rahul asked trying to sound serious as MS entered.

"Exactly at which game are you good at Bhai?" MS teased grinning widely. 

"You and Yuvi still used to fight to be in my team remember?" Rahul pointed out.

"It's because you at least don't kill our own teammate, unlike Dada and anil bhai who don't understand which team they are playing from," MS said making a disgusted face making Dravid laugh out.

"Btw... Bhai, We will play tomorrow not today." MS informed.

"Ofc..but Any problem Mahi? Is everything ok?" Dravid asked concerned.

"Ntg Bhai. Shikar was a little upset so I said we can play something... Just A little distraction. That's it. He might feel nervous and star-struck with you around so." MS explained.

"When did his little kiddo grew up so much that he is taking care of his juniors now?" Wondered Rahul with a smile.

"Now why are you smiling so much Bhai?" MS asked 

"Because I can peacefully read my book now." Rahul teased making MS roll his eyes.

"Complete it today... Tomorrow...you got to play with me." MS said as he walked towards his room.

months later...

MS was sleeping peacefully when his door was knocked...no...someone were beating it so hard as if they want to break it. He ran to door as he shouted...'Coming'

He opened it panicking to see Shikher standing there with the biggest girn possible...

"You?" MS signed as he breathed in relief... he thought hotel must be on fire.

'Call Virat and Jaddu out too... I'm too tired for your pranks' he said yawning.

"Are nahi Bhai... I'm here to show you something..." Shikhar said laughing happily as he walked inside the room.

MS watches him curiously as Shikhar took out his phone and passes it to MS... It was an SMS...

'Thank you for being the person I can go to whenever I'm stuck... You have come too late in my life...but Mumma says always Best things always take time...Happy fathers day Dadda'

-Aliyah...

Next 1 hour... Shikher was consciously trying to explain how happy he was... And settled to sleep in his room only...

After 15 minutes... When MS was about to go into a deep slumber... He was Shikhar opening his phone again... MS ofc don't know how it feels to be a father... Be he knows right now..shikar is feeling that... So slept letting shikar be...

Any weak hearts who fainted seeing Kiddo mahi? But do tell me who did you find Kiddo MS around his elder brothers.

I always wanted to write MS keeping 'being Mahi Bhai' above 'being Mahi'....so just added with the most underrated yet beautiful Mahi-Shikar... 

--Siri...