"Bhai... You reached right?" Asked Bhuvi anxiously as soon as they meet in the middle.

MS just shrugged he watched the big screen hoping that he crossed the line not wanting to accept the fact he already knew.

Bhuvi already turned pale, his heart clutched as he realised that their dream has just scattered. its all over.

Screens rolled showing what they already know... And that 3 letters broke the hopes of millions.

The walk to the pavilion was the longest journey in MS's life. It felt like all the energy was sucked from his body and his legs would give away any moment. For once he couldn't stick to his self-made rule of not showing emotions on the field.

As he reached the dressing room Virat came and patted on his back but MS just walked past Virat without meeting anyone's eyes in the dugout. He sank on his bench in the dressing room with his face in his hands when he felt Hardik and Rishab hugging him from either side, burying there face into his shoulders. He can sense their tears and suppressed sobs but couldn't bring himself to console him.

Grief, heartbreak, hurt, the pain of losing a chance to win WC one last time... all this were there but most of all there was a disappointment. MS was disappointed in himself. if only he dived... if only.

He looked around... Bhuvi broke down into sobs the moment he returned to the dressing room. As his eyes fell on the T.V... He saw Ro breaking down in the dugout itself, not caring about cameras while Jaddu gave him a helpless glance.

"If only you Dived" His brain shouted.  MS felt suffocated. For the First time, MS felt the need to run away from his own team. He neither has the strength to see their tears nor to console them.

Soon, Yuzi's wicket was down and MS mechanically walked down for formal handshake.
"Virat, I'm going to the hotel," MS informed the moment they are back. Virat was surprised but nodded anyway.

Within minutes MS booked the cab and left to the hotel without waiting for the team bus.

The entire night he was just coping with himself. Next morning Sakshi enters the room and pushes her phone right into his face impatiently. it was showing an article of Jaddu's wife statement reading about Jaddu blaming himself whole night for the loss.

"They need you Mahi..." Sakshi whispered, "And you need them" where her unsaid words. Her husband always surprised her by being insanely tough and strong and now his behaviour is her shit out of her. 

MS felt guilty for ignoring his kiddo's. he knew that they need him... But he was in too much of emotional mess. he was too disappointed with himself to say them any words of solace. The only thing that was going on in his head entire night was... I SHOULD HAVE DIVED.

"where is everyone else? Are they ok?" He asked while searching for his phone as the protective elder brother in him kicked in.

"They all are in Virat's room. I just talked to Rohit. They are little... Disappointed. But are fine. He was actually worried about you and Jaddu." Sakshi informed.

"I'm going to Jaddu's room" he signed as he walked out planning to go to Virat's room after dealing with Jaddu.

"Please yaar Reeva... Bola na... Leave me alone for some time..." Came Jaddu's irritated plead as MS knocked his door.

"Jaddu... Open the door..." MS ordered.

*Silence...*

"Jaddu... I said..." MS started in a no-nonsense tone.

Door opens. Revealing Jaddu.

Jaddu's eyes were little red and had dark circles as the result of the sleepless night...But he is Sir Ravindra Jadeja... An emotionless man...

"Hi, Bhai... Do you hear? I was just having some me-time." Jaddu said giving his usual cheerful smile..."

MS saw him for 2 secs and just hugged him tight without a word...

Jaddu took aback in beginning... But couldn't help but melt into the hug. He holds MS so tight as if his life is depended on it... Still trying hard to compose himself but failing miserably.

" I failed Bhai... I failed everyone... If only I didn't get out... We were so close... And..." Jaddu Stumered his heart out as  he held on to MS

"Jaddu... Bas... You gave the hope... it is because of you, we were close... You didn't fail anyone Jad... You were the lone warrior... You fought it for us..." MS spoke firmly as his own eyes filled with tears remembering how everything was lost in a fraction of second. 

"But what's the use of false hope. You wouldn't have gone for that 2nd run If I was on the crease... Everything...Everything would have been different..." Jaddu continued in a broken tone unable to keep up his brave facade.

"No Jad...I Should have Dived Jaddu... I should have..." MS said as if he is in a zone but Jaddu was too traumatized to register the intensity and emotions in his voice... 

"We were so close..."Jaddu whispers as if he is in some trace. A lone tear escapes for his eye and rubs it off immediately as if want to hide it or embarrassed about it. Making MS give his entire attention to him.

"Its ok, Jad... Cry your heart out... Let tears wash your pain..." MS whispered in a warm tone as he pulled Jaddu into himself. Jaddu stayed frozen for minutes as MS just held him tighter, understanding his inner conflict.

"Bha... Bhai... Won't cry...make me look like a... we... weak...spineless men?" Jaddu stammered his innermost fears.

MS thought for a while trying to figure out ways to put into Jaddu's thick skull that showing your emotions doesn't make you weak. He just pushed Jad a little away still holding him.

"Do you think I'm stainless weak men?" MS asked looking straight into Jaddu's eyes pointing at his own tear-stricken face. 

Jad jumped into the bone-crushing hug in reply... He might have never said it and Might never say it in future But MS was his silent support system and source of strength for years now... HE CAN'T BE WEAK.

"It hurts so much bhai... Being so close and not making it."Jaddu whispers as a few drops silent tears ran down his cheeks.

"I know Jad... I know... But I also know that you are stronger than that." MS consoled.

"Never ever think of blaming yourself... remember that we were that close just because of you. understand?" MS ordered sternly after a while. Jaddu nodded like an innocent school going kid making MS smile.

When people say 'Crying and talking your heart out makes you feel better' they are not lying. Jaddu felt much better. Things turned better. The pain was always there but they have learnt to live with it.

One day after 3rd T20 against Newzealand Jaddu was just scrolling his Instagram newsfeed he found an interview of MS Dhoni.

"Here everyone is missing him and he is busy in giving these boring interviews." Jaddu thought as he opened the video.

"I keep telling myself... MS Dhoni, you should have dived..." Came MS's voice from the phone. It was as if lighting just struck Jaddu... 'I have heard this before' his mind screamed.

Hurriedly he opens his call logs and dialled to 'Mahi Bhai'.  

"The number you are trying is currently not reachable." Came the telephone operator's voice making Jaddu fume. Every passing minute irritated him more than anything else.

 By the time MS return called him that evening Jaddu was an active volcano. 

"Hey, Jad... you called in the afternoon? Sorry I couldn't answer. You know I suck at using this phone. I wish we could teleport directly like in your Jamnagar." MS greeted smiling.

'Ya...I called to ask you something." Jaddu said in a serious tone.

"Ha...I'm listening," MS spoke wondering what might have happened to make Jaddu this serious.

"What do you think I'm? A kid like Kul? or idiot like Hardik?" Jaddu asked maintaining his serious tone.

"Ha? Where did that come from? Is it some prank again?" MS said signing in relief as he realised its nothing serious.

"no...I'm serious... Answer me." Jaddu said

"Both and not both. You are a unique species... At times You are more idiot than Hardik at times... And kiddish than Kul at others..." MS said in a teasing tone.

"If you think so Bhai...you are wrong this time..." Jaddu said sharply with hidden angry in his tone.

"Though I'm an idiot to not understand your words then... But definitely not such an idiot that you can't share your feeling with." He continued.

"Jad..." MS signed understanding what Jaddu is trying to say.

"Don't Jad me now..." Jaddu cut him off angrily. "We are not you...To understand when you need us just like that and be there for you... But that doesn't mean that... You know... We won't or can't or don't want to be there of you... It's just that... We sometimes need words... You know that right? You may think I'm a kid... But you are the only one in this entire world who thinks that... So that means I can stand by you too... Always..."Jaddu completed impatiently. As usual, fumbling uncomfortably with words 

"Jad... I know all that... I..." MS stated in a loving patient tone. He, of course, knows Jaddu enough to understand he is hiding his hurt behind his anger.

"Oo really... So why didn't you tell me that day when I was ranting about my pain? In fact, you always do that... You never realise that... Even we want to be there for you... Even we can stand by you, Be your support system...just like you are to us." Jaddu vented out his frustration. 

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I should have told you... I'm sorry... It's just I was in mess Jad... I'm really sorry." MS apologized quickly.

Jaddu's angry flew out of the window hearing his apology. Somehow, He didn't like that. This seems odd. MS is supposed to scold them not apologise.

"But I never doubted about you standing me... of course, I know... How much you care for me and you will be there for me always... I'm sorry, you felt all that." MS continued.

"It's ok..." Jaddu said feeling uncomfortable. "But from next time... You will not consider me as a kid or idiot? You will tell me right?" He demanded.

"Ha.. Ha... Baba pakka... Calm down now..." MS promised to smile.

"So...anything interesting happened in the team?" MS continued casually.

"Interesting? Everyone here is boring. Ooo... Ya... Shikar and Kul went for a horse ride. Did you see the pictures?"

"No... I haven't seen yet. So you have manipulated them enough for a horse ride." MS teased.
.
"I didn't do anything... They were having fun without me." Jaddu said sulking. "And do see Kul pic... That horse it was damn sexy and adorable." He added.

"So you are planning to adopt it?" MS asked dryly.

"Oo yes... How do you know? I'm actually searching for a good name for it." Jaddu said in existed tone making MS roll his eyes.

The conversation went on as Jaddu randomly told about happenings in the team

"Acha... Ok then...Good nyt Jad" MS said after some time. 

"Bhai..." Jaddu's hesitant voice came before he cut the call.

"Ha Jad?" MS asked putting the phone back near his ear.

"Bhai... You should have dived... I should have not played that shot... Hardik and Rishab should have not thrown away their wicket... Ro, Vi, Rahul should have been careful... But nothing happened... You made us all believe that 'We fail a team and we win as a team'... So let's face it as a team. You blaming yourself would hurt us also. Just remember that your boys have got your back Bhai..." Jaddu says in one go before cuts the call obviously because he can't handle emotional talks... But he had to say all that.

While MS stood there staring at his phone wondering how grown-up his kids have become. At the same time, his heart feeling little solace in Jaddu's words. 

A/N: Hey guys after a long long time. Feeling very rusty. This is something I was thinking for the moment I say MS's  'I keep telling myself...MS Dhoni, You should have dived.' (heartbreaking) statement. But I don't know... How did I convey Jaddu's character

What is your fav mahi-Jaddu moment?  Mine is MS bashing ICC and defending Jaddu openly in media. He knew that would earn him a lot of criticism but How can you be silent when your younger brother getting punished for no mistake of his.