A/N: So, helllo my dear readers, first of all , wishing you all an happy new year. I know I'm late but koi na chalta hai. This chapter was due for a long time bcoz i was struck. Don't worry, I'm not here to bore you up, I'm just here to tell you guys that I have made a lot of changes with the earlier plot. Earlier this story was supposed to be only on Mahiro ...but now it's just not only on them...but my focus has shifted to the whole team especially the 2013 squad . Moreover when I started this story this was about the charges against Bhai...but now the focus has shifted to team dynamics...future..family emotions..i hope you are getting my point. In the last chapters , i tried to saw the bond of Jaddu-Ash , so stay tuned to see more like that in this book. This chapter wouldn't have been possible to write without shaddy_45 di, the way you let my vision come to words, I'm really grateful to you dii. I hope you all will like the new version.

so, lets continue with the chapter and yes, the timeline is 2023, not 2022.

TUM PAAS AAYE , YU MUSHKURAYE , NA JANE KYA SAPNE DIKHAYE,

AAB TOH MERA DIL, JAAGE NA SOTA HAI, KYA KARU HAYEE,

KUCH KUCH HOTA ...KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI

"Harry stop your stupid song, let me sleep peacefully" after shouting at Harry , the person tried to sleep again . But the music kept on playing , having had enough of it, this time he woke up properly ,switching on the side lamp, mentally planning to give a very nice punishment to Harry, only to be shocked to see the sight in front of him. Standing before him was his beautiful wife , glaring at him and that was the moment when realization dawned upon him with regards to the song that was playing in the background. This song was just not a mere song but something much more, it is a very very special song to both of them. He come out of his reverie by hearing her voice "Yeh song tumhe stupid lagta hai,Ohhh God aab yehi sunana baki reh gya tha...ek woh din tha jab tumhe mera gaya hua gana pasand tha aur ek aaj ka din hai jab meri awaz bhi tumhe irritating lagti h .. i swear i will kill you"

Not getting a reply she again said "Yeh song tumhe stupid lagta hai, i swear i will kill you"

" Arre kisne kaha stupid song...woh toh mera favorite song hai na Janu and please no swearing ...by the way tum aadhi raat ko gana kiu sun rahi ho" he said in abid to change the topic.

"Meri marji...mujhe nind nahi aa rahi thi..but why im telling you these...i don't want to talk to you" saying this she left from there.

And he also rushed to follow her , only to reach outside. Where it was all dark, except a few lights which seemed to be illuminating from the next door. He opened the door and shouted in hesitating voice " Is anyone here " Not finding anyone there, he turned to go but stopped hearing sound coming from speakers placed there"

Yaaron Dosti Badi Hi Haseen Hai,

Yeh Na Ho To Kya Phir,

Bolo Yeh Zindagi Hai,

Yaaron Mohabbat Hi To Bandagi Hai,

Yeh Na Ho To Kya Phir Bolo Yeh Zindagi Hai,

Koi To Dilbar Ho Yaar,

Jisko Tujhse Ho Pyaar

With this line, Virat and Sonu bhai emerged out of nowhere with Mike in hands.

Teri Har Ke Buraai Pe Daante Woh Dost,

Gam Ki Ho Dhoop To Saaya Bane Tera Woh Dost,

Naache Bhi Woh Teri Khushi Main,

Aree Yaaron Dosti Badi Hi Haseen Hai,

Yeh Na Ho To Kya Phir Bolo Yeh Zindagi Hai

With these lines Rohit , Jinks, Mahi bhai stood beside Virat and Sonu bhai and later the whole team joined them in the middle where the spotlight was there stood the whole Indian cricket team , singing Yaaron at the top of their voice . They may not be in tandem but still it was one of the best musicals, he stood speechless not knowing what was happening.

With all lights coming on tune changes and now whole ICT started to sing bday song

"Baar baar din yeh aaye, baar baar dil ye gaaye

Tum jiyo hazaaron saal, yeh meri hai aarzoo

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you"

Thereby wishing our boy who was just too overwhelmed to say anything. So they kept Karaoke going where all the beloved ict members were now showing their amazing singing skills with mike in hands. When everyone was enjoying how can our Harry be quite, so taking Mike he came ahead and started sing

"Kisi ke haath mein heera, Kisi ke kaan mein heera

Mujhe heere se matlab kya? Mera toh yaar hai heera

Yaaron ne mere vaaste kya kuch nahi kiya

Sau baar shukriya, sau baar shukriya

Hundred baar shukriya, Billion baar shukriya

Tum jaise bewdo ka sahara hai dosto

Ye dil tumhare pyaar ka maara hai dosto

Banta hai mera kaam tumhare hi naam se

Hota hai mera naam tumhare hi kaam se

Tum jaise amiro ka sahar hai dosto

Ye dil tumhare pyaar ka maara hai dosto

Hardik was singing in full confidence not even caring that he had messed up the lyrics but he didn't stop there. He only stopped when he heard the team laughing, holding up their stomach. Jinks stood with tight lips trying his best not to laugh then there stood our Rohirat who were laughing so much that they were leaning on  each other weight and Jaddu and Shikhi were rolling on floor with laughter and our b'day boy was just shaking his head like he is disappointed and Jassi & Rahul were just hiding themselves behind Ash with look that said 'we don't know this hooman' and as usual our Yuzi was busy recording everything on his camera and Kul just stood beside Yuzi with pout looking at his crazy bestie.

Pouting Harry mumbled " how mean you guys are I'm singing so well that you are just jealous of my talent and skills (and this made team laugh in louder) you all are just jealous meanies laughing at me ....Mahi bhai dekhooo naa"

Only to turn and see Mahi bhai trying to hide his smile with fake coughing and said " no one will laugh at Harry....'' and he himself busted out laughing, making everyone laugh even more.

Everyone was laughing around Bhuvi and suddenly one by one all started disappearing and everything was blacked out.

Panicking, Bhuvi started calling out everyone's name one by one.... But still there was no response from anyone....he started throwing hands in the air trying to check if he could feel anyone around him....but all he could feel was cold air and everything was just dark.

He started shouting " Vi...Virat where are you....i know this is your , Shikh & Jaddu's plan to prank me na....but it's my bday....how can you prank me today....Mahi bhai Jinks Ash where are you guys even you are allowing this dimwits to prank me like this...Ro don't you want to have your favourite fresh cream cake...why are you allowing them to prank me when we were about to cut cake....will anyone speak....guys I'm really scared now where are you all...."

Suddenly lights were on and the whole team was standing around Bhuvi for cake cutting but this time they weren't laughing and smiling like last time....this time they were standing together but with fake smiles or even forced smiles.

Looking around he saw 4 members were missing from this celebration...and before he could ask anything he heard Hardik and Rahul say " Bhuvi please cut the cake soon....we don't want stand here with skipper and force ourselves to smiles when we all know the reality...look even BCCI's media guys is getting awkward watching all fake smiles here "

" Hardik.... I know you don't like this fakeness but it's Bhuvi bhai's bday today...can't you adjust for a while for him atleast.... bhaiya would not like you behaving like this and see even Bhuvi Bhai is sad with all the happening...." Mumbled Jassi slowly to Hardik.

"Rah.... Why are you spoiling Bhuvi bhai's bday celebration in your disliking towards Jaddu Bhai.... Do you think Vi Bhai would like it when he will hear his Moi was being a bad boy in his absence? " said Mayank in a hashed voice.

And this worked like magic. Both Hardik and Rahul stood there with poker faces and faking smiles whenever camera came on them.

Bhuvi looked around and he was back again with all smiling faces ready for him to cut cake with Ro saying " what are you waiting for Bhuvi, cut the cake..."

" Ha ha tujhe toh jaldi lagegi hi cake jo khane ka wait nahii ho raha hai tujhse.... isliye toh tune Tera favorite laya hai" chided Virat.

" FYI that cake is not only my favorite but Bhuvi's too...hai na Bhuvi " Ro asked.

Bhuvi nodded with a smile remembering how that cake became his favorite too (story for another time😂 and yes feel free to ask about this to Shaddy di) this was enough for Virat to shut up with pout and Ro to smile ear to ear while raising his imaginary collar.Jinks was shaking his head at the childishness of his bestie.

Jaddu and Shikhi shouted " let's cake cutting begin" with bday blaster in hands. All juniors singing happy birthday clingy to their bhaiya's and Yuzi recording it all.

Bhuvi was smiling ready to cut the cake when Virat and Rohit stopped him , he gave them questioning look before Rohit lighted diya and Virat signaled him to make a wish and he close his eyes to make a wish saying " to keep his family always like this happy and together" but when he opened his eyes he was again standing with the team who were just faking to be together and pretending to be happy while celebrating his bday for sake of social media.

He suddenly heard Nupur"s voice calling for him " BHUVI....BHUV....GET UP...IT'S JUST A DREAM ...I'M HERE" and that's when he opened his eyes and immediately Nupur engulfed him a hug . Hiding himself in her midriff, he felt relieved that finally the weird dream was over only to realize that everything he saw was not mere a dream but his current reality. He come out of his reverie hearing his little chotu's gurgling.

Letting go his wife,He picked her up his chotu baby and started playing with her and after a while she again fell asleep in his arms and that is how Nupur found them coming back taking water for Bhuvi. She took Acsah and made her sleep properly and in the meantime , Bhuvi went to freshen up and was moving out of his room for practice when his eye felt on photo frames on wall which was taken back in 2019 when his family was together and mainly they were there to celebrate his birthday for last time. He just moved his hand on next photo and said " I miss you Ro.... wapas aa jana...tune toh promise Kiya tha na you will get me that fresh cream fruit cake on my every b'day firr where are you now....and you Vi apna bond to sabse alag tha na... You were even okay with sharing your Ro's extra attention with me ....which you didn't allow Jinks then why you left....and you Mr ....... Tujhe toh mein kuch bolunga nahi....tune mujhe tutteh huwa dekha bhai, Ro and Vi ke jane ke baad fir bhi tum sab chodke Gaye na....i will never forgive you....." Saying so he left for practice and to pretend everything was okay with the team in front of the world.

When Bhuvi was admiring the pics, this was seen by Nupur who came behind Bhuv to hand him his phone, taking the phone and pretending that all's well he went outside, only to leave Nupur with her thoughts.

'I know Bhuvi you're hurting....but still pretend everyday like everything is fine....when I know you're not everyday i see you miserable missing them....in spite of knowing the cure to your pain....i can't heal you... without any fault we all are just suffering....even I'm helpless because of the promise I gave her ....but kya krtii me..itne saalo baad usne ek chiz mangi thi...toh kese na bolti me...four years back whatever happened ..we all become the victims of circumstances....there was no ones' fault..it was just destined to be this way....I'm sorry Bhuvi...i'm really really sorry mujhe pata hai tumhe jab pata chalega i got the chance to speak with her...bhale hi woh kuch pal ke liye hi sahi but uski awaz toh suni mene saalo baad. I just hope you will be able to forgive me that day'

Scene shifts

One girl in her early 20's can be seen running inside some building, huffing. She stopped at reception and asked " Is he already inside ?"

Before receptionist could answer they heard very stern voice saying " you are again late Miss Rathore "

" Bha....I mean Sir I'm sorry I got late again " the girl mumbled the last part.

And before the man could scold the girl anymore they heard a very harsh voice scolding someone and they moved towards the room.

There they saw a man in his early thirties scolding another one in early 20's saying " Dr. Shergill from time to time I have warned you to stop your childish behaviour but no, you think it's okay to run around the hospital playing pranks like you're some college student.. Have you forgotten who you are and why you are here, then let me remind you...you are one of the intern doctors here who is expected to behave professionally and follow all rules & regulations here but it seems you are lacking professionalism these days. I'm letting you go at warning this last time but if I see you messing or pranking around like this again then better be prepared to say Goodbye to this place. Now , if you are done being childish, you can get back to your duties and on your way out please inform Miss Rathore if she has some lame excuse for being late again she better be prepared for punishment and tell her I still haven't received my morning Coffee yet."

This was heard by two outside, the girl just ran towards the pantry to make Coffee.

While when the {1st] man was about to enter the room, Dr Shergill came out. The man shook his head in disapproval towards Dr Shergill and went inside.

The {2nd} man was busy reading some file when he heard " kya hua baccha itna gussa aur stress kyu , you know him thodasa bachpana hai usme but he is one of the best and hardworking , thorough professional in his duty, he will never neglect it "

" Bhai baat woh nahi hai , it's just I'm afraid bachpane me woh koi aisi galti na kar de jiski wajah se puri zindagi pachtana pada. Leave him, when did you come... I thought you won't be coming today since you know it's Princess special day..." He trailed off.

" Yes, I just came for that urgent meeting with the board." Explained that man and he added " itni fikar karte ho uski toh thoda jata bhi diya karo, bechara tumse darta boht hai"

" Yeah...I totally forgot about meeting with all the happenings since morning, let me get myself a Coffee then I will join you guys in the conference room." The man explained, completely ignoring the former's last line.

"That's fine baccha i will wait for you, anyway Miss Rathore must be coming with your coffee and Salad. " Informed the other man.

When 2nd man gave him confused look, sighing the 1st man explained how they all heard the scolding session and how terrified Miss Rathore was when she literally ran to get his Coffee.

" And Salad??" Asked the 2nd one again.

" You know, even when she is busy with other stuff, she keeps track of your schedule and you. So obviously she will know if you skipped your breakfast or not. So she prepared your salad bowl and kept it ready with your Coffee which will be here with Miss Rathore in a few minutes and I'm here to make sure you finish it up before joining us in the meeting" Explained the man.

" So you're here to keep a watch on me on her demand and i thought you missed me " said the younger man pouting.

After sometime at some mansion,

A lady in her early thirties can be seen speaking on phone ...more like shouting over , when someones come from behind and take the phone and hang up and says "Bacha calm down sab kaam ho jayega , you are at home so relax now..we have an efficient team who will look after the work in our absence "

" But bhai kese hoga...inspection ke liye woh log kabhi bhi aa sakte h and—"

" Don't worry sab ho jayega ..Now, go and change ..I want everything to be perfect for my little princess and yes , no mention of work now"

"Haa ...haa you guys keep spoiling her" she says with a smile but immediately it gets replaced by a frown and later with anger on hearing something " KITNI BAAR MUJHE BATANA PADEGA ..ISS GHAR ME...MERE GHAR ME UNLOGO SE JUDI KOI CHIZ NAHI AAYEGI...NA HI UNKA NAAM ...NAHI UNKE DIYE KOI TOFE...NAHI KOI TASVEER..." and throws away the gift and goes away.

"I had made it clear and still you do this , one thing I asked you and you can't even manage it up, I promised I will take care of my side of the deal and you , your side of the deal. No one will mention them on my princess's special day . Now let me go and pacify her because unlike others I do care about my princess's emotions and I don't want her to be upset." He said and started going after but paused and said " make sure everything is as it was ten minutes back, i will be back soon"

" I'm sorry , I shouldn't have mentioned them," one of the two ladies said tearfully.

"Its alright there is no fault of yours, our life is like this only"

"Aese nhi bolta bacha , ek din sab thik hoga, have faith on god jis din woh wapas aayega uss din iss ghar ki saari khushiyan bhi wapas aa jayegi , chalo jaldi se pehle jaisa sab thik karte he , AJ and Ru dono ko lekar aate hi honge and he won't like this , he will know something is wrong and then we all are gone" said another lady coming from behind carrying cake which she put on table.

A/n: So, who are this people , put up on your detective hats and start investigating , i will be waiting to hear your theories, chapter bada h so comments me kanjoosi nahi karne ka. And ofcourse to unlock the next chapter, there should be atleast more than 100+ comments and a half century of votes. I don't want to put up targets , but then the silent readers haven't left me with much choice.