IND vs AUS match ensued with great vigour that year. Mahi as the captain was shining bright and dominating the Aussie batting line up with Ishant as his key weapon. Virat was in terrific form, Ro was doing well too and it was going as smooth as cake walk for India.

The problem started with a sledging incident on field between Jaddu and Johnson. The argument quickly escalated and resulting in warning to both from the umpires.

That night even during a charity dinner both were having the tension between these two was palpable.

And after the dinner things went haywire. Suddenly they couldn't find Johnson anywhere and Naturally Michael Clarke, the Aussie captain was beside himself with worry. He kept asking the staff if they had seen Johnny somewhere?

The Indian team, including Jaddu started looking around for him. And as Clarke kept asking around one of the staff said that they had seen Johnson going to the toilet, followed shortly by Jaddu ("They both went to the toilet sir." Was what he said.).

Clarke charged down to Jaddu: You know here Johnny is?

"I would have told you if I did." Jaddu said.

"You both went to the toilet, that's the last they saw him" Clarke said.

"Yeah we went, I finished my business and came out. Why would I wait for him?" Jaddu said.

Clarke was about say something, but Mahi intervened, "Let's go and look in the toilet may be?"

"Yeah right" Clarke said.

They went in the washroom and started knocking on the cubicles, most were locked from outside.

"You in there Johnny?" Clarke called out, like any captain he was concerned for his team's youngster.

Finding no answer, they were about to leave when suddenly they stopped hearing the sound of muffled heavy breathing.

"He is in there" Clarke paled a little, in front of a cubicle "He is claustrophobic" he muttered struggling to open the lock.

As the door opened a disheveled Johnson fell out, as Clarke supported him to the basin and helped him wash his face.

"You ok Johnny?" Clarke asked

"Yeah..yeah...it was too small...too close..." He muttered.

"You are out now, you are ok, you are ok" He tried to calm him.

"Let's get him out of the washroom" Mahi said, he understood Clarke's concern well, if it had been one of his kiddos, he would be besides himself with worry just like him, may be he would be worked up a lot more than him.

Once they were out of the washroom, Johnson had to be taken up to his room and given sedatives, he was too worked up. Clarke went with him and came down once he assured Johnny was ok.

Indian team stayed behind to ensure the same too. Mahi was eyeing Jaddu dryly, why was this kid always pranking people, that too opposite team. Jaddu on the other hand wasn't aware of Mahi thinking this, he just assumed Mahi bhai would know that he didn't do it.

Clarke: This isnt the end of it MS. Your team has to bear the consequences. Your player can't just lock people in washrooms over some on field spat.

Jaddu: What do you...

Mahi cut him off and calmly said: Clarke I am sure Jad wasn't aware of Johnson's condition, he did an harmless prank. Still I apologise for whatever happened, it was really unfortunate.

Jaddu looked shocked at Mahi bhai, did he believe he had done it? And all the defensiveness that bubbled in him when Clarke had charged him vanished replaced by cold betrayal and anger. Somehow he had just assumed that Mahi bhai would know his innocence, Mahi bhai always knew things, and somehow him not knowing it this time, he felt betrayed.

Clarke: This is just unprofessional.

Mahi: Jadeja is really young, he was just unaware of the consequences. And I am really sorry on his behalf about what happened.

Mahi eyed Jaddu sternly prompting him to say sorry.

Jad(coldly): I am sorry.

Clarke: You know what I can do...

Mahi: Well without having proof taht Jaddu did anything the most you can do is an ugly media spat, but let's be real both our teams don't need anymore media attention than they already have, do they?
So let's just drop the matter here, do tell me how Johnson is after he wakes up, meet you on field on match day Clarkie.

There was finality in MS's voice, and Clarke knew better than touch on the issue anymore.

"Boys let's go" MS said in a commending voice, and the team just scrambled out. Angry Mahi was scary, very very scary.

Jaddu didn't speak much the whole ride. He was miffed, Mahi bhai is supposed to trust him, not trust that Clarke. And he decided to completely ignore the fact the Mahi still did protect him from Clarke.

They reached the hotel, as everyone scrambled off to their rooms, Mahi called out, "Jad...my room."

Jaddu followed silently. Mahi closed the door behind them.

"What were yoh thinking today Jaddu?" Mahi said.

"Nothing" Jaddu replied blankly.

"Apparently, that's true." Mahi said "Because nobody in thinking state of mind locks a opposite team's player in washroom. What if he had gone into a panic attack? This situation could be worst. What if they took disciplinary action against you?"

"I didn't think all that" Jaddu said, not even defending himself, he didn't want to.

"You have to think." Mahi said harshly "You cannot walk around with your head in the sand in the professional world. If I see you out of line even one more time, you will see the consequences"

"Ok" Jaddu said and left without waiting for Mahi to say anything.

Mahi felt something amiss in Jaddu's behavior, but he was himself too angry to think much about it.

Next day Jaddu started behaving very strangely.

He laughed at the most serious discussions, he laughed whenever MS was trying to talk to him, laughed when MS said he would have to run laps for what he did yesterday and pranked almost half the team in half a day.

He locked Vi in his room, hid Ro's bag, made Ishant trip on a chair, poured Souce on Sonu and did all weird things.

And Mahi was at loss what was happening.

Every time he tried asking Jaddu, Jaddu started laughing maniacally and it was impossible to talk to him. Also he pranked everyone, multiple times except MS.

And somehow only thing Mahi could think of is, Jaddu was angry on him. But why? For yesterday? But if Jaddu had actually done it, why would he be angry, Jaddu didn't get miffed when he was scolded for his pranks. Then why today?

The only explanation he could think of was, Jaddu didn't do the prank at all, but then why not tell him that yesterday? Why was this kid like this?

Mahi called up Clarke to clarify things, "Hey! Hows Johnson? Did he tell how he got locked in the cubicle?"

Clarke: Yeah he is fine now. And bout getting locked, seems like your player didn't do anything, somehow the door got jammed and then some hotel cleaning staff locked it, they fired the guy today. I was about to call you. I am really sorry abot the misunderstanding.

Mahi: You should have thought before blaming my kid yesterday.

But in the back of his mind he could hear the voice, but you blamed your kid too.

Clarke: I am sorry about that mate...it was just Johnny...

"See you on the field Clarkie." Mahi said in a cold voice and cut the call.

He needed to talk to his kiddo, his kiddo.was too angry on him. And his idiot kiddo didn't even know how to express that to him, so.he turned to his only coping mechanisms prank and laughter.

He went to Jaddu's room as fast as his legs would allow and entered without knocking as always.

Jaddu was bent over the desk working on something that suspiciously looked like Virat's jacket.

MS: Do those pranks on me why arw you making them bear the brunt?

Jaddu doesn't even turn: Hmmmph?

MS: Gussa toh mere pe hai na...I scolded my kiddo without his fault...but with the anger on me why are you making others life difficult?

Jaddu: Who said I was angry?

Mahi: I did...

He lead Jaddu to the bed even against his resistance and made him sit, drawing a chair to sit in front of him.

Mahi holding him by the shoulder: Because I know my mad kiddo can hide anything behind his laughter, even his anger on his bhai...

Jaddu looked away.

Mahi: Jad look at me...pls...I know you didn't do anything yesterday...but then kiddo why didn't you tell me that yesterday? Ha?

Jaddu almost to himself: you should have known I wouldn't do it, I don't prank random people...

Mahi: I am sorry Jad...fair enough...I should have known...you should be angry. But why are hiding the anger from me am I not even deserving enough to know your anger Jad?

Jad: You always know everything...even when I am angry but yesterday you believed that Clarke...

Mahi: I know kiddo...that's why I am saying na do those pranks on me kiddo...you are angry on me na...but then my kiddo only pranks those who he loves and may be he is so angry on me that he doesn't love me anymore...

Jaddu: Bhaaai !

Mahi: Jad...I am really sorry kiddo...don't be so angry on me na...kuchh toh bol bachcha...

Jaddu was still silent and hurt.

Mahi after thinking something: Achha listen Jaddu...I didn't trust you na...I made mistake...so now you can prank me for a whole month...I promise I won't scold you for them, I won't turn those pranks back on you or prank you back in that period...now...atleast smile kiddo.

Jaddu looked up suprised, but the glint in his eyes didn't miss Mahi.

Mahi holding his ears: Won't you forgive me now kiddo?

At last a smile crossed Jaddu's face.

Mahi opened his arms: Please kiddo.

Jaddu reluctantly wrapped his arms around Mahi and hugged him but soon burried his face in Mahi's shoulder.

Jaddu muffled in his shoulder: You are serious about the pranks? And now you know na I didnt prank that idiot, I don't prank random people.

Mahi: I know kiddo...I know...and I am absolutely serious about the prank...but on second thoughts I think pranks for one week is fine, one month zyada ho jayega (Mahi laughed)

Jaddu: Fine...one week... (Inadvertently burrying his head a little more)

Mahi: Pagal bachcha (hitting him lightly on the head)

For the next 7 days Mahi was up for a slight, embarassing, albiet funny ordeal. Sometimes he didn't see the prank coming at all and sometimes he saw through it but even if he did, he allowed the prank to happen even if it was pretty embarassing for him at points because everytime Jaddu pulled it off, his eyes lit up. After all for Jaddu happiness was measured in successful pranks and Mahi could do anything for his kids happiness.

The others were utterly confused by Jaddu actually bieng able to get to Mahi bhai so many times, and Mahi not scolding him even after the pranks were utterly embarassing. Jaddu literally covered Mahi in sauce one morning just before a meeting as a result Mahi had to bath again and was late for the meeting. And only thing he did was he smiled at Jaddu and shakes his head in exasperation.

And another time when Jaddu set up a particularly clever contraption on Mahi's door that resulted Mahi being completely bathed and Mahi slid and fell down.

Jaddu who was hiding nearby rushed to Mahi bhai, "Bhai, bhai, are you hurt? I am sorry..." he was worried about Bhai's back, he didn't want bhai to fall like that.

Vi and Ro who were passing by also ran their, "What happened bhai how did you fall?" Vi asked.

"Arey 'how did you fall' you are asking, obviously this idiot pranked him." Ro said ponting at Jaddu.

"Uffo kiddos, I am ok bubba." Mahi said standing up holding Jaddu "And good one kiddo." He said ruffling Jaddu's hair.

"This is not fair bhai" Vi wailed "Main aisa karta toh aap daat dete. Nobody loves me, I will take sanyas."

"Really?" Ro said gleefully "Should I help you pack? I call taxi?"

"Bhaiiiiii....." Vi complained

"Ro..." Mahi chidded "Stop niddling him and Cheeku stop acting like 3 year old."

"but...but...you..." Vi started

"Leave all that" Mahi said "I was thinking who wants to go out to eat to night."

And the commotion of deciding where to eat broke out and Mahi sighed looking at his stupid kids who bad attention span of goldfish.

On the 7th day night, the last day of pranks, Mahi slipped into Jaddu's rook to find Jaddu sleeping peacefully with little smile on his lips.

Mahi's face softened as the sight, Jaddu was easily the most complicated of his kids, but Mahi still felt the urge to protect him from everything in the world, because Jaddu was his kiddo after all.

Yeah Jaddu didn't know how to express or handle emotions, he wasn't expressive like Vi, or completely introverted like Jinks or casual like Ro, Jaddu was Jaddu, Jaddu was different, but he was Mahi's kid and that's all what mattered to Mahi.

Mahi ran his hand through Jaddu's hair, "Keep smiling like this kiddo, even if it is at the cost of my embarassment"

Jaddu opened his eyes and looked at Mahi and his voice cake out in almost a whisper unable to express himself as always "Bhai"

"I thought you were asleep kiddo" Mahi said.

Suddenly Jaddu in a rare display of physical affection threw his arms around Mahi bhai burrying himself in him.

Mahi ruffles his hair "My idiot kid"

Next day at practice as soon as Jaddu opened his kids he was suprised to find his kit overflowing with....wood shavings?

"Aaah...who did this...VI.." Jaddu muttered.

"Not me" Vi said raising his hands "I was out with Ro yesterday, looking for his lost wallet"

Ro nodded half guiltily.

He had packed the bag before going to bed, Jaddu thought. If Vi was out then who did this? Suddenly he remembered Mahi bhai was in his room last night, he had fallen asleep with Bhai stroking his hair, Did bhai...

He walked up to Mahi bhai, "You said you won't prank me back" Jadd said, not actually wailing but just miffed.

"I said I won't prank you back within those 7 days, nothing about after that" Mahi said smiling coolly, and then he leaned near Jaddu and whispered "It's payback time, good luck kiddo."

Jaddu stood shocked for a second, before he started laughing, a very Jaddu like loud laughter and Mahi bhai pulled him into his arms ruffling his hair.

Yeah Jaddu knew he would have to be careful the next few days, and he would probably be pranked a few times despite that, but he was happy.

Cause indeed, Happiness is measured in successful pranks.

A/N: Jaddu - Mahi bond is one of the most special ones in ICT, just because Jaddu is different type person all together, it's sometimes hard read or tackle Jaddu but Mahi always does it with ease. So here's fic dedicated to this bond.

This is a birthday gift for one of the sweetest people here on wattpad AshuICT . Happy Birthday to you kiddo, hope you have a wonderful year. Wish you all the happiness in the world. Thought of gifting you a Mahi- Jaddu cause you are among the only few people who started a Mahi Jaddu fic. Hope you like it kiddo.