"Are you serious? Before coming here I called Ro and he is the one who said that he didn't want to interfere in this scandal as Mahi bhai told him not to because if I get suspended, there wouldn't be anyone to lead the team except Rohit", said Virat this time making me confused. 

"No Virat, I just spoke with them. They are with you. Mahi bhai said he has called for a press meet too".

"I don't understand all this Anu. There are just a few hours left to prove my innocence and I don't know how will I do that?", said Virat holding his head in his hands. To see my aggressive young man losing all his charm was pinching my heart. 

"Cheeku, we will find some way? Don't worry. Go and sit in the garden, I will get something to eat", I said trying to calm him down.

"When is the press meet?", asked Virat composing himself.

"I think it would start in fifteen minutes", I replied looking at the clock.

He sighed switching on the television while I went into the kitchen to get some fruits for Virat as he didn't have anything from the morning. By the time I came back and settled down, Mahi bhai has already started speaking.

Press Meet from Mahi bhai's house

"I want to come straight to the point. As I have been seeing Virat  Kohli from the past 12 years, I can tell you how much he respects the game and the country. On a man who always played for the team, putting such allegations is very disappointing and I personally knew how much he respects me on and off the field. Not only between us, there is no chance of jealousy between any team members. We all celebrate everyone's success as our own. Similarly, we as a team...", before he could continue, he got a call and he excused himself. 

"You just take care of yourself. I will manage...Be careful", is all we could hear as Mahi bhai was speaking while covering the mike and then he returned to the press meet.

"Ya...where did we stop...ha so, I just received a call from Rohit and he cleared that he and the team are out of all this. So, please don't disturb them because the upcoming tournaments are very important for Indian Cricket as there is not much time left for the T20 world cup. I personally would stay with Chee...I mean Virat and strongly believe that he is innocent. Also, I could sense a conspiracy behind all these, who is trying to divide the team."

"What do you have to say about Virat and Anushka?", asked one of the reporters.

"They are one of the beautiful couples I have known", he replied with his trademark smile and continued "It's their personal matter so let's not get into it. I would suggest that give them some time and stop spreading rumours. My Virat is aggressive, he is not foolish. I trust him. Thank you", saying which he left into his house as usual not showing his emotions on his face.

My house

"Mahi bhai is right, it is good to put the team away from all this nonsense", said Virat though he tried hard to hide the longingness to be with the team, it was evident in his eyes.

"Cheeku from morning I wanted to ask you something, did you...did you call Anushka bhabhi today?", I asked hesitantly.

"Yes, I did", he replied not paying much attention.

"Why?"

"I wanted to talk to her about all this. Actually, before suspending me Dada called to inform about the missing trophies and that I was in the suspect's list. After hearing it, the first name came into my mind is hers and I wanted to share this news with her, but she didn't answer. And then I called Ro and he said that", Virat replied with tears in his eyes.  

"You didn't talk to her", I asked trying to understand what's going wrong for which he nodded in no. And I was thinking to myself "Then why did bhabhi said that Virat bhai has spoken to her. Did she mistook somebody else to be him? And it's very unlike Ro to stay out of anything especially when that involved Virat? Anu you are missing something, think like a criminal..."

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In some unknown place

"Everything is going according to your plan. Didn't I say that Dhoni never distrusts Virat though it is surprising that Rohit didn't say anything because I half expected that we had to start our Plan-B if Rohit and the team comes in our way but now as the team is staying out of it we can concentrate on Dhoni and Virat", said Sanjay Manjerker to another person who is sitting in a chair with back towards him.

"My main target is Virat and Anushka and I don't spare anyone coming in between us", warned the man.

In Mumbai airport

"Rithika, I think you should stay back. Sam might need you. I will go talk with Anushka", said Sakshi...though it was more like ordering.

"But I don't want you to go alone", said Rithika being confused by the sudden change of plan.

"Why don't you understand? I don't like your company. Just leave me alone", shouted Sakshi.

Rithika being shocked to hear such harsh words from Sakshi for the first time left from there without uttering a word while Sakshi went in to board the flight. 

As Rohit was trying to contact Mahi bhai, Rithika entered the house and threw her handbag on the bed shocking Rohit.

"Rithika what are you doing here?"

"Sakshi said she doesn't want me with her", Rithika replied almost choking with frustration.

"Mahi bhai is also not answering my calls", said Rohit not able to make out what all this means. 

*********************************************************************************************

My House

"Cheeku don't worry, I asked Aman to collect as much information as possible regarding the evidence they found in the trophy missing case. He will be here at any minute", I said from the kitchen making green tea for us. As I was saying this, I heard the doorbell and Aman followed in, his footsteps sounded urgent, so, I immediately went into the hall taking the cups with me.

"Mam, sir did you hear the latest news about Dhoni sir?", without waiting for our reply Aman switched on the television where the breaking news read "Another prominent cricketer being suspended in less than 10 hours. The cricketing world is shocked to believe that the captain who has won all the three ICC world cups is involved in match-fixing. Though the former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's name was heard now and then in such scandals while being with his IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, nothing was proved. Though the BCCI president is yet to comment, the official news is that the former captain and the current captain has fixed many important matches and earned billions. Lately, because of some differences between them, Virat has stolen the trophies and burned them out of frustration. Today for the second time, the special team has shown its brilliance. They once again proved that no one is bigger than law by fearlessly accusing the two most important people in Cricket and Sanjay Manjerker said that they would submit the evidence to the media shortly".

I dropped the mugs hearing the news while Virat sat down with a thud. We both looked at each other struggling for words to speak. Our attention shifted on to the screen hearing Dada's voice "Today could be declared as a black day for Indian Cricket where I had to make such tough calls of suspending two important players of our team. I never imagined that these two would be the reason for raising suspicion on the game. I have called Dhoni for enquiry and he is on his way while Virat has refused to attend the enquiry. His phone is being tracked and the police will get hold of him as soon as possible. Appropriate action will be taken if they are proved to be guilty. Thank you."

"When did I refuse Dada?", asked Virat being confused.

"Where is your phone in the first place?", I asked as something started striking to me. 

"I switched it off long back in frustration", saying which he went into his room to get his mobile. And as he said it was switched off and as expected there were missed calls from Anushka bhabhi, Rohit and Dada.

"When Virat sir has not answered the call, why did Sourav sir say that he refused to meet him?" asked Aman being as confused as us.

It is said right that our brain works like a clock in crisis and the same happened with me as three situations came into my mind which has a common link being a phone call.

"Call diversion", I shouted at once gaining the attention of both the men in the room.  

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That's all for today. 

Celebrating 15 years of Mahi. 23-Dec-2004 still counting. Come back soon Mahi Bhai.