ICT ONE-SHOTS (FRIENDSHIP)

Aashita's psychic (Rahul-Mayank)

India vs South Africa, 1st Test, Centurion, 2021

"Nice session, eh, K?" said Mayank with great cheer as they walked off the field for lunch.

"Wouldn't have been nearly so nice if you'd succeeded in that run out," snorted Rahul.

"Which run out?" demanded Mayank.

"Oh, great, now he doesn't even remember," Rahul told the heavens above with an exasperated shake of his head.

"Oh, that one," said Mayank. "Hey, I returned to my crease with plenty of time in hand."

"If square leg had been Jaddu?"

"K, you're derilious," said Mayank in concern. "We're playing for India. Jaddu also plays for India. Our opponent fielder couldn't be Jaddu."

"Oh god." Rahul stomped ahead into the dressing room; Mayank followed, sniggering.

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

Aashita came sprinting into the dressing room halfway through lunch and spotted Mayank and Rahul at the window sill on the far end, eating (or being forced to eat) a salad. The being-forced part was a genuine option, since Virat was nearby.

Mayank was doubled up with laughter. Aashita wasn't surprised. She'd spent the last five overs, after her favourite boys had put up a century stand on their first time opening for India together, much in the same state.

Rahul was shooting dark looks at Mayank; he really needed to loosen up sometimes, so Aashita sneaked up behind them and shrieked in Rahul's ear.

Rahul did not react.

"You never jump at jump-scares," complained Aashi.

"You're not supposed to be here," said Rahul, more darkly. "How did you get in?"

"Sneaked in," said Aashi airily.

Mayank gave her a high-five.

Aashi pulled them into a huge hug. "Congrats, you both. Now all three of us have a single favourite partnership!"

"Yep," said Mayank. "Can't pretend your partnership with Virat at the SCG is your favourite anymore, can you, Rahuliya?"

"Any partnership with you in it--" Rahul couldn't complete an irritated ending to that sentence, so he sniffed and ate some more salad.

"Why are you eating that nonsense?" Aashi asked.

"Cause it's healthy--"

"Sucking up to Virat."

Rahul elbowed Mayank in the ribs. "How many times do I need to tell you that I don't need to suck up to Virat!"

"Yes, yes, you're his favourite by default, we've heard," said Aashi. "What I came to tell you guys is, remember my psychic?"

A long-forgotten memory stirred inside their heads.

"Oh, my!" said Mayank. "That woman really got everything right, didn't he?"

"Good for you," Rahul told Aashita grumpily.

"Why are you so grumpy?" asked Aashita.

"Because Mayank won't stop laughing!"

"And someone needs to maintain the balance, you mean?"

"Yeah."

"Good," said Aashi, and eyed Mayank. "Ours is a rather unbalanced household, I'm afraid."

"Isn't," said Mayank. "K's grouchy enough for the two of us and he's part of our household."

Rahul was mollified enough to stop being grouchy for a bit.