Climb Every Mountain, With You (Shubman Gill x Ishan Kishan)

True supporters

Rahul bhai, Shubman and Ishan attended the meeting from three separate rooms and three separate screens.

"Keep quiet," Rahul told them. "Let me do all the talking."

To start the meeting, the chairperson of the BCCI asked Rahul bhai what he thought about the issue.

"Sorry," said Rahul bhai. "What issue?"

Shubman bit back a smile, but the BCCI chairman was not fazed.

"The photograph of Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan that has surfaced from your farewell ceremony, Mr. Rahul has been breaking the internet. I am sure you are not unaware."

"I am aware of that photograph. But what exactly is the issue?" said Rahul.

"It has affected the image of our country's national team very severely."

"Eight years ago, I was told by the Board in a meeting much like this that the Board has the right to intervene in what we do in our personaly lives if and only if it hurts someone's sentiments," said Rahul. His eyes blazed. "I refuse to accept that two people being in love can hurt someone's sentiments. And if it has hurt someone's sentiments, it's their problem, not of the ones in love. There can be no action from the Board against Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan."

"Yes, we agree with you," said the chairman. "But the BCCI cannot turn a complete indifferent eye to the matter."

"I agree," said Rahul. "The Board should release a statement saying the public should stop interfering with their cricketers' personal lives. They are humans, not puppets who wake up each morning only to come and play cricket for their country. It is your duty to protect your players, sir."

For some reason that stung Shubman more than all the gossips going around.

"Rahul bhai," he had to say. "We don't need protection."

"Quiet, Shubi," said Rahul bhai, all very casually. "If you don't release the statement, I expect a proper justification. Eight years ago, I was told that the BCCI does not act on mass sentiment. Surely they would not wish to support bigotry because the majority does."

There was a silence as the Board members exchanged glances. Ishan's head was bowed down in his camera screen. Shubman felt most upset at that. He hoped he held his head high enough for the two of them.

"We shall," said the chairman, "release the statement. We would also request Mr. Gill and Mr. Kishan to maintain a respectable distance on the field at the very least."

Shubman wanted to demand what they meant by a respectable distance. But Rahul bhai's eyes, though infuriated, held a warning.

"All right," said Rahul.

The meeting ended. Rahul bhai came into Shubman's room.

"You need to do something about this habit of yours of speaking out of turn, Shubi."

"You were awesome, Rahul bhai!" Shubman said.

"Well, I learnt from the best," said Rahul bhai. "Eight years ago my captain did his best to keep the Board from overreacting."

Shubman could totally relate with the tone Rahul bhai used when he spoke of Virat bhai. The two of them went to bring Ishan from Rishabh's room and called Virat, whom Rahul told about the meeting. Then Virat wanted to speak to Shubman and Ishan.

"Don't give these idiots the privilege of affecting your game," Virat bhai said.

"Of course not, Virat bhai," said Shubman.

That day, the second day of the Test, Shubman got dismissed after his hundred. They were five down and Ishan came to bat. The crowd was louder today, specifically the Indian parts.

Ishan looked shaken. Shubman knew at once the crowd near the dugout must have shouted something offensive, as of course they did when Shubman returned too.

Shubman only held them in contempt. He could not understand why Ishan let them get to him....

So badly that he offered a very easy catch to mid off after a shaky ten ball stay at the crease.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night, Ishan woke up at Shubman's laugh.

"What exactly," Ishan spat, "do you find to laugh about in the middle of the night?"

"I just wondered what if this had happened next series, when Rahul bhai won't be captain. I would have had to lead that meeting with the Board." Shubman was still laughing. "As captain of the national team, explain yourself, Shubman Gill."

"You are insane," said Ishan.

"Maybe just a bit," said Shubman. In the nightlamp, he saw Ishan's expression. "Come on, Ishu, will you chill a bit? This whole thing is quite funny, if you judge fairly."

"Funny," repeated Ishan.

"Only if you judge fairly," said Shubman.

"One more word from you, and I'll go sleep on the terrace."

"I'll join you," said Shubman. "I don't mind the terrace."

Could he not stop joking for one goddamned minute?

Ishan squeezed his eyes shut and rolled over, turning his back on Shubman. He threw off Shubman's arm that came around him at once. But Shubman could persist like a devil, and in the end no one got a choice against what he wanted.

Ishan pretended Shubman's embrace did nothing to help him sleep.