Bitter Sweet Memories (SA Tour)

The One with the bitter realization

"You know you should stop being stubborn and tell me what is wrong with you? Why are you so annoyed?", Rohit texted, for the nth time but there was such minimal response from Virat, it annoyed him, also it scare him a bit.

"Stop pestering me"

Before Rohit could type back an sarcastic reply to that, he stopped when it was followed by, "Please", Rohit just sighed, he could literally hear that tone.

"I want to help, Vi"

"You can't, Ro, no one can"

Virat couldn't help but finally give away his emotion in some words enough for Rohit to understand that everything was not okay and it relied on this series.

He was not sure it relied on this series or not but he just didn't want to keep any loose ends which could be used against him, he did those mistakes in past but not now.

"Virat, atleast pick my call", Rohit texted as Virat was avoiding his calls.

"There is a match tomorrow, I got to sleep Rohit. Night", he texted back and kept his phone aside not wanting to interact anymore.

Rohit sighed at the other end, it was so difficult to get through Virat specially this time— he was acting so strange.

Next morning, Virat got up early knowing it's a match day but something felt weird to him. His back was hurting a bit. First he didn't take it seriously and went to doing his chores but when he moved to the team bus, there was a sharp pain which made him stumble on his feet.

"Virat", KL who was beside him held him immediately and made him sit on his seat.

KL gestures the physio to come quickly and check on Virat who had his eyes shut in pain.

It was 4 -5 years he didn't have a back pain and suddenly at this time, it made him really worried and on top of that it's morning of the match, they were going to the stadium and it's only one hour they have.

"I don't think he can play, it is not advisable. He has developed a back spasm", the Physio said when he checked on Virat who groaned in pain audible to everyone in the bus.

Jassi looked at KL who looked equally horrified and scared.

"KL get ready", Rah's thoughts were broken by Rahul bhai's voice.

"Huh? Get ready for what"

"Captaincy idiot", he heard Virat's voice and suddenly he realised he is the VC of this tour. That means he has to captain in Virat's absence. Virat is not playing and he is gonna captain the test team for the first time.

"But Virat"

"KL now is not the time to argue on this, what the hell is Rohit teaching you, arguing with me on every damn thing?", said Virat being annoyed with the pain.

Jinks kept his hand on Virat's shoulder to calm him down.

Virat looked at Rahul who was hell nervous, fidgeting his fingers. He gestured everyone to get down and said KL to take a seat beside him.

"What are you thinking?"

"How can I?"

"Why not? I trust you", said Virat patting his back.

KL didn't even realise how that three words made him feel so much better. He looked at Virat who had the tough face on even though he was in pain.

"I know that, it is not a problem"

"Then what is the problem now K?"

"I don't have a blazer", KL said and they broke into a grin finally letting go of the tensed atmosphere.

"You sure?", Virat asked eyeing his blazer on the other seat. KL gave him a quick hug not wanting to say anything else.

KL wore it quickly as they reached the dressing room, "it looks good on you", Virat said making him wear it properly.

KL had moist eyes seeing the faith and then wearing Virat's blazer, a sense of responsibility it had in it and a feeling of pride.

"You have it in you Rah, go-- I have full faith in you", said Virat assuring him again.

KL smiled being grateful for his words, he left for the toss.

***

"How the hell you got back spasm?", Virat read Rohit's text.

Suddenly everything hit him, a realisation how the team was in trouble. He was not there, he didn't perform with the bat in first match and now all the mental, emotional stress led to his physical pain which was harming the team.

He could not continue like this, he cannot.

"Vi, you there?", his thoughts were broken by another text.

"As if I know about that, are you serious?"

"But how you--"

"I am not at fit as everyone thinks"

"Oh shut up, stop talking crap"

"I am going outside in dugout to watch the match, talk to you later"

"Vi--"

Virat sat beside Rahul Dravid as Jassi was batting, he couldn't miss that.

"Is he sledging him?", asked Rahul bhai, Virat curled his fist seeing Marco Jansen showing aggression to Jassi and Jassi was giving it back, "that's my boy", Virat thought but he was not gonna forget this one.

Again it was the feeling of helplessness where he could not help the team, he was too occupied and may be he had to let go of something.

But he didn't know what it was.

"What did he say Jassi?", Virat asked immediately as he came back to the dressing room.

"Let it go Virat", Jinks said knowing how it is gonna turn out.

"Jassi, I am asking something", Virat said again, everyone went outside leaving them alone.

"Bhai, wo-- just normal sledging like how you are not with us, we cannot hide behind you now and all that, it doesn't mean anything. It's nothing please let it go", said Jassi seeing Virat's angry expression.

Jassi hugged him and Virat couldn't help but hug him back, "I am proud that you gave it back", he said patting his back.

"Learnt from the best Bhaiya", Jassi gave a smile which eased out Virat.

"Don't worry bhai, everything will be okay", Jassi said quietly.

Virat looked at him and was gonna ask what Jassi was talking about but when he saw the eyes conveying that Jassi knows what he is going through, he dropped it.

"I hope so"

"I am always with you", Jassi said holding Virat's hand.

"I know kiddo", said Virat patting his cheek.

***