Happier Twogether
Stop undressing him with your eyes, Vi. Go talk to him", Rohit whispered in Virat's ears. He had seen enough of his best friend drooling at Shubman Gill. "Arre yaar.. Woh baccha hai. I am a decade older than him. He respects me a lot- I can't ruin things like that", Virat replied.
Virat never left an opportunity to be around Shubman - Shubman, being the ultimate Virat fan boy, craved for his attention and always did things to make Virat smile. It looked like if the pot was allowed to simmer, their love was going to blossom. Then walked in Ishan Kishan.
Ishan and Shubman were buddies since a long time. Finishing each other's sentences, eating from the same plate, sleeping on the same bed, always seated near each other, partners in pranking and most importantly had no physical boundaries with each other. They hugged and kissed and carried each other like it was the most natural thing to do. It was even rumoured that they shared their wardrobe and toiletries. Even the team started addressing them as Ishman instead of Ishan and Shubman.
Seeing Ishan with Shubman did things to Virat. Shubman still used to come to him and ask for his attention, but it felt different now. But was Virat planning to do something about it? Nope. Nothing at all- he was ten years older, you see.
Hardik had caught Virat staring (glaring) at the boys one too many times. He wasn't sure who the glares were aimed at as Virat loved both the boys and used to spend equal time with both of them. So he tried to just ruffle the feathers with a casual remark, "Virat bhai, stop scaring Shubman. I think they are just friends- you should talk to Ishan. I am sure he returns your feelings", he said. Virat was caught unawares like a deer in front of the headlights - Ishan? Why was he drooling at Ishan now?
Virat needed some time to introspect- he liked Shubman, he knew that. When he saw him with Ishan, he was jealous - it was quite natural too. But why was he looking for Ishan every time Shubman came alone to talk to him? Why was he feeling uneasy when Ishan was spending time with Rohit and Jassi- they are the MI boys, right? He isn't supposed to feel so about his juniors, let alone having feelings for two of them. Virat needed some solid advice - who else to go to than his best friend.
"Ro, TV bandh kar. Baat karni hai", Virat said, barging in to his friend's room. "Woh, main na, woh Shubman", Virat started. "Bola tune finally usko? I thought Ish aur Shub ki shaadi ho jayegi tab tujhe bolne ki himmat milegi", teased Rohit. "Abey yaar, baat toh sun poora. It's just that Ishan ke aane ke baad it's a bit complicated", Virat explained. "I know they are close, Virat. But I still believe you have a chance. Shubman looks at you like he could kiss the ground you walk on- in fact I have seen him doing that", Rohit advised.
"Ro, listen to me first. Let me finish talking - uske baad dena tum apni vishesh tippani", Virat said, frustrated with his friend. "I thought I felt jealous on seeing them together coz I had feelings for Shubman. But I feel equally irritated when I see Ishu talking to you or Jassi", Virat went on."Ishu?", Rohit asked, with wide eyes. Virat glared at him with a 'don't you dare make a comment' look. "It is perfectly fine if I have feelings for Ishan- I haven't confessed or anything to Shubi. Logically, I can just go ahead and talk to Ishan, if I can just get past the 9 year age gap", said Virat. "Haan toh, phir kya problem hai. As his captain and guardian, I give you the permission to date him", Rohit said.
"I want both of them", shouted Virat. He seemed to realise what he said out aloud and immediately covered his face with his hands. When his best friend came to him wanting to talk, Rohit didn't expect him to drop a nuclear bomb like this. Rohit wasn't opposed to the idea of a casual three way- he had a brief one in MI. He had seen a few in other teams too. But with Virat, nothing was casual- be it in cricket or in relationships, Virat never did casual. If he chose to act on his feelings, it would mean a serious poly relationship within the team and he was scared how it was going to affect the team dynamics. Rohit needed to tread carefully.
"Vi, have you given it serious thought? Do you plan to talk to them? I am not saying it is wrong - all of you are adults. If they are okay with it, no one should have a problem with it. But ek baat ka dhyaan rakhna Vi- you are their senior, both on the field and off it. Tomorrow, God forbid something goes wrong between the three of you, there shouldn't be questions raised on whether you used your seniority to get them to agree to the relationship. Be very clear on that, if and when you talk to them", Rohit advised. "Kya baat kar raha hai tu? I wouldn't force them into anything - it has to be consensual", Virat defended himself.
"Vi, when things started getting a bit serious between me and the boys at MI, I got a talk from the management. When all goes well it is consensual. The moment there is a crack in the relationship, there is bound to be mudslinging and the senior would be held responsible - that's just how things work", Rohit explained to his friend. Virat left Rohit's room more confused than before.
Meanwhile in Ishman's room.
"Ishu, did you see Virat bhai staring at us? It is becoming a bit frequent now, isn't it? Do you think we should ask him? What if he is irritated by us? I don't want to lose him Ishu", Shubman said to Ishan, who was lying on his chest. "Shubi, do you like him? As in, like in a non platonic way? I know we just got together, but if Virat bhai asks you out, then you should just say yes. I won't hold that against you", Ishan said, not looking into Shubman's eyes.
"Pagal wagal hai kya? I said yes to you as I like you in a more than friendly way and want to know where it goes. Waise bhi why would Virat bhai look at me like that. I seriously think he has an eye on you. I saw him glaring at Jassi bhai yesterday - guess who Jassi bhai was talking to?", Shubman replied. "I wouldn't mind it either if you say yes to him- he is the King. Who wouldn't want to date the king?", he added.
They had just started being physical and everything felt so exciting to them. The discussion had left their heads the moment they started kissing. But it seemed the discussion would always be in the back of their minds. Ishan was in the middle of pleasuring Shubman when he heard the words,"Right there, Vi", leave the lips of Shubman. Strangely, Ishan didn't feel any awkwardness about it and he went about his business with renewed fervour. That should have been enough clue to the couple, but they waited for the news to be drummed into their head.
ABD was visiting the team as part of his commentary assignment. The disdain on Rohit's face was very visible as he saw Virat cozying up to DeViliers. He turned to walk back into the dressing room, only to see the two supposed love birds shooting daggers at the South African. He walked past them, but saved the information for later use. If only Virat saw them both right now, a lot of his confusion would get cleared.
"You think they would have done it?", Ishan asked Shubman. "Mere se kyun pooch raha hai? Unhi jo jaake pooch. Look at how he is holding on to my Vi's waist. As though he belongs to him", Shubman replied, with a pout. "Our Vi", reminded Ishan. "Haan haan ours. But abhi ke liye it looks like he was always AB's Vi- we didn't even have a chance", Shubman replied. They didn't even remember when they had started addressing their Virat bhai as 'Vi' and 'our Vi' in their private conversations, but it had become a norm now. They realised that Virat wasn't going to give them any attention that day, so they left him alone.
Virat walked in to the dressing room after spending nearly an hour with his buddy. He had expected Rohit to give him the cold shoulder - his possessiveness was known to the whole team. But what surprised him was the indifferent looks given to him by his favourite boys- Ishan and Shubman, both seemed upset with him. Both walked out the moment Virat walked in. "Seeta aur Geeta mujhse kyu naaraz hai?", he asked Rohit. "Mere ko kya maloom. Pooch jake unko", Rohit replied.
He was about to follow the boys and talk to them when he heard whispers,"He walked in as though everything was completely normal. He didn't even look at us the whole day. Why did we even think that he had feelings for either of us?", it was Shubman's sound. "Jaane de na Shubi. We have each other. That's enough for now. We were in our own lala land imagining him in a relationship with both of us", Ishan said.
Virat was in complete shock- he had no idea how to react. "You should have seen them both staring down at AB when he held you by your waist. If looks could kill, AB DeViliers would have been dead by now", Rohit said, walking in behind Virat. "Act as though you don't know anything. You can talk at the hotel after practice", he advised.
The practice that day was quite chaotic- Ishman sticking to each other, staunchly refusing to look at Virat, Rohit giving extra tasks to Virat to punish him for ignoring them once AB came and Jassi bowling dangerous bouncers as he was irritated that Rohit was upset about Virat. The coach had to send them packing an hour earlier than planned, with the tension running high. "Have a chill in the pool. Talk it out. You boys are acting like fu*king toddlers", he had shouted at the team.
They had played volleyball in the pool and Virat was teamed with Ishan, Shubman on the other side. Virat kept finding reasons to touch Ishan and was glad to see goosebumps on the boy- he was even more ecstatic to observe the fire in Shubman's eyes. Shubman came to his team after shuffling and Virat did the same mischief with Shubman - this time observing Ishan smirk at him from the other side. Looked like Ishan had received the memo. Once out of the pool he whispered to both the boys,"See you in my room in half an hour".
"Zyada excited mat hona, baby. He might just be calling us to advice us. Or worse, he might just want us to keep him entertained - you know, just a fling sort", Shubman warned Ishan, who was looking for a good attire to wear. "Meri jaan, don't kill my excitement even before we reach there. I think we have a chance, Shubi", he said, before grabbing matching shirts for both of them.
"Sit", said Virat, indicating towards the bed, once they reached his room. "Aapko kya baat karni thi, Virat bhai?", Ishan asked gently. "Bhai? Didn't see the bhaichara when my hands were on you at the pool",Virat asked with a smirk. He saw both his boys blushing and decided to take them out of their misery. "Ishman, if you both are in a relationship, why were you upset by me talking to AB? Is there something that I need to know?", Virat asked. The boys looked at each other - Shubman finally indicating Ishan to talk. "Wewantyoutobeapartofus", he blabbered. "He means that we want you to date us both- we know it is unconventional, we know it is controversial, we know it is a reputation risk, but this is what we want. Yes, we are together and we are happy together, but we want to be happier together and that happiness is dependent on you, Vi", Shubman explained.
"Guys, have you considered that it might be just an infatuation? I am your cricketing idol- seeing me like this every day might be giving rise to these thoughts? What if it is just a physical thing?", Virat asked.
"Vi, it's ok if you don't feel the same about us, but please don't belittle our feelings for you, calling it fanboying. We have thought about this quite a lot before coming to you with this discussion", Ishan said, feeling a bit insulted. "Sleep with us for a night- do whatever you want. If it's a physical thing like you say, then we would know. We can end it right there. But if it's not, would you be okay to be with us both?", Shubman asked.
Virat didn't expect his babies to be so bold about the proposal - they knew what they wanted. He wanted to kiss them both and say yes, but he had to finish the talk, as Rohit had instructed. "Look Ishu, Shubi, I am your senior - that means I am at a position of power over you both. Ideally, I shouldn't be involved with either of you as it would lead to questions on whether I coerced you into doing something you don't want. That's why I called you to have this talk- I have had my eyes on Shubman since he joined. It shifted to you, Ishan, once you started spending time with me. I have no idea when I started looking at you both with not-so-innocent thoughts, but I have had to restrain myself, quite a lot, over the last few weeks. I confessed to Rohit three weeks back and he told me to keep it in my pants till I was sure of what I wanted from both of you. So.. Here I am, now sure of what I want. I want both of you, I need both of you- not just as bed companions, but lovers. Would that be agreeable to you, Ishman?",Virat asked, down on his knees, in front of his boys.
Virat was greeted with two very enthusiastic head nods.
"You can take it in writing - we will tell Ro bhaiyya also if you want. We want to get into a relationship with you out of our free will", said Shubman.
"So, ground rules first- Rohit already knows about this. For the time being nobody else needs to know. So, no touching me in front of others. Both of you can flirt with each other openly, how much ever you want, as long as I get an equal share of the love, in the room later. When the three of us are not together in the team, we are allowed to be with each other, as long as the third one can join in via video call. Your captain and coach can give all permissions they want, but you don't get to do anything without my okay. Both your asses belong to me now and I am extremely possessive and territorial about what is mine. Be extremely careful about allowing people to touch you- haath thod dunga if anyone touches either of you inappropriately. Abhi ke liye only this much, but be ready for getting punished if you disobey these rules", Virat warned them.
"Humaare bhi sun lo phir. No one is allowed to touch your waist- Shub gets pissed off. Nobody touches your face- I get pissed off. What happens in RCB does not stay in RCB as far as we are concerned- we have our network. If you so much as look at anyone with anything other than brotherly affection, you are answerable to us. Being aggressive is fine- but if you pick up unnecessary fights, you will spend the night on the couch - this applies to you too Shubi, don't be too happy", Ishan said. "And yeah, your Mumbai home is now ours too- duplicate keys banwa do. We are not calling you bhaiyya anymore- din ko bhaiyya, raat ko saiyya is not ok with us. God forbid if something goes wrong between us, we will still be respectful to each other", Shubman added. "We got together just two months back Vi, but we are almost sure that we want to spend the rest of our lives together. I am not saying this to pressurise you, but please keep that in mind. At some point in the future, we might ask you for more than a 'hidden within the four walls' relationship- if you are not okay with it,you can say so. We won't hold it against you", Ishan said, in a very serious tone.
A future together with these boys was something he could imagine and dream about. He knew it was going to be a game of trapeze, with all the hiding, juggling and sacrifices involved. This was a big step and Virat couldn't wait to see how things panned out. The two boys already had their "happily ever after" with each other and it was upto Virat to make sure that the three of them were "happier together, everafter". Ishman was good, Virat owed it to them to make Virishman better. He was excited, but more than that he felt this overwhelming sense of protectiveness for the boys. Their career would be more at risk than his, due to this relationship- so he would make sure their safety was his foremost priority. He had a chance at double happiness and he wasn't going to let it go without giving it his absolute best
