6|

Chapter - The Century Day

The stadium was already loud before Virat even stepped out.

Not unusual.

Crowds always roared for him.

But today felt slightly different.

Not louder.

Just heavier.

Like something personal was unfolding inside him that only he could feel.

He adjusted his gloves slowly in the dressing room.

No unnecessary talk.

Just focus.

But every few seconds, his mind kept drifting back home.

Anaira's face when she gets sleepy. The way she says "Rambhgir" without even realizing she's wrong. The way she holds onto his shirt when she doesn't want him to leave a room.

He blinked once, tightening his grip on the bat.

Then walked out.

---

The innings started steady.

Not explosive.

Not risky.

Just controlled cricket.

Virat Kohli didn't look like someone trying to prove anything.

He looked like someone holding something together.

Every shot was measured. Every run intentional.

And slowly, as he settled in, the rhythm took over.

-

At home, Anushka was watching quietly on the couch.

Anaira was sitting right next to her.

Wearing Virat's oversized jersey again - sleeves covering half her hands.

Eyes locked on the screen like she understood everything happening.

She didn't blink much.

Just watched.

Completely focused.

"Papa hit ball now?" she asked softly.

Anushka nodded.

"Yes baby."

Anaira nodded back seriously like she was part of strategy discussion.

-

Fifties came quietly.

No big celebration.

Just a small bat lift.

A glance toward the dressing room.

Then back to business.

Because today didn't feel like a personal milestone.

It felt like a responsibility.

-

In the stadium, Rohit noticed it first.

Virat wasn't playing for shots.

He was playing through something.

After a quick break between overs, Rohit walked up to him.

"You alright?"

Virat nodded.

"Yeah."

Rohit studied him for a second.

Then smirked lightly.

"Home missing?"

Virat didn't deny it.

That was enough answer.

Rohit patted his shoulder once.

"Finish it then."

And walked away.

-

By the time he reached the nineties, the stadium had changed energy.

People knew what was coming.

Phones were up.

Crowd anticipation rising.

But Virat's mind wasn't in the stadium anymore.

It was somewhere much smaller.

A little girl on a couch.

Watching quietly.

Waiting.

-

The moment came.

The shot that took him to the hundred.

The stadium erupted instantly.

Roar after roar.

Flags waving.

Commentary rising over each other.

But Virat didn't react immediately.

He just stood there.

Breathing.

Still.

Then slowly raised his bat.

A calm acknowledgment.

No big drama.

No emotional outburst.

Just a small nod.

And then-

he looked up for a second.

Not at the crowd.

Not at the cameras.

Just up.

Quietly.

Like a promise kept.

-

At home, Anaira suddenly stood up on the couch.

"He did it."

Anushka smiled immediately.

"Yes baby. He did."

Anaira clapped once.

Very serious.

Then sat back down like she was trying to behave properly again.

But her eyes were still glued to the screen.

Like she was proud in a way she couldn't fully express yet.

-

After the match, back at the hotel, Virat was still in that quiet headspace.

No noise.

No celebration mode.

Just exhaustion and something softer underneath it.

He picked up his phone.

Scrolled once.

Stopped at Anushka's post.

A picture from earlier.

Anaira sitting on the couch in his jersey.

Watching the match.

Back view only.

No face.

No exposure.

Just presence.

The caption underneath was simple:

> heart too full❤️

Virat stared at it for a few seconds longer than he meant to.

Then quietly exhaled.

Because that sentence somehow described everything he couldn't say.

-

Later that evening, video call.

Anaira appeared instantly.

Hair messy.

Eyes wide.

"YOU HIT HUNDRED!"

Virat smiled.

"Yes."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You not tell me first."

"I was busy playing."

Aarav appeared behind her.

"Old man still got it."

Virat raised an eyebrow.

"Old man?"

Aarav shrugged.

"Century = retirement age vibes."

Anaira ignored them both and leaned closer to the camera.

"Papa... you happy?"

Virat paused.

Then nodded slowly.

"Yeah."

And for once, it didn't feel like a complicated answer.

It wasn't supposed to be a surprise.

Logically.

Schedules didn't allow surprises in the middle of international tours. Flights were tracked. Meetings were planned. Media commitments existed.

But Virat Kohli had quietly learned something in the last few months.

Sometimes logic didn't matter.

Especially when there was an eight-year-old waiting at home who counted days like they were too long to survive.

So he came back one day earlier than planned.

No announcement. No call ahead. No warning.

Just a flight that landed quietly in the early afternoon.

And a man who didn't inform anyone inside the house that he was already on his way.

---

The house felt normal when he walked in.

Too normal.

Sunlight in the living room. TV playing something faint in the background. Staff moving quietly in another room.

And then-

he heard her.

Anaira's voice.

Bright. Careless. Singing something nonsense while probably drawing on the floor.

That sound alone made something in his chest loosen immediately.

He stopped just inside the doorway.

Didn't call out.

Just listened for a second.

Then slowly stepped inside.

---

Anaira was sitting on the living room carpet, legs folded under her, markers scattered around her.

She didn't notice him at first.

Completely absorbed.

Drawing something seriously on a sheet of paper.

Anushka was nearby, half watching her, half on her phone.

Aarav was somewhere in the background upstairs.

Everything looked normal.

Safe.

Quiet.

---

Virat took another step.

The floor creaked slightly.

Not loud.

But enough.

Anaira paused.

Looked up instinctively.

And froze.

For a second, she just stared.

Blank expression.

Processing.

Like her brain refused to believe what her eyes were seeing.

Virat didn't say anything.

Just stood there.

Waiting.

---

Then it hit her.

Properly.

Not slowly.

All at once.

"Papa?"

Her voice came out smaller than usual.

Virat's expression softened instantly.

"Yes."

That was enough.

Anaira stood up so fast she almost knocked her markers over.

And then-

she broke.

Completely.

"No-"

Her voice cracked immediately.

"Papa?!"

And before anyone could even react properly-

she ran.

---

It wasn't a calm run.

It was the kind where a child doesn't think about anything except reaching the person in front of them.

She crashed into him full force.

Virat bent immediately, catching her without hesitation.

But she wasn't stopping.

Not even slightly.

"YOU CAME-YOU CAME-YOU CAME-"

Her voice kept breaking between words.

Virat pulled her closer instantly.

"I told you I would."

Anaira shook her head against his chest.

"You said later!"

"I came earlier."

That made it worse somehow.

She started crying harder.

Not loud tantrum crying.

Real crying.

Relief mixed with disbelief.

Tiny hands gripping his shirt like she was scared he might disappear again if she let go.

---

Anushka had already stood up from the couch.

Her expression changed immediately.

"Hey-hey baby..."

But Anaira wasn't even listening.

She was fully buried in Virat's chest now.

Crying into his shirt.

"You left again... you left..."

Virat shut his eyes for a second.

That sentence always hurt more than it should.

"I came back," he said softly. "I'm here."

But Anaira kept crying anyway.

Because logic doesn't work on children in moments like this.

Only presence does.

---

Aarav came downstairs at that moment.

Saw the scene.

Stopped.

Then sighed softly.

"Of course you didn't tell anyone," he said, looking at Virat.

Virat didn't even deny it.

"She would've started waiting from morning."

Aarav nodded once.

Fair.

---

Anaira finally looked up slightly, still crying.

Eyes red already.

"Real?"

Virat smiled faintly.

"Yes. Real."

She touched his face like she needed confirmation.

Then immediately hugged him again.

Tighter this time.

Like she had finally accepted he wasn't leaving.

---

Minutes passed like that.

No one interrupted.

Anushka quietly stepped away to give them space.

Aarav leaned against the wall watching, expression softer than usual.

Because it was one of those moments you don't joke about.

Not even him.

---

Eventually, Anaira's crying slowed down.

Not fully stopped.

Just reduced to small hiccups.

Still holding him tightly.

"You smell like airport," she mumbled.

Virat actually smiled a little.

"That's not a real smell."

"It is."

"Okay."

---

She finally pulled back slightly.

Looked at him properly now.

Checking.

Like she was making sure this wasn't another screen version of him.

Then poked his chest lightly.

"You not go again?"

Virat shook his head.

"Not for a while."

Her expression changed instantly.

Suspicious.

"Promise?"

He nodded.

"Promise."

She studied him for a few seconds.

Then nodded slowly like she had accepted a legal agreement.

"Okay."

And then-

very casually-

she hugged him again.

Like nothing had ever been wrong.

---

From the corner, Aarav muttered,

"She's going to make you emotionally unstable one day."

Virat didn't even look up.

"She already did."

And for once-

he didn't sound like he was complaining.

The house felt fuller when Virat was back.

Not louder.

Not chaotic.

Just... complete in a way it wasn't during tours.

Like something missing had quietly returned to its place.

Anaira noticed it immediately.

She always did.

But even in all that warmth, there were moments when she would suddenly go quiet.

Not sad in a loud way.

Just... distant for a while.

Like her mind drifted somewhere no one could follow.

---

It started in the afternoon.

They were all in the living room.

Virat was sitting on the floor, leaning back against the couch, scrolling through something on his phone.

Anushka was nearby folding clothes.

Aarav was half-lounging on the armchair, pretending to study but clearly not focusing.

And Anaira-

she was on the carpet.

Building something out of blocks very seriously.

Tongue slightly out in concentration.

Completely absorbed.

At first, everything was normal.

Small noises. Soft laughter. Casual talking.

---

"Papa," she said suddenly without looking up.

Virat glanced over.

"Yes?"

She held up a block.

"This one go where?"

Virat leaned slightly.

"On top."

She nodded.

Placed it carefully.

Then everything went quiet again.

Normal quiet.

Comfortable quiet.

---

But after a few minutes, something shifted.

Anaira stopped building.

Just froze.

Her hands still on the blocks.

Staring at them.

Not moving.

Anushka noticed first.

"Hey..."

No response.

Virat looked up too.

"Anaira?"

Still nothing.

Aarav slowly sat forward a little.

Because this wasn't her usual "I'm thinking" silence.

This was different.

---

She slowly leaned back.

Sat cross-legged.

And hugged one of the soft toys beside her without saying anything.

Her eyes weren't focused anymore.

Just... somewhere else.

Anushka exchanged a look with Virat.

He stood up immediately.

Came and sat near her.

"What happened?"

Anaira blinked slowly.

Once.

Twice.

Then softly-

"Nothing."

But her voice didn't match the word.

It was too quiet.

Too far.

---

Virat didn't push immediately.

He just stayed there beside her.

Waiting.

Aarav also moved closer slightly, now watching carefully.

Because they all knew her patterns by now.

When she went quiet like this, it wasn't random.

It meant something was sitting inside her small head that she didn't know how to say.

---

After a few seconds, Anaira looked down at her hands.

Fiddling with the toy.

Then very softly-

"Mumma used to sit like this also."

The room changed immediately.

Not dramatically.

Just subtly.

Anushka paused mid-fold.

Aarav stopped moving completely.

Virat's expression softened instantly.

---

Anaira didn't look up.

Just continued quietly.

"She used to... like quiet quiet time."

A small pause.

"She said noise makes head tired."

Silence followed.

Not uncomfortable.

Just heavy in a gentle way.

---

Anushka slowly sat down beside her.

Very close, but not forcing anything.

Virat stayed where he was.

Aarav too.

None of them interrupted.

Because they understood this wasn't a moment to fix.

Just a moment to listen.

---

Anaira hugged the toy tighter.

"I don't remember her face properly sometimes."

That sentence came out very small.

Almost like she didn't mean to say it aloud.

But it was out now.

So it stayed in the room.

---

Anushka's eyes softened instantly.

Virat looked away for a second, jaw tightening slightly-not anger, just emotion held carefully in place.

Aarav lowered his gaze.

None of them spoke.

Because anything spoken right then would've felt too heavy or too empty.

---

Anaira continued after a pause.

"But I remember her voice."

A tiny nod.

"She used to say... sleep early."

She looked down at the floor.

"I don't like sleeping early."

That made Aarav exhale a faint, almost invisible smile.

Even now.

Even here.

She was still her.

---

Virat finally shifted closer.

Not speaking.

Just sitting beside her properly now.

Anaira leaned slightly toward him without thinking.

Natural.

Like instinct.

---

Anushka reached out and gently fixed a strand of hair from Anaira's face.

"You don't have to remember everything," she said softly.

Anaira blinked.

"Why?"

Anushka hesitated for a second.

Then gently-

"Because some things stay even when you don't think about them."

Anaira processed that quietly.

No reply.

Just listening.

---

Aarav finally spoke after a while.

"You know what Mumma would say right now?"

Anaira looked at him slightly.

"What?"

He leaned back casually again.

"That you're sitting like a statue and wasting block-building potential."

That earned a tiny, reluctant smile from her.

Very small.

But real.

---

Virat noticed it immediately.

And that was enough.

---

Slowly, Anaira shifted again.

Back toward her blocks.

But this time, not fully silent anymore.

Just quieter.

Comfortable again.

Grounded again.

---

A few minutes later, she spoke again.

Still soft.

But lighter.

"I like when Papa is home."

Virat looked at her.

"I'm here."

She nodded.

Then added very simply-

"Don't go too much."

No drama.

No tears this time.

Just a statement.

---

Virat placed a hand gently on her head.

"I won't."

And this time-

she believed it without asking again.

---

From the corner, Aarav watched them for a moment.

Then quietly said,

"She's slowly getting attached to all of us."

Anushka nodded slightly.

"That's what family does."

Aarav smirked faintly.

"Yeah... dangerous business."

Virat gave him a look.

Aarav shrugged.

"What? It's true."

---

Anaira suddenly lifted one block again.

"This one is important."

Virat looked at it.

"Why?"

She thought for a second.

Then very seriously-

"Because it holds everything."

Silence.

Then Virat smiled slightly.

"Then don't drop it."

She nodded.

"I won't."

And went back to building again.

A little quieter.

A little steadier.

But no longer alone in her silence.

Anaira was exhausted.

Not normal sleepy.

That horrible, over-tired kind of sleepy where children stop acting like themselves completely.

Everything irritated her. Everything made her emotional. Even breathing too loudly near her probably would've made her cry.

Virat and Anushka had left for an event two hours ago.

A formal charity event.

Important enough that they couldn't skip it.

Aarav had gone for evening cricket practice.

And Anaira had insisted she was "big enough" to stay home.

Now she regretted every second of that decision.

---

The entire house felt too big tonight.

Too quiet.

Too empty.

Anaira sat curled up on the couch in the family room hugging Rambhgir tightly against her chest.

Eyes heavy.

Hair messy.

Lower lip trembling every few minutes for absolutely no reason.

One of the house staff had tried giving her dinner.

She refused.

Then cried because she refused.

Then cried harder because the spoon fell accidentally.

And now she was fully in that dangerous sleepy-child state where even tiny things felt heartbreaking.

---

"Nairu, please eat a little."

The nanny sighed softly, trying again.

Anaira shook her head immediately.

"No."

"Just two bites."

"No."

"Then milk?"

"No."

"Juice?"

"No."

Her voice cracked at the end and suddenly tears filled her eyes again.

The nanny rubbed her forehead tiredly.

Because Anaira had been crying on and off for almost forty minutes now.

Not loudly.

Just continuously.

Little hiccuping tears.

Soft sniffles.

Exhausted sadness.

---

"I want Papa."

The sentence came out broken.

The nanny softened instantly.

"He'll come soon."

"You said soon before also..."

God.

That tiny hurt voice.

---

Upstairs, another staff member walked in already irritated.

Older woman.

Strict.

Not particularly fond of children.

Especially not emotional ones.

"What happened now?" she asked sharply.

The nanny lowered her voice.

"She's sleepy. She's just missing them."

Anaira curled tighter into herself immediately at the unfamiliar harsh tone.

"I want Mumma..."

The older staff member sighed dramatically.

"Enough now. Stop crying."

Anaira's tears worsened immediately.

"I can't-"

"Everyday crying crying crying."

The nanny tried to intervene softly. "She's just tired-"

But the woman was already irritated.

"Then make her sleep."

Anaira rubbed her face with tiny fists, overwhelmed now.

"I don't want sleep alone..."

The woman muttered under her breath,

"So much drama."

---

Anaira heard it.

Children always heard more than adults realized.

Her breathing started shaking again.

And because she was already overtired-

everything hit harder.

---

The woman suddenly snapped harshly,

"Quiet now. Stop making noise."

Anaira flinched instantly.

Actually flinched.

The nanny noticed immediately.

"Please, she'll get scared-"

But the woman was frustrated now.

"You've spoiled her completely. The entire house revolves around her now."

Anaira looked down instantly.

Small fingers tightening around the plushie.

Tears dripping silently now.

---

Then came the sentence that should never have been said.

"Enough crying. You're not even a real Kohli."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Even the nanny froze.

Because the second the words left her mouth-

they felt wrong.

Terribly wrong.

---

Anaira stopped crying for one second.

Just stared.

Like she didn't fully understand.

Then slowly-

her face crumpled completely.

Not loud this time.

Worse.

Pure hurt.

Tiny heartbreak.

---

"I..." her voice broke badly. "I didn't do anything..."

The woman immediately realized she crossed a line.

But before she could say anything-

the main door opened.

---

Virat and Anushka walked in.

Still dressed from the event.

Security behind them.

Soft conversation dying instantly the second they heard crying.

Virat's expression changed immediately.

Because he knew that cry.

Not tantrum. Not cranky.

Hurt.

---

"Nairu?"

Anaira looked up instantly.

And completely broke.

"PAPA-"

She ran so fast her steps stumbled midway.

Virat reached her before she could fall properly, catching her immediately in his arms.

And the second she reached him-

she started sobbing.

Not crying.

Sobbing.

Full body shaking.

Virat's face changed instantly.

Protective instinct hitting before logic.

"Hey hey hey-what happened?"

Anaira couldn't even answer.

She just buried herself into his neck crying uncontrollably.

Anushka was already beside them.

"Nairu baby, breathe..."

But Anaira clung harder to Virat's jacket like she was terrified.

---

Virat looked up.

One glance at the room.

The staff expressions.

The tension.

And immediately understood something happened.

His voice dropped dangerously calm.

"What happened?"

Nobody answered immediately.

Which was already answer enough.

---

The nanny finally spoke quietly.

"She was sleepy... crying a little..."

Virat kept staring.

"And?"

Silence.

Then Anaira whispered against his shoulder-

"She said I not real..."

Virat froze.

Completely.

Anushka's expression changed instantly too.

Sharp hurt crossing her face.

---

Virat slowly looked toward the older woman.

Too calm.

Way too calm.

"What exactly did you say to her?"

The woman immediately panicked.

"Sir I didn't mean-"

"What. Did. You. Say."

Nobody in the house liked when Virat spoke that quietly.

Because anger wasn't loud with him anymore.

It became still.

---

"She was crying continuously and I just-"

Virat interrupted immediately.

"She's eight."

Silence.

"She's tired. She's overwhelmed. And you thought saying that was acceptable?"

The woman looked terrified now.

"I'm sorry sir-"

Virat's jaw tightened.

"You will never speak to her like that again."

Anaira still cried softly against his shoulder, tiny fingers clutching his collar tightly.

Virat instinctively adjusted his hold on her immediately.

Protective. Gentle.

Completely opposite to the coldness in his voice moments ago.

---

Anushka finally stepped in softly.

"That's enough. Please leave for tonight."

The woman nodded quickly and left.

The second she disappeared upstairs, the room fell quiet again.

Only Anaira's small broken sniffles remained.

---

Virat sat down on the couch carefully with her still in his lap.

"Nairu..."

She shook her head immediately, face still buried.

"No..."

Virat rubbed her back slowly.

"Look at me once."

Very slowly-

she did.

Eyes swollen. Cheeks wet. Completely heartbroken.

And God, Virat genuinely felt rage in his chest seeing her like that.

---

"She said..." Anaira's voice shook again, "I not real..."

Virat immediately held her face gently.

"You listen to me carefully."

She blinked tearfully.

"You are my child."

Instant answer.

No hesitation.

No pause.

Virat continued quietly,

"I don't care what anybody says. Understand?"

Anaira stared at him silently.

Still hurt.

Still unsure.

---

Anushka sat beside them and wiped her tears softly.

"You know what makes family?"

Anaira sniffled.

"What?"

Anushka smiled sadly.

"Love."

Virat nodded immediately.

"And this house loves you too much already."

That finally made Anaira cry again.

But softer this time.

Relief crying.

Not hurt crying.

---

A little later, Aarav came home from practice.

Still sweaty. Kit bag hanging from one shoulder.

The second he walked in and saw Anaira curled silently into Virat's chest-

he frowned.

"What happened?"

Virat looked at him once.

That was enough.

Aarav's expression darkened immediately.

"Who said something?"

Anaira looked up slightly.

Eyes still watery.

Aarav crouched beside her instantly.

"Hey."

She sniffled.

"Am I real?"

Aarav genuinely looked offended by the question.

"Obviously."

"But she said-"

"I don't care what she said."

He cut her off immediately.

Then poked her forehead lightly.

"You're annoying, dramatic, and you steal everyone's attention. That makes you fully part of this family."

A tiny laugh escaped her accidentally through tears.

Virat exhaled softly seeing it.

---

Anushka smiled faintly.

"There she is."

Anaira rubbed her eyes tiredly.

Then quietly whispered against Virat's chest-

"I missed you."

Virat kissed the top of her head immediately.

"I know."

And that night-

none of them let her sleep alone.