One for all, all for one

The hotel lobby buzzed with excitement as the entire Indian cricket team, along with the coaching staff, management, and Mahi, gathered in the common room for an impromptu celebration. The hotel had outdone itself, arranging a few cakes, each representing a milestone of the match, including a special one for Rohit's century. As they entered, they were greeted with a loud cheer.

"Arre yaar, itne saare cakes ! Lagta hai, aaj koi nai bachega !" someone from the team teased, causing laughter to ripple through the group.

Mahi, with his trademark calm smile, took charge, "Chalo, sab baatein baad mein karenge, pehle cake kaat lete hain."

As Rohit cut the cake, the room erupted with cheers, whistles, and a wave of playful banter that echoed off the walls. After feeding each other cake, the team, as always, couldn't resist turning the celebration into a chaotic, fun-filled mess. It was a tradition of theirs—a cake fight, where no one was safe from getting their face smeared with icing.

"Arey yeh kya kar raha hai, yaar!" Rohit laughed, trying to dodge as Virat aimed a dollop of icing at his cheek.

"Ro, aaj toh tu bachega nahi," Virat grinned mischievously, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Rohit's mock attempt to escape was quickly thwarted as Virat managed to get the icing on him. The room erupted into laughter as Rohit retaliated by smearing a chunk of cake right back on Virat's face.

Rishabh, with his usual exuberance, grabbed a handful of cake and tried to sneak up on Yuzi. But Yuzi was quick—too quick for Rishabh. However, just as Yuzi was about to retaliate, Kuldeep, who had been waiting for this exact moment, seized his chance for revenge from the previous prank. With a devilish grin, he grabbed Yuzi's shoulders and plunged his face right into the cake.

"Yeh le, Yuzi! Pichle prank ka badla," Kuldeep declared triumphantly as Yuzi emerged from the cake, his face completely covered in icing.

The room erupted into louder laughter, with Yuzi playfully cursing Kuldeep under his breath. Meanwhile, Rishabh saw his window of opportunity closing as Kuldeep turned towards him with narrow eyes, an evil smile playing on his lips.

" Now it's your turn, Rishabh!" Kuldeep shouted, as Rishabh let out a panicked yelp and sprinted across the room, Kuldeep hot on his heels with a fistful of cake.

"Ab tera kya hoga kaaliya" said Kuldeep, after which he laughed like a villain does in a movie, he had finally caught hold of Rishabh.

As the cake fight continued in full swing, Mahi stood at a distance, his arms crossed and a small smile playing on his lips. He watched the team with a fondness that only came with years of companionship and shared experiences. The boys were having the time of their lives, and it warmed his heart to see them so carefree.

But while Mahi was enjoying the spectacle, everyone knew better than to involve him in the mess. The respect they had for him was too deep, and not a single one of them dared to approach him with cake-covered hands.

Except for Rohit and Virat.

They caught sight of Mahi's amused expression, and as if reading each other's minds, they exchanged a look—one filled with mischief and a shared understanding that only they could get away with what they were about to do.

"Ready?" Virat whispered, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Always," Rohit replied with a grin.

Without wasting another second, the two of them grabbed an entire cake, holding it like a prized weapon, and slowly made their way towards Mahi. As they approached, Mahi noticed them, and his smile faltered as he realized their intentions.