He Couldn't Take It Anymore || An ICT Fanfiction

14. Reconciliation

"Was it easy for them to throw me out? How can the investigation of such a huge matter be completed in mere hours? How could they conclude that I was at fault in mere hours? How could such a huge decision to ban me be taken in mere hours?"

When Rohit thought about this, all the events had indeed taken place too fast. It couldn't all be planned, would it? Was there more to it than just Rayudu and Manjrekar's conspiracy? Rohit swore to himself that he would not let this go. He had to find the root of all this.

"I put this sport, this country over everything and I would still do it a hundred times over, but there is only so much hurt, a man can take."

By that time, Rohit couldn't bring himself to go inside and turned back to the living room. Hearing Virat sound so hurt, Rohit couldn't just go in there like that. He had to do something first.

He walked into the living room, wiped off his tears and approached Jinks, "I didn't go in there. I have something to do first. You should go there."

And before Jinks could say anything, Rohit grabbed Yuzi and dragged him along with him, out of the house.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jinks and the team stood dumbfounded as Rohit literally wheezed out of the house, Yuzi with him.

"What happened to him?" wondered Jinks aloud, staring astonished at the door.

"Who knows?" said Bhuvi worriedly. 

Jinks drew in a deep breath and said, "Does this mean, one of us should go?"

Ashwin nodded and said, "It's your call, Jinks. Go in and try to make him comfortable. You are the only one with whom he could never stay angry enough."

Jinks agreed and continued the journey to Virat's room.

Right before he was about to knock, the door opened revealing AB, whose features registered surprise as he saw Jinks standing in the doorway.

He strained his neck a bit and looked into the living room to see the entire Indian Cricket Team standing there, guilt, sadness and regret oozing out of their features.

He immediately understood the situation at hand and said to Jinks, "I'm happy, you're here. I've done the best I could, but I think, the lack of trust you all displayed has broken him. And only you hold the power to fix that."

Jinks could do nothing more than nod, his voice dying in his throat as AB left the room.

Jinks opened the door and saw Virat sitting on the bed, with a bunch of pillows plopped around him, staring outside the window.

"Vi.....", called Jinks, dreadfully awaiting his reaction.

Virat made no move as if he hadn't heard him.

"Viiiiii, please look at me at least. Please don't do this", said Jinks, his eyes welling up due to the indifference displayed by Virat.

"I'm sorry. We all are. Please, just look at me once."

But all his attempts and cries were to no avail. Virat continued staring outside the window fixedly.

After what seemed like an eternity when Jinks had lost all hopes of Virat ever speaking to him again, Virat said quietly, "You see those birds, Jinks?"

Jinks looked at him surprised, as he shifted beside Virat and saw that a bunch of sparrows were sitting on the tree outside.

"Yes", said Jinks tentatively, not quite understanding what Virat was trying to imply.