Acceptance heals everything

Part 11. Lost

Virat rushed to Rohit when he heard him coughing. He rubbed his back and helped him drink water. Once he calmed down Virat sat infront of him. He was hesitant but still did it anyway.

Rohit was surprised but he waited to see what he was gonna do. Why he wouldn't look at him was the question going on in Rohit's mind.  

He took a bite of the food and forwarded to Rohit. He didn't look at him, he didn't had that guts to see his hand pushed or the truth was that he just couldn't look at Rohit.

Rohit had it without saying anything which made Virat look at him. 

And then, Rohit was finally able to get a good look at Virat. Finally after a year, he saw the person, who was his best friend.

But When Rohit saw Virat, it was like something inside him snapped. 

"Should I make or arrange something else?" asked Virat seeing Rohit staring at him and not having another bite. 

Rohit said no, "I'm full", but Virat did not budge from his seat, still holding his bite of food in front of him.

"Umm, I am sorry but you have to take medications", Virat said in low voice.

"I know, I've been taking it for a year now. I told you I'm full, so just put it away", Rohit said, averting his eyes.

Rohit didn't want them to come here but now as they have, as Virat had come. All he wanted was for Virat to talk to him, he wanted to feel normal for once in his life. 

He waited for Virat to argue with him, urge him to eat, but nothing happened as he observed Virat silently kept the plate aside, performing the same activities as before.

Virat helped him lay down and then left the room taking the stuff with him. 

Rohit buried himself in a pillow that had always been his go-to for letting out his feelings and shedding tears. The pillow's dampness made him feel like he had somewhere to go to when he needed to cry.

The sight of Virat's lifeless eyes was unbearable. It was as if he was responsible for it. 

 Why did I let him in? Why?

When Virat came out Rohit's room, he kept the plate on the kitchen slab. Before he could even contemplate on what he feels, Mahi arrived there. 

"Cheeku" Mahi called softly keeping his hand on his shoulder.

Virat turned to him, "Can you talk to Rohit and try to make him eat something? He has to take medications", said Virat giving him the plate.  

Mahi arrived after 15 mins and saw Virat was still on the same place. 

"Will try to make him eat after sometime Cheeku, he is sleeping", said Mahi keeping the plate.

Mahi held Virat by his shoulders and made him sit on the sofa, "Cheeku, others have to go for matches from tomorrow. You sure that we shouldn't call Ritika?", he asked him.

"For some days, just for a few let us try ourselves", Virat said trying to convince him. 

He didn't know if anyone would believe him when he said he was just trying to get Rohit back on track. Because earlier too, Mahi didn't trust him. He didn't agree with what Virat said. Was it that difficult for everyone to believe that all he was doing was trying to be there for Rohit?

"Virat!" Mahi called out to him, but he didn't answer because he was staring off into space, lost in thought.

"I am anyway not playing. You guys can manage schedules and come at night or anytime when u are free" said Virat responding back to his question.

Mahi interrupted, "the team needs yo--"

"I will just come", Virat said leaving the conversation and went outside in the lawn. 

"Did u try convincing him?" Mahi heard the Ash's voice on the call. 

"He didn't even let me complete my sentence about team needing him Ash. There is no way he is gonna listen to anyone", said Mahi feeling defeated at that conversation.

"It's been 11 months, he hasn't played the game bhai", Ash said back. 

"I know" Mahi said back, "and at every single match we are trying to convince him"

"Convince who?" Jaddu asked coming downstairs in the hall.

Mahi hanged up Ash's call, "convince Virat about playing again", he said. 

"There is no need, he himself left the team. No way he has the right to comeback. He can enjoy playing the victim all he wants", Jaddu said angrily and went to Rohit's room to check on him.

Mahi just rubbed his face in frustration. 

Ro, you were and remain the center of everything. Without you, the friendship, the relationship, and the mutual respect they have for each other are like pages torn from a book. Some of them, particularly someone is as lost as if we had lost our favourite book, unable to live without it. Make everything alright, Ro.

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