30 days I A Shubman Gill x Ishan Kishan- A story

Wakefulness

Rohit, For the first time in his entire life, found it hard to fall asleep, he twirled around his bed feeling nothingness. Ritika knew about Shubman and when Rohit came back home, it was the worst he had looked in a while. She thought Rohit looked worser than when he came back losing many crucial matches.

"I'll be going out for a while," Rohit said, getting up, grabbing the keys and kissing Samaira's forehead as she was asleep.

"Be safe, Make sure you tell me if you aren't coming back," Ritika said understanding Rohit needed to be alone for some time, or particularly with someone who could make him understand the depth of the situation.

Rohit continued his aimless walk through the quiet streets, each step a heavy echo of the thoughts burdening his mind. The night was silent, and the cool breeze offered a temporary respite from the weight of reality.

Unknowingly, His feet lead him to a familiar companion's home. He almost felt guilty for reaching there with no notice but a part of him was relieved that it was Virat's home he reached. He gave out a deep sigh and put a hand on his head trying to think of many solutions which would save Shubi; His Shubi.

His mind went back to all those lovely innings he had with him, the lovely banter he and Ishan used to have every IPL campaign, those awful pranks that started not to be awful anymore.

He would miss all of those, It would be like losing a limb of his. 

The lights lit from Virat's study and there was another person with him who somewhat looked like Rahul. It was Rahul.

Rohit hesitated for a moment outside Virat's house, contemplating whether to intrude on their privacy. However, the desperation to share what he felt at this moment propelled him forward. He approached the door and knocked softly.

The door opened, revealing Virat and Rahul, both of whom were engaged in a serious conversation. Their expressions softened as they noticed Rohit standing at the doorstep.

"Hi Rohit, I'll tell Virat to come down, I think he's in the study-" Anushka says as she opens the door with her usual smile.

"Oh yeah, I saw him there. It's all good Anushka, I'll go talk to him. Sorry for disturbing you at such ungodly hours." Rohit said apologising as Anushka gave a small brush on his arms.

"I'll let you be. Take care. They both have been awful too." 

Rohit talks there for a minute and leaves for the study.

Rohit quietly approached the study, the soft glow of the desk lamp casting a warm hue across the room. The murmur of voices halted as Virat and Rahul noticed him entering. 

"Hey, Rohit. What brings you here at this hour?" Virat inquired, concern in his eyes.

"I couldn't sleep," Rohit speaks plainly 

"Is the world ending bhaiya, How can you not sleep?"  Rahul says drily chuckling as his red eyes reflected the agony in his heart.

"Rahuliya, Stop making yourself joke about this, please just talk to me. I-" Virat says as he continues to plead Rahul to come out of armor and be himself, come out and whine to him. That's the least he expected from him. If he couldn't do anything about shubman, At least he should help the others to feel better. Atleast, he should let Shubman enjoy as much as he would like.

"I couldn't sleep because my mind is racing, thinking about Shubman. Ritika knows, and I just needed someone to talk to." 

The roles automatically reversed, Usually, Rohit was the one who would console a sobbing mess of Virat, or an emotionless Rahul but at this moment, Rohit looked for a shoulder to lean on.

And, Virat trying to not break out a sob, wanted to be there for him, for Rahul, for the whole team. A few hours ago, As soon as he came home, he started crying out loud and Anushka tried her best to pacify a mess out of him but he couldn't. He went in the washroom, tried to stop but still couldn't. 

 But, Virat's plea was interrupted by Rahul, who appeared vulnerable, on the verge of tears, a side of him that only Virat knows of. Normally, Rahul appears to be a composed person but deep down, he has this restless side that appears only in front of a certain someone.

Virat nodded understandingly, and Rahul, though still guarded, seemed to relax a bit. "I know it's tough on all of us. Shubman is like family, and seeing him go through this... it's unbearable."

Rahul, usually the epitome of composure, broke down a bit. "I can't shake this feeling of helplessness. We play cricket, and face challenges on the field, but this is beyond anything I've ever encountered."

Virat placed a comforting hand on Rahul's shoulder, giving him a silent reassurance that it was okay to feel helpless. "Rahul, we're all in this together. Shubman needs us to be strong for him. But it's okay to acknowledge our own pain too."

Rohit chimed in, "I think it's hitting us differently. We've always seen Shubman as this vibrant, young guy full of life. To see him facing something like this... it's like a punch in the gut."

"More like stepping on a lego, I can still not take that pain-" 

Virat sighed, "I keep thinking about what more we could have done. Maybe we missed something, a sign, a clue. I don't know."

Rahul spoke, his voice a mix of frustration and sadness. "I hate that we're losing him, and there's nothing we can do to stop it. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion, and you're powerless to prevent it."

Rohit said, "We can't change the past, but we can make the present count. Shubman deserves the best of what we can offer at this time."

"Ishan doesn't know yet, I'm scared of how he'll react when he gets to know," Rohit says concern etched on his face.

"Ishan will take it really bad, It's why Shubi didn't tell him, yet," Virat says fully in support of Shubman on this.  If there was a god for stupidity, Virat would be the deity, and Shubman his most devoted follower.

Rahul, spoke with a hint of bitterness. "Shubman didn't want Ishan to know because he didn't want to burden him. But how do we protect Ishan from the pain that's coming?"

"God, I have no idea," Rohit let out a deep sigh

"It's not just Ishan, Every one will take it bad. Jassi, Harry and Jaddu know too right? I wonder how they're doing."

Virat, his eyes still moist, responded, "Yeah, they know. Jassi and Harry came over earlier. Jaddu is on a call with Shubman right now. The news is spreading through the team, and it's hitting everyone hard."

"You know, for the first time, I wish this was just another cricket match. We know how to handle those." Rohit says with deep thought and the others in the room just hummed to his statement and agreed. 

Words were left hanging but their hearts were sealed with pain and mutual understanding. But, Virat was ready to take on the world, together, he was always stronger. He didn't want to give up. He'll keep fighting for his Shubi.