Acceptance heals everything

Part 54. Hold On

"Mind if I join you guys"

Ash entered the lawn and observed Virat engaged in a conversation with KL. He understood why Virat chose to sit here instead of being with Rohit, as Jaddu had briefed him about the situation between Rohit and Virat.

Virat made space beside him, "upset about what Rohit said or how he snapped at you?", Ash asked.

KL left from there to give them space to talk about it, he was also assured when Virat didn't deny Ash from joining them.

"Ash I--"

"don't want to talk about it, I get it", Ash completed his sentence as he noticed the hesitation from Virat which was rare.

Ash observed a tear trickling down his friend's cheek, and in that moment, he realized that the person before him wasn't the fiercely competitive friend he once knew. Today, he saw someone broken, overwhelmed by emotions. It was both endearing and frustrating about Virat-his emotional nature often influenced his decisions, a trait that Ash both admired and struggled with.

"I am really an emotional fool, aren't I?", said Virat shocking Ash as he was thinking the same.

"A little", Ash said, he could not lie to him.

"How are they Ash?", asked Virat not looking at him.

Ash was surprised by the question, he saw Virat fidgeting a bit-- looking down to his feet, "I know they are staying with Prithi and girls. Anushka would go to Ritika but for obvious reason she couldn't, so Prithi", he said.

"They are okay Virat. Vamika is going to play school-- she misses you a lot though", Ash said trying to make him realise his emotions.

"Does she-- she ask for me?", asked Virat after 5 mins of silence.

"Who?", Ash asked deliberately wanting Virat to take names and make him feel those emotions which are buried somewhere in his heart.

"Virat, Rohit is asking for you, he needs some help, he is denying and not letting any of us help him, it's not good - come fast", Bhuvi said and Virat literally ran to Rohit's room.

"Ro", Virat yelled as he was on the floor trying to get up, he was panting hard, tears streaming down his eyes.

Jaddu, Bhuvi along with Shreyas left the room.

"No don't touch me, leave me", Rohit said pushing him away, he was hysterical at this point. Virat landed harshly on his hand when it was second time Rohit pushed him, which made him groan in pain.

And that got Rohit's attention, "I hurt you, didn't I? Leave me alone, I am of no use - leave me", he said sobbing, feeling so vulnerable that he could not even cry properly because he could not get his legs to move and bury his face in that.

Virat's heart broke at that sight, he moved slowly towards Rohit and put his arm around his shoulder, side hugging him softly. And it worked.

Rohit sobbed hard in his embrace feeling nothing but handicapped, cripple and what not.

"I - I can't"

"It's okay Ro let it out", Virat said not wanting him to suppress his emotions in anyway.

"This is so hard, I can't Vi"

"When has life been easy on us Ro, why are you being so hard on yourself? I know this is taking toll on you, the treatments and physiotherapy but we got hint of progress Ro, please hold on to that", said Virat rubbing his back and consoling him.

Rohit saw his hand, "is it paining? I am sorry Vi", he asks softly.

"It is not Ro, don't worry about it", Virat said and helped him to his bed. He passed him water to calm him down.

"Vi, I am sorry for yelling at you but please don't go distant with me- I cannot handle it again", Rohit said holding his hand.

"I will not, I promise", Virat assures him and went outside to make something for him so that his mood gets better.

As soon as he went outside the room, Shreyas rushed to him, "How is he?", he asked worried about Rohit.

"He is okay Shrey, don't worry. He is resting", Virat assured him.

Virat moved into the kitchen, he held the kitchen slab and tried to calm himself down. Seeing Rohit like that, he was shaken up.

"Veer?", Jaddu called softly and Virat just turned and hugged him tightly.

"It's gonna be okay", Jaddu whispered trying to calm him down.

Virat broke the hug after a min, "ya I hope so", he said and made coffee for Rohit.

"You okay?" Asked Virat giving him the cup of coffee.

Rohit just nodded.

"Ro?" Virat called him as he was lost in thoughts.

Rohit looked at him with moist eyes, "I am sorry, I know I should keep the positivity throughout the treatment but I cannot help but think otherwise Vi. The constant struggles to get up and unable to even do small things, I feel as a failure everyday Vi. And on top of that, because of me everyone is suffering. I am responsible for every broken relationship and this broken team which was my team. I broke you Vi, badly. Our friendship, I finished everything", he said and cried uncontrollably.

Virat was shocked to listen to all the thoughts which were going on in Rohit's mind.

He didn't even realise when a lone tear tickled down his cheek seeing Rohit crying like that.

Virat moved and took him in a hug. Rohit just hold on to him.

***