Acceptance heals everything

Part 55. Overwhelming Emotions

Virat noticed Rohit had dozed off crying on his shoulder. He made him sleep properly keeping his head on the pillow. He wiped his tears and covered him with comforter, caressing his hair softly.

As he came out of the room, the strong demeanour he was keeping in front of Rohit started to fade. He realised how it is going to be more tough as the recovery process continues. He had to be strong for Ro.

"Virat?", KL asked seeing him lost in thoughts.

Virat looked up and KL noticed so many emotions in his eyes. He immediately put his arm around him and took him to his room.

KL gave him a glass of water, held his hands which were shaking and helped him drink it.

"Better?" he asked after a min where Virat was not so out of it.

Virat nodded resting his head on headboard. KL sat beside him holding his hand which he knew was calming Virat and comforting him to an extent.

"This is more difficult than I thought" said Virat in a quiet voice.

"And?", KL asked carefully.

"I am still not sure if I will be able to do it", Virat said being unsure if he will he able to be the person Rohit can rely on.

KL was relieved that Virat was atleast speaking about it, so he asked, "Able to do what?"

"Able to be the person Rohit can rely on"

KL held his hand, said softly, "Have you observed that Rohit was not allowing anyone to come close to him but he allowed you. He pushed you but still found comfort in your presence. If that is not being the person, I don't know what is?"

Virat looked at him and KL could still notice uncertainty in his eyes. He knew that Virat didn't trust himself anymore.

"Virat Bhai, you don't have to take any concious effort. You have to be just you and you will automatically be the person Rohit wants you to be. The person Rohit trusts more than anything. You have just trust yourself", KL said assuring him.

Virat nodded in acknowledgement.

"I should check on him", Virat said and went to Rohit's room.

Virat entered and saw Rohit was still sleeping. He was relieved that he could get some sleep atleast. He didn't have the heart to wake him as Rohit looked exhausted even in his sleep but he had to have his meal on time.

He sat beside him on the chair, he shook his arm softly but Rohit didn't budge instead Virat felt something odd. He touched his forehead only to find it really hot, he checked it again and noticed Rohit was burning with fever.

Virat literally ran outside and collided with Jaddu, "Veer?", he called in concern.

"Call the doctor Jad, Ro is having high fever", Virat said and without listening to anything went in the kitchen to bring cold water bowl.

He sat beside him and started placing it on Rohit's forehead due to which Rohit flinched.

"It's cold, please don't", whispered Rohit not even having the energy to open his eyes.

Virat held his hand, "Vi?", he called in daze.

"Yes it's me", answered Virat softly.

The team arrived there, "Doctor is coming", Jaddu said and Virat nodded to that.

"Vi?"

"Ha, I am here Ro"

"Ryan is not good friend Vi.. he is hurting you, please trust me", Rohit whispered seeing blurry image of Virat.

Virat closed his eyes, guilt consuming for the nth time. Jaddu kept his hand on Virat's shoulder providing him the support he needs at that time.

"I trust you Ro, he is not a good friend", Virat said softly.

"He hurt me Vi, he hurt me a lot. It's paining", he heard Rohit, he noticed Rohit in tears and he looked in pain.

Everyone in the room specially Shreyas, Jassi and KL had tears in their eyes. Mahi, Ash, Bhuvi were just looking at them helplessly. Jaddu was standing by Virat's side supporting him.

Virat caressed his hair, "Ro, focus on my voice please. He is not here, you are safe", he said softly tried to keep his voice steady.

"It's hurting Vi", Rohit whispered in pain.

Virat could not help but only wipe Rohit's tears at that moment.

Just then the doctor arrived, he checked and gave Rohit an injection so that his fever would go down.

"He should be okay till tomorrow. He seems to be exhausted and stressed. Virat, as I have told you along with physical pain, we got to see his mental well being too" Doctor informed and then gave medicines accordingly.

Once he left, Virat told everyone to have their dinner as he continued placing the cold water strips on Rohit's head.

Everyone except Jaddu left, Virat just hugged Jaddu as he was standing beside him. Jaddu caressed his hair.

"I never thought someone would do this to Ro who I thought was my friend. Just to take revenge Jaddu, I never-- my friend did this to Ro, I can never forgive myself"

"Shh, dont say like that"

"He can never play cricket again Jaddu", Virat said, his voice felt with guilt, tears finally for the first time streaming down his eyes soaking Jaddu's shirt.

Jaddu himself was shocked, his heart broke hearing that from Virat. He couldn't help but look at Rohit who was sleeping under effect of medicines and hugged Virat a little tighter as he himself needed that.

"That day when I-- I came to the hotel, the Doctors told me that they have hope-- hope of him walking again but he can never play cricket again-- all because of me", said Virat shaking now with sobs.

"He cannot play cricket again Jad", he said guilt gripped his heart.

Jaddu rubbed his back trying to console him. Ash came inside and saw Virat breathing heavily, shaking in Jaddu's embrace.

He got some water immediately, "Virat deep breaths and have some water, we don't want you to get sick now, Rohit needs you Virat", Ash said a little firmly so that it gets into Virat's head.

Virat tried but it was getting so difficult. Jaddu and Ash kept assuring him that they were here and Rohit needed him, "my medicine", Virat said between heavy breathing.

Ash went outside and got it from KL.

KL followed Ash, "Rah?", Virat forwarded his hand and whispered seeing his face between the tears.

KL immediately held his hand, "Virat bhai, everything is okay. Breathe in and out, slow come on, you can do it", he said softly caressing his knuckles.

"Not working K", Virat said feeling as if he was dying at the moment. KL could feel his grip loosened as he tried to curl himself. He didn't have the option but give the medicine to him.

It took half hour for Virat to calm down and doze off on the couch, "Rohit", he whispered.

"He is here only, we will take care of him-- sleep for sometime", Jaddu said caressing his hair softly.

Jaddu said KL to sit beside Virat and Shreyas, Jassi to sit beside Rohit as he went outside wanting himself to sink the whole information and emotions. Ash and him went outside with other seniors following them.

***