You Belong With Me

6

Flashback

After Sachin confessed his love for Rahul, the room fell into a stunned silence. Rahul himself seemed at a loss for words, mirroring the astonishment rippling through the others present. Sourav struggled to maintain an appearance of nonchalance, though beneath the surface, a tumult of insecurity and possessiveness churned within him.

He attempted to convince himself that viewing Rahul as nothing more than a friend was the rational response. Yet, his heart betrayed him, whispering truths he couldn't deny. The affection he harbored for Rahul transcended mere friendship. Sourav grappled with the burgeoning realization that he was in love with Rahul.

But it was too late. Sachin had already bared his heart, expressing his fervent desire to be with Rahul. And in a gracious display of kindness, Rahul had agreed to a date with Sachin. Shock reverberated through the room, but for Sourav, it was a bitter disappointment, realizing he had missed his chance.

Sourav and Viru were sitting in Sourav's room after the shocking revelation. Viru knew it wasn't the right time to leave his captain alone.

"I warned you," Viru muttered, his voice laced with a mixture of frustration and resignation, as he downed his glass of lassi in one swift gulp.

"I'm such an idiot," Sourav murmured, his words barely audible. He found himself consumed by regret, a heavy weight pressing down on his chest as he reflected on his own foolishness. He had let fear dictate his actions, denying his true feelings for Rahul out of cowardice. Now, as he faced the reality of Rahul being with Sachin, the very idea turned Sourav's stomach. The thought of them together, happy and in love, filled him with a strange mix of disgust and self-loathing.

Sourav couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at him from within. He had failed as a friend, unable to muster even a semblance of happiness for Sachin's newfound love. Instead, he wallowed in his own misery, consumed by thoughts of his own inadequacy. He was a coward, selfish and unworthy of the love he so desperately craved.

"It's not over yet. You still have time," Viru's voice echoed softly in the room, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Rahul bhai will leave with Paji this evening. Till then, he's in his room. Go and talk to him. Express your love."

Sourav leaned against the wall, his brow furrowing with conflict. "And create a fight within my team? This isn't some love triangle movie, Viru," he retorted, his voice laced with frustration. "Sachin is my best friend, for God's sake. I can't just steal his love like that. I can't put Jam in a position where he has to choose between me and Sachin. This is ridiculous. Nothing can be done now. It's too late."

Viru's gaze softened, understanding dawning in his eyes. "I'm not saying you should propose to Rahul. All I'm suggesting is that you confess your feelings. Harbouring emotions for your best friend's lover is a form of disloyalty. It's better you express it yourself. You don't have to ask Rahul to choose. You're just telling him and showing that you will try to move on! Simple."

Sourav fell into a pensive silence, Viru's words swirling in his mind like a tempest. Should he tell Jam about his feelings? Was it worth risking the harmony of their friendship for the sake of his unspoken desires? Concealing his growing love for Rahul had become increasingly challenging. With Sachin's keen intuition, it was only a matter of time before he caught on. And Viru, well, he seemed relentless in his teasing about Sourav's infatuation with Rahul.