You Belong With Me

13

Rahul felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple, his fingers twitching involuntarily as if seeking solace in movement. Sourav swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry as sandpaper. The weight of Yuvraj's stare bore down on them, suffocating in its silence.

Rahul and Sourav shared a quick, panicked look, their minds scrambling to find an explanation for what Yuvraj had just witnessed. But the truth was undeniable, hanging between them like a heavy fog.

The possible consequences of Yuvraj's discovery loomed over Rahul and Sourav like a dark cloud. Their secret relationship, once hidden behind closed doors, now faced the risk of being exposed to their teammates, friends, and the public. They knew that their careers and personal lives would never be the same again, and they braced themselves for the storm that was about to come. 

Rahul and Sourav's hearts raced with fear and anxiety, their minds filled with a mix of panic, regret, and uncertainty. Every second felt like an eternity as they grappled with the overwhelming emotions of shame, vulnerability, and the looming threat of judgment and rejection. They knew that their lives were about to be turned upside down, and the weight of the unknown future pressed heavily upon them.

"Yuvraj, it's not what it looks like," Rahul stammered, his voice trembling with anxiety.

Sourav stepped forward, his eyes pleading. "Please, Yuvraj, you have to understand..."

But Yuvraj's expression remained frozen, his shock slowly turning into something else—disbelief. "You... you're..." Yuvraj's voice trailed off, his usual confidence replaced by skepticism. His mind was struggling to accept what his eyes had just seen.

Rahul's heart thudded loudly in his chest as he took a hesitant step closer, the weight of each passing moment pressing down on him like a heavy burden. "Yuvraj, please," he implored, his voice tinged with desperation.

But Yuvraj turned abruptly, his expression unreadable, his eyes clouded with confusion and uncertainty. "I... I need some time," he stammered, his voice filled with panic, before turning on his heel and swiftly exiting the room.

As Yuvraj stormed out of the room, Sourav's gaze darted to Rahul, his eyes wide with panic. "We have to stop him," Rahul whispered urgently.

Without wasting a second, Rahul and Sourav wore their shirts and bolted after Yuvraj, their hearts pounding in their chests. They caught up to him just as he reached the middle of the corridor. With adrenaline coursing through their veins, Sourav lunged forward, gripping Yuvraj tightly.

Yuvraj struggled against Sourav's grasp, his muscles straining as he fought to break free. But Sourav's hold was firm, unyielding, like an unbreakable chain. With determination etched on his face, Sourav dragged Yuvraj into the nearby bathroom, his grip unwavering despite Yuvraj's desperate attempts to escape.

"Yuvi, just please listen to us," Sourav pleaded, his voice tinged with urgency.

Yuvi halted his futile attempts to free himself and glanced at both of them. "You," he said, pointing to Rahul in disbelief, "and you," he continued, this time directing his finger at Sourav.

"Yes, we are together," Rahul declared, his tone resolute.

"I need to tell Bhajju," Yuvi insisted, making a move to leave the bathroom.

"Shhh. It's a secret. You can't tell anyone!" Sourav interjected, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes wide with the weight of their shared secret.

Yuvi's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth forming a perfect "O" of shock. "What? But why?" he exclaimed, his voice echoing dramatically in the room.

Rahul, standing before him, shifted uncomfortably. "Because we don't want to make it a big deal," he replied, his tone tinged with a hint of apprehension.

"But it is a big deal! You two are in a relationship! I can't believe it," Yuvraj protested, his emotions swirling like a tempest within him.

Rahul, now visibly nervous, stepped forward, his hands clasped together in a plea. "But please, promise us you won't tell anyone?" he implored, his voice filled with a mix of fear and desperation.

Yuvi hesitated for a moment, torn between his loyalty to his friends and the weight of the secret now burdening him. "Okay," he relented at last, his voice softening. "As you wish. But since when are you two together?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Sourav, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, his expression somber yet resolute. "It has been sometime," he revealed, his gaze steady. "We got together when you brought that bouquet and letter for Rahul from Sachin," he explained, his words hanging in the air like a heavy veil of revelation.

After the letter incident with Sachin, Sachin gathered everyone together to explain that it was all just a prank on Rahul. Sachin was known for his pranks, so everyone believed him.

"Wow, that's unbelievable but so great!" exclaimed Yuvi, looking genuinely relieved.

"Really? You don't find this whole thing awkward?" Sourav asked, his voice tinged with relief as he looked at his friend, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.

"Of course not, Dada. I could never find you awkward. I love you, and I accept you for who you are. You know, we all youngsters have had this conversation, thinking about you and Jam. We've joked about how perfect you two look together. It would be awesome if you ended up together. Even though it was just a joke, you guys really do make a great pair. You have such amazing chemistry. And, well, you guys are like our mom and dad, after all," Yuvi said, a warm smile on his face.

Sourav wrapped Yuvi in a warm embrace, his arms encircling his young, usually immature and emotionally reserved team member. He was taken aback by Yuvi's sudden display of wisdom and maturity. Pride swelled within Sourav as he held Yuvraj close, realizing just how much his young companion had grown. And a sense of relief washed over him. In that moment, Sourav realized the profound impact he had on the lives of his teammates, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude and pride.

Flashback Ends

"Did Yuvraj end up spilling the beans to everyone?" Vanshika asked, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"No way! He's a trustworthy friend," Rahul replied, a grin spreading across his face. "But that moment marked the beginning of the unraveling of our secret."