Awakening Hearts

Chapter 5

Kiara's knock on the door was gentle, a soft intrusion into his reverie. "Shubman, can we talk?" she asked, her voice a soothing balm to his frayed nerves.

He opened the door, and in that moment, he understood that healing wasn't a solitary endeavor. It was a journey made lighter by the presence of those who cared, a shared burden that, in time, would lead to a shared triumph. And with that realization, Shubman took the first step towards a future where the echoes of the past would no longer define him.

The room was silent except for the soft whisper of the morning breeze against the window. Kiara stepped inside, her eyes filled with concern. "Sit down, Shub," she said softly, gesturing towards the bed. Shubman complied, the weight of his world settling on his shoulders as he sat. Kiara took a seat opposite him, her gaze steady and kind. "Shub, you need to tell me what happened. I am your best friend, right?" she implored.

Shubman's voice was a mere echo of his usual confidence, "Kiara, please don't force me." But Kiara was resolute, "You need to tell it to me, Shub. I can help you."

He stood abruptly, a battle raging within him as he fought back tears. "I don't want your help, Kiara," he said, his voice breaking. Yet, Kiara approached him, her determination unwavering. "Please, tell me what happened, Shub."

He shook his head, a torrent of denials spilling from his lips, "No, no, no, no, please no." But Kiara was unyielding, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. "Please, tell me."

Defeated, Shubman sank back onto the bed, his defenses crumbling. "Fine, you asked, I am telling you," he conceded. Kiara sat beside him, a silent pillar of support as he began his tale.

"I was 20, and I was ad shooting with Ananya Singhaniya. We met a few times and then we started dating. My cricket career was going good, and I was at the peak. We were very happy, and I was madly in love with her. Ma, Papa, and Shahneel Di did not like her, and there were many fights at home. Imagine, Kiara, I fought with Shahneel Di. Then a year ago, I decided to propose to her, and she indeed came, and she was shocked. She said she required time, and I agreed. After a few days, I had to leave for London, and I had forgotten my wallet in her house. When I went there, I saw her kissing some other man. I confronted her, and she said that she did not love me. She just used me for getting contracts and contacts."

As he recounted the betrayal, tears welled in Shubman's eyes, each one a testament to the pain and regret that filled him. Kiara's embrace was immediate, her arms wrapping around him as he lamented, "Why does this happen with me always? I have lost faith in love, Kiara. I regret dating her. I fought with my family for her, and all I got was this."

His sobs filled the room, and Kiara, with gentle hands, helped him lay down on the bed. In his half-sleep, he clung to her hand, his voice faint, "Please, don't go."

Kiara stroked his hair, her presence a comforting shadow in the dim room. When his breathing deepened into the rhythm of sleep, she carefully withdrew her hand and stepped into the living room. There, she found Virat, his posture unchanged, the anxiety palpable. "Kiki, how is Shub?" he asked, his voice laden with worry.

"He is sleeping, bhai. He told me everything," Kiara replied, her own heart heavy with Shubman's story. Virat's eyes held a plea, "Kiki, only you can help him. I want my old Shubi back."

"I will try to know more about him. Don't worry," Kiara assured him, her resolve firm. Virat nodded, and Kiara retreated to her room, her mind racing with thoughts of Ananya Singhaniya.