You Belong With Me

34

Vanshika was now convinced that Sourav harbored some untold tale, one that needed to be heard. She could see it in the way he carried himself, in the shadows behind his eyes. It was evident that he had suffered alone for far too long, and now, perhaps, it was time for him to release that pain.

Gently, she looked at Sourav, her eyes soft and understanding. "As a psychiatrist , I have a habit of listening to people's worries," she began, her voice steady and reassuring. "And I help them solve it out or overcome it. You are free to share your side of the story, Sourav."

Sourav hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his face like a shadow. He wasn't sure if he could trust her with his deepest secrets.

But Vanshika persisted, her gaze unwavering. "You deserve to have an empathetic ear," she said softly, her tone full of warmth and sincerity. "And I'm all ears. Please, unleash your burdens and tell me whatever you've kept under wraps all these years."

For Sourav, it felt like ages since someone had shown him such compassion. Someone was finally trying to understand him, to see beyond the facade he had carefully constructed. The guilt and pain he had been carrying for so long threatened to consume him, and he knew he couldn't keep it hidden any longer.

Sourav hesitated, his thoughts a tangled mess. "I don't know where to start," he whispered, feeling overwhelmed.

"Okay, how about this? I'll ask, and you answer. How does that sound?" she suggested, and Sourav nodded, liking the idea.

"Alright then," she said, leaning in, her eyes filled with curiosity. "So, tell me, how did you fall in love with Rahul? I mean, I know how you confessed it, but when was the first time you remember thinking you were falling for him?"

A genuine smile spread across Sourav's face, lighting up his eyes. It was as if he was transported back to those very moments. "Well," he began, his voice soft, almost dreamy, "I always had this soft spot for Rahul, you know? I don't know why, but I admired him from the very first day I saw him. And when we joined the team together, I got even closer to him. He was my type, but more like a friend at that time. After spending four years together in the team, I became so used to having him around. It was like I needed a Rahul everywhere I went. And then, when we had our BGT in 2001..."

Flashback

Sourav's voice cut through the tension that hung heavy in the air like a fog, his words carrying a weight of determination. "I know it sounds like an impossible feat, with the follow on given to us, but let's not lose hope, okay? I trust each and every one of you, and I know you wouldn't let me down."

His teammates nodded in agreement, the pep talk injecting a much-needed dose of confidence into their weary spirits. With a collective exhale, they tightened their grips on their bats, preparing for the challenge ahead.

Meanwhile, Rahul slumped in his chair, exhaustion etched into every line of his face. He felt sick, drained, and on the verge of giving up. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Sourav approached him, a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"You okay?" Sourav's voice was gentle, filled with concern as he looked into Rahul's tired eyes.

Rahul managed a weak nod, mustering a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, I'm better," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. But it was a lie, and both of them knew it. Despite his efforts to appear strong, Rahul looked even worse than before, the toll of the match weighing heavily on his shoulders.

"Um... you're not upset, are you? I mean, about us putting you down to number six and moving Laxi up to number three?" Sourav's voice was hesitant, his concern palpable.

Rahul turned to face him, his smile warm and reassuring. "Stop worrying, Dada," he said, using the affectionate nickname they had for each other. "Laxi's in good form. He scored a half-century in the last innings. He deserves this chance. And hey, if it helps us win this match, I'd gladly sit out and be the twelfth man," he added, squeezing Sourav's hand gently.

Sourav couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for Rahul. How could someone be so selfless? It was moments like these that reminded Sourav why he was so proud to have Rahul as his vice-captain.

As he looked at Rahul's earnest face, Sourav realized that Rahul wasn't just a teammate; he was an inspiration. His selflessness and dedication to the team's success were unparalleled. With a grateful smile, Sourav clasped Rahul's hand, silently thanking the universe for blessing him with such an incredible partner on and off the field.

As the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the cricket ground, tension hung thick in the air. The match was finely poised, with each wicket that fell, the stakes grew higher. Rahul watched from the other end as one by one his teammates succumbed to the pressure of the opposition's relentless bowling attack.

Finally, as Sourav's wicket fell, it was Rahul's turn to face the challenge. With his heart pounding against his chest, Rahul steadied himself, gripping the bat tightly. He exchanged a fleeting glance with Sourav as he made his way back to the pavilion. In that split second, Rahul saw a myriad of emotions in his captain's eyes—frustration, disappointment, and a hint of anger.

He knew Sourav was furious with himself for losing focus due to the Australians' relentless sledging. It was evident in the way he walked, shoulders slumped and jaw clenched. But amidst all this, there was a silent exchange between them. As Sourav passed Rahul, he gave him a reassuring pat on the back, a gesture that spoke volumes.

In that moment, Rahul made a silent promise to himself. He wouldn't let his captain down. With renewed determination, he walked back to his position, ready to face whatever challenge came his way. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders, but he was determined to rise to the occasion and make his team proud.

Despite the relentless sledging he faced as he entered the field, Rahul ignored all the comments, his focus unwavering as he bumped fists with Laxman. Their mutual encouragement seemed to fuel an unspoken determination as they took their positions to bat. Before the world champions, the Aussies, Rahul and Laxman showcased remarkable cricket skills.

The Australians grew increasingly frustrated and tired, but it appeared impossible to get either Rahul or Laxman out. They batted as if they were on a mission to shatter the hopes of every Australian on the field.

Watching from the sidelines, their captain, Sourav, was initially filled with sorrow and disappointment. However, as he witnessed Rahul and Laxman's stellar performance, his emotions transformed into sheer excitement and pride. He was utterly engrossed in their game, and during drinks breaks, he made sure the water boy carried his message to them: "I'm proud of you, keep going."

What made Sourav's heart swell with pride even more was seeing Laxman play this incredible knock despite suffering from back spasms. Rahul, on the other hand, was battling viral fever and body cramps, yet he managed to forge this extraordinary partnership and deliver a beautiful performance with the bat.

Sourav couldn't help but wonder how he would ever thank them for serving his captaincy so splendidly. They were not just playing for themselves; they were playing for the team, for their country, and for their captain.

Here we go with Sourav's pov. After reading a few chapters that I've already written from his point of view, I'm really starting to fall in love with him 😭. I swear, he's like the perfect boyfriend straight out of a novel, greenest flag. It's funny because I can't believe I've created such a wholesome character, considering I'm a walking red flag myself 🤣