You Belong With Me

35

As the third day of the match came to a close, the stadium emptied out, but the tension remained thick in the air. Rahul and Laxman had battled it out on the field, both unbeaten, their partnership bringing hope to their team. The crowd had cheered them on, but now, as they returned to the dressing room, exhaustion weighed heavily upon them.

Sourav, their captain, rushed to meet them. Relief washed over him as he saw them, but worry creased his brow as he noticed Rahul's flushed face and Laxman's weary gait. He enveloped them both in a tight hug, his concern palpable.

Rahul's forehead was burning with fever, and Laxman was visibly dehydrated. They were quickly hooked up to IV drips, the medical team attending to their needs with urgency. Rahul received medication to bring down his fever, while Laxman underwent physiotherapy for his strained back.

Sourav paced outside the medical room, his anxiety growing with each passing moment. The well-being of his teammates was his utmost priority and seeing them in such a state tore at his heart. But he knew they were fighters, determined to battle it out on the field once again come morning.

Later that night, Sourav slipped into Rahul's room, his footsteps muffled by the silence of the empty corridors. Rahul lay still on the bed, his eyes open in the dim light of the room. Sourav approached him, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow.

"How are you feeling?" Sourav asked softly, sitting down beside Rahul and gently brushing the hair off his forehead.

Rahul managed a weak smile. "I'm okay, Sourav. Just a bit tired."

Sourav smiled back, his admiration for Rahul evident in his eyes. "I'm so proud of you, Rahul. You played brilliantly out there."

Rahul's gaze shifted to the ceiling, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "You should be proud of Laxi too," he said, ever the gentleman, unable to accept praise without acknowledging his teammate's contribution.

Sourav chuckled softly, knowing Rahul's humility all too well. "Of course, I am. But right now, I'm worried about you. You need to rest and recover for tomorrow."

Rahul nodded, his eyelids growing heavy with fatigue. "I will, Sourav. Don't worry about me."

"Good," Sourav said, rising from his seat. "Get some rest now. We need you back on the field tomorrow, fighting fit."

With a final reassuring smile, Sourav left Rahul to rest, his mind already focused on the challenges that awaited them in the coming day.

The next day dawned bright and promising, and as the sun reached its zenith, Laxman and Dravid took to the field, their partnership a thing of beauty. Their chemistry was palpable, their understanding almost telepathic as they batted with finesse and determination. The crowd erupted into cheers as the duo began what would soon become an outstanding partnership.

As the day wore on, the scorching sun beat down mercilessly on the players, the Australian team stepped onto the field to bat. But amidst the heat and the pressure, something unexpected happened, Nayan Mongia, the wicketkeeper, got injured. In a split-second decision, without a moment's hesitation, Rahul stepped up, taking the responsibility of wicketkeeping into his own hands. Despite feeling under the weather, fatigued, and uncertain of his wicketkeeping skills, he did it for his team, for Sourav.

But it wasn't just about donning the gloves. Rahul went beyond, showing a side that was both unexpected and admirable. He engaged in sledging, a tactic he'd never favored before. Whenever the Aussies directed their comments at Sourav, Rahul was there, sledging right back, defending his captain with the same ferocity he showed on the field. It was as if he had made it his mission to shield his captain from any form of abuse.

Flashback Ends

"That moment, I didn't grasp its significance at the time, but looking back, that's when I realized I had fallen for Rahul," Sourav confessed, his voice tinged with emotion. "His selflessness, his unwavering commitment to me and our team... It left me utterly mesmerized. The way he dedicated himself, going beyond his comfort zone, doing things he wouldn't have done otherwise, all for me. It was then I knew, I was in love." Sourav's eyes shimmered, reflecting the profound depth of his feelings.

Vanshika's gaze lingered on Sourav, his eyes reflecting a mixture of longing and sorrow, a silent testament to the void left by Rahul's absence. She knew, just as well as he did, that Sourav's heart still beat with the rhythm of his love for Rahul, a love reciprocated in equal measure. Yet, the silence between them was deafening, the unspoken words heavy with unaddressed emotions. If only one of them could find the courage to break it.

"Then, you started to figure things out after the Chennai match?" Vanshika's voice was filled with curiosity as she looked at Sourav.

Sourav hesitated for a moment before responding, his gaze shifting away. "Yeah... I mean, not right away, but I started to question my feelings, especially towards Rahul. It was confusing... I just pushed those thoughts aside, convinced myself I couldn't be gay." He chuckled awkwardly, but there was an underlying tension in his voice.

Vanshika nodded understandingly. "And then Viru helped you realize?"

Sourav smiled. "Yeah."

Flashback

Sourav lounged on the weathered wooden bench that had been witness to countless cricket practices. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the field as Rahul and Sachin took their positions at the crease. Anil, with his confident stride, began his run-up, ball in hand, ready to release his best delivery.

Sachin, with his focused gaze, awaited the delivery, while Rahul, his perpetual grin in place, seemed as relaxed as ever. Anil's bowling action was smooth, effortless, and as the ball left his hand, it seemed to promise a challenge. But Rahul was ready. With perfect timing, he met the ball with the middle of his bat, executing a textbook cover drive that sent the ball soaring effortlessly to the boundary.

The ball disappeared into the distance, and Rahul, not one to miss a moment, turned to Anil with a grin that lit up his face, his slightly protruding front teeth adding to his boyish charm. Sourav, watching from the bench, couldn't help but smile in response. Unbeknownst to Sourav, his own smile stretched from ear to ear, a reflection of the joy radiating from within.

As the moment unfolded, a voice cut through the air like a whisper, drawing Sourav's attention away from the spectacle on the field. Viru, ever the observant one, leaned in with a mischievous glint in his eye, his words laden with playful intrigue.

"He's cute, isn't he?" Viru's voice carried a hint of amusement, as if he were privy to a delightful secret.

Caught off guard, Sourav's initial response slipped out before he could muster a defense. "Yes," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, before a sudden realization dawned upon him like a bolt of lightning. With a swift recovery, he turned towards Viru, a feeble attempt at nonchalance evident in his demeanor.

"Who?" Sourav's attempt at feigning ignorance fell flat, his cheeks betraying a faint blush that threatened to give away his thoughts.

Lalalalalalaalallallalalala 🎵 🎶 🎶 🎵