haunted.

push away

Few months pass by,

Virat had been going to therapy regularly, but the darkness that clung to him was relentless. Each day, he fought a silent battle within himself, one that Rohit could only catch glimpses of. The scars on his hands were a testament to the pain he couldn't put into words.

One evening, as they sat together in their bedroom, Rohit noticed something he had missed before. Virat's sleeve had ridden up slightly, revealing a series of fresh, angry scars on his wrist. His heart clenched with fear and sadness.

"Virat," Rohit said softly, trying to keep his voice steady, "What are those on your hands?"

Virat tensed immediately, pulling his sleeve down and turning away. "It's nothing, Rohit. Just leave it."

Rohit felt a surge of panic. "No, Virat. It's not nothing. Please, talk to me. I'm worried about you."

Virat's eyes flashed with anger, mixed with a deep, unfathomable pain. "I said it's nothing! Why can't you just leave me alone?"

Rohit reached out, his hand trembling slightly. "Because I love you, Virat. I can't stand to see you hurting like this. Please, let me help."

Virat stood up abruptly, his face contorted with rage. "Help? How can you help? You don't know what it's like! You don't know what's inside my head! Just stop pretending you understand!"

Rohit flinched at the venom in Virat's voice but remained steady. "I know I can't understand everything you're feeling, but I want to be here for you. I want to support you."

"Support me?" Virat scoffed, his voice rising. "By smothering me? By constantly hovering? You're making it worse, Rohit! Just leave me alone!"

Rohit's heart broke at Virat's words. He took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Virat, I'm not trying to smother you. I'm just scared. I don't want to lose you."

Virat's eyes filled with tears, but they were tears of frustration and anger. "You're not helping, Rohit. You're suffocating me! I can't breathe with you always around, always asking questions. Just leave me alone!"

Rohit felt tears welling up in his own eyes. "Virat, please. I'm just trying to—"

"Go away!" Virat screamed, his voice cracking. "Just go!"

Rohit's resolve finally broke. He nodded slowly, his heart heavy with sorrow. "Okay, Virat. I'll give you space."

He walked out of the room, each step feeling like a weight dragging him down. Once outside, he made his way to their garden, his sanctuary. He sat down on a bench, burying his face in his hands as the tears he had held back finally spilled over.

The garden, usually a place of peace and solace, felt empty and cold. Rohit's mind raced with worry and fear. He loved Virat more than anything, but he felt helpless, unable to reach the man he cherished so deeply.

Meanwhile, Virat sat alone in their bedroom, the echoes of his outburst still ringing in his ears. The silence that followed was suffocating. Guilt washed over him like a tidal wave, overwhelming and relentless. He replayed the scene in his mind, Rohit's pained expression haunting him.

"What have I done?" Virat whispered to himself, tears streaming down his face. "Why do I always hurt him? I'm nothing but a burden."

The self-loathing grew, dark and oppressive. In a fit of anguish, Virat stood up and grabbed a vase from the bedside table, hurling it against the wall. It shattered into pieces, mirroring the fragments of his shattered soul.

"I'm worthless!" he screamed, picking up another vase and smashing it. "I'm unworthy of Rohit's love!"

The room became a chaotic mess, broken vases and shards of glass littering the floor. Virat's rage was a tempest, consuming him entirely. He collapsed onto the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.