You Belong With Me

57

Flashback

As Rahul's lips met Sourav's, the hard mask Sourav had been wearing shattered, falling away like fragile glass. In that tender moment, he knew he could never make Rahul hate him, no matter how hard he might try. But the truth, that monstrous truth, was something Rahul could never discover. If Rahul knew why Sourav was doing this, he would quit cricket in a heartbeat. Sourav's heart pounded as he struggled to reassemble his emotional armor, but it was a losing battle against the tide of his own feelings.

"Why, Sourav?" Rahul's voice trembled with desperation, the question hanging heavy between them like a storm cloud. Sourav's heart ached, every fiber of his being longing to tell the truth. But he couldn't. He had to lie. "Society would never accept our love," he muttered, the words tasting like poison on his tongue. It was a betrayal of his deepest principles, but it was the only excuse he could summon in that agonizing moment.

Rahul wasn't satisfied. His protests grew more fervent, his defense of their love more impassioned. "We can make them understand," Rahul pleaded, his eyes wide with hope and desperation. Sourav felt his resolve weakening under the weight of Rahul's gaze, but he knew he couldn't let it crumble. He had to be strong for both of them, even if it meant breaking both their hearts in the process.

Finally, with movements as heavy and deliberate as a condemned man's, Sourav stood up. Each step away from Rahul felt like he was walking through thick molasses, every muscle straining against an invisible force. "I have to go," he whispered, his voice barely carrying over the sound of the rain that had started to fall. He turned his back on Rahul and began to walk away, each step an act of sheer willpower. Behind him, Rahul's cries sliced through the night, a symphony of pain and longing that echoed in Sourav's heart. Every instinct screamed at him to turn back, to hold Rahul, to tell him just how much he meant to him. But he knew those comforts were beyond reach now, banished to the realm of dreams and lost chances. This was their final embrace, a moment frozen in time.

As the rain poured down, mingling with Sourav's tears, he kept wiping his face, but the tears flowed unbidden. His vision blurred, his heart ached, yet he forced himself to keep moving forward. Each step felt like he was trudging through quicksand, each one a betrayal of his own heart. The weight of his decision pressed down on him, a constant, unrelenting burden that threatened to crush him.

Leaving Rahul alone in the rain was like ripping out his own heart. The guilt gnawed at Sourav's soul, a relentless knife twisting deeper with every agonizing step. It was the hardest thing he had ever done, and the agony was nearly unbearable. The truth was a cage he had built for himself, and escaping it meant ruining everything they had worked so hard to build.

As Sourav walked away, each step felt like a lifetime. The memories of their time together flashed before his eyes—Rahul's laughter, his gentle touch, the way his eyes sparkled when he spoke of their dreams. All of it was slipping through his fingers, lost to the storm that raged around them.

The rain pounded down harder, as if the heavens themselves were mourning their separation. Sourav's clothes clung to his skin, his body trembling with cold and grief. He wanted to scream, to cry out his anguish, but all that escaped his lips were silent sobs. He knew he would carry this guilt, this heartache, for the rest of his life. The weight of what he had lost, the love he had turned away from, was a burden that would never lift.

In the end, all that remained was the sound of the rain and the echoes of Rahul's cries, haunting him as he disappeared into the night. Sourav knew he had made the choice, but it felt more like a cruel twist of fate, one that had left him hollow and broken. And as he walked further away, the distance between them growing, he realized that the pain would never truly fade. It would be a part of him, a scar that would never heal.

Sourav entered his room, his footsteps heavy and echoing the weight in his heart. The moon casting a silver glow through the window, but he barely noticed as he sank to the floor by the window, his back against the wall. He wrapped his arms around his knees and let the tears flow freely, each sob shaking his frame. He cried and cried, the hours slipping by unnoticed, until finally, the tears dried up and a steely resolve took their place.

He wiped his eyes and took a deep breath, forcing himself to stand. He couldn't afford to be this weak, not now, not ever. He knew the next series was going to be his last. The thought was a cold dagger in his chest, but he couldn't go on living like this—trapped, waiting for Mukesh to decide his fate. It was unbearable. Mukesh's power over him was a constant shadow, threatening not just his career but the safety of those he loved, especially Rahul.

Mukesh knew his secret, and that knowledge was a weapon. Sourav shuddered at the thought of Mukesh using it against him, or worse, against Rahul. He couldn't take that risk. He had to take control of his destiny, even if it meant giving up the game he loved.

The decision crystallized in his mind. He would announce his retirement suddenly, without warning, giving no one a chance to question or stop him. It was the only way to protect Rahul and his own peace of mind. But there was one person he needed to tell first—Sachin.

Sachin was more than a teammate; he was a confidant, a brother. Sachin would understand the gravity of the situation and help manage the fallout once Sourav was gone. Sachin would be heartbroken, yes, but he would also be strong. He would hold the team together, and more importantly, he would protect Rahul. Sourav knew Rahul would be devastated, but it was a sacrifice he had to make. Lovers might come and go, but a career was forever. Rahul had a bright future ahead, and Sourav couldn't let anything jeopardize that.

With a final, resolute sigh, Sourav sat down at his desk and dialed Sachin's number. As the phone rang, his hand trembled slightly, but his resolve was firm. When Sachin answered, his familiar voice brought a wave of comfort and nostalgia. Sourav took a deep breath and began to speak, pouring his heart into his words, explaining his decision with as much clarity and compassion as he could muster. He owed that to Sachin, to Rahul, and to himself.

Sachin's hands shook as he held his phone close, his voice filled with worry. "But Sourav?"

On the other end, Sourav's voice was thick with emotion. "This is the only way, Sach! You know it as well as I do." He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "I'm sorry for dragging you into my mess, for making my pain and heartbreak a part of your life. You've been my rock, my support through everything, and all I've done is become a burden to you."

"Sourav, stop!" Sachin's voice was firm yet gentle, a comforting presence even over the phone. "You're not a burden. Friends are meant to be there for each other, through thick and thin. Please, don't say such things. I love you, and I'm always here for you, no matter what."

Sourav felt a wave of warmth wash over him, even miles apart. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he managed a smile. The love and reassurance in Sachin's words touched his heart deeply.

"I love you too, Sachin," Sourav whispered, his voice choked with emotion. The bond between them felt stronger than ever, a testament to their unbreakable friendship.

Flashback Ends