Wounds of the Heart (दिल के घाव)💔

74

In a luxurious  room in Rajasthan, Rohit slumped on the plush sofa, his phone clutched in his hand. He had posted a few pictures from his trip – the vibrant colors of Rajasthan, the majestic forts, and a couple by the pool (himself, shirtless and relaxed, enjoying the desert sun).

What he hadn't anticipated was the barrage of negativity in the comments section. Crude remarks, objectifying comments, and a general lack of respect filled him with a cold fury.

He scrolled through the negativity, his mood plummeting with each insensitive comment. Just as he was about  to close the app in disgust, a single comment caught his eye. It stood out amidst the sea of negativity, a beacon of reason in a storm of hate.

"Back off, creeps! Let the man enjoy his vacation! #RespectPrivacy"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
A wave of relief washed over Rohit.  Someone, at least, had his back. He wished he could thank the person who had defended him, tell them how much their comment meant.  Little did he know, the anonymous account behind that comment belonged to none other than Rudra.

Rudra, consumed by a mix of jealousy and protectiveness, had created a dummy account solely for the purpose of defending Rohit. Seeing the negativity directed at Rohit had reignited a fire within him.

He couldn't stand by and watch as someone he cared about, even from a distance, was subjected to such unwarranted criticism.

The irony wasn't lost on him. Here he was, using a fake account to defend Rohit, a constant reminder of his own lost opportunity. He yearned to be the one by Rohit's side, to be the one capturing those candid moments, to be the one defending him not just online but in real life.

But regret wouldn't change the past. Rudra forced himself to focus on the present. He had taken a small step, a silent act of support, and the flicker of relief in Rohit's eyes (visible even through a phone screen) had been enough.

  For now, this anonymous defense would have to suffice.  Maybe someday, he would find the courage to reveal his true feelings, but for now, this small act of protectiveness would have to do.

Rohit, oblivious to the true identity of his defender, closed the app with a sigh. The negativity still lingered, but a newfound sense of gratitude warmed his chest.

Someone cared, even if he didn't know who. With a renewed sense of peace, he decided to focus on the beauty of Rajasthan, a place that was slowly mending his heart and reigniting his creative spirit.  He had a feeling this trip would hold more surprises than he could have ever imagined.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

A persistent buzzing jolted Rohit from his peaceful slumber.  He groaned, fumbling for his phone on the nightstand.  One look at the caller ID sent a jolt of nervous energy through him – it was the music label, and their tone wouldn't be sunshine and rainbows.

With a deep breath, Rohit answered the call.  The voice on the other end crackled with barely contained fury.  It was their irate boss, unleashing a tirade about their unauthorized vacation to Rajasthan.

"Apparently, jetting off to India without a single word is not considered proper protocol, Mr. Rohit!" the voice boomed. 

"Do you have any idea how unprofessional this is? You, Manik, have a signed contract!  And you, Mr. Mehra, I trusted you to keep your friend in line! You both took this entire situation far too lightly."

Rohit winced as the tirade continued, a wave of guilt washing over him. He deserved the scolding, he knew that. Disappearing without notice was a blatant disregard for their professional obligations. But the boss's final words ignited a spark of anger within him.

"If you both aren't back here within three days," the voice continued, dripping with menace, "consider yourselves in breach of contract. I will sue you both, you hear me? And Manik's career? Let's just say I'll make sure it goes down in flames. That'll teach him a lesson about loyalty and responsibility."

The line went dead, leaving Rohit fuming.  He understood their anger, their frustration. But threatening Manik's career? That was a line they shouldn't have crossed.  A fierce protectiveness surged within him, a need to shield Manik from such ruthless tactics.

He tossed his phone back on the nightstand, his mind racing. Three days. That was the deadline.  He had to find a way to appease the label, to convince them to back down from their threats. But more importantly, he had to find a way back to Manik, back to the life they'd so abruptly abandoned.

A knot of worry tightened in his stomach. What had happened between Manik and Ansh during their absence? Was Manik alright? 

He couldn't let Manik face this mess alone.  He had to get back, not just for his own sake, but for Manik's as well.

  He had a feeling the next three days would be a whirlwind of frantic activity, damage control, and a whole lot of apologizing.  But one thing was certain – he wouldn't let the music label bully them, and he wouldn't