Mahi is pacing down the hallway...still trying to cool off after his outburst....he takes deep breaths but the memories begin flooding back....his mind goes to that day… the day he first met priyanka....the weight of the grief...which he has buried deep within himself for so long...begins to surface...it's the anniversary of their first meeting and it's hitting him harder than usual....
Mahi leans against the wall...his breathing becoming heavier as the memories take over....he clenches his fists...his knuckles turning white....
Mahi : (whispering to himself, his voice shaking) Priyanka....kyun yeh din itna mushkil laag raha hai...? kyun main sabse door bhaagta hoon...??
His mind flashes back to the first time they met - her smile, the way she laughed at his jokes, how easily they connected...his eyes begin to sting with tears he refuses to let fall....he’s been strong for so long...pushing the pain away but today.... it feels like it's crushing him....
Mahi doesn’t want to be vulnerable...especially not in front of his team....he can’t afford to show weakness...not as their captain...not as the person everyone relies on....but deep down...he’s hurting - badly....
Mahi : (angrily, punching the wall beside him, his voice choked) why am I like this..?!kyun nahi main apne aap ko control kar sakta? kyun mein kisi ko aapna pain nhi bata pata....?! Iitne din se saab aacha chal raha tha...fir aaj kyun iitna pain feel ho raha hai....
The pain in his hand from hitting the wall is nothing compared to the ache in his chest....he feels guilty for lashing out at yuvi...for scaring rohit...for letting his emotions get the better of him....but more than that.... he feels guilty for even "feeling" this way....he should have moved on....he should be stronger....he should be better....
Mahi stares at his hand...noticing the slight bruise forming from where he hit the wall....it’s a small injury but it mirrors the deeper hurt he's been carrying inside for years....for a moment, he contemplates going further... letting the physical pain overshadow the emotional one....but he shakes his head...stopping himself....
Mahi : (to himself, his voice pained but determined) No… I won’t… I can’t do this...priyanka wouldn’t want this....
He breathes heavily...leaning back against the wall...sliding down until he’s sitting on the floor...his head buried in his hands....he doesn’t want anyone to see him like this - broken..vulnerable...human.....
Mahi : (softly, almost in a whisper) I miss you..priyanka... but I can’t keep breaking like this....
He sits there...trying to gather himself...refusing to let the tears fall...for mahi... showing weakness is the ultimate defeat but in this moment...all he feels is the weight of his loss....he’s always been the strong one...the one who keeps it together but tonight...his strength is cracking....
Back in the common room...the atmosphere is heavy...yuvi is still sitting..his mind racing with concern for mahi....sachin pa, dada and jammy bhai exchange worried glances.....
Yuvi : (whispering, more to himself than the others) mahi aise nahi react karta... kuch toh hai...
Dada : (nodding, crossing his arms) haan...aur yeh sirf gusse ka sawal nahi hai...kuch hai jo woh bata nhi raha...
Jammy bhai : (thoughtfully, rubbing his chin) humne usko kabhi aise nahi dekha....shayad woh kuch akele deal kar raha hai... jo hum samajh nahi paa rahe....
Yuvi’s brow furrows as he stands up...feeling an unsettling worry building inside him....
Yuvi : (determined) mujhe uske paas jaana chahiye....woh theek nahi hai...
