Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 33

The next morning, Rohit woke up first, his mind still heavy from the night before. As he stepped out of the room and into the living area, the sight before him made his heart clench. Everyone—his once close-knit family and friends—were scattered across the room, sleeping in uncomfortable positions.

Virat was leaning awkwardly against the couch, his head resting on his hand, with Mahi slumped in a chair nearby, arms crossed, lost in his thoughts even in sleep. Jassi and Harry were on the floor, leaning against each other like they had always done as kids, while Anushka and Sakshi huddled up beside their daughters. The kids—Vami, Ziva, Agastya, Akkay, and Angaad—were sprawled out, fast asleep, unaware of the tension that had weighed down on the adults. Their innocent faces, calm and peaceful, struck a deep chord in Rohit's heart.

He wasn't angry with them. Not anymore, at least not in the same way he had been the night before. There was still pain, still the weight of betrayal, but in that quiet morning light, seeing them like this... he remembered. He remembered their childhoods, their laughter, their victories together, the way they had once been a family. For a fleeting moment, it felt as if nothing had changed, as if time had folded back on itself, and they were still those carefree souls, finding comfort in each other's presence.

Silently, he went back inside the room and returned with a few blankets. He moved quietly, making sure not to wake anyone as he gently covered them. He paused for a second as he draped a blanket over Virat, staring at his old friend's face, remembering the countless times they had stood side by side, both on the field and off it. His heart twisted, the memories as sharp as they were soft.

He moved to Mahi next, who was curled up uncomfortably in his chair. Rohit tucked a blanket around him too, and in that moment, Mahi shifted slightly, as if sensing the gesture, but he didn't wake up. Rohit couldn't help but linger for a second longer, recalling the days when Mahi Bhai had been his rock, his guide. They had been more than teammates—he had been like an elder brother. How had it come to this?

As Rohit covered the kids, one by one, his eyes softened even more. Vami, Ziva, Agastya, Akkay, Angaad—these children who had no idea of the turmoil, of the broken relationships that had existed for so long. They represented hope, innocence, the chance for something better.

With the last blanket gently placed over Sammy and Moksh, who had fallen asleep holding each other, Rohit stood still for a moment, gazing at them. They were his world. His family. They had seen him through the darkest of times, had borne the brunt of his pain, and had stood by him when no one else did. Yet, as he watched his kids and the children of those who had once been like his own family, he couldn't help but wonder if they would ever know the kind of bond he had once shared with these people.

He stepped back and stood there, lost in the memories of the days when they were all young, when none of them had been burdened by fame or responsibilities, when the only thing that mattered was their friendship, their camaraderie. Back then, he had never imagined this kind of distance could ever exist between them. But life had changed them all, and he wasn't sure if things could ever go back to what they were.

Rohit closed his eyes, taking in the quiet moment, before silently retreating back to his room. He knew he couldn't hold on to the past, no matter how much he wished for it. But for now, in this rare, peaceful moment, he allowed himself to remember the way things used to be.

**************

As Rohit quietly retreated back to his room, the rest of the house slowly stirred awake. Mahi was the first to open his eyes, sensing something different. He noticed the blanket draped over him and then glanced around the room, seeing everyone else covered, realizing it could only be Rohit's doing. A soft sigh escaped his lips as the reality of the situation sank in once more. He missed his kiddo—the Rohit who once shared everything with him.