Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 43

The entire day, Shreyas stayed close to Rohit, clinging to him as if he were the only source of safety in a world that suddenly felt threatening. Rohit, despite his unresolved anger, found himself unable to push Shreyas away. He could see the fear in his eyes and felt a strong urge to protect him. As they moved through the house, Shreyas shadowed Rohit, his presence a constant reminder of the bond they shared.

Around them, the other "kiddos" glanced with jealousy. Ishan, Jassi, and Harry exchanged uneasy looks, trying to mask their discomfort. They knew Rohit was still upset with them for their comments during the suspension, but seeing Shreyas so close to Rohit sparked a twinge of longing in them too. They wanted their bhaiya's warmth and attention, but they couldn't voice it while he was still in this mood.

As evening approached, the atmosphere shifted. Rohit felt his protective instincts waver, replaced by an icy distance that he tried to maintain. He was still angry at Shreyas, but it was hard to stay that way with Shreyas so visibly shaken by the day's events. It didn't escape Shreyas' notice, and he felt the chill of Rohit's withdrawal.

Determined to mend things, Shreyas finally decided to take the plunge. "Bhaiya," he said, his voice trembling slightly as he approached Rohit, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, lost in thought. "Can we talk?"

Rohit looked up, his expression hardening for a moment before softening. "What's up, Shreyas?"

Taking a deep breath, Shreyas steeled himself. "I just... I need to apologize. I didn't trust you when everyone was blaming you. I was caught up in the chaos, and I didn't support you the way I should have. I know I'm not your good kiddo anymore." His voice cracked, and he looked down, tears brimming in his eyes.

Rohit felt a pang in his heart at Shreyas' vulnerability. He watched as Shreyas continued, pouring his emotions out. "After you were gone, everything changed. People treated me differently. I felt so alone... It was like everyone was waiting for me to fail, and I thought I'd lost my bhaiya for good." Shreyas wiped his eyes, his emotions spilling over. "I don't want to lose you. I can't bear it. Please, bhaiya, forgive me."

The sight of Shreyas, usually so confident and cheeky, now reduced to this emotional state, tugged at Rohit's heartstrings. He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of Shreyas' words. Shreyas had indeed borne a lot in his own right; the pressures, the judgments, the fear—all of it was a heavy burden for anyone to carry.

"I know you've been through a lot, Shreyas," Rohit replied softly. "And I get why you acted the way you did. I forgive you." The words came out easier than he anticipated, and he could see the relief wash over Shreyas' face.

Shreyas stepped forward, his face lighting up with hope. "Really? You mean it?"

"Yeah, I mean it," Rohit said, pulling him into a quick embrace. "But don't think this means you're off the hook completely. We still have to work through everything that happened."

Shreyas nodded vigorously, a huge smile breaking across his face. "I'll do anything, bhaiya. Just please don't shut me out again."

As Rohit pulled away, he couldn't help but smile back at Shreyas, the tension between them melting away. The warmth of their bond rekindled, and Rohit felt the familiar sense of family envelop him once again. Despite everything that had happened, he realized he had to let go of some of that anger, at least for now.

As they returned to the living room together, Shreyas' exuberance was palpable, and the others couldn't help but notice. The jealousy faded as they saw the two of them share a moment, laughter bubbling up from Shreyas as he playfully nudged Rohit.

"Look at you, being all nice again!" Harry teased, trying to hide his own relief that the tension was lifting.

Rohit shot him a sideways glance, a smile tugging at his lips. "Don't push it, Hardik. You're still on thin ice." But even as he said it, he felt lighter, more connected to everyone around him.

In that moment, it became clear to Rohit that, while he still had battles to face and truths to confront, he wouldn't have to face them alone.

**********

That same night, as the group gathered for dinner, laughter filled the air, creating a lighthearted atmosphere that felt refreshing after the recent tension. Rohit sat at the table, surrounded by his teammates and their families, trying to engage despite the nagging worry gnawing at him. It was a small respite, but his heart wasn't in it. He absentmindedly pushed food around on his plate, the shadows of his concerns creeping back in.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. His heart sank as he read the message: a riddle, but the meaning was clear—it was a threat directed at Rahul and Athiya. The message hinted at their next target, sending a chill down Rohit's spine. He felt his breath hitch as panic set in, and before he knew it, he choked on the bite of food he was swallowing.

"Rohit!" Mahi immediately sprang into action, moving closer. "Are you okay?" His voice was laced with concern, but Rohit could only wave him off. He needed water. "Moksh!" he called out, his voice strained. "Can you get me some water?"

Moksh rushed over, handing him a glass. Rohit gulped it down, hoping to wash away the fear that had settled in his throat. Mahi watched closely, noting the tension in Rohit's shoulders and the way his eyes darted around the room, betraying his usually calm demeanor.

"Are you sure you're fine?" Mahi asked softly, still unsure about what was bothering him. Rohit met his gaze but quickly looked away, his mind racing with the implications of the message. The anger he felt toward Mahi earlier flickered to the back of his mind; right now, there were bigger concerns.

Meanwhile, Virat caught the exchange and felt a knot form in his stomach. Something was off. He glanced at Rohit, who was trying to compose himself but failed to mask the anxiety in his eyes. A silent understanding passed between them—something was wrong.

The dinner continued, but Rohit's heart raced, thoughts spinning wildly. He couldn't bring himself to share the contents of the message with anyone. He thought of Rahul and Athiya, picturing them together, blissfully unaware of the danger lurking around them. His protective instincts flared up; he had to do something.

Mahi and Virat exchanged worried looks. They could see the weight on Rohit's shoulders but knew better than to pry when he was like this. Still, Mahi leaned in closer to Virat. "Something's bothering him. Do you think we should say something?"

Virat shook his head. "No. If he wants to talk about it, he will. But we need to keep an eye on him. He's not okay."

As the dinner wore on, Rohit forced a smile, pretending to engage in the banter around him. But inside, he was a storm of worry and fear. The message echoed in his mind, and he felt the urgency to protect his loved ones. As the night stretched on, Rohit made a silent vow to figure out who was behind the threat and ensure Rahul and Athiya were safe, no matter the cost.

Later that night, as everyone began to disperse, Rohit lingered in the living room, the remnants of laughter and warmth fading into the background. He needed a plan. He needed to act quickly. He reached for his phone again, contemplating the best way to approach the situation without alarming anyone.

*****