Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 46

The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Rahul stirred, his head still resting on Virat's lap. The quiet hum of conversations and the distant clatter of plates drifted in from the dining room, signaling that dinner had begun without them.

Rahul blinked slowly, disoriented from sleep. The familiar warmth of Virat's presence was the first thing he registered. As he shifted slightly, Virat stirred too, his hand gently brushing through Rahul's hair.

"You awake, Rahuliya?" Virat murmured, his voice low, rough with a softness he rarely showed. "Ab theek hai? Headache abhi bhi hai?"

Rahul gave a small, sluggish shake of his head, his face still buried against Virat's thigh. "Thoda better, bhai..." he whispered, his voice thick from sleep.

Virat leaned down a little, his hand still resting lightly on Rahul's shoulder. "Good. You had me worried there for a second, kid."

Rahul rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to push the grogginess away. "Sorry,..."

Virat scoffed softly, tapping his forehead. "Abey, kahan ka sorry? Sona toh zaroori tha. You looked like you'd collapse any second."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Rahul's lips as he adjusted himself, still unwilling to leave the comfort of Virat's lap. "You didn't leave?"

Virat grinned, tilting his head. "Tujhe chhod ke jaata kya kabhi?"

Rahul let out a quiet laugh, the sound more breath than voice, but it was enough to make Virat smile wider. He reached down and ruffled Rahul's hair, a gesture both playful and affectionate.

Rahul noticed another presence by the door. His gaze landed on Rohit, standing with his arms crossed and an easy grin.

"B-Ro?" Rahul blinked, surprise flickering across his face. "When did you come... ?"

Rohit snorted, stepping further into the room. "Relax, champ. Shock mat kha. Uth ja, we gotta have dinner."

Rahul groaned, sitting up slowly with Virat's help. "Yaar, dinner shuru kyun nahi kiya?"

Rohit grinned, shooting a glance at Virat. "We thought you'd appreciate a little more beauty sleep. Plus, Virat was being all 'big brotherly.' Didn't wanna mess with that vibe."

Meera sat there quietly, knees drawn to her chest, her fingers adjusting her glasses again and again, even though they sat perfectly on the bridge of her nose. She looked at him like she was memorizing every detail, making sure he was truly okay.

"Hey," Rahul greeted her with a tired but genuine smile, trying to lift the cloud he sensed in her. "You don't have to fuss over me, Meera. I'm okay."

Meera scooted closer, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "I know you say that... but I want to fuss."

Rahul tilted his head, eyebrows quirking in confusion. "Why, though? You didn't do anything wrong."

Meera sighed, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve, and still, she adjusted her glasses nervously, even though they didn't need it. "Because I wasn't there when it mattered. I missed too many moments—when you needed someone, when things got too heavy. I don't want to be that person who only shows up when it's too late."

Her words were soft but heavy, each one landing with quiet honesty.

Rahul's heart ached at the vulnerability in her voice. He shook his head slowly, a small, reassuring smile tugging at his lips. "Meera, I never blamed you. Not once."

"I know," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly. "And that's why it matters so much. No more excuses, no more distance—I want to make things right. I just... want to make up for lost time."