MahiRat ❤️ Denial's Surrender (Bl)

34. Chapter

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June arrived gently, like a soft breath easing in after the high-octane whirlwind of the World Cup.

The stadiums, once pulsing with thunderous cheers, now lay quiet, their silence seeming almost reflective as if they too needed to catch their breath.

The team worn from the relentless schedule, embraced this rare pause, finding comfort in the familiar warmth of family, the company of friends and the simple joy of hobbies they'd long set aside.

Mahi, who had recently had surgery, was recovering in Mumbai. He was still getting treatment, but he had more time to heal than usual.

The path to recovery was still long, but for the first time in ages, Mahi had the precious gift of time. He approached each day with a quiet determination, focused on healing both his body and mind.

That afternoon, the soft glow of the hotel room illuminated his form. He sat propped against the headboard, one leg outstretched, the other drawn up. His fingers, restless and idle, tapped a silent rhythm on his thigh.

Mahi's gaze stayed glued to the TV screen, his dark eyes sharp and stormy, refusing to blink as if missing even a second would rob him of some painful clarity.

There Virat's face appeared, the eternal charmer, his face lit with an infectious joy. His captivating smile, a blend of confidence and charm, drew all eyes towards him. Every move, every gesture, exuded an effortless charisma that made him the center of attention. Beside Advika-the same girl who had dropped him off at the hotel. Her head rested on his shoulder, her hand on his chest as if she belonged there.

Virat's smiling face filled the screen, holding her by the waist and spinning her with that same charm Mahi once knew so well.

He'd rewatched the commercial countless times, hoping the jealousy would fade, but it only grew sharper. His fingers clenched as he relived every touch and shared glance between them.

Then there were the interviews-Advika laughing and leaning into Virat like they were longtime friends, and he looked happy, comfortable in a way Mahi hadn't seen in so long.

The ache in his chest deepened, consumed by jealousy, frustration, and something even darker.

It was too much and yet, he couldn't stop watching. The last words Virat had spoken to him resounded in his mind, echoing in the silence, sharp and final "You'll regret this."

Now, sitting there trapped in a bitter daze, the words felt like a curse. He regretted it-more than he could've imagined. The pain gnawed at him, a brutal reminder of how wrong he'd been, of how desperately he wished he were the one beside Virat, no matter the cost.

Watching the ad filled Mahi with a fierce, simmering anger. His jaw tightened as each frame passed, unable to ignore the possessive way Virat's hand rested on Advika's waist, or how her fingers gently touched his shoulder. It stirred something dark and unsettling within him, jealousy twisting sharply in his chest.

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July-

The silence in Mahi's Mumbai hotel room was thick, lingering after the small birthday gathering.

Streamers, scattered balloons and a half-finished cake lay around, the candles long extinguished.

Earlier, Sourav, Rahul, Ajinkya, Rohit, Sonu and Yuvi had filled the room with laughter and warmth.