Rohit woke up in the morning and noticed that Virat wasn't in the room. He sighed, feeling that familiar sense of loneliness creeping in. That feeling again.
Even Neha's morning message couldn't make up for it. It was... confusing.
He quickly freshened up, hoping to see or meet Virat. At breakfast, he found Virat laughing about something with Bhuvi.
"We sit together every day, but today there's no place beside Virat," Rohit thought to himself.
He heard Virat say, "You're so sweet, Bhuvi," while his arm was casually draped around his neck. Rohit tried to ignore it and the unsettling feeling that he had when he saw Virat leaning on Bhuvi and sat beside MS.
"Everything okay, Ro?" MS asked. Rohit just nodded in response.
Before he could dwell on his thoughts about Virat, Neha walked in. It was both surprising and shocking.
"Hey Ro!" Neha greeted, already hugging him as she walked up.
Virat, all morning, had been trying to suppress his feelings and avoid Rohit. He deliberately sat with Bhuvi.
He saw how Rohit was a little tense, and he wished he could ease his discomfort, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He just took out his phone to avoid looking at them.
"What are you doing here?" Rohit asked, hugging Neha back. Rohit's eyes automatically traveled to Virat who was still distracted, looking at his phone.
"I had a shoot in the city, so I thought I'd drop by to see you," Neha explained, breaking the hug.
Mahi gave them space, and soon, only Rohit, Neha, and the juniors—Jaddu, Bhuvi, Ash, and Shikhar—were there with Virat.
"Virat! Virat!" Bhuvi called, shaking him.
"Where are you lost?" Bhuvi asked, noticing his distant look.
"Nothing, what are you saying?" Virat replied, still distracted.
"Everyone decided to go for a movie! Let's go," Bhuvi suggested, noticing Rohit and Neha were already with them.
"Yeah, Virat, let's go! Come on," Neha added, smiling at him.
Virat looked at her, confused. "What?"
"Everyone's going to the movie, Virat! What's wrong with you?" Jaddu asked, seeing his confused expression.
Virat looked up, catching Neha whispering something in Rohit's ear. No. He couldn't take it anymore.
"I actually have some work. You all go ahead," Virat said, getting up and walking away. Everyone was puzzled. Virat never canceled plans—he was always excited to go.
"I'll talk to him," Rohit said, following Virat.
"Vi! Virat!" Rohit called, but Virat kept walking.
Rohit quickened his pace and grabbed Virat's wrist, stopping him."Ruk ja, Vi."
Virat had no choice but to stop. Rohit led him into a quiet corner.
"Vi, what's going on?" Rohit asked softly.
Virat's emotions began to crumble as he felt Rohit's hand on his wrist, his tone, and the concern in his eyes. Everything hit him all at once.
"Is this how it feels?" he wondered, but he wasn't ready to admit it, even to himself.
"Vi, are you okay?" Rohit asked, placing a hand on his shoulder and then on his cheek.
Finally, Virat snapped out of his thoughts and muttered, "Yes, I'm fine."
