Rohit noticed Virat leaving the hall without even completing the movie.
He wanted to go after him, but he couldn't as Neha was resting her head on his shoulder, her arm linked with his.
That unsettling feeling came back. His Vi was not there. Even though his girlfriend was present, it didn't make him happy.
He was more worried about Virat, unable to pay attention to the movie or even what Neha was saying.
On the other side:
Virat went into the washroom and splashed water on his face. What was he thinking?
For a moment, he had thought Rohit might someday reciprocate his feelings—a stupid flicker of hope.
He was still juggling with his emotions, but his heart had dared to hope once.
"Why would anyone ruin a friendship like that?" echoed in his head.
Feeling suffocated, he left the theater, covering his face with a cap as he walked aimlessly. Among the crowd on the road, he felt utterly alone.
Was this what love felt like? It hurt so much. He didn't want it.
"Neha, just one sec," Rohit said, removing his arm from her hold.
"Ro, please! Just 20 minutes of the movie is left," Neha said, annoyed.
"Neha, I have to check on Virat," Rohit said harshly, worried about Virat and irritated by Neha's persistence.
Neha grabbed his hand and dragged him outside.
"What is wrong with you?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Rohit replied, confused.
Neha frowned. "There's a movie going on. I'm here with you. I came from a whole day of shooting, still made time to meet you, and even agreed to hang out with your friends. But you? You're only worried about Virat. Virat this, Virat that."
Rohit, stunned by her outburst, asked, "What are you saying?"
Neha glared. "It's high time, Rohit. You need to get your priorities straight. Call me when you're sure."
She left in a cab despite Rohit insisting it wasn't safe and offering to drop her off. But she didn't listen.
Rohit stood there, confused. Surprisingly, he didn't even feel bad that Neha was upset.
His thoughts were still on Virat. Was he okay?
Back at the hotel, Rohit returned with the others.
No one questioned him, seeing his downcast face. They simply asked if he was okay, to which he replied yes.
Virat had already texted that he had a headache and was returning to the hotel. Everyone agreed, as he had looked unwell.
Rohit entered the room he shared with Virat and found it dark. He switched on a small light, only to hear Virat's muffled voice.
"Switch off the light, please."
For the first time, Rohit heard such a painful tone from Virat. He immediately forgot about Neha and all the sadness he had been feeling.
He switched off the light and rushed to Virat's side. "Vi, tu thik hai?" Rohit asked softly, touching Virat's arm.
Virat wanted to shut out Rohit's voice and, at the same time, never stop hearing it. He buried his face deeper into the pillow, finding it comforting, along with Rohit's presence.
"Vi, kya hua? Bahut pain hai?" Rohit asked, concerned.
"Hmm," Virat muttered, not saying more.
Rohit got up and ordered dinner for him.
"Vi, uth ja for a while," he urged, shaking him lightly.
Virat shook his head and refused to move. Rohit made him turn by his shoulders and forced him to sit up against the bed. Virat glared irritably but complied.
Rohit touched Virat's forehead and noticed it was slightly warm. Virat closed his eyes and leaned back against the headboard, exhaustion evident.
All Virat wanted was to run from his feelings, but at the same time, he longed to hold Rohit's hand.
He hated how conflicted he felt and, in frustration, pushed Rohit's hand away. He immediately regretted it when he saw the hurt on Rohit's face.
"Vi, what's wrong?" Rohit asked softly, trying to understand the sudden action.
Virat closed his eyes tightly, and a tear slipped out of the corner. Rohit noticed it and instinctively hugged him.
"I'm here, Vi. Whatever is bothering you, I'm here," Rohit said, patting Virat's head.
Virat sighed in the hug, finding an odd sense of calm amidst the chaos in his heart. Why couldn't this always be his?
"Chal, ab eat something and have medicine," Rohit said as he broke the hug and gently encouraged Virat to eat.
Virat stared at Rohit as he served him food, genuinely worried for him. "You worry so much about me," Virat said without thinking.
"Of course, Vi. We're best friends," Rohit replied, unknowingly breaking Virat's heart.
Once Virat had taken his medication and eaten, Rohit made him lie down. But instead of leaving, Rohit placed Virat's head on his lap.
"Let me massage your head," Rohit said firmly. Virat didn't protest; he was too tired to argue.
Rohit started gently pressing his fingers against Virat's forehead.
"I'm sorry about what I said earlier about Neha," Virat said, feeling a little calmer now.
"It's fine. She came unannounced, so your reaction was valid," Rohit replied, not wanting Virat to stress.
Virat buried his face in Rohit's warmth, silently relishing the moment, knowing he couldn't have it forever.
He let out a sigh of relief, holding onto Rohit as he caressed his head.
"Virat, what's bothering you? Please tell me," Rohit asked gently.
"I can't," Virat replied as a sob escaped. The thought of losing Rohit terrified him.
He was confused about his feelings— unsure if this was love or just something he felt for Rohit, as no one else had ever made him feel this way.
"Hey, Vi— why are you thinking so much? It's me. You can tell me anything," Rohit said, wiping a tear from Virat's cheek.
"I'm tired, Ro," Virat whispered, closing his eyes.
Rohit helped him lie down properly and covered him with a blanket. "Get some sleep," he said.
"Where are you going?" Virat asked, hating how Rohit could calm his chaos so easily. He didn't want him to leave.
"Just wrapping up some things. I'll be back in a minute, Vi. I'm here," Rohit reassured him.
When Rohit returned, he patted Virat's head, lost in thought about the events of the past few hours—Neha's sudden arrival, Virat's odd behavior, and now this.
"Ro, can I ask you something?" Virat asked, opening his eyes.
Rohit was puzzled. "Yeah, Vi. Since when do you need permission?" he replied.
"Do you really love Neha?" Virat asked hesitantly.
The question shocked Rohit. He didn't know what to say.
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