Next morning, it was Virat who woke up first. He folded his blanket and kept it neatly. He slowly went into the room, not wanting to disturb Rohit's sleep.
He noticed that he didn't—he was sleeping peacefully. He kept the pillow and blanket in their place.
He got freshened up and did his activities very slowly, not wanting to disturb Rohit. Once he was done, he made coffee for both of them. He sat outside in the fresh air, having his coffee.
Rohit woke up half an hour later. He noticed Virat sitting outside, having his coffee.
He picked up his coffee and thought to join him. But to his disappointment, Virat was done and walking into the kitchen.
"Breakfast?" he heard Virat asking him.
"Yeah, can I help you? I mean, I don't know how to cook, but you can tell me what to do. That way, I can help you," Rohit asked, sitting on the chair, having his coffee.
"It's fine. I will make it," said Virat, taking out the ingredients.
Rohit got disappointed yet again. No matter how much he tried, Virat wouldn't just talk to him. This was the case since Virat's debut.
Now, here they had to live together, and Virat wouldn't even speak to him. Never in his life had he thought someone would not like him or hate him so much.
Rohit just got up and left the kitchen. He thought to shower to clear his mind and not to think more about it. It made him upset.
"You can—" Virat was going to say to get the ingredients from the top shelf, but when he turned, Rohit was not there.
Virat sighed. He tried for the first time. He felt something when Rohit asked him.
It seemed like someone really wanted to help him and not just take advantage or mock him, but not seeing Rohit there made him numb again.
He didn't realize in his thoughts he just placed his hand on the hot pan. He didn't feel the pain, but it itched a little as he put water on it.
He quickly made the rest of the pancakes with his other hand and placed them on the plates. It was hardly one or two remaining, so he managed somehow.
Rohit came outside. He sat on his chair, and Virat took another. They were eating breakfast silently.
"It is really delicious," Rohit said, complimenting him. Even though he was upset about his behavior, the food was worth complimenting.
Virat nodded at that. He was having a hard time holding the fork with his right hand as it was itching a lot—the burned area.
He tried with his left hand, but it was worse. The plate and fork both fell down, gaining Rohit's attention.
"Sorry," Virat said, bending down to pick it up, when Rohit noticed his hand was completely dark red. He was really worried and concerned seeing that.
Rohit held his hand and stopped him from picking the pieces of the plate. Virat immediately moved away from him, taking his hand back to his chest.
"How did you get hurt? I will clean it up, go and sit in the living room," Rohit said a bit sternly, and Virat just went in a daze, mumbling "sorry" again.
Rohit cleaned everything and got another plate for him. Taking both the plates, he went into the living room. He saw Virat lost in thought.
When Rohit sat beside him, he noticed that it was some kind of reflex that Virat immediately moved away a little.
"Relax. Here is your plate. I have made small pieces of pancake—it will make it easier to eat," Rohit said gently.
Virat had it with a little difficulty, but the small pieces made it easy. "Thank you," he said, not looking at Rohit but audible enough. Rohit nodded to that.
"You have to apply cream on that. It will get worse," Rohit said once they were done with breakfast. He kept the plates in the kitchen and got the first aid, taking the seat again.
"I will do it," Virat said, taking the cream, but with his left hand, it was not possible at all.
"Listen, keep your hand here on the pillow. I will not hold it, but apply cream only on the burned area," Rohit explained softly.
Rohit kept the pillow between them as they sat on the sides of the couch. Virat kept his hand there, and Rohit applied the cream softly. "Sorry, it will pain a little," he said.
"It will not," Virat said, and then Rohit noticed that there was no expression of pain or hurt on Virat's face. Only the itchiness irritated him, it seemed, seeing his expression.
"Don't do anything for some time at least. I will do other chores," Rohit said, keeping the first aid back and going into the kitchen to clean the dishes and wrap up. Virat just lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling blankly.
After some time, Rohit came there, and Virat got up, sitting properly to give him space to sit. Rohit just put on something on TV, resting himself properly on the couch.
"If you need something, you can tell me. Do not stress your hand," Rohit said, and Virat just nodded at the stern voice of his, which was not that stern, but it felt that way to Virat.
They were watching the movie. Rohit noticed Virat was lost in his own thoughts. He had to literally control himself from asking if he was okay.
Rohit didn't have any problem talking to others, but the way Virat had shut him out from the very beginning—and others too—it made it really difficult to approach him.
"Can I ask you something?" Rohit finally gathered courage and asked him.
Virat turned his attention to Rohit.
"Do you really hate me so much that you cannot even take my name or talk to me?" he asked, and he could not keep the sadness out of his voice.
Virat didn't say anything but looked down at his hand, fidgeting his fingers. "Umm—I don't hate you—Rohit," he said in a low voice.
For the first time, Rohit had heard his name from Virat. It felt good. Rohit was at least relieved to know that. He didn't push more on why Virat didn't talk to him.
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