Rohit noticed Virat dozing off on the couch. Before his head could touch the couch, he quickly placed a pillow and moved a little farther from him so he wouldn't get startled if he woke up.
He got up and brought the blanket from the room, gently covering him, not touching him, as he had seen Virat's reflexes and the anxiousness or fear on his face because of that.
"I wish we could be friends, and I could help you in some way. I really hope this quarantine will change that," whispered Rohit, seeing his burned hand and pale face.
Rohit thought to take a walk outside. They were allowed a certain distance, not more than that. They were lucky as their cottage was the last, giving them some forest area to walk into.
It was a nice view, but all he could think about was Virat.
"He opened up to Zak Pa and Rahul Bhai," he remembered Mahi Bhai's words.
"But why only them?" Rohit wondered. Why not Mahi Bhai? Everyone was comfortable with Mahi Bhai in the team, especially the members of their age—him, Jaddu, Ash—but why not Virat?
He returned, thinking about Virat's behavior—how he needed air constantly, leaving the window open even if it was cold, and how he seemed numb or unaffected by pain. Rohit really hoped he could help in some way.
Rohit entered the living room and saw Virat waking up. "Don't put pressure on the hand," Rohit said softly before Virat could take support of his injured hand.
"Here," Rohit passed him the water as he saw him reaching for it.
Virat took it from him. "Thank you," he said in return.
"You can guide me, and I can prepare the meals until your hand gets better," Rohit said, knowing it would be difficult to do the work with the burned hand, as it was really terrible.
"Before you say you can manage, we saw this morning while eating breakfast that you can't. So just take the help. Once you're better, you can do it yourself," Rohit said before Virat could say anything.
Virat did not have any option but to agree.
"First, I will need to apply ice and then the medicine to your hand," Rohit said and brought the first aid kit.
He sat in front of Virat. "Can I hold your hand?" he asked gently. Virat looked at him, hesitant.
"I promise I will be gentle. Trust me, Virat," Rohit said as softly as he could.
When Virat heard that promise and assurance with his name, it felt different— different compared to how others said the same to him.
It had genuine care in it. Now he could differentiate after learning so many lessons in his life.
Virat slowly forwarded his hand. Rohit held it gently. As their hands came in contact, for the first time, Virat didn't flinch.
Instead, he felt calm, something he hadn't felt in a long time— at least since Zak Pa and Rahul Bhai were not around.
But even their touch and voice didn't calm him as much as Rohit's did. The genuine affection in his voice was something else.
"Okay?" Rohit asked before applying the ice, trying to ensure Virat was comfortable. Virat nodded.
Rohit gently applied ice to the itching part, causing Virat to flinch a bit. "Sorry," whispered Rohit, blowing air in between to soothe it.
Then he applied the cream softly. "Done," Rohit said.
"Thank you," Virat said.
"Now you can sit on the chair and guide me on what and how I should prepare for lunch, okay?" Rohit said, wrapping up the first aid kit. Virat just followed him.
Rohit put the apron on. "What do you want to eat, Virat? Chef Rohit Sharma at your service," he said dramatically, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Virat didn't say anything, but he knew it felt good to have someone being so normal around him rather than always having sympathy or complaints.
Then again, he reminded himself not to get his hopes up about Rohit being different. He couldn't face the disappointment.
He had already faced it once from Rohit in the initial years, but that was not Rohit's fault at all—it was his. Any person who didn't know him would have reacted the same way.
"Virat? Where are you lost?" Rohit asked as he saw Virat zoned out completely.
It was the third time he heard his name from Rohit. It didn't feel alien, at least, or laced with fame, but like a normal person.
"Nowhere. Pasta would be easy to make, I guess, for you as it's your first time," Virat said, focusing back on the kitchen and Rohit standing in front of him, waiting for instructions.
"Oh, I love it! What should I get, then?" Rohit asked, and Virat guided him to everything. Rohit collected everything on the slab.
He kept the pasta boiling and the sauce on the other burner. "Careful, it must be hot," Virat said when Rohit was about to touch the ladle to stir the sauce.
He noticed how Virat had a slightly louder tone, concerned for him, rather than the low responses Rohit had received till now.
Rohit gave him a soft smile and stirred it carefully. He took a spoon with the sauce in it. "Taste it and tell me if it's okay," Rohit said, forwarding it to Virat.
Virat moved back at first but saw Rohit waiting patiently. Hesitantly, he leaned forward and tasted it.
"It's good," Virat said, instructing him to add some seasoning. Rohit did and served the food.
As Virat's hand had cream on it, he couldn't hold the spoon properly. Rohit noticed. "I can forward you the bite. I promise I'll maintain the distance, but let me help you," he said softly.
Virat didn't know what to say. He didn't want to let anyone get close to him, but in this cottage, it wasn't possible.
If he were alone, he would have just slept on an empty stomach, but Rohit wouldn't let that happen.
"Hey, where are you lost again? Trust me, Virat," Rohit said. That warm feeling in Virat's heart returned, confusing him.
Virat just nodded, and Rohit forwarded a bite to him, which he accepted.
Rohit celebrated internally, did an internal yay. It felt like a big step forward.
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