Unconditional Love

12. Stuck

"Did the lift stop?" Virat heard Rohit's shaky voice in his ear as they were backed into a corner. Virat slowly broke the hug, took out his phone, and with its torch, he checked and pressed the emergency button for a response.

"Virat Sir," Rohit called, feeling the darkness. His voice was so quiet, almost a whisper, that he wasn't sure if it reached Virat.

He tried to calm his breathing and not panic, but he felt like everything was closing in on him. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the sides of the lift, but nothing was helping.

Virat, who was trying to get some signal, noticed Rohit literally shaking in the corner.

"Virat Sir," he whispered again, and this time, he felt Virat's presence near him.

Virat moved closer to Rohit. "Rohit, what's wrong? Rohit?" he asked, gently patting his cheeks.

"I can't breathe," Rohit said, struggling to get air.

"You need to slow down, Rohit. I need you to control your breathing. Can you hear me?" Virat asked. But to Rohit, Virat sounded so far away all of a sudden that he slid down to the floor, kneeling as he tried to breathe and get air into his lungs.

"Virat?" Rohit called desperately.

"Yes, Rohit, I am here. I am here with you. You need to breathe with me—come on, in and out. Follow me," Virat said, cupping his cheeks and helping him sit with the support of the wall.

Virat kept repeating that for God knows how long, slowly, second by second—Rohit's lungs began to work again, his entire world narrowing down to Virat's voice, his low and steady instructions to breathe in and out.

Virat, who had been holding his hands, now sat beside him so that Rohit could rest his head on Virat's shoulder.

Virat rubbed his hands a bit to provide comfort, then put his arm around his shoulder, only for Rohit to move closer and rest his head on Virat's chest, clutching Virat's shirt in his fist.

Virat continued to rub his back for some time. He knew how to handle panic attacks; after all, he had seen them for ten years of his life.

After 30 minutes, Virat asked softly, "Are you okay?", only to feel a nod against his chest.

"Is it okay if I tell you about it later?" Rohit asked in a low voice, not wanting to talk at all.

Virat just pulled him closer, hearing that low voice. "Of course, don't worry. It will be okay. They said one hour—just a little more time," he said softly.

"I'm so cold," Rohit said, burying his head in Virat's chest, trying to get warmth and reassure himself that he was not alone. Virat was there with him.

Virat draped his coat around him, held his hand, and sat there in silence.

"I'm sorry for messing up earlier," Rohit said after 10 minutes.

"It's okay, Rohit. Mistakes happen. Just don't repeat it," Virat said gently, to which Rohit nodded.

After 15 minutes, the elevator jerked, making Virat tighten his grip around Rohit. It was working again.

They reached the parking floor. Virat made Rohit stand up, supporting him by the shoulders as he clearly looked exhausted. He helped him sit in the car and gave him some water.

"Okay? Should we go home?" Virat asked, to which Rohit nodded. Virat sat in the driver's seat and saw Rohit snuggling into his coat, resting his head on the seat.

Virat held his hand once. "I'm here, okay?" he said softly.

He kept reassuring him until they reached Rohit's apartment. Virat stopped the car and helped Rohit, who seemed a little more aware now.

"Will you please stay with me? I don't want to be alone," Rohit requested as they reached the door.

Virat was a bit hesitant. Rohit noticed his silence and felt stupid for asking. Virat's apartment was so luxurious, while his was just a one-room studio, smaller than Virat's living room.

"It's fine, it's very small anyway," Rohit said, but Virat held his wrist.

Virat moved a bit closer. "Rohit, it's never about the size of the apartment for me. Get that straight—I just didn't want to intrude," he said, not wanting Rohit to think he was some rich boss who didn't value others.

"I'll stay," Virat said softly, and then Rohit opened the door.

Virat noticed how cozy the apartment was compared to his. The space in his own apartment made him feel empty and lonely, but here, he could feel Rohit's presence.

"Sorry, it's really small— you can still go if you want," Rohit said, but stopped when Virat put a finger on his lips, shocking him.

"It's very you, I like it," Virat whispered. They couldn't help but lock eyes, feeling lost in the moment.

There was a window that opened, breaking their eye contact, and Virat stepped back.

"Go and freshen up. I'll make tea—you'll feel better," Virat said, and Rohit agreed.

Once Rohit came back, he gave some spare loungewear to Virat. "Umm, there's no branded stuff—"

"Rohit," Virat's stern voice stopped him.

Virat freshened up, and when he came out, Rohit felt a different kind of sensation seeing Virat in his clothes. Virat handed him the tea, breaking his thoughts, which were only about Virat.

"I'm claustrophobic," Rohit said after 5 minutes as they sat on the small couch.

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