Unconditional Love

14. Confusion

Virat and Rohit were immersed in their work—Virat on a call and Rohit focused on his assignments. The quiet was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Virat asked, ending his call and glancing up from his laptop.

"It's me, Aman," came the reply.

"Come in," Virat said, turning his attention back to his screen.

Rohit kept his focus on his work, but his attention occasionally drifted to the balcony, where Virat and Aman were talking. He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of discomfort, a subtle pang of distance creeping in.

His eyes lingered as he saw Aman holding Virat's hand, seemingly trying to convey something important.

Virat's expression caught Rohit's attention—it wasn't his usual professional demeanor. Instead, it was soft yet firm, with a warmth that felt... different.

Rohit quickly looked back at his screen, shaking off the thought, but the unease was in the back of his mind.

Rohit tried his best not to feel anything, but he couldn't help feeling upset—or maybe it was something else— seeing Aman so close to Virat.

When Virat placed a hand on Aman's cheek, anger flared up inside him. He didn't understand why it bothered him so much.

Virat didn't have to act a certain way just with him, but seeing Aman this close, so familiar with Virat, stung in a way he couldn't explain.

A single tear rolled down his cheek before he noticed. He quickly wiped it away and turned back to his work.

I'm here for work, he told himself, trying to bury the confusion and emotions.

Rohit shook his head, trying to push away the thoughts swirling in his mind. What was he even thinking? Virat was his boss—these feelings were wrong.

Besides, Virat had Aman in his life, or even if not Aman, he could have anyone he wanted.

I'm nothing compared to him, Rohit thought.

Whatever had happened over the past week, he needed to forget it and move on.

Virat and Aman returned to the office shortly after, with Aman heading to his cabin while Virat dove back into work, trying to sort out the mess with the Delhi office deals.

The stress weighed heavily on Virat, though he kept it hidden behind his calm demeanor. Losing those clients would mean a significant financial blow, and the pressure was building on him.

But amidst the chaos, one thing brought him a strange sense of calm: Rohit's presence.

As much as he tried to deny it, something about Rohit's gentle, kind nature, his unassuming warmth, gave Virat a moment of peace in the storm.

"Rohit, I've mailed you a document. Can you verify all the details and send me the report?" Virat said.

"Yes, Sir," Rohit replied curtly, without his usual follow-up questions.

Virat frowned, noticing the difference. Rohit always asked questions whenever given a task, but today, there were none.

Is he okay? The thought immediately crossed Virat's mind.

He glanced over at Rohit, who was focused on his work, seemingly immersed. Deciding not to disturb him, Virat set the concern aside for now and returned to his own tasks, though the worry was in the back of his mind.

An hour later, Virat glanced up and saw Rohit still deeply focused on his work. With a sigh, he stepped out onto the balcony, lit a cigarette, and let his thoughts wander to Robert's call.

The information Robert had shared about who might be responsible left him baffled. How could that person be involved? He needed to conduct a thorough background check.

His trust was shaken—Virat realized he'd have to scrutinize every file himself now.

"And the after-office work begins," he thought grimly, taking a final drag before putting out the cigarette.

Back in the office, Virat grabbed his coat. "I'm heading to a meeting. Make sure the file is ready by EOD," he instructed, already walking out the door, conscious of the time.

Rohit nodded silently, knowing Virat hadn't noticed him again.

When Virat returned from the meeting at 8 p.m., he was surprised to find Rohit's desk empty. For the first time, Rohit wasn't there.

Virat walked to the balcony, finding it empty. He knocked on the bathroom door, but there was no response.

Returning to his desk, he opened his email and saw the document Rohit had completed and sent.

He glanced around—Rohit's desk, his bag, even his phone—everything was gone.

Did he go home?

It was the first time Rohit had left without informing Virat since they'd started working closely together.

Virat felt a strange unease. No message, no sticky note, nothing to indicate he was leaving.

Why would he inform you, Virat? his brain pointed out, and he had no answer.

But his mind lingered on the moments they had shared over the past two days. They meant something, didn't they?

Virat shook his head, brushing off the odd feeling. He wasn't supposed to wait anyway—office hours end at 6. Rohit has every right to leave early, he reasoned.

Pushing the thoughts aside, he focused on what mattered. Removing his coat, he freshened up and changed into more comfortable clothes before settling back at his desk to work on the files.

But no matter how hard he tried, his mind kept drifting to Rohit. His absence felt strange.

Virat had grown so used to Rohit's presence—not just in his cabin but in the office overall.

Rohit always stayed late, working with him, something Virat had come to rely on without realizing it.

Sighing, Virat lit a cigarette and poured himself a glass of whiskey, hoping it would help him concentrate.

He locked his cabin for some privacy, knowing Aman had also left for the day. Immersing himself in the files, he tried to ignore the quiet thought in the back of his mind.

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