Unconditional Love

19. Alone

Rohit entered Virat's cabin, noticing that all his belongings had already been shifted there. He saw Virat deeply engrossed in an important file.

"Stop staring and get to work, Mr. Sharma. There's not going to be any change in your seating arrangement, so don't waste my time on that," Virat said sternly without looking up, making Rohit sit in the chair assigned to him.

Aman entered the cabin, handing Virat a file. Then, he turned to Rohit and handed over another set of documents. Rohit glanced at Aman questioningly.

"We're targeting that project in London. Work on it— references have already been mailed," Virat said coldly, his voice devoid of emotion.

Rohit frowned, confused by the sudden assignment. He had been working on the financials Virat had distributed among the team, and now, without any explanation, he was shifted back to the cabin and given a completely different task. Had he done something wrong?

"I need the report in two hours, Mr. Sharma. Get to work," Virat commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Without another word, Rohit opened the project file and got to work immediately, feeling a mix of confusion and determination to meet the deadline.

After an hour, Virat wrapped up his file and went to take coffee from the coffee machine. But his wounded hand got slightly touched on the hot surface of the machine, resulting in a loud hiss from his mouth, which made Rohit rush to him.

"What happened?" Rohit asked as he saw Virat holding his hand.

Virat did not say anything. Rohit turned off the machine and made him sit on his chair. He got the cold compress from the mini fridge and applied it softly. Virat could not help but stare at him, seeing the way he was caring for him.

Rohit told him to keep doing it and went to the coffee machine to prepare coffee for both of them.

"Can we not talk properly and clear it once and for all, Rohit? Is it necessary to do this? Even after talking, if you don't want anything to do with me, I will never bother you. Don't you think I deserve an explanation here?" asked Virat once Rohit handed him the coffee.

Rohit stayed silent on that, not knowing how to face him.

"Am I so bad, as everyone claims? Do you also believe it? I guess I deserved this. My life has always been like this," said Virat, chuckling sadly.

Rohit kneeled in front of him, surprising Virat. He looked up, and Virat could see tears in his eyes.

"What did I do, Rohit? Please tell me. Don't keep me in the dark like this," requested Virat.

Rohit held his hands softly.

"Rohit, Rohit— what are you doing?" Virat noticed Rohit lost and holding his hand with the cold compress.

Rohit let go of his hand, realizing he was imagining the conversation in his head. Maybe if Virat would have asked him once, he would have said it all—how he liked him—no, no, he could not think that. Virat was his boss, his guide—that's it.

Rohit just made coffee for him, kept it on Virat's table, and sat at his desk, resuming his work.

He tried hard to concentrate, but Virat's thoughts would not let him. All he wanted was to talk to him, to tell him how worried he was for him.

He looked up to see that Virat was already engrossed in a call and files.

'Does nothing really affect him? Is everything just professional?' Rohit could not help but question himself, seeing Virat like that. But he also could not forget the desperation with which Virat had spoken to him the previous night.

Virat could feel Rohit's gaze on him from time to time. It was hard to control himself and not ask anything. Rohit wanted space, and he was determined to give it to him, no matter how much it hurt.

"Meetings done, Aman? No more for the day, right?" Virat asked.

Aman, who had entered the cabin, checked the schedule and cross-checked to ensure nothing urgent could come up. He knew when Virat asked this, it meant he wanted to work in a comfortable space.

"All done," Aman confirmed.

"Order the usual meal. I'm really hungry," Virat said. Aman felt relieved since Virat hadn't eaten anything since morning. That he asked for food himself was a welcome change.

Rohit couldn't help but notice how comfortable their dynamic was. He felt guilty for having doubted them.

"Rohit, do you need anything?" Aman asked, which snapped Rohit out of his thoughts.

"Aman, you know he's older than you?" Virat asked, raising his eyebrows. This surprised Rohit as it was the first time Virat had mentioned him during their conversations.

"By two years, and besides, we're friends. Just someone had forgotten that," Aman replied, looking at Rohit, who lowered his gaze, feeling guilty.

Virat just shook his head. "Okay, now get the files we need to check," he said and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

"Rohit, tell me quickly, what should I order for you?" Aman asked, but Rohit seemed confused.

"You know what? Let it be. I'll do it myself," Aman said and left the cabin.

Ten minutes later, Virat returned, freshened up with his sleeves rolled up, revealing his tattoos. He took some material and, to Rohit's shock, sat on the floor to work.

Aman came back and placed the files in front of Virat where he was seated.

"Dinner will arrive in 15 minutes," Aman said, sitting down on the floor.

"Sit on the couch, Aman," Virat instructed.

Aman pouted. "It's been a month," he said.

"The doctor said two months, Aman. Sit there, or I won't talk to you for the whole day," Virat said sternly.

"You wouldn't do that to me, bhai," Aman whined. Virat stiffened at the term as Rohit was in the cabin but decided to ignore it, sticking to his plan to not let it affect him.

"You know I can, so shut up and sit on the couch," Virat replied before getting back to work.

Rohit felt completely alone. It was as if he had disappeared from Virat's life.

Virat only spoke to him now when it was about work. This was what he had asked for, and now it was here.

He just hadn't realized how painful and heartbreaking the reality would feel.

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