Unconditional Love

21. Emotions

Aman headed straight to his room after they arrived, leaving Virat and Rohit alone. He knew they needed the space to talk and sort things out.

Virat guided Rohit to sit on the bed and handed him a set of clothes. "Freshen up, Ro. I'll make some coffee for you," he said softly, his tone warm and understanding.

Rohit nodded silently and went into the bathroom, while Virat made his way to Aman's room to check on him. Aman was already lying in bed, reading a book. Virat sat beside him, and Aman reached out to hold his hand.

"It's okay to give yourself a chance, bhai," Aman said gently.

Virat let out a shaky sigh. "What if he leaves again, Aman?"

Aman gave him a reassuring smile. "I don't think he will, bhai. And even if, in the worst-case scenario, he does— you'll always have me. But I genuinely believe he won't. Do you know why?"

Virat looked at him, silently asking for the answer.

"There are very few people who put others first, and Rohit is one of them. That's probably why he acted the way he did— he couldn't bear to hear anything bad about you. And let me tell you a secret," Aman added with a teasing glint in his eyes.

Virat raised an eyebrow.

"I think he likes you, bhai. He's running away from his feelings. He even felt jealous of our bond because he didn't know we're brothers," Aman explained, remembering how surprised Rohit looked when he learned the truth.

Virat chuckled softly. "I had a feeling about that when he was rambling earlier," he admitted.

Virat's expression turned serious. "If tonight's conversation leads somewhere, I want you to know it doesn't mean your love for me will lessen. I know you—"

"Bhai, stop," Aman interrupted with a small laugh. "You have enough love to share with both of us. But now it's time for you to let yourself be loved. And I believe Rohit is capable of giving you that love."

Virat's eyes grew moist as he looked at his younger brother, his confidant and unwavering support. He cupped Aman's face and kissed his forehead affectionately.

"Sleep now. Put the book aside, or no new book next week," Virat said with mock sternness, taking the book and placing it neatly on the side table.

Aman pouted. "How do you switch so easily into mom mode?"

Virat chuckled as he tucked him in. "Goodnight, Aman," he said before leaving the room.

In the kitchen, Virat made two cups of coffee and returned to find Rohit sitting on the couch by the window, gazing silently at the night sky.

"Here," Virat said, handing him a cup.

Rohit took it without a word, his eyes still moist. Virat's heart ached at the sight of him so vulnerable.

"Rohit, will you tell me calmly what's going on? What's bothering you?" Virat asked gently as he sat down beside him.

Rohit hesitated, fidgeting with the coffee cup. "I... I couldn't bear hearing people say you were using me," he admitted quietly.

"And?" Virat prompted, encouraging him to continue.

"And that you're selfish and all sorts of other bad things. I didn't want to hear that, so I decided to distance myself. My intention wasn't to hurt you—I just couldn't handle it," Rohit confessed, his voice trembling.

Virat listened patiently and gestured for Rohit to take a sip of coffee. "Are you embarrassed of me?" he asked after a pause, his voice laced with vulnerability.

"No! I mean... Virat, I could never be embarrassed of you," Rohit said quickly, his eyes wide with sincerity.

Virat held his hands gently. "You said earlier that everything was piling up and something weird was happening. What did you mean by that?"

Rohit buried his face in his hands. "I don't understand myself anymore. I even judged your relationship with Aman—it was so wrong of me."

Virat felt a pang of sadness seeing Rohit take everything upon himself. "Rohit," he said softly, lifting his face from his hands. "Will you listen to me?"

"Aap pehle Ro bula rahe the na", Rohit asked and Virat chuckled at the cuteness.

Virat moved a bit closer, their knees touching as they had folded their legs sitting on the corners of the couch, "Toh Ro bulau?", he asked softly to which Rohit just looked down nodding at it.

"First, you don't need to worry about what anyone says about me. If Aman does, I'll smack him," Virat joked, earning a small smile from Rohit.

"Do you understand?" Virat asked, his tone slightly firmer.

Rohit nodded.

"Second, you need to stop taking the words of irrelevant people to heart. If you keep isolating yourself, you'll lose not just yourself but also the relationships you've built—like with Aman and me. Do you want that?"

Rohit shook his head vigorously. "No, I don't."

"Now last, I am very straight forward person so I will ask directly, why do u think u got jealous seeing me and Aman? Do u like me?", asked Virat gently.

Rohit's eyes widened in surprise, meeting Virat's soft and patient gaze. He hesitated, his thoughts racing. "I... I'm just an employee," he whispered, his voice breaking.

"Ro," Virat said firmly, "that doesn't matter. You should know I'm not the kind of person who lets that stand in the way."

Rohit looked down, unable to say more.

Virat smiled gently. "Why don't you think about it? It's late now; let's rest," he said, taking their empty cups to the kitchen.

When Virat returned, he saw Rohit still nervously perched on the couch. "We can share the bed, Ro. Don't be nervous—it's fine," he reassured him.

Rohit nodded and followed Virat into the room, feeling a strange sense of comfort and safety despite the storm of emotions in his heart.

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