"Police have arrested Neha as she prepared all the fraudulent claims against Virat Sir. It's not the first time— she has been involved in money fraud multiple times," Aman informed Rohit.
"Rohit Sir, are you there?" Aman asked, not hearing any response from the other end.
"Yes, thanks, Aman," Rohit said, hanging up the call.
Rohit sighed sadly. First, Virat had been dismissed cheaply while batting in the last test of the series.
And now this— his friend, someone he thought was his first best friend, had betrayed his trust.
Moreover, Virat was still not talking much about anything. Rohit knew that Virat had figured it out, but he hadn't known it was Neha behind it all.
Rohit wasn't playing in the match as he hadn't been well the day before. Now, he was just waiting for Virat to return so they could talk about everything.
When Virat came back, he saw Rohit talking on the phone in the balcony. Virat freshened up and sat on the bed.
He couldn't help but read the criticisms online—how people were saying he should have been dropped from the best Australia tests, how he didn't deserve a place in the red-ball cricket team.
He chuckled sadly. No place in the team, no place anywhere. First, it was Rohit— Rohit had done it for a reason, to protect him, but it still hurt.
Virat closed his eyes, wanting to shut everything out. He dozed off in the same position.
Rohit came back and saw him sleeping. He sat beside him and gently placed Virat's head in his lap.
Virat didn't react, just felt the warmth, which dozed him off into a deeper sleep.
"I'll make everything okay for you, Vi," Rohit said, caressing his hair.
Mahi entered the room, and Rohit gestured for him to speak quietly as Virat was sleeping.
"How is he?" Mahi asked, noticing Virat looking stressed even in his sleep.
"I don't know. Did he tell you anything?" Rohit asked.
"No, he didn't. But I know this is a tough phase for him. In his career, this is the biggest setback. You know how much he loves Test cricket. The selectors are going to be really harsh. He needs space to reconnect with himself," Mahi explained, and Rohit nodded in agreement.
"We're leaving tomorrow," Mahi informed.
"We have 15 days before the IPL starts. I hope this break helps him," Mahi added before leaving the room.
Rohit looked at Virat and couldn't help but worry about him. How was Virat going to handle everything? Not just the game but the trust, the friendship— everything.
It was dinner time. Rohit gently said, "Vi, please get up. Virat?"
Virat stirred and realized he had been sleeping in Rohit's lap. He immediately sat up, which made Rohit a little upset. But Rohit knew it would take a lot of patience to make everything okay.
"Go and freshen up. I'll arrange dinner for us," Rohit said. Virat didn't respond but obediently went to the bathroom.
As the cold shower hit his body, tears began to stream down his face without him realizing it. Tears of being a failure.
Virat came out after 20 minutes and saw Rohit waiting with dinner.
"Vi, have something," Rohit said, noticing Virat lost in thought and playing with his food. Rohit took the spoon from Virat's hand and gently fed him.
Once dinner was done, Rohit handed Virat a cup of coffee, and they sat together in the balcony.
"We have to leave tomorrow," Rohit said.
"I know," Virat replied softly.
"I want us to go somewhere to solve everything. This is just getting too complicated. You'll also be able to focus again after a break. Will you come with me?" Rohit asked gently.
Virat looked at him with a questioning expression.
"I don't know, Rohit," Virat said tiredly.
"Do you trust me?" Rohit asked, his voice trembling slightly. If Virat said no, Rohit wasn't sure how he would handle it.
He looked at Virat with moist eyes, waiting for an answer.
____
"Where are we?" asked Virat, his voice low but curious.
"Switzerland," Rohit answered.
The single word "Yes" had been Virat's response when Rohit had asked him earlier if he trusted him.
That was all Rohit needed to take the lead. Virat hadn't objected to anything.
He had quietly followed, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. One side of his mind was consumed with his struggles in Test cricket; the other was a tangled mess of emotions about Rohit.
He trusted him, yet the scars of what had happened still hurt.
"Chale?" Rohit asked softly as Virat stood still, staring at the house and its serene surroundings.
Virat nodded and stepped inside. After freshening up, he lay down on the bed, fatigue from the journey overtaking him.
Rohit, seeing how drained Virat looked, decided to give him some space. He went downstairs to arrange some snacks, his heart heavy with concern.
"I've never seen him this quiet. Throughout the plane ride, he barely said a word. He just rested his head on my shoulder. It felt good that he trusted me enough to do that, but his silence—it's unbearable. It's been days since I've seen him smile," Rohit thought while preparing coffee.
An hour later, Rohit went back upstairs. He found Virat asleep, his face etched with traces of dried tears.
"You can take as much time as you need, Vi," Rohit whispered, gently caressing Virat's cheek.
Noticing the dried tears, Rohit wiped them softly. "I know I caused this, Vi. I'll fix it—these 15 days, they're for you. I'll bring back your confidence, in the game and in me," Rohit vowed quietly.
Virat stirred awake and found Rohit sitting beside him, his hand resting gently on his cheek.
"Want to get up?" Rohit asked softly.
Virat shook his head, signaling no, and instead placed his hand over Rohit's, seeking the comfort he desperately needed.
Rohit stayed beside him, his presence steady and patient, ready to wait for as long as it would take for Virat to heal.
______
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