Virat just couldn't get any sleep. He glanced to his side, where Rohit was sleeping peacefully. But his own mind wouldn't settle. He couldn't help but think about the past month. Sure, things hadn't been great in his personal life, but why let that affect his game?
"Edged and taken," the words kept repeating in his mind, echoing over and over.
He didn't want to, but he couldn't help himself. He replayed his game in his head. It had been horrible.
So many articles had criticized him, suggesting he be dropped from the team-especially from the Test team. He'd been called arrogant, a brat, and selfish.
He rested his head on the headboard, staring at the ceiling. Was he not fit for the team? Why was Rohit still with him? He felt like such a failure-depressed too. No matter what Rohit said, he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't deserve anything, not even his love.
Rohit woke up, not sure what had disturbed his sleep. He rubbed his eyes, saw the time was 2 AM, and noticed Virat was still awake.
"Why are you awake, Vi?" Rohit asked, concerned.
"Just can't get any sleep," Virat said, not looking at him.
Rohit sat up, noticing Virat's tense, dull expression. He moved closer to him.
"I won't be able to fulfill my father's dream of playing Test cricket. I can never be the player my dad wanted me to be," Virat said, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Vi, why are you thinking like this? It's just a phase," Rohit said, trying to comfort him.
"No, Ro. Even you? Why are you with me? I'm depressed, Ro. You're wasting your time on me. You'll find someone better... I don't deserve your love," Virat said, his voice distant.
Rohit was shocked to see him so low on confidence.
"Listen to me, Vi," Rohit said softly, but Virat didn't even look at him, lost in his thoughts.
Rohit got up and, in a sudden move, poured a glass of water on Virat's face.
"What the..." Virat cursed, shivering from the cold water.
"It was meant to wake you up from your overthinking," Rohit said sharply-- knowing he need to get in his best friend mode, his Vi needed that.
Virat's expression was still fallen, but Rohit composed himself and walked over, sitting in front of him, taking his hands in his.
"Virat, everyone goes through phases like this. It's a part of a cricketer's life. Don't you remember how I was after the 2011 thing? Did you leave me? How could you even think I'd leave you?" Rohit said softly, trying to make Virat understand.
Virat shook his head, still unsure.
"It's not worth it," Virat mumbled.
Rohit moved closer, eliminating the gap between them. He cupped Virat's face and kissed his forehead, lingering there for a long moment. "You're worth so much more than you think, and let me decide that," he said, his voice gentle yet firm.
Tears filled Virat's eyes as he heard those words and felt Rohit's loving gestures. Rohit kissed his eyes one by one, soothing him.
"Ro... I don't..."
"You do, Vi. You deserve all the love," Rohit whispered.
Virat couldn't handle the weight of all the love. He hugged Rohit, crying in his arms.
"I don't want to be a failure, Ro. I don't want to fail my dad," Virat sobbed.
"You won't, Vi. You'll work on it and come back in Tests. Just believe in yourself," Rohit said, rubbing his back comfortingly.
