Unconditional Love

27. Pressure

"Virat, shh... please calm down, kiddo," Rahul Bhai consoled him, somehow managing to make him drink water after he had cried his heart out for the last 20 minutes. Virat lay his head in Rahul's lap. Rahul knew how badly he was craving support.

"I'm gonna lose the company I built," whispered Virat, his voice trembling with fear.

Rahul caressed his hair softly, understanding how difficult things had become. He came down to just know what was going on with Virat. He had seen the reports and the loss of projects. It was unimaginable- Virat losing four projects. Impossible.

"Can you tell me the actual reasons for clients pulling out like this, Virat? I promise I won't judge you," Rahul Bhai asked him gently.

Virat got up and stood near the window, looking out at the city. "My incompetence, I guess. The other people are right, Bhai. I shouldn't be the CEO anymore. In fact, I should resign," he said, his voice filled with despair.

Rahul knew it was not right, before he could stop him from thinking like that, Virat unlocked the door and left the room.

Aman and Rohit stood up as Rahul came out, noticing that Virat wasn't even looking at him. Before Rahul could say anything, his phone rang, and he left.

They turned to see Virat on the balcony, smoking.

"What's going on, Aman?" Rohit asked, his voice filled with worry. Virat's eyes were red when he came out of the room.

"I don't know, Rohit. I have no idea," Aman replied, feeling tense about Virat and whatever the whole situation was.

"Let's focus on our work. It's the least we can do," Aman suggested, and they both got back to work.

As they continued, they heard a knock. The head of directors entered and went straight to the balcony, where Virat was. Aman and Rohit exchanged confused looks.

"Close the blinds of the cabin," the head of directors instructed, as he opened the door to the balcony. Aman understood the need for privacy and quickly closed the blinds.

Rahul Bhai went to Virat, snatched the cigarette from his hand, and made him sit on a chair. "The amount of stress you're taking, it's not good for your health, kiddo," he said softly.

"I'm losing everything, just like I did in childhood," Virat muttered.

"You still had Aman, your baby brother," Rahul Bhai said gently.

"We have three weeks to somehow recover the losses of at least two projects. If you do that, they'll continue with you as CEO. Otherwise-"

"Otherwise, I will resign myself, Bhai," Virat said, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"Now take rest for today. Refresh your mind and start with a new day tomorrow. I know how tiring these three weeks are going to be, so it's necessary to give yourself a break today," Rahul Bhai explained.

Virat nodded in agreement.

"Let's go home," Rahul Bhai said, eager to talk more and understand what was going on. Virat agreed, standing up with him.

"Compose yourself a bit," Rahul Bhai said as he straightened Virat's collar.

They walked into the cabin, and Virat took his phone. "You guys can go home as well. We'll see everything tomorrow. The other car and driver will be downstairs in 10 minutes. Aman, drop Rohit off and take the car with you," he said before leaving with Rahul Bhai.

They wrapped things up and drove towards Rohit's home.

"Aman, is it possible for you to come to my apartment? I was hoping we could talk about things," Rohit asked.

"Sure," Aman replied.

Rohit entered his apartment. "Umm, it's a bit small-"

"Shut up and order something. I'm so hungry," Aman said, making himself at home. He had a spare lounge wear in the car, changed, and sat on the couch reading his book while Rohit got freshened up.

They had lunch, discussing books and other general things.

"Now tell me what you wanna know?" Aman asked, facing Rohit on the couch.

"What are your medicines for?" Rohit asked.

"Oh, shit, the medicines! I forgot again. Virat Bhai is gonna scold me again," Aman mumbled and rushed to the car to grab the spare medicines, which were kept there by Virat.

"It's for low blood pressure," Aman explained when he came back. "I met with an accident a month ago. I recovered from the injuries, but for some reason, which only Virat Bhai knows, my BP keeps fluctuating."

"You stay at Virat's place? I mean, why do you have your own place?" Rohit asked, confused.

"Virat Bhai gifted me that house on my birthday last year. He says I should learn to be independent, but I know he can't stay without me. Now, I just go there when either he or I need alone time to think, like yesterday," Aman answered.

"Was he very upset yesterday?" Rohit asked, his concern evident.

"Yes, more than I've ever seen him. He was visibly upset," Aman said. "But it's not your fault, Rohit," he added quickly.

"I just, you know... want him to share things...", Rohit said feeling worried.

Aman kept his hand on his shoulder and said, "Rohit, from the time I was 7 months old, Virat Bhai has been taking care of me. He was just 7 years old. He was always alone. He didn't have many friends. He was focused on providing a good future for me. So, you see, it's really tough for him to share his problems, but I'm sure he'll try."

"Rohit, what's going on in your mind? You can share it with me. I will never judge you. And you can trust me," Aman asked softly, noticing Rohit lost in thought.

Rohit looked at him, his eyes filled with tears, which worried Aman.

"I like him, Aman. I like him a lot, but I can do nothing to help him. I'm just an employee. This thought, and all those things I've heard from others... it's just so disturbing that I can hardly gather the courage to tell Virat anything. It hurts to see him like this, alone, stressed... and the worst part is that awful habit," he cried, venting out his frustrations.

"I don't even know if he wants me in his life, or if he's ready to give us a chance," Rohit said, burying his head in his hands.

Aman put his arm around his shoulder to comfort him, feeling his own heart heavy for both of them.

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