Unconditional Love

34. Echoes

Virat and Rohit freshened up. Virat noticed Rohit was in shock or a daze—he couldn't quite tell. Rohit was sitting on the bed, staring into nothingness. Virat slowly stood in front of him and gently dried his hair with a towel.

Rohit hugged him around the waist, burying his face in Virat's stomach. Virat didn't say anything; he simply caressed Rohit's head, which caused Rohit to tear up.

"He hates me. He hates me," Rohit mumbled into the hug, confusing Virat. He knew Rohit was talking about Jassi, but he had no idea how they knew each other to evoke such a strong reaction.

Meanwhile, in Jassi's room, he was pacing back and forth, breathing heavily. "I hate him. I hate him," Jassi mumbled, leaving Aman shocked. How could Jassi hate someone, and that too someone like Rohit?

Aman felt a bit scared seeing Jassi like this. In a low voice, he called, "Jas?"

"What?" Jassi snapped angrily, his frustration evident. Aman flinched at the outburst. Jassi noticed this and immediately pulled Aman into a hug.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, baby," Jassi said, cradling Aman's head against his chest. Aman was surprised by the affectionate nickname.

"It's okay," Aman said softly, hugging Jassi back tightly. "I'm here."

Jassi seemed to collapse emotionally at that moment. He slid to the floor, breathing heavily, while Aman stayed close, rubbing his back and holding him tightly.

"It's okay. It's all okay—breathe, Jas," Aman kept repeating, trying to calm him down.

"He left me, baby. He left me all alone—I was looking for him, but he didn't come back," Jassi sobbed hard into Aman's embrace.

Aman didn't say anything, choosing instead to focus on consoling him. After about an hour, the sobbing subsided. Jassi slowly moved away and broke the hug.

Aman helped him stand up and cupped Jassi's cheeks gently. "Dinner kare?" he asked softly.

Jassi didn't feel like eating but knew Aman had to take his medications. So, he nodded reluctantly, knowing Aman wouldn't eat otherwise. Aman smiled and told Jassi to freshen up.

Aman then knocked on Virat's door.

Virat opened it while Rohit went to wash his face. "Dinner?" Aman asked. Virat called Rohit outside and joined Aman to decide what to order.

Jassi and Rohit came out of their rooms simultaneously and sat quietly beside Aman and Virat. The brothers made sure both Jassi and Rohit ate properly.

"Jassi, please listen to me once," Rohit asked, but Jassi didn't respond.

"Once everything is wrapped up, we can sit and discuss the files, Virat Bhai," Jassi said, avoiding eye contact. He then went to wash the dishes.

Aman helped Jassi, while Rohit remained seated, feeling lost. Virat placed a comforting hand on Rohit's for support.

Later, Virat and Jassi immersed themselves in work while Aman and Rohit moved to the balcony. Their tasks were done, leaving the others to review everything.

"So, how do you know each other?" Aman asked, catching Rohit's attention.

"We were in the same orphanage," Rohit answered in a low voice, tears welling up as he recalled his past mistakes.

Aman held Rohit's hand in support, sensing his pain. Even if it was Rohit's fault, Aman could see how much it was hurting him.

Inside, Jassi explained to Virat, "Bhai, this is the clause we need to focus on. Aman and I cross-verified it with the client's manager, and he approved it. It's a big progress."

Virat listened carefully, giving inputs occasionally. He noticed Jassi's anxious demeanor—his hands shook while holding a file or writing. Without pointing it out, Virat gently took the file from Jassi and set it aside.

"It's okay, Jassi," Virat said, holding his hands and rubbing his thumb over Jassi's knuckles softly.

"Bhai," Jassi said emotionally before breaking into tears in Virat's arms.

Virat rubbed his back as Jassi sobbed. "He left me alone in that orphanage. He didn't even think about what I'd do without him. You know me—I hardly talk to anyone. He was the first person I was comfortable with since childhood, but he left me. I hate him," Jassi sobbed.

Since meeting Virat, it had always been easy for Jassi to share things with him, knowing Virat would give the best advice and listen patiently.

Virat pieced things together—Jassi and Rohit had been in the same orphanage, and Rohit must have left when he ran away.

Rohit and Aman, who had just walked in, saw Jassi crying in Virat's arms. Virat gestured for them to stay quiet. Aman went to the kitchen to prepare coffee for everyone, while Rohit retreated to the balcony, unsure of what to do. Seeing Jassi in pain broke his heart.

Though Jassi was three years younger than Rohit, he had always been his "kid"—someone he had protected and loved deeply in the orphanage.

After a while, Jassi calmed down. Virat gave him water, and Aman handed him a cup of coffee. Jassi smiled at Aman and blinked in assurance, a small gesture that didn't escape Virat's notice.

Virat took the remaining cups to Rohit, who was still in the balcony, staring at the sky.

He handed Rohit a cup of coffee. When Rohit was about to decline, Virat whispered, "Aman made it. If he sees you refusing, there'll be a big drama. He's very possessive about his coffee."

A small smile appeared on Rohit's face.

Rohit noticed Aman talking animatedly to Jassi, who was smiling softly. Resting his head on Virat's arm, Rohit whispered, "He's an angel."

"Indeed, he is—a blessing," Virat replied, admiring how Aman was trying to distract Jassi. The look of love in Jassi's eyes as he gazed at Aman made it clear how much Aman meant to him.

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