Unconditional Love

43. Assurance

Jassi knocked on Rohit's door.

"Yes?" he replied, as Jassi opened the door, only to see Rohit wiping away his tears.

"Hey, has Aman slept?" asked Rohit, to which Jassi nodded. Rohit shifted slightly on the bed, inviting Jassi to sit.

But instead, Jassi surprised him by sitting on the floor and resting his head in Rohit's lap, just like he used to as a child.

Rohit hesitated but eventually placed his hand on Jassi's head, patting it softly. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Jassi recounted the words he had said to Virat. "That's why he decided to leave, right? He felt bad, he's angry with me— I ruined everything," said Jassi, sobbing into Rohit's lap.

"You didn't do anything, Jassi. Stop crying—you have to take care of Aman too," Rohit said gently, though his thoughts lingered on Jassi's words.

"We failed to understand him. We kept prioritizing ourselves and took him for granted. He was there for us every step of the way, but we forgot he needed us too— to understand and support him. We're both at fault. Aman not so much, since he doesn't even remember, and we don't know what that person said to Aman," Rohit explained.

Jassi sat silently for a while before retreating to his room. He fell asleep as Aman cuddled next to him.

Rohit looked around his room and felt an emptiness.

Virat wasn't there to hold him, and the other side of the bed lay cold and untouched. He moved to Virat's side, searching for some warmth.

At 4 a.m., Aman woke up and went to the living room balcony.

He felt the absence of his brother, who used to be there whenever he had trouble sleeping.

Tears streamed down his face as he remembered how he hadn't even hugged him before he left.

Taking out his phone, his trembling hands dialed Virat's number.

Virat, who had just landed in San Francisco, saw the call and quickly stepped away from the crowd.

"Kiddo?" he answered softly.

"It's 4 a.m. Why are you awake?" Virat asked, noticing the time difference.

"Please come back," Aman said in a low voice.

Virat sighed and rested his head against the pillar. "Bacha, I promise I will—just a few days, okay? I really need this, Aman, or I'll fall apart," he confessed, hoping Aman would understand.

"But you will come back and not leave me, bhai. You're the most important person in my life. I don't know what I said, but I'm sure I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry, bhai. Please don't stop talking to me—I can't handle it," Aman pleaded, his voice breaking.

"I promise, kiddo. I will never leave you. For now, promise me you'll take care of yourself," Virat said gently.

"I will," Aman replied.

"Now go to sleep. It's the weekend, so get some extra rest," Virat instructed.

"Bhai, did you get the deal?" Aman asked, having not checked his messages or mail.

Virat smiled softly, amused at how Aman was just like him. "Yes, I did."

"I'm so proud of you," Aman said, his voice filled with emotion.

"Thank you. I needed to hear that. And I couldn't have done it without the three of you," Virat replied.

"I really wish I had hugged you before you left," Aman said sadly.

"Don't worry. When I'm back, you can hug me as much as you want," Virat assured him.

"I love you, bhai."

"I love you too, kiddo. Bye—take care."

"You too, bhai."

As the call ended, Aman let the cool breeze hit his face. He felt arms wrap around his waist and leaned into the embrace, knowing it was Jassi.

"Feel better?" Jassi asked. Aman nodded.

Jassi broke the hug and made Aman sit on a chair. Kneeling in front of him, Jassi said, "I have to tell you something."

Aman grew worried, noticing Jassi's moist eyes. "Jas, what is it?" he asked softly.

Jassi confessed everything, lowering his gaze, afraid Aman would be upset and stop speaking to him. "I'm so sorry," he whispered.

Aman, however, felt lucky.

He knew the words were not right and probably would have hurt his brother but lucky because Jassi literally put him at first and everything else at second, not caring that Virat may not talk to him and now he shared it with him.

He had to look at the positive side of things because he knew Jassi didn't mean it completely and was worried for him.

But he also knew that Virat must have been so hurt-- first Rohit, then him in his drunk state and now Jassi that's why he said the "fall apart" thing.

But now he could not let Virat down so he had to assure Jassi.

Aman cupped his cheeks and made him look up at him, he kissed his forehead gently, "Thank you for telling me", he said.

"You are not angry?", Jassi asked having tears in his eyes, "I am not, the words were harsh but u were worried for me, I can understand that", Aman said softly wiping his tears.

Overwhelmed, Jassi buried his head in Aman's lap, and Aman lovingly caressed his hair.

Later, they went to the room, where Aman cuddled Jassi and quickly dozed off. Jassi kissed the top of his head and whispered softly, "I love you, Aman."

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Decided to write and publish, your comments will help to distract from the sadness.

Also should I publish on Ao3 as well?

vote and spam the comments ⭐️