Unconditional Love

88. When Walls Crumble

The three of them were in Virat's cabin early the next day, files and laptops spread out in an organized mess. Rahul bhai sat in the chair opposite Virat, but his eyes weren't on the screen.

He was staring out the window, the same haunted look from last night clouding his face.

Virat noticed it immediately.

He quietly closed his laptop, giving a brief look to Rohit, who was cross-checking figures beside him.

Then, Virat leaned forward and rested a steady hand on Rahul bhai's shoulder.

"Bhai," he said softly, "don't worry. We won't let Aman know anything. We promise."

Rahul sighed deeply, his hand running over his tired face. "But how many days, Virat?" His voice was raw, defeated. "He's a curious kid. He's going to keep asking. He won't let it go."

Virat exhaled slowly. His grip on Rahul's shoulder tightened, grounding him. "Bhai, I can't see you like this. We're with Aman... we'll handle it together."

But Rahul shook his head with a sharpness that made Virat stop. "No, Virat," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Can you imagine even telling him? Can you picture it?"

Virat's jaw clenched.

Rahul's eyes glistened, and he looked down at his hands. "How would you even say it to him? That I lost my fiancée in the same accident... where I decided to save Aman?"

For a moment, the room was too quiet.

Virat's heart sank, and Rohit's fingers froze over the keyboard. Then Rohit's gaze flickered to the glass wall—the one behind Virat. His breath caught.

"Virat," Rohit whispered urgently, his eyes wide.

Virat turned instantly, following Rohit's line of sight.

And there, on the other side of the glass, stood Aman.

His face was pale, stricken. His hands trembled at his sides as if he'd lost the ability to hold himself together.

His horrified, disbelieving eyes met Virat's for one heart-stopping second.

Then Aman ran.

"Aman!" Virat shot up from his chair, his pulse racing. He was already at the door before Rahul or Rohit could move, wrenching it open. "Aman, wait!"

But Aman was gone.

Sprinting down the hallway, disappearing around the corner like he was running for air.

Virat's stomach dropped as he bolted after him.

Virat came back into the cabin, his breathing ragged, his pulse thundering in his ears. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he shook his head.

"I couldn't stop him," he said, his voice tight. "He's gone."

Rohit opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, there was a choked sound behind them.

"Bhai?" Virat turned sharply.

Rahul bhai was slumped back in his seat, his breathing shallow and erratic.

His hand clutched at his chest as he tried to suck in air, but his lips were pale, and beads of sweat rolled down his temple.

"Bhai!" Virat rushed to him, grabbing his shoulders. "Bhai, look at me!"

But Rahul bhai's eyes fluttered, unfocused, and his head dropped back.

"Rohit!" Virat's voice cracked with panic.