Unconditional Love

102. Love in the Quiet Moments

It was after three days that Virat and Rohit were finally back at the office.

Those three days had passed in a warm bubble of quiet care—Rohit never leaving Virat's side, and Virat... letting him.

Rohit had done everything, from making his toast just the way he liked, cutting the edges off with surgical precision, to helping him sit up, even when Virat insisted he could manage.

"You always say that" Rohit had grumbled one morning, tucking a pillow behind Virat's back.

Virat had just smiled, eyes soft. "You love it."

And Rohit had rolled his eyes, muttering, "Yeah, yeah. Unfortunately."

But it was during the second night that Rohit had woken up with a jolt—heart hammering, sweat dampening his neck, a broken whisper on his lips:
"Virat?"

He had turned immediately, hand scrambling over the bed, needing to see him, to feel him.
"Vi?" His voice cracked.

Virat had stirred, groggy and confused, but alert the moment he saw Rohit's face.

"Hey... hey, I'm here." He cupped Rohit's cheek, gently grounding him.

Rohit blinked fast, still stuck in the dream where he'd lost him—where Virat had walked away and never looked back.

"I thought..." Rohit swallowed hard. "You were gone. I couldn't reach you."

Virat had pulled him close, wrapping his arms tightly around his middle. "I'm not going anywhere, baby," he whispered, pressing a kiss to Rohit's temple. "Not ever. You're stuck with me, okay?"

Rohit had buried his face in Virat's chest, clinging to him like he was the only thing keeping him tethered. "I hate that I'm still scared sometimes..."

Virat had smiled softly, combing his fingers through Rohit's hair. "You're allowed to be scared. Just don't forget I'm always right here."

He then kissed the crown of Rohit's head and whispered, "Now go to sleep, clingy boy."

Rohit had mumbled against his shirt, "You love it."

Virat's low chuckle had vibrated through his chest. "I really do."

The office had its usual buzz, but the meeting room was wrapped in a quiet, focused energy.

Everyone was seated, Virat at the head of the conference table, commanding the space with calm authority.

To his right sat Rahul bhai, flipping through the finance deck.

To his left, Rohit, composed, hands folded neatly, ever the silent support.

Aman and Jassi were beside Rahul bhai, their notepads open, eyes attentive.

Virat had just presented the vision for the new project, a sustainable, long-term initiative that had taken shape in his mind over those quiet three days.

Now, Rahul bhai was taking over, speaking about the funding structure and phased investments.

"This part—Phase II—will depend on the traction we get from the first release quarter. The margins look tight but manageable if we move with proper vendor negotiations..."

Virat nodded absently, but his attention had begun to drift.

Across the table, Ajay, one of their employees, was leaning slightly toward Rohit.

He was pointing something out in his notes, brows drawn together in confusion.

And Rohit... Rohit was nodding patiently, leaning in as well, voice low and kind.