Unconditional Love

Epilogue, Where they belong, home.

Virat stepped inside first, kicking off his shoes at the entrance. Rohit followed with an easy smile, bags in hand just coming back from yet another trip but this time in India towards the south. 

But the moment they entered, both of them paused.

The house wasn't silent.

It was glowing.

Soft fairy lights lined the walls, casting a golden hue. 

And more than that — it was the photos. 

Dozens of them. Framed, clipped, taped, and scattered like pieces of home.

A chaotic group selfie from one of their dinners. 

Aman mid-laugh, holding a mug bigger than his face. Jassi and Virat talking something very intensely just them being them. A perfectly candid photo of Rahul Bhai sipping coffee while Rohit grinned in the background.

Rohit chuckled, brushing a hand over one of the frames. "They've practically redecorated."

Before Virat could respond, a voice called from the hallway.

"Took you long enough!" Aman said giving a hug to both of them followed by Jassi.

"Welcome back," Rahul bhai said, warm and soft.

They both got freshened up and joined three of them in the living room.

The balcony lights glowed gently against the fading sky. The five of them sat together, wrapped in comfort — not just the comforters, but in the warmth of each other's presence.

Mugs of steaming tea sat nestled in their palms. The evening was quiet, save for the soft clinks of ceramic and the occasional laugh slipping into the breeze.

Jassi was on the couch beside Aman, Aman leaned on him, while Rahul Bhai leaned back on the cane chair, blanket pulled over his knees. 

Rohit and Virat sat on the floor against the wall, shoulders brushing, fingers quietly intertwined.

There was a soft hum in the conversation, that kind of peace that comes only when words aren't needed to feel full.

Then Aman cleared his throat, unusually hesitant.

"You know," he began, voice low, "we don't say it often... but we owe all of this to you."

Virat looked up, confused. "Me?"

Aman nodded. "This... us. The quiet. The safe. The feeling of belonging. You gave us that."

Jassi sat up a little, smile soft for once. "We were all a bit lost before you somehow stitched us together. You just... held us, without ever saying it out loud."

Rahul Bhai added, "You gave us family, Virat. The kind that stays."

Virat blinked, a little stunned. He hadn't expected it, the weight of those words, or the quiet sincerity behind them. 

His throat tightened, but he gave a small laugh, brushing it off, "You guys are being dramatic."

But the pink creeping up his cheeks betrayed him.

And the others noticed immediately.

"Wait—" Aman gasped. "Is he blushing?"

Jassi practically squealed. "OH MY GOD!"

Even Rahul Bhai chuckled under his breath. "Mark this day. Virat Kohli blushed."

Virat groaned, burying his face into Rohit's shoulder. "Why do I even sit with you people?"