Best Friends

73. Step by Step

Previously,

"Yes I do, I don't support your thought but I understand why you feel it. We are gonna overcome it Virat, I promise you" said Ash softly.

Present,

"How?" Virat asked like a child who need answer for some question.

"Step by step Virat, first you have to really believe that you are back with us and not in that dark room" said Ash explaining him calmly.

"But Ash wohi nahi ho raha hai, when I close my eyes it's so difficult to even sleep" Virat said desperately.

"I know Virat I know, isilye step by step! First try to sleep like if Mahi bhai is there, hold his hand so that you get physical assurance and warmth. And I mean it. That will make you realise that someone is there with you" said Ash softly and held his hand to assure him that he is there.

Virat nodded in understanding.

"Please don't say anything to anyone. I don't want them to get stressed about my condition" said Virat in low voice. 

"Virat I will not but u have to promise me that you will not think this as a condition. It's really natural to feel like this as you have gone through so much alone. It's okay, trust me it's really okay!" Ash assured him.

"Really?" asked Virat again.

"Yes it is and I know Rohit will be emotional hearing this so you chose not to share it with him. But trust me its really okay"

Virat agreed to it with a grateful smile. 

"You go, he will answer to you immediately"

"You go he is angry with me"

Ash and Virat heard outside the room some voices. Ash went and opened the door to see bhuvi and Jaddu bickering on something.

"What's going on? Why are you arguing? Bhuvi?" Ash asked them.

"Virattt" bhuvi yelled as he was about to fall.

Virat was getting up to check what was going on as it was rare to see Bhuvi shouting. 

"Akal nahi hai, we are here only na! You could have called us! Samaj nahi ata ki abhi time hai recovery mai" Jaddu said scolding him. He had rushed to him hearing Bhuvi's voice and helped him to bed.

Virat looked at him with moist eyes as he was scolding him like he used to do. Jaddu saw that and just hugged him tightly.

"Sorry Veer, we yelled at you when you apologised. We were emotional about whatever happened and how you suffered! Sorry Veer!" Jaddu said hugging him.

"Yes we are really sorry Virat! I am really sorry I snapped, I was not thinking! Please don't be upset with us" bhuvi also said being guilty of his actions.

Virat looked at Ash who mouthed, "first step.. hug them!"

"It's okay!" Virat said hugging bhuvi and Jaddu. 

"Really sorry Virat" bhuvi said again.

"It's fine bhuvi and not like u have yelled at me for this first time Na" Virat said making him smile.

Ash smiled as they started their conversation.

"Umm Ash!"

"I am just bringing some water and something to eat, coming back in a min" said Ash as Virat looked restless when he moved towards the door.

"Yeh superhuman wali harkatein band kar ab.. scared us a lot" Jaddu said whacking his hand lightly.

"Sorry Na" Virat said rubbing his arm.

"How is your health?" Bhuvi asked and they got into conversation regarding the same.

Outside the room,

"Rohit please calm down! Don't worry about anything I will manage" Mahi said consoling him.

He was angry at board and management trying to rush Virat into the series. He would be there for test but ODIs it was difficult for now. Why they didn't understand that? He was recovering. He was going to snap at them but Mahi intervened immediately.

"Bhai bahot Dar lag raha hai Mujhe, what if this really affects Vi a lot and he feels low" Rohit asked scared to know if this news reached him.

"And Abhi tak he is not ready to come back" Rohit added to that pacing in the room.

"Rohit, please calm down kiddo, aise kuch nhi hoga! Hum aise hone nhi denge, we will be with him", Mahi assured him. 

"Ek toh usko konsi cheez pareshaan kar rahi hai share bhi nhi kar raha", said Rohit being irritated a little by his stubborn friend.

"It's okay Ro, we have to take it slow"

"Bhai wo thik hai, I am in no hurry but the problem is we have to shift in team hotel", said Rohit worried about Virat's reaction. 

"And Virat has to be in NCA" continued Mahi worried about the same. 

"Kya karenge bhai?" Rohit asked tensed. 

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