Sairat - each other support system

part 11

**A Few Weeks Later**

Sai and Virat’s relationship had evolved in ways neither of them had expected. They had fallen into a comfortable rhythm—sharing moments of silence and conversation, of support and quiet companionship. While neither had openly confessed their feelings, there was an unspoken connection between them that deepened with each passing day.

Sai still focused on her studies, but now there was a sense of peace knowing Virat was there for her. They no longer walked on eggshells around each other. In fact, the teasing had returned—moments where Virat would make a sarcastic remark, and Sai would retort with her usual sass. Their dynamic was no longer just about duty; it was about companionship, a budding affection that neither had fully voiced yet.

**At the Police Station**

Virat sat at his desk, deep in thought, his mind constantly drifting back to Sai. He knew something had shifted between them, but expressing those feelings out loud seemed like a monumental task. He was lost in these thoughts when his childhood friend, Sunny, walked into the police station.

Sunny, always perceptive, immediately noticed Virat’s distracted demeanor.

Sunny- "Virat, bhai, kya chal raha hai? Aaj kal tu bohot lost-lost lagta hai."

Virat snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at Sunny with a half-smile.

V- "Kuch nahi, yaar. Bas thoda sa kaam ka pressure."

Sunny sat down across from him, clearly not buying the excuse.

Sunny- "Haan haan, mujhe pata hai ye 'kaam ka pressure' kya hota hai. Sun na, ab tu yeh bata, Sai ke saath kya scene chal raha hai? Waise toh sab thik lag raha hai tum dono ke beech, lekin main dekh raha hoon ke ab kuch zyada hi serious ho gaya hai."

Virat rubbed the back of his neck, feeling slightly uncomfortable but also relieved to have someone to talk to about this.

V- "Sunny... yaar, main khud samajh nahi paa raha. Humara rishta pehle duty se shuru hua tha, lekin ab... ab sab kuch alag lagta hai. Sai ke saath rehkar jo ehsaas hota hai, woh maine kabhi kisi ke saath nahi mehsoos kiya."

Sunny leaned forward, intrigued.

Sunny- "Oh ho! Toh yeh toh baat bohot aage badh gayi hai. Bhai, agar tu aisa mehsoos kar raha hai, toh iska ek hi matlab hai—tu Sai se pyaar karne laga hai."

Virat froze at Sunny's words. He had been avoiding naming his feelings, unsure of what they truly meant. Hearing it so plainly felt both jarring and comforting at the same time.

V- "Pyaar... Sunny, yeh itna asaan nahi hai. Sai aur meri life itni complicated hai. Hamara shuruwaat hi galat thi, deal se shuru hui. Uske ilawa, Pakhi... her involvement complicates everything."

Sunny nodded in understanding.

Sunny- "Haan, mujhe pata hai Pakhi ka situation tumhare liye muskil hai. Lekin yeh rishta tumhare aur Sai ke beech ka hai. Agar tum dono ke beech sach mein pyaar hai, toh tumhe sab kuch clear karna hoga."

Virat sighed, his mind going back to the quiet nights he and Sai had shared, the unspoken emotions, and the way her presence filled the void in his life.

V- "Yeh toh sahi hai, Sunny. Sai ne kabhi yeh nahi kaha ki woh mujhse pyaar karti hai, aur maine bhi kabhi apne dil ki baat usse nahi batai. Hamesha lagta hai, hum dono ek doosre ke saath honge, lekin kabhi khul ke baat nahi hui."

Sunny smiled, leaning back in his chair.

Sunny- "Bhai, kab tak tum dono sirf signals pe chaloge? Tumhe apni dil ki baat Sai ko batani padegi. Pyaar express karna zaroori hota hai. Uske bina tum dono beech mein atke rahoge."

Virat ran a hand through his hair, realizing that Sunny was right. His feelings for Sai had grown, and they weren’t just about responsibility or duty anymore. It was time to acknowledge them.

V- "Lekin Sunny, Sai ke sapne... uski padhai, uska career... main nahi chahta ki main uske raste mein aaoon."

Sunny shook his head with a smile.

Sunny- "Virat, pyaar ka matlab yeh nahi hota ke tum uske sapnon ke raaste mein aao. Tum uska saath de sakte ho, uske sapnon ko pura karne mein madad kar sakte ho. Agar Sai tumse pyaar karti hai, toh woh samajh jaayegi. Tum dono ko ek doosre ka saath dena hai, bas."

Virat leaned back in his chair, feeling a sense of clarity washing over him. Sunny was right. Sai was his partner, not his responsibility. If he truly loved her, he needed to trust that their relationship could grow without sacrificing her dreams.

V- "Teri baat sahi hai, Sunny. Shayad mujhe apni feelings Sai ke saath share karni chahiye."

Sunny grinned, clapping Virat on the shoulder.

Sunny- "Ab yeh hui na baat! Tu bas apne dil ki sun, aur Sai se baat kar. Usse sab kuch samajh aa jaayega."

As Sunny left the station, Virat sat back, the weight of his unspoken emotions lifting slightly. He knew what he had to do—no more hesitating, no more second-guessing. It was time to confront his feelings and be honest with Sai.

---

**Later That Night, at Home**

Virat returned home to find Sai sitting on the bed, immersed in her textbooks, her hair tied up in a loose bun. The sight of her, so focused and determined, made his heart swell. He knew now, more than ever, that she was his anchor.

As he walked in, Sai looked up, giving him a small smile.

S- "Aap kaafi late aaye aaj, Virat Sir."

V- "Haan, thoda kaam tha, aur Sunny se baat kar raha tha."

Sai raised an eyebrow. She had always liked Sunny and knew he and Virat shared a deep bond.

S- "Sunny bhaiya se? Kya baat ho rahi thi?"

Virat sat down beside her, his expression softening as he gazed at her.

V- "Tumhare baare mein... aur hamare baare mein."

Sai blinked, slightly surprised.

S- "Hamare baare mein? Kya kaha Sunny bhaiya ne?"

Virat hesitated for a moment, but then he smiled.

V- "Usne kaha ke kabhi kabhi pyaar ka izhaar karna zaroori hota hai."

Sai's heart skipped a beat, the air between them suddenly feeling charged with something unspoken. She lowered her eyes, unsure of how to respond, her mind racing with questions.

S- "Pyaar? Aap... kya kehna chahte ho, Virat Sir?"

Virat gently took her hand, his touch reassuring and warm.

V- "Mujhe lagta hai hum dono ke beech jo kuch hai, usse hamesha 'dosti' ya 'zimmedari' ke naam se nahi chhupa sakte, Sai. Shayad ab waqt aa gaya hai ki hum khul kar baat karein, bina kisi hesitation ke."

Sai’s eyes widened, her heart pounding in her chest as she met his gaze. The silence between them was heavy, filled with emotions neither of them had dared to speak aloud.

But tonight, it seemed, everything was about to change.