Hearts in Doubt [Snippets/OS]

Texting Our Way Back

Pat flopped onto the bed with a heavy sigh, every muscle in his body humming with exhaustion from the long IPL practice session.

His eyelids fluttered, threatening to close as he sank deeper into the mattress.

It had been a packed day — bowling drills, team meetings, a quick gym session, and strategy talk that stretched longer than expected.

And in that quiet, something nagged at the back of his mind.

Virat.

They hadn't spoken all day.

Not even a good morning.

Yesterday had been rough — Virat's voice over the call had sounded softer, a little distant.

Disappointed, maybe, because they hadn't managed to meet.

Different teams. Different schedules. The usual.

Pat shifted, reaching for his phone on the nightstand more out of habit than hope.

As the screen lit up, his heart gave a tiny jolt.

A message.
From him.

That was all it took.

The haze of sleep cleared instantly, and he sat up straighter, already more awake than he'd been all evening.

Maybe... just maybe he needed to hear from him more than he realized.

Virat: Listen

Pat's fingers hovered over the screen, a smile tugging at his lips as he read the message.

He could already hear Virat's voice in his head — a little serious, maybe a little soft.

His thumb moved quickly.

Pat: Yes Sweetheart?

His heart fluttered.

He hadn't said that all day.

Felt good to say it now.

Virat: I gotta say what's on my mind

Pat's chest tightened a little.

Pat: What happened baby? All Okay?

Sleep was a distant thought now.

He needed to know what was going on — needed to be there.

Virat: Something about us doesn't seem right these days.

Pat stared at the message, his heart sinking.

A knot formed in his stomach. He could feel the worry in Virat's tone, the quiet ache behind those words.

Pat: Baby Why are you saying all of this?
Pat: We will fix everything together!

His fingers trembled slightly as he typed.

Panic flickered in his chest, but he pushed it down.

This was them — and he wasn't letting go. Not now, not ever.

Virat: Life keeps getting in the way

Pat felt a lump form in his throat.

He hated how true that sounded — practices, matches, travel, the distance.

They were constantly chasing time, and it was slipping through their fingers.

Pat: missed voice call