|2.1

                                    

                                          
" Surya bhau, please, " a cute doe-eyed boy with delicate features yet deep voice pleaded his brother like senior.
" Nahi matlab nhi. Ishan Aaj kal bohat badmash ho raha h. " 
" Fine. Jaao aap, mai kisi aur ko khoj lunga. " Ishan said pouting and stomping away like an angry little thing.
" Kya bhau, kyu pareshan karte ho usko ?? " 
Ishan Kishan was always the sunshine of the college cricket team. His infectious smile and playful nature made everyone's day better. One person who found this particularly refreshing was Virat Kohli, the team's captain. Virat was known for his serious demeanor on the field, but Ishan had a way of bringing out his softer side.
It was 3 am in the night when Virat woke up to continuous knocks on the door, but he was not ready for the sight that greeted him. Dreanched in thundering rain and as equal devastating condition along with red puffy eyes, a devastated Ishan, a baffled Virat welcomed.
" Ishu, baccha ye kya halat kar li h. " He quickly rushed the young boy inside 
Ishan's eyes looked lost as well as lost the charm they held. He glanced at his senior, " can I crash in for tonight ?? I have no idea where to go. "
His voice so weak and vulnerable that Virat paused whatever questions that were swirling in his mind. 
" Of course baby. Hurry up and change into something warm. I'll place a hoodie and shorts for you and prepare some hot chocolate, okay baccha ?? 
After settling in Virat's apartment, Ishan sat in the guest room lost in his thoughts. So trapped and lost, he failed to see Virat enter. Virat cautiously approached him. 
" Bacche kyu pareshan h ?? " Virat said, settling beside him. 
Virat's heart broke when he saw the dull and red rim eyes look at him. " Why would God hate me so much bhaiya?? Am I so bad ?? " Ishan asked with a defeated look. 
" Ishu, baat kar mujhse. Kuch bolega toh samjhu. " 
" I..I am gay bhai, " he paused to look at the reaction but continued as Virat gave a nodding approval. " And I t..told it to Shubi. I actually let out all my feelings, " he took a hesitant pause and gulped the nervousness rising in him, " for him. And he said that he is bi and maybe we could give it a chance. "
Virat kept a calm expression though his heart was breaking a little with each word uttered. Of course he and a few guys knew Ishan had something for his best friend but they never discussed it, so the younger could take his time to open. 
He saw Ishan breaking again, so he hesitantly wrapped his arms around and pulled the boy to his chest , drawing soothing circles on his shoulder blades.
The warmth made Ishan's heart fuzzy, but he shrugged it and spoke, " we started dating but Shubman decided to keep it a secret. " By now, his tears had started to fall freely with occasional sobs escaping his mouth. " I..I agreed, too happy to care about anything. It was a mistake on my part. " 
Now he was crying, heart wrenching cry. But something was wrong with Virat's brain cuz he found that Ishan looked more cute, with red nose tip and cheeks flushed. 
" He use to flirt with girls openly during classes or at house parties. I felt insecure and confronted him, only for him to brush it off saying I was assuming too much. " He completed, hiccuping in between. " Once I caught me making out with one of those cheerleader girls. And he apologized after I pointed out, swearing to not repeat. "
Virat could understand where this was going. He so prayed for his assumption to be proved wrong, or so help the all mighty, he will shrewed Shubman in pieces for hurting a gentle soul like Ishan.