Virat was exhausted from his punishment and was dragging himself to his room.

The team had left after hearing Mahi Bhai's orders that they all go to their rooms. He felt bad hearing that but couldn't do anything about it.

He got freshened up with his shaking legs, which were cramped because of the 5 laps and the extra training.

He just kept pushing himself and had some cold showers, which relaxed them a bit.

More than the physical pain... what was hurting him was the deadpan look on his brother's face when he called him Virat !!

The look of 'I don't care' on Rohit's face.. that was more painful than this...

"Hello Bunty, did u find anything ??" Virat asked with hope.

"Nothing is suspicious, Virat, everything is normal.I checked, they just had their breakfast there normally and nothing else." He answered.

"Are you sure?" Asked Virat.

"Yes Virat, Phone records are also clean! So no problem!!" He said.

"Okay good night, thanks!!", Virat said and hanged up the call.

Virat's last hope had shattered, making his heart break.. He knew Bunty would have tried and he trusted his sources a lot.. so it was the last hope he had!! What is he going to do now?

Virat had given up hope and closed his eyes, wishing that everything would return to normalcy...He was too tired to think of anything. His legs were aching so much.

He remembered how Mahi bhai looked after him after that Australia match, where he had run so hard, and tears welled up in his eyes remembering that.

"Cheeku, how are you doing? Kiddo, that must hurt awfully bad" Mahi asked.

His Bhai was seated there, stroking his hair. As soon as he heard that soft voice Mahi bhai, Virat grinned.

"it hurts so badly, bhai! Where were you? You spoke to me so harshly when I was waiting for you." Virat remarked while crying.

"Because you only deserve that, Virat. You don't deserve to be my brother, and I don't love you" said Mahi bitterly.

Virat was surprised by Mahi's rude and harsh remarks. What occurred suddenly when he merely called him Cheeku and kiddo?

"Bhai, please don't talk like this. Please i am sorry, don't leave me."

Virat gasped for air as he struggled to catch his breath after having that nightmare. Yes, it was a nightmare.

He looked around and discovered that there was just him and the darkness in the room.

"Where are you, Mahi bhai? Please come back and speak with me. I'm missing you, bhai.

I want you by my side, tightly clutching me in your arms. Please, I need your affection and your soft voice." He sobbed himself to sleep because he didn't know what to do without his bhai and Ro.

He was so reliant on them, especially Mahi bhai, for his emotions that it was suffocating for him to be left alone all of a sudden.

He was unable to call Anushka because she was away on set, and he also avoided calling Rits and Sakshi bhabhi because he didn't want any conflict between them.

Why was this happening with him?

Next morning:

On his way to the dining area, Virat ran into Bhuvi and Hardik.

"Good morning, Virat bhai. Are you alright? You seem tired ", asked hardik.

"Is everything all right, Virat? You know that you can talk to us? Softly said Bhuvi.

He thought he could finally discuss the situation with someone after two days.

Even though it hurt his heart to tell it, Virat described every single detail of how Mahi and Rohit treated him.

Their expressions of disbelief could be seen when he turned to look at them. He became more optimistic that they at least believed him.

Hardik screamed, "What the heck are you saying, Virat?"

Virat was taken aback by the force of his yell.

"Hardik I-," he started, but was cut off.

"How could you accuse Mahi bhai and B-Ro of something like this, Virat? They could never do something like this to you. You've pulled a terrible prank on me. I never expected you to sink to this low." Hardik stormed out of the room after saying that.

He had a hopeful gaze for Bhuvi. However, he shared Hardik's expression. Not with that much ferocity, but they did.

Bhuvi left after giving Virat a quick glance. After Hardik's outburst, Virat walked to his room to be by himself.

By evening, everyone was informed of what Virat had stated via Hardik.

When he walked into the dining room he saw everyone wore Hardik's accusing expression. Nobody took him seriously.

He now detested the word "hope." How deeply it hurt his heart as each of his hopes was dashed one by one.

He simply took a step back and continued on his way. He'd lost his appetite for anything.

He collided with someone on the way because he was looking down and not looking ahead.

"Can't you look up and walk? I would have fallen on the floor because of you. Are you blind?" Rohit exclaimed angrily.

The only thing Virat could muster was "sorry," after which he walked up to the terrace without glancing at Rohit.

Virat stood on the edge, looking up at the stars. What had he done to deserve this treatment from the team? They didn't believe him because they loved and valued Mahi bhai more than they valued him.

His only thought at that precise time was how it would feel to jump from this position.

He remained calm, however, and simply sat there admiring the stars and taking in the refreshing breeze.

"Virat, what are you doing up here?" Bhuvi enquired.

"Why are you here, Bhuvi?" Virat asked directly.

First, Bhuvi lifted him away from the edge while holding him by the shoulders. Virat was forced to sit on the floor and lean against the wall by Bhuvi. He moved in close to him and handed the man a cup of coffee.

"Unlike others, you don't believe me. So why are you here with me?" Virat questioned once more.

Virat didn't want to boost his hopes only to have them dashed again. He felt powerless to deal with it since it hurt so badly.

"At first, I didn't believe you. Anyone would find it difficult to believe that Mahi bhai and Rohit said all of those things to you. And I'm sure you didn't believe at first, too," Bhuvi said, looking for confirmation, to which Virat initially nodded.

"But after giving it some careful thinking and recalling the previous days, I was certain that you weren't pulling a prank on me or the team.That was answered for me by your dull and red eyes," he added.

While Bhuvi drew him into a side embrace, Virat's eyes began to well up with tears as he was listening to that.

"They hate me, Mahi bhai, and Ro hate me, Bhuvi! I am completely alone." Virat sobbed in the embrace, sensing that someone was finally there for him.

"I am here for you, virat!" Bhuvi attempted to console and reassure him.

"Here, have some coffee, you'll feel better," he said after Virat calmed down.

"I don't recall doing anything wrong, Bhuvi!" "Why are they doing this?" Virat recalled what they had said.

"I have no idea Virat! All we can do is wait." Bhuvi said in low voice.

Virat leaned against Bhuvi's shoulder.

"Come on, we've got a game tomorrow.Don't overwork yourself. You didn't even eat properly, so get some sleep." He said softly as he noticed Virat dozing off.

Bhuvi led him into his room. Virat gripped his hand while he stood up and muttered, "Don't go, please."

Seeing him tensed, Bhuvi remarked, "I'm just turning the lights out."

He responded, "No, don't turn it off; it terrifies me", sounding low.

Bhuvi sat next to him, stroking his hair, saying, "Okay, I won't," allowing him to sleep soundly.

Given what was going on, Bhuvi felt bad for Virat. He was perplexed by Mahi bhai's and Rohit's actions. Why would they do something like this?

Next morning:

Team gave Virat the cold shoulder. The team meeting began when they arrived.

Bhuvi sat next to Virat, supporting him by keeping his hand on his.

"Today's team combination will be largely determined by the pitch condition.As a result, Rishabh will start in place of Virat. We're attempting some combinations," Mahi announced.

To say the least, Virat and Bhuvi were taken aback.

Virat demanded an answer from Mahi with his eyes, wondering where he had gone wrong to deserve this.

Mahi didn't even bother to look at Virat. They all boarded the bus.

Virat said nothing that scared Bhuvi. Bhuvi disliked his silence because it made it difficult to understand what was going on in his head.

"You okay, na?", bhuvi softly enquired.

Rohit said, "bhuvi we are almost late for warm up, don't waste your time, come on," before Virat could respond.

"Don't worry about me, just go!", As he took a seat in the dressing room, Virat said.

"I'm not going to be a part of the team anymore. First they kicked me out of their lives, and now it's the team. What else is left there to see now?" Virat thought.

"Coach If you could let the captain know that I'm returning to the hotel because I don't feel well?" As he was unable to continue there, Virat stated.

The coach answered, "Yes Virat, don't worry about it."

Virat returned to his room and sat there motionless, waiting for the darkness to engulf him.

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