Hey guys,

I'm sorry I couldn't update even after the target was completed....it's just i my mind was totally blank....I was not able to think or write anything.... And when I wanted to write my professional life decided to mess with my mind leaving me totally drained to think anything to write....so finally somehow I pushed myself to write this chapter....I'm not sure if this is upto mark or not but it's something rather than nothing....

Do let me know your feedback for this chapter.

There are many things to say but I'll not bore you out so I'm stopping now and back to the story.

~~~~~~~

Rishabh was nestled close to Rohit, both wrapped in a cocoon of sleep. Rohit's arm lay securely around Rishabh, a protective gesture that spoke volumes of his love and care. Unbeknownst to them, the peaceful scene they represented had stirred a profound emotional upheaval in someone else.

The person was aimlessly walking in the corridor when he bumped into Surya, who held the person to stabilize them from falling and said " Dyann kidr hai tumhara Jass ?  (where is your focus Jass ?)

" Woh....woh mai kuch nahi " Jass hesitated but finally answered.

"Jass are you okay ? And please don't mind Rishu's words, he was just scared for Ro " said Surya.

Jass could only nod his head and walked away.

" What happened to him now....ye itna disturbed kyu lag raha hai '' Surya thought out loud. " Anyway isko baad mai dekhta hu....let me warn Ro about the current situation." Thinking this he moved to Ro's room.

Only to find Rohit and Rishabh sleeping peacefully, so not having the heart to disturb either of them he decided to go back.

Somewhere else :
Just then they heard something failing and they stood rooted to their place seeing the person standing there.

"I was so so wrong.. I misunderstood him so much. He was just trying to protect me and what I did" he kept mumbling.

" Jinks"

"Ajju"

Sometimes ago

He contemplated before getting out of the car and going inside. Taking deep breath he was moving towards reception when he spotted Ritika dragging Virat in one room with Shreyas, Surya and Rishabh following them. So he quietly went there thinking that was the room Rohit was in. He had decided he would take a look from outside at Rohit, meet Virat and leave but he never thought that what he would hear in that room would make him question his belief and anger he possessed from the past 5 years. He couldn't understand how he had exactly played how those culprits wanted him. He was so shook that he didn't notice the plant stand kept at the side door which fell because of his push.

He was still not able to understand anything and his conscience kept mocking him saying " what you said a while ago, Rohit backstabbed you, he destroyed your friendship but it was never the case he was always protecting you and what you did with him ?"

"I was so so wrong.. I misunderstood him so much. He kept saying he didn't do anything and I kept saying he backstabbed me and what all I haven't said...even Jass didn't trust him and stopped talking to him and I didn't say anything to him knowing so well that how much Jass means to him, still I didn't do anything about it and even after everything I said to him he still kept trying to protect me and what i did" he was just mumbling and broke down.

As he broke down there, the weight of his past actions bore down on him like a heavy burden. The echoes of his own words, accusing Rohit of betrayal, reverberated in his mind, now twisted into painful reminders of his own misjudgment. Tears were flowing continuously out of his eyes as he grappled with the realization that he had been blind to the truth all along.

"I was so wrong... I misunderstood everything," he whispered, his voice choked with regret. The memories of accusations hurled and how much their friendship has strained were the only thoughts flooded in his mind. The realization that Rohit had been a shield, not a sword, pierced his heart with guilt. His hands trembled as he wiped away the tears, each drop a testament to the wounds he had inflicted unknowingly.

As he sank to the ground, the weight of his realization pressing down on him, a flicker of resolve ignited within him. "I need to make this right," he vowed, his voice firm despite the tremor of emotion. With newfound clarity, he understood that redemption lay not in dwelling on past mistakes but in forging a new path, one paved with honesty, forgiveness, and the courage to confront his own shortcomings. The journey towards reconciliation had just begun, but the first step was taken in that moment of raw honesty and self-awareness.

" I need to meet Rohit...I need to see him now..... I need to apologize to him and make everything alright...but is Rohit alright?? " He was mumbling to himself when he looked at Virat and Ritsy for the answer of his last question.

Before either of them could answer, Surya spoke from the door saying" Ro bhai is fine and finally sleeping peacefully. So you can't meet him now " There was an edge to Surya's voice. Obviously apart from Rishu it was him who had seen their elder Brother's silently suffering and how much he has changed over the years.

And before anyone could say anything he again added " Ritsy, you should go home and rest a bit.  You can come back tomorrow morning with breakfast, now go Devisha is waiting for you at home."

Ritika was a bit hesitant, but Surya looked at Virat expecting him to say something and he didn't disappoint as he added " Yes, Ritsy you go home. we are here with Ro, anyway he is sleeping now and won't wake up until tomorrow so it's better you go home and rest now and come in morning so we can go home freshen up and come back while you will stay here."

Ritsy contemplated and hesitantly nodded to go home, She was getting ready to leave when Shrey came back who was updating the team until then and volunteered to drive Ritika home.

Once Ritsy and Shrey were gone Surya turned toward Ajju and said "I think you should go home and rest. Virat bhau and I can handle things here." He saw Ajju frowning and about to oppose, so he added "Look, I'm not stopping you from seeing Ro Bhai. I just want him to be in the best state of mind when you meet him. We don't know what kind of condition he'll be in tomorrow with the concussion. But if you want to see him now, you can. Just promise me you won't disturb their sleep. Rishu is already on edge and might react badly." 

Jinks gave him a confused look, when Surya recited the earlier drama that unfolded everything. By the end Jinks was just overwhelmed by everything, he wanted to talk with Virat but he could clearly see how disappointed, angry and tired he was at that moment. He stood in front of Virat and took his hands in his hands and said " I'm sorry, Virat. I know this situation has put you through a lot. I was afraid of how you'd react to everything. I don't know why Ro never told you anything. I didn't want you to have to choose between Ro and me, or to feel like you had to pick sides nor be the reason because of which Team would get divided. so I chose to hide everything and just tried my best to avoid places where I would have to face Ro---"

"That's the point Jinks, between your hide and seek with Ro, you both left me and the team hanging. You didn't just isolate yourself; you both abandoned me. No calls, no meetings, just sporadic texts and occasional catch-ups." said Virat with a tight frustrated voice.

Jinks sighs, almost looking pained as he said "I didn't mean to abandon you. I was trying to protect you from the fallout, but maybe I was wrong. I see now that it only made things worse."

"Jinks. It's not just about me but we were the Trio, who stood by each other and now it feels like that bond is broken. I get that you were scared, but we could have fought this together, but you both didn't feel worthy enough to trust me or take my help or even to seek comfort when you needed me most." said Virat in a soft but firm tone.

Jinks nodded slowly, his eyes reflecting regret and said "I understand Vi, but we did what we felt right at that moment which was wrong. We should have been more open, then we won't be in this present situation. But I promise I'll do whatever it takes to make it right, but I need your help in this Vi, I can't do anything alone, please Vi help me....I need you and Ro back...and I know it won't fix everything overnight but I need both my best friends back....Can you please forgive your Jinks Vi?"

Before Virat can say anything Surya interjected gently saying "For now, let's focus on being here for Ro Bhai and supporting each other. Because Ro bhai's health should be our main priority and once he is healthy enough. we can address other issues later, when things are calmer."

Virat reluctantly nodded and said "Fine. Let's focus on what matters right now. But remember, Jinks, trust has to be rebuilt, and it starts with more than just words."

Jinks nodding earnestly said "yes, I get it. I'll do my best to earn back your trust and sort out whatever issues I had with Ro. Also we need to find the culprit and punish him.... he can't touch one of us and live to tell the tale."

Somewhere else,

A locked room,
A person was going through some documents.

When someone came running and showed something on the Tablet.

"Oh no, this can't be happening!"

"He trusted them"

And the person slammed the file on the desktop, sweeping everything off the table in a fit of anger and frustration.

A/N

So do vote and comments...I'm not giving out the target but make sure the votes and comments are more than the previous chapter to get the next chapter and don't worry I'm already working on the next chapter.

So hopefully see you soon!!