Dinner at the villa was exactly as imagined..a full, vibrant chaos. The air was filled with laughter and the sweet scent of mouthwatering food. The long wooden table stretched across the patio, beneath sparkling fairy lights that seemed to add a magical glow to the evening. Yuzi, ever the prankster, was relentlessly trying to prank KL, who responded with exaggerated groans and eye rolls. Rishabh was in his element, impersonating everyone from Ravi Shastri's commentary to mimicking Ziva's cute, baby-like voice. Anushka and the others were laughing so hard at Rishabh's antics that they nearly spilled water all over the food that had just been brought out.
Yet, in the midst of the merriment, Ritika felt disconnected.
She smiled, nodded along, and laughed politely when she had to. But her heart wasn't at the table. It was somewhere near the sea breeze, drifting with the man who hadn't once caught her alone tonight.
Rohit.
He looked relaxed...laughing, chatting, sipping on water like nothing was tugging at his sleeve. But Ritika's eyes kept tracking him, her chest tightening each time someone else reached him before she could.
It kept drifting back to Rohit, who was, as always, present in the crowd but also just out of reach. Every time she thought she could steal a private moment with him, someone else seemed to interrupt.
As the starters were served, Rohit moved to the edge of the patio to attend a call. Ritika saw her chance. She quickly excused herself, muttering something about wanting a breather, and made her way toward him. Her heart raced a little faster with each step. She almost reached him when just as she was a few paces away, Rishabh bounded up behind him, full of his usual energy. "Brooo, I just thought of a reel we HAVE to make!" he said with his signature enthusiasm.
Rohit laughed, turning toward him, completely unaware of the girl whose footsteps faltered behind them. Ritika froze mid-step, a breath caught in her throat. She stood still for a moment, watching the two of them animatedly talking, then turned around quietly. There it was again another attempt foiled. Rishabh's enthusiasm was undeniable, and it was clear that Rohit, always the good sport, was already being pulled into whatever scheme Rishabh had in mind. Ritika's jaw tightened in frustration. She muttered under her breath "Great...His phone is also going to be busy now so can't even text ! Just what I needed.", turned on her heel, and walked back to the group, feeling the heat of irritation building up inside.
After dinner, she saw her second chance. Rohit was heading inside. No one followed him this time.
Ritika got up slowly, as if any sudden movement would jinx the moment. She slipped past the others, careful not to draw attention. Her heart beat in hopeful rhythm. Maybe this time.
But as she stepped into the villa, she spotted him near the kitchen counter and with him, Yuzi.
"I swear on my Google search history," Yuzi was saying, "my mattress is haunted. I heard whispers. It's definitely a ghost. Pleasee aaj tum logo ke sath sone do."
Rohit was chuckling, humoring him. "Or maybe you should just stop watching horror movies before bed."
Ritika lingered near the hallway entrance, silently seething. She almost turned back right away, but her feet wouldn't move. She stood there awkwardly for a few seconds, willing Yuzi to leave. He didn't.
She sighed and walked away again. Disappointment gnawed at her stomach now, making it harder to smile when she returned to the patio.
She didn't even bother trying again when she saw Rohit out on the beach lounge. He looked peaceful, staring up at the sky. The sight made her chest ache but before she could make a move, KL wandered over, flopping beside him and immediately launching into a passionate debate about cricket.

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One for all, all for one
Fanfiction"Welcome to 'One for All, All for One', where Rohit Sharma, alongside his manager Ritika Sajdeh and their merry band of cricketers, including everyone's favorite loudmouth Virat Kohli, take on the cricketing world with a mix of sass and swing. Betwe...