One for all, all for one

Chapter 29

That was the breaking point. Ritika threw her head back in silent agony.

By the time dessert rolled around, Ritika had had enough. She dropped beside Anushka on the outdoor couch, her expression composed but her words sharp.

"If one more person hijacks my conversation with Rohit, I swear I'll throw someone into the sea."

Anushka blinked, then burst into laughter. "Okay, drama queen."

"I'm serious," Ritika muttered, glaring into the distance. "Three attempts. Three. I've tried everything short of smuggling him into a closet."

Anushka smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously. "I could fake a migraine. Clear the room for you."

"Please do." Ritika said.

"Relax, yaar. You'll get your moment."  Anushka chuckled, brushing a stray curl behind her ear, and gave Ritika a sidelong glance. "But seriously... what's going on? You've been fidgety all evening. Something happen?"

Ritika hesitated. Her first instinct was to deflect, say it was nothing. But the way Anushka looked at her, steady, warm, knowing, melted that resistance.

She sighed, sinking deeper into the couch cushions. "Jassi ko shak ho gaya ki there is something going on between me and ro. And I couldn't lie to him because he was adamant about it..and so I told him half truth"

Anushka blinked. "What exactly did you tell him ?"

"That I like Ro." She looked down at her hands. "I didn't mention anything beyond that. Not that we're together."

Anushka was quiet for a second, then smiled gently. "Well, that explains why he was looking at you like a proud older brother during dessert."

Ritika gave a weak laugh. "Yeah. But now it feels like it's all going to unravel. Like any second, someone's going to crack a joke, and boom..front page of every cricket gossip column."

"Rits..don't worry..aisa kuch nahi hoga and you haven't told him the whole truth..plus Jassi is not someone who will broadcast this news...It's okay. Don't be so hard on yourself." said Anushka keeping a hand on Ritika's shoulder trying to comfort her.

"I know, Nushkie... I know Jassi won't tell anyone. It's not that I don't trust him." Ritika's voice dropped, thick with conflicted emotion. "It's just... It's about me. I can't keep lying to everyone. It feels like I'm cheating. On the people who matter most to us."

She paused, eyes scanning the dimly lit patio where their laughter had echoed just an hour ago.

"Our families, and friends who feel like family. They've been there through everything. And it's eating me up, hiding something this big from them."

She inhaled shakily, then added, more quietly, "But at the same time, I'm scared. Scared that if we tell even one more person, it'll spiral. One joke, one slip-up... and suddenly it's not just ours anymore. It's the world's. Headlines. Rumours. Everything."

Anushka smiled, eyes softening as she gently squeezed Ritika's hand.
"You know, Rits... you're exactly like Vi. The overthinking gene runs strong in you cousins," she teased, her tone light but affectionate.

Ritika let out a small laugh, and Anushka continued, more gently now.
"Look, I get it. I really do. The guilt, the fear, the pressure, it's all very real. Even Vi and I... we haven't told many people about our relationship either. And sometimes, it does feel strange like we're hiding something precious. But over time, I've realised... it's not about hiding. It's about protecting."

She paused, brushing invisible lint off her dress as if gathering her thoughts.
"There's a time for everything, Rits. And that time comes when you two feel ready..when there's clarity. Not when the world demands it, or when circumstances push you into it. You and Ro deserve that space."