Just as Kritika passed through the kitchen, Preeta left the tasks that she was doing and immediately stared at her.
"Kritika?"
The girl looked at her and gave her a fake smile tiredly. Preeta noticed how her school bag was hanging on her shoulder loosely. She also observed the dark circles. Giving another smile, Preeta asked,"Tiring day?"
Kritika nodded with a pout. "All the stupid assignments and upcoming tests."
Preeta couldn't help but smile apologetically. "Are you hungry? I have made your favourite pasta. May I bring it to your room?" She was expecting a charming smile from her but all she gave was another fake smile.
"Sure, bhabhi. Bring the juice too." She said while finally walking towards the room. Preeta sighed while feeling bad for her. She couldn't see Kritika like this. She knew the girl was suffering and must be extremely stressed. Why wouldn't she be? Preeta remembered her own moments of depression when she herself was blackmailed for the photos. But she couldn't let that happen to Kritika anymore. She herself had thought of suicide.
Preeta gasped. What if Kritika too was depressed to that level? Not wasting anymore time, she readied the plate full of pasta, put forks, and finally a glass of her favourite, mix-fruit juice. Inhaling large amount of air, she finally picked the plate and started walking towards her room.
While walking, fear was settling up in her heart. What if Kritika would break down in front of her? She won't be able to see her cry? Her mother-in-law could get to know. How the hell she would ask her about the nudes? This was so unpredictable. She didn't know if Kritika would actually share her personal topics with her. But in past months, their friendship had reached to another level.
Kritika did tell her about her crushes, and night outs. She shared her stupid, intimate jokes with her. They were like best friends. Preeta felt confidence collecting inside her. She had a positive feeling now. Her and Kritika could solve this together. No one would know and the disgusting plan of Malhotra brothers would go in dust.
Nodding to herself, Preeta entered into Kritika's room and noticed, she had changed from her uniform into a loose t-shirt and her printed shorts. Kritika immediately turned to her and smiled briefly.
"Thank you, bhabhi. You are a saviour. I was really very hungry," said Kritika while sitting on the bed.
Preeta shut the door and with a smile on her face, she put the plate on the bed. If she would have been a normal Kritika, Preeta would have been full of gossips from her. But now, she could see the grim expressions on her face. She was quietly eating the food while staring down in a deep thought. Preeta smiled nervously.
"Kritika, is something wrong? You look stressed." She said while gulping in nervousness. She was keenly observing Kritika's expressions. She saw her stiffening and blinking her eyes rapidly.
She further added,"You know, you can trust me. You can share anything with me, Kritika. I know there is something bugging in your mind. Is it a boy..." She stopped when Kritika looked at her suddenly with blank expressions on her face.
"Break up."
Preeta's mouth opened in surprise but she was actually feeling relieved that Kritika wasn't hiding. She felt more positivity in her way and decided to ask more.
"You are a beautiful, rich girl, Kritika. You would get over it soon. I am sure, many other boys would be lining up for..."
"I loved him." Kritika murmured in a hoarse voice while taking the fork full of pasta pieces in her mouth. Preeta gulped at the assurance that was displaying in her tone. She tried again to encourage her.
