Twisted Fate | rupha

Chapter 5: Beneath The Surface

The next day, Ruka and Rita tried their best to maintain a facade of civility, each suppressing the turbulent emotions swirling beneath the surface. Their interactions were polite yet guarded, their shared history an unspoken weight between them.

Ruka's phone buzzed on the coffee table, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced at the screen to see Asa's name flashing with an incoming call. With a sigh of relief, she answered, eager for a distraction.

"Hey, Asa! What's up?" Ruka greeted, her voice infused with a hint of excitement.

"Hey, girl! I've got a plan to shake things up tonight. Are you in?" Asa's voice crackled with energy on the other end of the line.

Ruka's eyes lit up with intrigue. "Oh, I'm definitely in! What do you have in mind?"

Asa chuckled mischievously. "Well, you know our usual spot, right? I thought we could add a twist tonight-maybe some karaoke and dancing to lift your spirits."

A smile tugged at the corners of Ruka's lips. "That sounds perfect! I could use a night of carefree fun."

"Exactly! Consider it a mini getaway from all the drama," Asa replied, her enthusiasm infectious.

Ruka laughed, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. "Count me in, Asa. Let's make tonight unforgettable!"

Desperate for a distraction, Ruka agreed to Asa's plan, hoping that a night of revelry would offer temporary respite from the turmoil within. She hesitated for a moment before confiding in Rita about her plans, assuring her that she would be fine on her own for the evening.

Rita's supportive smile wavered slightly, revealing a flicker of concern that belied her true feelings. "Just be careful, okay?" she said softly, her eyes reflecting the worry that lingered in her heart.

With a reassuring nod, Ruka left the apartment, her mind racing with anticipation as she ventured into the night.

At the club, Ruka swayed to the music, surrounded by her friends, including her college bestie Asa. Asa's smile cheered her up, just like it did back in their college days. They laughed and danced together, reminiscing about old times. Despite any problems, their friendship stayed strong, bringing them joy in the moment, just like it always had since college.

But the happy night with friends took a twist as Ruka found herself caught in a confrontation with a man who wouldn't stop bothering her best friend, Asa. A flash of anger ignited within her, fueled by the weight of unresolved emotions and the need to protect her friend. The altercation escalated quickly, with harsh words turning into physical blows exchanged between Ruka and the man. Before things could escalate further, security intervened, pulling them apart and diffusing the situation before any serious harm could be done.

As the chaos settled and the tension dissipated, Asa turned to Ruka, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and relief. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

Ruka simply nodded, a reassuring smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Anytime, Asa. You know I've got your back," she replied, her own heart feeling lighter knowing that she could be there for her friend when she needed her most.

Bruised and shaken, Ruka made her way home in the early hours of the morning, her face marred by bruises and small cuts-a physical manifestation of the inner turmoil she struggled to contain.

As she entered the apartment, she was met with Rita's worried gaze, her concern palpable in the dim light of the living room. Without a word, Rita rushed to her side, gently inspecting Ruka's injuries with tender care.

"I'm okay, Rita," Ruka assured her, though her voice trembled with exhaustion and pain. "It's just a few scratches, nothing serious."

Rita's worried expression softened slightly as she continued to examine Ruka's injuries. "You should sit down and let me take care of them," she said firmly, guiding Ruka to the couch. "What happened? Are you alright?"

Ruka winced as Rita applied antiseptic to her wounds, but she kept her gaze steady. "It was nothing, really," she replied, trying to downplay the severity of the situation. "Just some guy at the club who wouldn't leave Asa alone. I had to step in."

Rita's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "You didn't have to put yourself in danger like that, Ruka," she scolded gently, though her tone softened as she saw the determination in Ruka's eyes. "But I'm glad you're okay. And Asa?"

Ruka sighed, her gaze flickering with a mix of emotions. "She's shaken up, but physically unharmed," she answered, a sense of relief washing over her at the thought of Asa's safety. "I just couldn't stand by and do nothing."

Rita nodded understandingly, silently acknowledging Ruka's unwavering loyalty to her friends. "Well, I'm grateful you were there for her," she said sincerely, offering Ruka a comforting squeeze of the hand. "You're a true friend, Ruka."

However, she felt a subtle pang of jealousy flicker within her as she observed Ruka's unwavering loyalty to Asa. She couldn't quite grasp why she felt that way, but before she could dwell on it, the image of Minji's face flashed in her mind, diverting her attention. She brushed off the feeling.

But later, as she sat alone, the jealousy resurfaced, stronger this time. Rita realized it wasn't Asa's bond with Ruka that bothered her-it was the fact that she still loved Ruka. The clarity hit her hard; she had never truly moved on.

Then, the reality of her situation sank in. She was dating Minji now, and it felt deeply unfair to Minji that she was still harboring feelings for her ex, who happened to be Minji's twin sister. The weight of this realization left her conflicted and guilty, knowing she needed to confront her emotions honestly.