Love lies

Chapter 24- truth is out

Reena sat in the library, book in her hand but her focus was somewhere else. Her heart fluttered as she replayed the moment in her mind—the way Rocky had leaned in, his dark eyes locking onto hers, a warmth radiating between them that made her skin tingle. 

She could still feel the ghost of his breath on her cheek, could still hear the way his voice faltered when he spoke her name.

Why hadn't he gone through with it? The question spun endlessly in her mind. She'd been ready, more ready than she cared to admit. Her heart had been racing, not with fear but anticipation. Did he sense her hesitation—or was it his own?

She had to admit she was a little nervous,  not because it was Rocky, because she had never been this close, this vulnerable with anyone ever. But she knew that if she was to be with anyone it would be with Rocky. 

Her mother walked in, a warm smile on her face. "Reena dear, what are you doing here all alone. You skipped breakfast as well" her mother asked, slightly concerned. 

It was true, she was avoiding Rocky since last night. She was scared. Scared of the truth, what she concealed from him. If she admitted her feelings, the rest would spill eventually. 

Reena put up a small smile, shaking her head. "I'm okay ma, just a little busy" she said and her mother sighed sitting next to her.

"You know you can tell me anything right" she said, patting Reena's head and Reena nodded. 

"I'm serious ma, I'm just busy" she lied, scared to admit how close she had been to kissing Rocky.

"Well then, your father is calling you down, for some meeting" Revathi said and Reena furrowed her brows. 

"Meeting, i wasn't informed we had one, hm that's odd" she thought to herself and walked down with her mother. 

Everyone met at the living room where all the partners gathered. All heads turned to her as she walked in and she gulped, her eyes meeting Rocky's for a fleeting moment before she looked down.

"You asked for me?" she murmured, playing with the ends of her dupatta and Rocky stood up, walking over to her and lifting her chin up with his finger. 

He gave her a sinister smile and turned to everyone else. "Of course, how could we have a meeting without the lost princess of KGF" he announced and Reena froze, the ground beneath her feet seemingly slipping away. 

Reena gulped, her heart plummeting like a stone in a deep well. The look in Rocky's eyes stopped her cold—sharp, questioning, and unmistakably knowing. 

Everyone turned to them in shock, the weight of her revealed secret hanging heavy in the air. Her eyes travelled to her dad but he just shook his head, indicating that he didn't tell Rocky. Then she glanced at Vanaram who did the same. 

Her mouth went dry, the words she had rehearsed a hundred times evaporating like mist. How had he figured it out? She had been so careful, so meticulous. But one slip, one wrong move, was all it had taken.

"Rocky..." she began, her voice trembling despite her best efforts.

"Don't." He raised a hand, stopping her. His gaze softened, but the tension didn't leave his jaw. "I just need to hear it from you. Who are you, Reena? Really?"

Her chest tightened as she met his stare. She wanted to look away, to flee, but something in his expression held her there—something that told her he wasn't asking just to accuse. He was asking because, despite everything, he still wanted to understand. 

She took a deep breath pushing past the nerves and despite her Dad looking at her with hesitation, she decided now was the time. Enough of hiding the truth.