Obsessive Flames of Love

Rudra settled himself on the couch, and his heart ached for Tanvi. The emotional struggle Tanvi was going through troubled him remarkably. His muscles stiffened imagining her tears.

“I always wanted to see you happy, yet you’re shedding tears for that bastard.” Rudra felt complex emotions inside of him as the pain tugged in his heart.

“If I opened up to you earlier, you might not end up like this.” He mumbled, seeing her snap while his fingers brushed across her face tenderly, and his fists clenched intuitively to hide the sadness in his eyes.

“You soon will be mine, dear! I’ll make sure you never have any pain again.” He muttered, determination flashing across his eyes to make her his as soon as possible.

…

While Tanvi was struggling with her thoughts, she heard someone calling from her behind, “miss!”

When she raised her swollen eyes, she found the bartender with an apologizing look. She raised her brows in a query when he placed the bill in front of her.

He cleared his throat and answered, “We’re closing the bar for today, Miss. You need to settle the bill.”

Hearing that, Tanvi switched her mobile on, and it showed, “01:20 AM.” Raised her head while her eyes were almost closing with the drunkenness. She scowled, “This bar won’t get closed till 03:00 Am. Shut up and leave.”

Stunned, the bartender scratched his head. “Um. The bar was booked till 03:00 AM. So, you’ve to move out now, mam.” He said apologetically.

“Ugh!” Confused, Tanvi tried to force her alcohol-soaked brain to work properly without much success. Debating her options, she knew she couldn’t bring herself to go home. But she also couldn’t handle telling her friends yet either. “So, what to do?” She mumbled under her breath as she honestly didn’t know.

Taking a step forward, she realized just how dizzy she was. Walking wasn’t working out all that well. Another step and the ground wobbled within her vision in a nauseating wave.

She shouldn’t have drunk so much. She knew better than to think she could hold this much liquor, and she chastised herself.

But, the burn and the bitter taste was the only thing reminding her she was still alive. Tanvi’s head spun as she lurched through the building’s main door.

The screeching sounds of chairs were audible to her ears when all the people were leaving the bar. The music was stopped, and suddenly the bar went silent.

She dragged herself out from her chair. Her heels hit the hard concrete with a resounding clack as the bartender snapped the door shut behind her, a decisive thunk as the lock fell forcefully into place. She scanned up and down the sidewalk before picking a direction and wandered

The streets were empty like her soul. She felt alone.

After some time, she saw a hotel and decided to get a room. Without much delay, she filled the formalities and quickly, grabbed the keys while strode to the pathway and unlocked it.

Eyeing the bright room, she dragged her tired body onto the bed and saw a huge pillow.

She hugged the pillow and cried her heart out while screaming and wailing until her throat was sore. Her head was twirling, and slowly she fell unconscious.

…

1st November

Tanvi lay on the bed when her grieved mind and heart started recollecting all the hurtful memories. The man who was responsible for instilling the endless fear in her nerves appeared out of nowhere.

08:00 AM. On 1st November 2015

“You’re already late, Tanvi. Make it quick.” Ameera yelled while drying her hair.

“Ah! I’m getting ready, two more minutes,” shouted Tanvi while checking herself in front of the mirror. “Uf” She held her head in frustration when Ameera butted in.

“Huh! This is the twentieth time you’re checking yourself.” Ameera sighed in annoyance.

“Ey! Today is the first day of my Internship, and I need to look good.” Tanvi pouted.

“Wear those white sneakers then. They’ll pair up perfectly with your outfit.”Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

“Seriously?”

“Yep! Also, tie up your hair into a high ponytail, it’ll look good on your white shirt.”

“Woah!! What will I do without you?” Tanvi praised in satisfaction.

Ten minutes later.

“Enough now. Move your butt away. I need to get ready.” Ameera held her eyeliner and glared at Tanvi.

“Okay, okay! I’m leaving. Bye, babe.”

“Good luck. Umah!”

…

Hurriedly stepped into the ‘Zenisoft’ and nervously bit her lips by glancing at her watch. “I’m late on such an important day.” Tanvi closed her eyes and sighed looking at the empty corridors.

“Miss Tanvi?” A male voice startled her, and her eyes widened.

Tanvi squinted her round black eyes, “um. Yes.”

“Please come this way.”

“Okay.”

Her eyes rolled across the building and her lips gave a satisfied smile. “This place looks great.” She mumbled, seeing the glossy white marble floor, and brightly lit rooms, while a few people’s eyes stuck to their screens and others were rushing in and out.

“This is your desk.” He showed her to take the seat and left. The day went by with interactions, presentations, and a cheerful smile plastered across her lips this whole time.

Soon, she completed her work and came out when heavy thunders deafened her ears, and the rain welcomed her. It brought a richness to each hue, the browns deepen in a way that soothes her heart and brought a steadiness to her soul. “Wow! Rain kissed me on my memorable day.”

She waited for a while, hoping it would get stopped, but the rain isn’t about to end. As her sneakers touched the road, they were bathed in the newly bequeathed rain. “Shit!” She tapped her forehead and opened her mobile.

“What the fuck? 2% charge?” She felt the firebolt stick her when it suddenly got switched off.

“Vehicles weren’t coming here in this heavy rain, and now I couldn’t even book a cab.” She sighed in helplessness.

The breeze keeps on increasing and she was shivering in the chilly weather with drenched clothes. “Uf! This isn’t going to work.” With that, she decided to cross the road and find a bus.

Strode to the middle of the crossway, and the bright lights, banging honk made her heart drop in fear. She squeezed her eyes shut when a car halted in a loud screech. Slowly opened her eyes when relaxation washed upon her.

“Are you okay, Miss?” A tall, handsome man with a steady muscular body-hugging his shirt with water dripping from his messy hair down his face, and with cognac brown eyes asked in a worried tone.

Looking at her stay still, he shrugged her, “Miss, are you okay?” His brows scrunched up when Tanvi breathed and blinked at the same time. “Uh! Thank god.” He smiled while the rain completely soaked them.

“Were you going somewhere?” He asked, and Tanvi nodded while the raindrops were hitting their bodies with full force that they could feel the pricking pain.

“Where To?” He asked, curious.

“Vidya Nagari,” Tanvi answered politely.

Thinking for a second, he added, “Come. I’ll drop you.”

Listening to that, she snapped, “What?”

Shaking his head, he sighed while muttering, “I’m also going that side, I’ll drop you in the midway.”

Feeling baffled, she mumbled, “Um. No, thanks.”

“Huh! Don’t misunderstand. But, have you seen how terrible the weather is? It’s really tough to find a bus at this time.” He said, concern lacing in his tone.

“Shit. What he said makes sense. What shall I do?” Tanvi panicked.

Dwelling into her thoughts, her eyes glittered when she got a brilliant idea, “Um. Give me your mobile, I’ll share our location with my friend then.”

He chuckled, “okay, fine. Take it.”

Hearing him say that nonchalantly, she felt embarrassed, “Uh, sorry, but…”

He cut her off, “I understand.”

“Thanks.” Shared their live location with Ameera, Tanvi seated in the car with the wet clothes, “Oops. My dress spoiled your seats.”

“No worries. Even I’m soaked.”

Tanvi chuckled, “so may I know your name?”

He eyed her from the corner of his eyes, “I’m Dhruv. What’s yours?”

With a pleasing nod, she said, “I’m Tanvi.”

“What do you do?” He asked, trying to know as much as he can.

“Internship at Zenisoft. Pursuing my graduation final year at the University of Mumbai.”

“Oh, that’s nice.” His lips curved upwards.

“Hm. What about you?”

“I’m the founder of Teqware.”

Tanvi winked in surprise, and rested her hand on her chin, “Zenisoft was established after splitting up from Teqware, right?”

Dhruv nodded when her eyes popped out. Tanvi gasped and covered her face for her foolishness earlier.

“Your boss and I were friends.”

“Ahem…” She fake coughed to hide her embarrassment.

After some time, “Can I’ve your number?” Dhruv asked while his focus was on the road.

Tanvi stared at him for a while, his quivered lips pressed into a thin line for a second. “Sure.”

“Drop me here, It’s almost there. I’ll go by myself.”

“Okay. Nice meeting you then.”

“Me too.”

Dhruv stared at her and asked, “Let’s hang out some other time?”

Tanvi blushed and brushed her nose, “Uh umm… okay.”