Obsessive Flames of Love

The earthy smell occupied her house while they lay beneath the sheets. With the earsplitting thunders, they took the pillows and tried to cover their ears but failed. The sounds of water droplets hitting the streets were like a rhythmic concert.

Tanvi woke up and reached the window. Gazed at the cloudy sky while lightning struck with thunders gave her peace. “To calm my inner turmoil, maybe I needed this.” She pondered and slid the window open.

She put her face out while the heavy rain struck her delicate face with full force. Yet, she didn’t even feel an ounce of pain. Instead, her lips curved into a warm smile.

After playing wholeheartedly in the rain, she became drenched and danced in the room with banging music like a crazy kid. With all the sounds, Ameera finally gave up and joined Tanvi. The cheerful waves of laughter resonated in the house.

Looking at her accustomed attitude, “Thank god. She’s back.” Ameera felt relaxed. A burden in her heart faded.

“If he dares to do anything, I will chop him into pieces.” Ameera clenched his hands and shaken with fury.

…

06:00 PM. Snatching her mobile, Tanvi sat on the couch and checked her messages. As usual, Riaan’s chat lay on the top. Her eyes glued onto the screen while her thoughts were going wild. “I need to find out his real intentions without wasting my time.” She concluded.

Grabbing some snacks and a couple of beers, Ameera hummed her favorite song while twirling around, “Tu hi hai mujh ko bathathe… chahun mein ya na…” She eventually reached the couch and settled beside Tanvi.

Glanced at Ameera, “We need to talk.”

“I’m all ears.” Holding a pillow in her lap, Ameera gave her full focus.

“It’s about Riaan.”

“Hmm…”

“He’s a well-settled, good-looking man.”

“I know that.” Ameera blurted in a straight face teasing her.

“Hmmph!”

Ameera chuckled, “come on, continue.”

“He’s never disrespectful or invasive.” Ameera nodded while staring at her.

“He’s very good to me, and most importantly, he’s desperate for me.”

“So…?”

“I’m unable to find out what’s on his mind? Sometimes I’m feeling like I’m wasting my time on him because he’s not considering marriage, though he like me.”

“How can you say he wasn’t counting on it?”

“His purpose on approaching me must be marriage know?”

“What were you trying to say?”

“After knowing me for more than a month, there’s no trace of it. What does that mean?”

Ameera sat in silence, surveying Tanvi for some time, the anxiety building until finally, Tanvi couldn’t and exploded.

“What’s your opinion on this?”

Ameera smiled. “Calm down.” This wasn’t the first time she’d had to calm Tanvi down. Over the last month or so it was happening more and more often.

“Tanvi, from what I heard about Riaan, I can say he likes you. But you need to be patient, give him some time. Maybe he’s having a hard time verbalizing what he thinks about marriage too.”

Hearing that, Tanvi’s eyes lit up.

“Make your bond stronger than it’s now. Let’s wait a little longer until he opens up to you.”

Tanvi listened intently, thinking she’s right, “Okay, what you said makes sense.”

Ameera nodded. “If that’s not going to happen then we can think of other ways. For now, just be patient and trust your destiny.” She patted Tanvi with glistening eyes.

“I’ll do as you say.” Tanvi sighed and kept her fears aside.

Ameera gave a warm hug to her, “Okay. I’m now going to my home. Bye!!”

“Bye! Take care!”

…

Tanvi lay on her bed haunted by her thoughts. A vibration from her nightstand alerted her to an incoming call. Riaan lit up her screen.

“I don’t know how to talk with him in my foul mood.” Tanvi thought, deciding not to answer as she placed the rumbling phone back on the table.

But a little while later, again, it’s a call from Riaan. Tanvi answers the call thinking, “it might be important if he’s calling continuously.”

“Hey, Tanvi, What happened? Are you alright??” Riaan asked in worry.

“Umm. Yes, I’m fine. Why did you call me?”

“I thought of introducing you to my mother. If you are okay with that? I’ll give my mobile to my mom.”

“OMG! He wants me to talk to his mother? Now?” After her chat with Ameera, she’d been all ready to wait him out. Lost in her own world, she only surfaced when Riaan called her name.

“Tanvi, what’s wrong? It’s okay if you cannot talk right now. Take your time.”

“no! No, Thank you, but I’m fine. I’m ready to talk with your mother.”

“Hey, honey! How are you?” Riaan’s Mother asked in a sweet voice.

“Hi, Auntie! I’m good, How are you?”

“I’m good honey, Riaan keeps on telling me about you, so I thought of talking with you.”

“Oh! That’s nice of him.” Tanvi blushed.

“How sweet of you, honey. I had seen your pictures. You look beautiful, Tanvi.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

After a pause, “Were you working in Mumbai?”

“Hmm…?”

“Will you fly to London if you got married to Riaan?”

“Ahem… ” Tanvi fake coughed hearing the question, and she sat up on the bed in surprise.

“Damn it! I never thought of it until now. What to say?” Tanvi scratched her head while hugging her pillow tightly.

With the silence from her, “It’s okay, honey. Take your time, there’s no need to answer it now.”

“Ugh!! Okay.” She took a deep breath when a wave of relaxation showered upon her.

“Take care, honey. We’ll catch up some other time.”

…

11:00 PM. After the conversation, she felt happy with the way Riaan’s mother spoke to her. “What does that question mean?” She got out of her bed and walked to the balcony while thinking.

“Why did Auntie ask me? What does that indicate?”

“Maybe Riaan discussed our marriage with his mother? That’s the only possibility I’m seeing.” She dropped onto the swinging chair

“Huh! It means he’s considering me to marry?” Understanding dawned on her while excitement shot through her body.

Raised her head and saw the faraway moon she lost in her world with a smile plastered on her rosy lips. The earthy smell in the air with the serene sky and the shining stars gave her endless comfort. The cool breeze hit her body, and she shivered, “Uh! It’s chilly!” She rubbed her palms on her elbows and fell asleep.

…