Obsessive Flames of Love

Tanvi settled herself on the couch with crossed legs, her intense stare focused on the television. With the frightening sounds in the horror movie, she curled her T-shirt in her grip with eyes widened as her enthusiasm increased in anticipation.

Meanwhile, the vibrations of her mobile startled her. Picked it up, she froze seeing the message. “Four lakh rupees deposited to my bank account?”

In the next minute, she jumped from the couch, “what? Four lakhs?” She’s at a loss of words as her world suddenly began shining to her.

“Ms. Erica had done her job perfectly, it seems.” She exclaimed and flipped on the banging music, “times like this need a little celebration.”

She swayed her hips in accord to the lyrics while humming as a smile plastered across her lips.

Strode to her bedroom, “Ugh! I’m exhausted.” Stretched herself as she drained all of her energy and fell on the bed to take a good nap.

When she’s about to close her eyes, a knock on her door alarmed her. “Who’s this now?” She ran her fingers across her messy hair and opened the door groggily.

Grabbed the package, her brows furrowed. “A parcel?” Flipped it around, “no name? Who’d send an anonymous parcel?” Her lips pressed into a thin line. She threw it onto the sofa and snuggled on her bed.

04:00 PM

Hugged the duvet to her body, she struggled to open her eyes. Finally, stood up and went into the kitchen drowsily and guzzled water.

Noticing the parcel lying on the sofa, it stuck her, “let me check what’s inside.”

Curiously opened and found a red tulip flower bouquet. “Woah, flowers!” Licked her lips while brushing her nape, “this seems familiar.” She stressed as Rudra came to her mind.

“Was this his doing?” Bit her lips, she found a blue color custom made gown falling gracefully to the ground. She screamed, “it’s marvelous!”

Walked in front of the mirror, placed it on herself, she gaped, “Oh my… this fits my curves perfectly.” Twirled around as it gave a great feeling to her and she relished the moment.

Her eyes rolled across the parcel and noticed the card in it. “I’m more than sure it was all Rudra’s doing! Or else who can send such a costly dress to me?” She murmured and opened it.

It said, “My dear Tanvi!!!! I hope you like the dress and flowers. Meet me at Seasonal Tastes at 07. 00 pm wearing that dress. If you don’t show up, then we’ll meet at your house.” After reading it, she was dumbfounded. “My prophecy was correct.” She clenched her jaw in annoyance, “didn’t he understand what I said the other day?”

“I don’t want any additional drama than I’m already facing.” She pondered while squinting and realized, “did he just command me? Who the hell he’s to order me around?”

Stomped her foot with clenched fists, “he can fucking do whatever he wants, but I won’t show up. I’m not his puppet to obey his orders.” Her face turned red in fury.

06:30 PM

Rolled across the bed while watching Netflix, a jittery feeling settled inside her belly. Her eyes moved onto the hanging wall clock, “06:30 PM.”

“Am I going overboard by challenging him?” It occurred to her and her anxiety keeps on rising on thinking about what he can do. Clasped her hands, “I don’t know what’s waiting for me with this act.” It’s irking her, but she’s determined not to satisfy his wishes.

…

07:00 PM

Rudra strode into the Seasonal Tastes and glanced around, but there’s no trace of Tanvi. A pang of disappointment inundated in his eyes. “She might be stuck in traffic.” He convinced himself.

With his pride, he just couldn’t tolerate neglecting him, that too with his beloved woman.

His eyes were scrutinizing the surroundings, the aroma of dishes was mouth-watering, yet he lost all his appetite. With each passing minute, he’s losing his cool.

As a man who rules the business world, waiting for her itself was a big task to him. Yet here, she didn’t even show up, which was tearing his insides. “Is she taking me for granted? Am I that least important to her?”

Questions assaulted his mind as temper seethed through his nerves. His nerves popped out in frustration. “She rejected me the other day, but still I’m trying to pursue her, yet she’s behaving like I’m nobody?”

Racked his hair in annoyance, unable to take it anymore, he dialed her. “Where are you?”

Checked her mobile, her lips curved slightly upwards. “Who are you?” She questioned, deliberately acting obnoxious to get under his skin.

“Damn it! You don’t knew my number?” His eyes narrowed with a frown.

“I’m Rudra. Now say where were you?” By then, his last ounce of patience was disappearing.

“Oh!! I’m not showing up for your dinner. You can do whatever you want Rudra! ” She said firmly and hung up.

“What the fuck?” He cursed aloud, making the people in the hotel frightened with his fury.

Unbuttoned his suit in irritation, he brushed his nose as his eyes turned deadly. He’s not the one to accept disrespect nor disobeying his orders. But here, she exactly did them, which exasperated him.

Slammed his hands on the table, “I’m being soft on her, not wanting to scare her with my temper. But, It seems she won’t listen to me when I say softly.”

Took a deep breath, “You gladly succeeded in provoking me by challenging me. But sadly, I’m not the one to lose it. Let me show you what can I do, Tanvi.” He smirked as a sly grin lingered around him.

Walked away in his glory, he hopped in his Porsche and roared the accelerator. With the dark night, the streets were busy as usual. The chilly breeze invigorated him, “I’d love to entertain you in your game, darling.” He mulled over, imagining her expression and his lips twitched upwards.

Within half an hour, he’s outside of her house. Strode quickly, he knocked on her door. But, She didn’t open the door.

“Interesting. So you presumed that I’ll come.” His lips tightened when his brows arched.

“Do you think I’ll leave you just like that? Oh, sorry, honey, you’re so wrong.” He’s enjoying their hide and seek game while pretending to be enraged outside.

After his multiple attempts in vain, he shouted in a hoarse tone. “I know you are inside Tanvi, now open the fucking door.”

He knew she’s listening to his words and his endurance was on a thin line with her ignorance for so long. “This isn’t going to work on my stubborn kitten. I must change my tactics.” He’s drawing towards her more with her each push.

“How brave of you to treat me like this? I’m going to show you what I can do to your little house if you didn’t open the door.” Rudra threatened her while biting his lips to control his laughter.

Hearing everything from inside, Tanvi felt alarmed as she heard about his temper. “Am I doing the wrong thing by aggravating him?”

But something inside of her is yelling at her that he’s not the one that’d hurt her. “I observed the spark in him when he sees me. He won’t do anything to me.” With certainty, she decided to let him in.

He rested his ear on the door and heard the footsteps approaching. A satisfied smirk plastered on his lips.

She opened the door, and he instantly barged inside. Gazing at his sudden movement, she remained flabbergasted with a gaped mouth.

Stood at the center of the hall, Tanvi questioned, “What are you doing here, Rudra?

Leaned onto her, “I told you to show up for dinner.” He whispered in her ear.

His warm breath tingled her as she cleared her throat to hide her desire, “I never said yes to that.” She enfolded her hands and gave a triumphant smirk

“Mm-hmm?” He raised her chin with his finger with an angled brow.

“Hmm.” She blinked while her eyes shone.

Stared at her round eyes, his amber eyes burned with passion for her. He held her waist and pinned her to the wall swiftly. Her eyes widened, and she tried to protest, but her tiny frame didn’t stand a chance with his tall figure and well-built body. A victorious smirk appeared on his face.

She was bewildered by the sudden turn of events as she batted speedily, and fear settled in her eyes. Memories of Dhruv haunted her as she gasped for air.

The terrifying things Dhruv did to her ambushed her, and her knees gave up. She succumbed to the horrifying past of hers, and the eternal gloominess replaced her brightness.

Glanced at her, he was perplexed. He didn’t understand why her face turned pale as he silently noticing the change in her expression.

Slowly and carefully, he cupped her face with his warm hands and raised her head. Their eyes interlocked, and he wanted to know what’s bothering her while she’s searching for answers in him.

Their worlds united in those heated gazes as if words weren’t necessary to convey their feelings. She’s melting in his embrace and placed her hand on his chest involuntarily, without breaking their eye contact, while his heart was pounding so hard that it might come out any minute.

The sort of feeling she craved over the years found in him. Her eyes sparkled as she’s falling into the depths of the abyss by looking into his eyes. All the emotions which she concealed by building the robust walls enclosing her heart unveiled to him as if her soul spoken with his.

The usual almighty cold Rudra was nowhere. He became a normal man who seeks love and affection as he nudged her hair tenderly and pecked on her eyes. That’s enough for her to understand his true feelings.

Inhaling her intoxicating cologne, he stayed still in her cuddles, and she for once, forget all the bad things that happened to her in his presence.

She gripped his hand tightly and stood on tiptoes while her palm touched his cheek with quivered lips, and she snapped back to reality.

“Leave, Rudra.”

He flinched, not knowing how to grasp the sudden change in her. He was at a loss of words while staring at her as all the color in her cheeks dried up.

“What? I said leave.” She screamed.

He gaped, “what the fuck is wrong with you?”

“My bad that I allowed you inside my house.” Her eyes were hostile to him, and he felt a sting of hurt with her behavior.

With that, she freed herself from his grip and lost her balance. He instantly held her hand tightly and pulled her back with full force.

Her head hit his broad chest, and she held his shirt with a firm grip. Though her words were cold, her heart wants him. Yet, she didn’t have the courage to take a step forward with her troublesome past.

The comfort she gets in his presence is all that she needed, but she’s reluctant to admit it. The fear of abandonment and being tricked was overwhelming her.

He squeezed her shoulder and clasped her waist tightly, not letting her go. She saw a glimpse of fear in his eyes, which she never expected that existed in him. They lay for a while in each other’s arms and leaving the world behind them.

“I won’t leave you Tanvi, no matter what. You’re mine!!! Only mine!!!!” He whispered with a warm tone.

Listening to that, she felt a knot in her belly. She couldn’t resist the feeling that’s building up in her. His eyes can see far beyond the exterior presence, and she perceived that. He knows exactly what she wants.

She inhaled his unique fragrance and butterflies were flying in her stomach. Heat rush up to her cheeks as his eyes glowed with desire.

“I don’t know what’s bothering you, Tanvi. But I’d like to let you know that I’m here for you.” He said while caressing her delicate features.

“Hmm.” She mumbled slowly while licking her lips.

“I’ll give you time. Give me a call when you need anything.” He added looking into her eyes and hugged her.

She felt regret inside her for being harsh with him, but she knew that’s needed. She believed that’d be the best for her though that’s not.

He pecked her forehead and turned to leave when a part in her wanted to ask him to stay. But words weren’t coming out.

“Bye.” She said and let her remorse eat her alive while her lips curved upwards by remembering their intimacy.

…