Obsessive Flames of Love

10:00 PM. At home.

In the freezing night, his eyes fell on the swimming pool. The sudden urge to relieve the stress that’s bothering him kicked in. Strode to the glossy, flat-surfaced, marble-tiled pool area, he gasped heavily as if he’s suffocating with the events, “I needed it.” Rudra muttered and dived in with no second thought.

Intermittently, when he’s in the water, his tensed muscles will relax automatically, as the turquoise water itself was a remedy that soothes his nerves and heals him. It gives him the strength to fight back. In short, it’s his heaven.

In those definite moments, he’d kept the past aside, cease to analyze the future, and enjoys being in the water. He doesn’t worry about what’s wrong, what he’s supposed to do, who he’ll become in the process of fighting his demons. In its watery embrace, there’s only the present, nothing more.

After spending a few hours swimming, he lifted his exhausted body while water droplets were receding from him. Sat on the marble-floor with his legs drenched in the water, the chilly breeze tightened his tired muscles.

Droplets from his silky black hair were slipping through his chiseled jaw while his face shone in the moonlight. His reflection was visible in the turquoise water.

“What happened this month? I never expected her to get engaged so fast.” Thoughts of Tanvi caught him.

Grabbed his mobile while wiping off the water from his body, he dialed Maahir.

“Boss?”

“What happened with Tanvi this month?

Maahir’s eyes widened, “Um… I’m not sure…”

Silence danced as Rudra remained deep in thoughts hearing to it, while Maahir sensed the uneasiness. “Ahem… Did anything went wrong, Mr. Chauhan?”

“She’s about to get engaged!” Rudra blurted out.

“What? How’s that possible?” Maahir stood up listening to that.

“That’s what I wanted to know too.” Rudra sighed.

“Okay. I’ll find it out Asap.”

“Hm.”

…

03:00 AM. 16th October

Glanced at the text from Maahir, “It means what they said earlier was true.” He asserted.

Dejectedly Rudra thought, “Why didn’t I contact you earlier?” But the answer was simple. Diana.

“Diana diverted me and now Tanvi is gone?” His grip on the wine glass toughened. “I can’t accept it like that.” A frown settled on his handsome face.

With that, he dialed William. At the third ring, “Boss!” William said in a hoarse tone while rubbing his eyes.

“I want you to arrange a few of our men to follow Tanvi.” His deep voice alarmed William when he sat upright from his sleep.

“Okay. Send me the details.”

“Hm. Remember, she shouldn’t notice them.”

“Mm-Hmm.”

“Also, update me about her every move,” Rudra ordered.

“I’ll.”

06:00 PM. He felt restless and out of control in his office. Prowling around the immaculate, orderly interior only heightened his sense of frustration. Digging through his pockets, he ruthlessly tore out his phone.

“Hey, buddy!!!” Tamaz answered.

“Hi. Where are you?”

“Just coming out of the office.”

“Oh!”

Sensed the difference in him, Tamaz inquired, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I want to go to the Irish House. Come with me.”

“When?” Tamaz pulled the phone away from his ear as he checked the time on its screen.

“In an hour!!”

“Okay!!” Tamaz nodded unconsciously. “I’ll be there.”

Rudra Texted Maahir, “Make a reservation at Irish House tonight.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Swiveling in the chair, his mind wandered, “Ah! What the fuck? I’m unable to focus on anything.” He yelled while slamming on the table and his phone buzzed by making a creaky noise.

Grabbed at it, the confirmation message popped on the screen. He stood up and strode towards his Porsche.

…

“What the hell man!!!! Where were they? Advik wondered as he scrolled through his phone log looking for Tanvi and Ameera. “It’s been 20 days since we met up.”

“I’m more than free today.” He thought as he conference called them both.

“Hey!! Advik!! Are you back?” The familiar sound of their animated voices streamed cheerfully through his phone.

“Yesterday.”

“That’s cool!!!” They said in unison.

“I wanna hang out. I’ll be at our favorite spot.”

“Wait!! I’m busy.” Ameera answered in a hurry.

“Fine with me!!” Tanvi said.

“Shut the fuck up! I’m not asking. I want you to come, that’s it. End of discussion.”

“Huh!!! Fine. I’ll.” Ameera agreed in a puzzled tone before hanging up.

“Bye!!” Tanvi called.

Tanvi finished her work and made her way towards the Irish House. They usually hung out on weekends, but since Advik went abroad on business, they hadn’t seen each other in days. She arrived about half an hour later and spotted Advik.

“He’s already waiting for us. Ah…! It’s so strange of him.” Tanvi gaped when her eyes widened.

“Advik was usually late, but here so early today? It means he missed us more… than what I thought?” Her brows scrunched when a soft smile replaced on her lips hearing Ameera’s voice. They had their group hug and were discussing things.

“Guys!!!” Tanvi said with a bright smile.

“Yes, Babe!”

“I am inviting you to my engagement,” Tanvi shouted out of joy.

“Woah!!” They exclaimed.

“So soon to be a bride… ah!”

“Ey!” Tanvi pointed her finger at Advik, giving a surprising glare while her cheeks turned red.

“Look at her face,” commented Ameera while chuckling.

“Ha! She got that marriage glow.” Advik emphasized in a teasing tone.

“Yep!”

“Er… stop it.” Tanvi tapped her forehead in annoyance.

They laughed out, and Advik placed a package on the table. “It’s for you, guys.”

“Ooh! What’s in there?” They curiously checked it out when Advik smirked.

“Woo-Hoo. Perfume, watch, handbag… you got quite a lot for us.”

…

Meanwhile, Rudra was late by about an hour, and he’s on his mid-way while his phone kept on ringing. Peeeped at the screen, “huh! Can’t he wait for some time?” He scratched his head and continued driving when a text caught him. “Are you coming, Rudra?”

Racked his hair with one hand, he stopped the car aside. “Ah!! How did I forget this?” Smacked the steering and turned the car around to meet Erica.

At Seasonal Tastes.

Parked her red Jaguar aside, A tall woman wearing a khaki uniform stepped out in her typical dashing way. Her scrawny flesh popping through her short sleeves seemed feeble yet full of power. Held her police cap in her hands, she began striding when the cool breeze made her high ponytail waver.

Pushed the restaurant door, the hanging white lights and set of orange rooftop lights welcomed her. A mouth-watering aroma wafted across her nostrils tempted her when she gulped while licking her fascinating lips.

Her shovel grey eyes rolled across the restaurant when her lips pressed into a thin line. “He didn’t come yet?” She wondered when the waiter approached her, glancing at her name tag on the uniform, “Do you have your reservation, Ms. Erica Kaur?”

“No! It’s under Mr. Ishaan Rudra Chauhan’s name.”

He immediately understood and took her near their table. “Your order Mam?”

“Come after Mr. Chauhan has arrived,” Erica stated without any emotion in her voice. Gazed at the powerful woman in front of him, “Woah! She’s more intimidating outside than in the news.” He exclaimed in awe.

Her eyes involuntarily rolled onto her Rolex watch on seeing the empty chair, she sighed and sat on the reserved table as elegantly as ever. Tapping her slender fingers on the glossy wooden table, she scrolled through a few documents in her mobile.

“Huh! What’s taking him this long?” She emphasized with a squint after completing her unfinished business and turned her gaze by hearing a fake cough and noticed a tall man entering in all his glory.

With a slight smile, “you came finally?” Erica asked raising her head.

“How can I back-off when you’re here?” Rudra accentuated.

“You never seize to surprise me with your words.” She exclaimed, and Rudra’s lips curved slightly upwards, yet she saw his tiredness in the bright light.

“You seem a bit pale?”

“You noticed…?” He asked a little startled.

“Why not? I’ve known you for more than… um… thirteen years?”

“It’s fourteen.” He smirked while patting her head tauntingly.

“Hey!”

“Hehe, relax.”

“Um. You got that?”

“Here it is!” Rudra passed a blue file to her when she nodded in satisfaction.

Grabbed it and stared intently while flipping through the pages, “it’s perfect!” she summed with widened eyes.

“Hm. Or else the Commissioner of Police won’t be convinced.” Rudra teased.

“Ey!”

Rudra’s lips twitched upwards, and before she said anything, he added, “I need to be somewhere else. Will catch up other time!”

“Okay, Take care.”

…