7. SECRET OBSESSION (18+)

⚠️This story contain abuse language, abusive conversations, domestic violence and full of trauma. So read at your own risk.

"You may never know it, but my heart beats for you in every moment we're apart, and each smile you give is a silent promise that keeps me alive."

Agar hamare rishte ke liye humein apni jaan deni padti hai, toh main tumhe maarne ya khud ko maarne ke liye tayaar hoon.

(If for our relationship we have to give up our lives, then I am ready to kill you or to kill myself)

I never knew that my monster heart have the ability to love someone. Not love but obsession.

She.

My heart.

The magnet that pulls me.

Now here I am sitting in my office after canceling an important meeting which costs the countries economy, just to see her.

She's been here for more than three years, and every single day, I fall for her a little more. I know I come off as intense, maybe too intense. But I can't help it. She's everything. Mine to protect, to care for.

I then remembered the last time I saw a guy get too close to her. That guy thought he could flirt with her. I made sure he knew she wasn't available. I Hit him on the spot. Maybe I overreacted, but... she's my world. She's the reason I walk into this office every day.

How do I tell her how I feel without scaring her off? I'm not exactly subtle... I just can't imagine anyone else being by her side. What if she doesn't feel the same? What if she rejects me? No, I'd make her see it. If she rejects me I will kill her.

She's my little baby. I'd do anything for her, make sure she's safe, even if it means keeping everyone else away. Someday, she'll understand.

I leaned back in my office chair, eyes fixed on the view through the glass wall. There she was, working at her desk, as focused as ever. She'd tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a habit I'd seen countless times but could never tire of. The way she concentrated, her fingers dancing across the keyboard, was almost mesmerizing.

Then, as if the world had slowed down, she looked up, laughing at something one of her colleagues said. I froze, watching that smile spread across her face. It was a rare thing, a real smile. She looked so alive, so... warm.

But it wasn't for me. That smile, that laughter, it was theirs to see, not mine. A surge of irritation shot through me. Those people didn't know her. They hadn't spent years noticing every detail, every subtle expression. I'd been watching, waiting, wanting and they, they got to see that side of her so easily.

I felt myself tensing, my jaw clenching. Why did she keep herself so reserved around me? Why did she always keep things so professional? I didn't want her politeness; I wanted her attention, her real, undivided attention, her body.

I noticed how she bit down softly on her bottom lip as she concentrated, then ran her tongue across it, leaving a slight shimmer in the light. It was a small, natural habit, yet it drove me insane every single time. That one simple gesture seemed to spark something wild and possessive inside me, an urge I struggled to push down.

A low burn of frustration settled in my chest as I clenched my fist tightly, forcing myself to look away before I lose control. But, just like always, my eyes found their way back to her. How could I not? She was right there, so close but still completely out of reach, sitting with her colleagues and laughing at something one of them said. Her smile was soft and genuine, the kind of smile I rarely saw, and the sight twisted something inside me. They got to see her like that. They got to be close to her in ways I could never allow himself to be, and the thought made my jaw tighten with barely contained frustration.

I let out a long, slow breath, trying to steady myself. Control yourself, Yuvaan, I told myself, though it was easier said than done. I knew I shouldn't be thinking like this, shouldn't be feeling like this, yet every time I see her, it was like I forgot all sense of logic. She was all I could see, all I could think about, and it made me feel trapped in my own obsession.

But I couldn't stop. Even as I forced himself to focus on the papers in front of me, my gaze kept drifting back to her, as if drawn by a magnetic pull I couldn't resist.

Before I even realized it, I was on my feet, walking toward her desk. She glanced up, slightly surprised, her laughter fading as she noticed me.

"Can I see you in my office?" I asked, the words sharper than I intended.

She looked at me with that calm, collected gaze of hers. "Of course, Mr. Randha"

"Yuvaan," I corrected firmly. How many times had I told her to use my first name? But he always calls me Mr. Randhawa. I mean when I hear my name coming out from her lips, it's kind off seducing.

"Yuvaan," she said softly, finally giving in to my request, and it was like hearing her say it for the first time and I got hard.

She stood up and followed me back to my office. I could feel her eyes on my back, probably wondering what this was about. The door clicked shut behind her, and I gestured for her to sit. She settled into the chair, looking at me, while I stayed standing, feeling too restless to sit.

"I saw you with the team," I started, forcing myself to sound casual. "It's good... to see you enjoying yourself."

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, then she tilted her head, studying me. "It was nothing serious. They told a funny story, and... I laughed. That's all."

But it wasn't "all," not to me. That laugh, that smile... those belonged to her, and in my mind, they should belong to me. "I didn't realize you... laughed like that," I said, my voice betraying something deeper.

She paused, eyes narrowing a bit as if she was trying to decipher me. "I don't understand... are you watching my conversations Mr. Yuvaan?".

"It's Yuvaan for you" I said looking into her eyes while my hands are on my table.

Then I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my frustration in check. "No. I just think you're so different with them. You keep everything so... formal with me. Don't you trust me?"

I watched her closely, feeling the familiar pull that always came when I was around her. Today, though, the tension in my chest was harder to ignore. I wanted to tell her everything, how I felt, what I'd been holding back for so long. My mind raced, trying to find the right words, and for a brief moment, I almost opened my mouth to say it.

But then I caught sight of her expression, a subtle tiredness in her eyes from the long day at work, and I hesitated. She looked like she was already carrying enough on her shoulders. The timing didn't feel right, so I forced myself to hold back, swallowing the confession that had been on the tip of my tongue.

Instead, I decided to change the conversation somewhere else, somewhere a little safe least for now. "Are you coming to the party tomorrow?" I asked, trying to sound casual, even though the thought of her not being there had been bothering me all day. Then she looked at me while making her lips into thin line.

Fuck, darling you are making me hard again.

She shook her head, "No, I wasn't planning on it."

I didn't like that answer. The idea of her staying away, not being around where I could keep an eye on her, made something inside me snap a little. Before I could think it through, I said, "Come. I want you there."

She seemed surprised, her eyes widening for a second as if she hadn't expected me to insist. But even then, she didn't question it, only nodded, agreeing in her own quiet way.

But that wasn't enough. There was something else gnawing at me, a possessiveness that I usually kept under wraps. It surfaced before I could even stop it. "And... when you're at work," I began, my voice coming out sharper than I intended, "I don't want you talking to any guy around here."

She looked at me, clearly taken aback, her brows drawing together in confusion. "What?"

The look in her eyes, the innocent confusion, only made my need to protect her, no, to keep her all to myself, grow stronger. I knew it was irrational, maybe even unfair, but I couldn't shake the feeling. Watching her laugh with other people, smile at them as if they were all just friends, something about it made my feel angry.

I forced a deep breath, my fists clenched at my sides. "I just... don't want you getting close to anyone here. Focus on your work. That's all I'm saying."

She blinked, still looking confused but too tired to argue. With a soft sigh, she nodded, whispering a quiet "okay."

That one word made my chest relax a little, the tension melting just enough. She didn't understand it, not yet. But maybe, one day, she would. For now, just having her close, having her agree to be at the party where I could watch over her it was enough, if only for the moment.

As soon as our conversation ended, I told her she could go, trying to keep my tone casual despite the way my heart was pounding. She nodded and stood up, and before I even realized it, I was already moving ahead of her, reaching the door first.

Opening it for her, I turned back and offered her a small smile. She paused, her eyes meeting mine with a softness that made me feel a thousand things all at once. When she returned my smile, it was brief and quiet, but it was for me, and that alone made my heart skip.

Then, as she stepped through, her fingers brushed lightly over mine, just for a second, as they rested on the door handle. I froze, the warmth from her touch lingering on my skin as she moved past. She didn't seem to notice; to her, it was just a passing moment. But for me, it was so much more.

I shut the door gently behind her, but my gaze drifted to my hand, to the spot where her fingers had just touched mine. That tiny, fleeting contact sent a possessive thrill through me, like a spark igniting something wild. She had no idea how much power even that small touch had over me, how it managed to twist me up inside with a mix of longing and frustration.

I clenched my hand, feeling her warmth still there, almost wishing I could keep it somehow. The thought of her walking away, leaving me with only this small memory of contact, tugged at the possessive side of me that I tried to keep hidden. How could one touch be enough? I wanted more, more than I knew she'd be willing to give, more than she could even imagine.

As I watched her walk out of the office building, my gaze followed her every step until she reached her car. I stood by the window, hoping she'd drive safely, the faint worry gnawing at me even as I told myself she'd be fine. Only when her car disappeared into the distance did I finally turn away, heading back to my office and dropping into my chair, though my mind was still on her.

Just then, my phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. It was my best friend, DEV. He was the loud, carefree type,the kind of person who could bring laughter into any room. I answered, and immediately he shouted, "Behen ke pakode! How long are you planning to ignore my calls, huh?"

I chuckled, unable to keep from smiling. Only Dev could call me up like this, using all kinds of ridiculous names, without hesitation. There was no formal greeting with him, no small talk, just straight-up banter, like always.

I leaned back in my chair, the tension easing up. "I was busy," I admitted, letting a bit of my irritation slip into my tone, though it was mostly for show. "Thinking about someone."

"Ah-ha! So, it's about your dream girl, huh?" He dragged the words out in a mocking tone, clearly delighted to have something to tease me about.

I tried to brush it off, but he kept going, tossing one tease after another until I felt my cheeks warming. He didn't even need to see my face to know he'd managed to get under my skin.

"Alright, alright, enough already," I finally said, laughing and putting him out of his misery. "Why'd you call, anyway?"

"Oh, right!" he exclaimed, as if suddenly remembering. "I'm coming over to see you tonight, man. Thought I'd give you a heads-up so you could clear your schedule and give me all your attention. Lord knows you need a break from obsessing over that girl."

I felt a sudden surge of excitement at the thought. It had been too long since I'd seen him, and I could already feel my mood lifting just knowing he was coming. "Alright, I'm looking forward to it."

We hung up, and for the first time all night, I actually felt relaxed. Dev had that effect on me, like a reset button for my overthinking mind. But as I sat back, I couldn't help but let my thoughts drift back to her, wondering where she was, if she'd made it home safely yet.

Growing up, I never had a family. I don't know who my parents were or why they left me. The only thing I remember is the cold, institutional smell of the orphanage. The place was strict, not exactly nurturing, and by the time I turned eighteen, I walked out of there feeling like a stranger to the world. Alone, without any sense of belonging.

After leaving, I struggled to survive on my own. I took up odd jobs here and there, doing anything that would put food on the table and keep a roof over my head. But then, my life took an unexpected turn when I met Dev.

Dev was everything I didn't know I needed. More than a friend, he felt like a brother. He took me in without judgment, treating me as if he'd known me his whole life. I remember the first time he invited me over to his house. His parents welcomed me with open arms, and for the first time, I experienced what a family truly felt like. His mother would always say, "Family is not just by blood; it's by heart." And I suppose, over time, I became a part of theirs.

Even as I started climbing the ladder in my career, Dev was right there by my side, always pushing me forward, always believing in me. I'm a CEO now, running a successful company, but I owe a lot of my success to Dev. They were the reason I learned to trust, to open up, and to realize that no matter where I came from, I could still create my own path and become someone.

But I know it was more than just a push. It was a lifeline, something I'll always carry with me. And even though I never knew my real parents, I found a family in Dev and his parents. They gave me the strength to build my own future and to never look back.

As I sat in my office, my mind drifted to Dev. I knew I had to tell him about Naira. She's become more than just someone I think about - she's become everything. And Dev... he has every right to know. He's been there for me through everything, and I can't imagine keeping something this big from him.

I leaned back, picturing how the conversation might go. Would he be surprised? Would he laugh at how smitten I'd become? Either way, I knew he'd understand. In fact, I could almost hear him saying, "Finally, Yuvaan! It's about time you found someone."

But then, a thought crept in. What if he didn't think I was good enough for her? I sighed, trying to shake it off. No, Dev would support me - he always has. And maybe he'd even help me figure out a way to show Naira how I feel.

For now, though, it was just a plan, floating around in my head. I hadn't met with Dev yet, hadn't actually said the words out loud. But soon, I would. I'd tell him about Naira, and maybe, just maybe, he'd help me find a way to win her over.

But the thing Dev doesn't know is that I carry a hidden darkness, a trauma buried deep that I've spent years keeping locked away. It's something I don't let anyone see. Not even him.

He sees me as his friend, as someone he trusts. And maybe that's why I feel so guilty. He doesn't know the truth about me - about the monster I fear I am. There's a side of me I've kept hidden, afraid of what would happen if anyone got too close.

Sometimes I wonder if Naira would feel the same way about me if she knew. Would she look at me with the same warmth, the same light in her eyes? Or would she back away, just like everyone else would if they knew what I've done, what I'm capable of?

I want to tell Dev about Naira, but how can I? I can't fully let him in because he doesn't know who he's letting in. So for now, it's safer to keep my distance, to play the part of the man everyone thinks I am, even if it means hiding this darkness inside me.

I can't risk losing the only people I have left. Not Dev, and certainly not Naira.

As I slid into the driver's seat, ready to head home, my thoughts drifted back to Naira. I couldn't help but smile, thinking about her. Before I started the engine, I knew I had to check in on her.

I dialed her number, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel as it rang. She picked up almost immediately.

"Hey," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Hey," she replied, sounding a little surprised.

"Did you make it home safe?" I asked, a bit more softly than I intended.

"Yeah, I just got in," she confirmed, and I could feel my shoulders relax a bit. There was this pause, one of those comfortable silences, like neither of us wanted to hang up.

After a moment, I cleared my throat. "So... I'll see you at the party tomorrow?"

"Yeah," she answered, her voice holding a hint of a smile.

"Good," I replied, feeling more reassured than I wanted to admit. "Alright, then. Goodnight, Naira."

"Goodnight," she said softly, and we both lingered for just a beat before I finally hung up.

I put the phone down, still smiling to myself as I drove off into the night, already looking forward to seeing her again.

■

By the time I pulled up to the house, it was already late, the night quiet and still. I unlocked the door and stepped inside, feeling the familiar calm of home settling over me. But just as I was about to switch on the lights, I caught a glimpse of someone moving swiftly past the window, slipping through the shadows. Before I could react, an arm shot out, grabbing me by the throat and pressing tight enough to make me choke.

Instinctively, I struggled, grabbing at the arm around my neck, but then I heard laughter-familiar, loud, and slightly mocking. I froze, and the grip loosened as I recognized the voice. "Dev," I muttered, half annoyed, half relieved.

He finally let go, still laughing as he stepped back, grinning like he hadn't just tried to scare the life out of me. I shot him a glare, shaking my head. "What the hell, man? You nearly gave me a heart attack!" I scolded, but he just shrugged it off with that easy smile of his.

We broke into laughter, and before I knew it, I was pulling him into a hug. It had been a year since we last saw each other; work had kept him on one side of the world and me on the other. But here he was, just as unpredictable as ever.

After freshening up, Dev and I took a bottle of our favorite wine and headed out to the garden. The night was quiet, a gentle breeze rustling through the trees as we settled into our seats.

Just as I was about to bring up Naira, Dev's face lit up, and he leaned forward, clearly excited. "You won't believe it," he said, eyes gleaming. "I met someone a few months ago."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh really?"

He laughed, leaning back, and began his story. "So, it happened one day while I was driving. I wasn't paying enough attention, and out of nowhere, this girl was just... walking right across the road. I hit the brakes so hard I almost went flying through the windshield." He chuckled at the memory, shaking his head. "She, on the other hand, was not impressed. She came up to the window and gave me an earful about my 'reckless driving' and how I should watch the road."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Sounds like she made an impression."

"More than an impression, man. It was love at first sight," he admitted, a bit sheepishly. "Something about her just... clicked. And as luck would have it, I ran into her again at a cafe a few days later. I figured I had to make it right, so I apologized for nearly running her over. And guess what she called me "bhaiyya"

I chuckled, spilling my juice. "What?"

"Yeah, she just looked at me and said, 'bhaiyya,' like it was no big deal. But there was this spark, you know? Like she wasn't just accepting the apology there was something more there."

I smiled, watching Dev's face light up as he spoke. It was rare to see him this smitten, and it made me even more excited to share my own story about Naira.

After sharing his story, Dev looked at me, his eyes full of curiosity. "Alright, enough about me," he said, leaning forward. "Let's hear your story now."

I mean this Dev won't stop blabbering. At last he gave me chance to speak. I was about to speak and he said "Wine khatam ho gayi yar, mujhe aur chahiye."

(The wine is finished, I need more)

I gave him another bottle and was about to tell about Naira but he said "Cap nahi khul rahi hai."

(The cap isn't opening)

I got frustrated. This guy na always interrupting. Then he saw irritated reaction and kissed on my cheek. "Sorry sorry tell me now, tell me about bhabhi ji".

I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling a bit shy but eager to tell him about Naira. "Well... there's this girl, Naira," I started, trying to keep it casual. But as I continued, talking about how we met, the little things she does, the way she makes me feel-Dev just listened, nodding occasionally, a smirk slowly forming on his face.

By the time I finished, he shook his head, laughing. "Man, you're completely obsessed with her," he teased. "You've got it bad. Why don't you just tell her how you feel?"

I leaned back, grinning. "I have a plan. Tomorrow at the party, I'm going to make my move. I want everything to be perfect."

Dev raised his glass, clearly impressed. "Now that's the spirit! And hey, thanks for the invite. Free wine and good drama-I wouldn't miss it"

We laughed, clinking our glasses one last time, and I felt a surge of excitement for what tomorrow would bring. With Dev by my side, it felt like everything was falling into place.

■

Author's pov

Naira lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Frustrated, she sat up, grabbed her phone, and started scrolling to distract herself. Just then, a notification popped up, a message from contact named "Gawar insaan☠️." She opened it, reading his simple "Goodnight," and immediately felt her irritation flare.

Yes that gawar insaan is Yuvaan.

She muttered to herself."Ye insaan bhi na... har raat aise sweet sweet baatein kyun karta hai? Kya sochta hai apne aap ko?"

(This person... why does he always talk to me like this every night? What does he think of himself?)

With a slight frown, she typed out a reply, trying to keep it polite but firm.

Naira sighed, putting her phone down for a moment. She muttered to herself, "Yuvaan bhi na... hamesha mujhe confuse kar deta hai."

(Yuvaan... he always ends up confusing me.)

She started thinking about all the little things he did that made her question his intentions.

"Whenever I forget my lunch, he's there, handing me food like he's my personal chef," she mumbled, rolling her eyes. "And then there's the daily check-in calls, like he's my guardian or something, har roz poochta hai ki ghar pahunche ya nahi. It's too much."

(Every day, he asks if I reached home safely. It's too much.)

She shook her head, remembering how he would get so obviously annoyed whenever she talked or laughed with any of her office colleagues. "Aur jab main kisi aur se thoda sa bhi friendly hoon, toh Yuvaan ka chehra dekhne laayak hota hai. Jaise sab pe uska haq hai."

(And when I'm even a little friendly with someone else, Yuvaan's face is a sight to see. Like he owns the right to everyone around me.)

Fuming, she scolded him in her mind. "Ajeeb aadmi hai! Har waqt mujhe lecture dega aur khud... khud itna possessive banta hai. Samajhta kya hai apne aap ko!"

(He's such a strange guy! Always lecturing me, acting so possessive... what does he think of himself?)

As her thoughts raced, she felt a mixture of frustration and confusion. She knew Yuvaan cared, but his behavior left her constantly on edge. "Kal ki party ke baad, mujhe use samjhana hoga. Bahut ho gaya. Kya samajhta hai woh apne aap ko? Aisa kyun behave karta hai? Main toh usse samajhne ki koshish kar rahi hoon, lekin woh sirf bekar ka waqt barbaad kar raha hai. Bas kal main use badi daantungi!"

(After the party tomorrow, I have to explain to him. Enough is enough. What does he think of himself? Why does he behave like this? I'm trying to understand him, but he's just wasting time. Tomorrow, I'm going to scold him properly!)

To be continued

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Ly'll