Shadows of obsession (18+)

Chapter 1

Aarohi's POV

The morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow across my room. I stretched lazily, savoring the few moments of peace before the chaos of the day began. As I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the weight of my responsibilities settled back onto my shoulders. I had a big presentation at the design studio today, and I needed to be at my best.

I slipped into the bathroom, the cool tile floor waking me up completely. Splashing cold water on my face, I stared at my reflection. My long, dark hair was a mess, but my brown eyes were clear and determined. I quickly showered, then pulled on a comfortable yet stylish kurta paired with jeans.

Downstairs, the smell of masala chai and freshly made parathas greeted me. But as I reached the dining room, I was met with a familiar and unwelcome sight. My stepmother, Kavita, and my stepsister, Anaya, were already seated, their expressions as cold as ever.

"You don't need to go to the office today, Aarohi," Kavita said without looking up from her phone. "We've fixed your marriage."

I felt a surge of anger and disbelief. "What? You can't be serious. I have a career, and I have a presentation today."

Anaya smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Why are you so upset? We're just trying to do what's best for you."

Before I could respond, my father entered the room. His presence was a beacon of support in an otherwise hostile environment. "Aarohi is not getting married to anyone she doesn't want to," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension.

Kavita shot him a look of pure venom. "This is for her own good, and you know it."

"I know that Aarohi has the right to make her own choices," my father replied, his tone brooking no argument.

Kavita's eyes narrowed. "She's a part of this family, and she'll do what we decide."

My father's voice was calm but resolute. "Aarohi is my daughter, and she will not be forced into anything."

Without another word, I grabbed my bag and stormed out of the house, the weight of their words pressing down on me. I didn’t even have time for breakfast. Tears blurred my vision as I slid into the driver’s seat of my car. I sat there for a moment, letting the sobs shake my body. This wasn’t how things were supposed to be.

Finally, I wiped my eyes, took a deep breath, and started the car. I needed to clear my head. The city streets were chaotic as usual, but the familiar bustle helped ground me. As I drove, my mind replayed the morning's confrontation, my anger and frustration simmering just below the surface.

Raghav's POV

The dimly lit room reeked of fear. The man kneeling before me was shaking, his eyes darting around in desperation. I had asked him a simple question, but his refusal to cooperate was testing my patience.

"One last chance," I said, my voice low and deadly. "Tell me what I want to know."

The man whimpered but remained silent. I sighed, annoyed. Without another word, I pulled out my gun and fired. The sound echoed in the small room, and the man's body slumped to the floor.

I turned to my bodyguard, Ravi, who stood impassively by the door. "Get rid of the body."

"Yes, boss," Ravi replied, moving swiftly to carry out my orders.

I walked out, the adrenaline still coursing through me. I needed to clear my head. "I'll drive today," I told my driver, shoving the keys into my pocket.

As I got behind the wheel, my mind was still on the incident. My bad mood was simmering, and the last thing I needed was any more complications. But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

Author's POV

Aarohi was lost in her thoughts, the morning’s events playing over and over in her mind. She didn’t notice the black SUV until it was too late. The collision was sudden and jarring, snapping her out of her reverie.

"Watch where you're going!" Aarohi screamed as she got out of the car, her anger boiling over.

Raghav emerged from the SUV, his face a mask of irritation. "Do you know who you're talking to?" he snapped, his tone as icy as his expression.

"You don't own the roads, Mr. Arrogant!" Aarohi shot back, her voice trembling with rage.

Without warning, Raghav stepped forward and covered her mouth with his hand, silencing her. He pulled out a wad of cash and shoved it toward her. "This should cover the damage. Now get lost."

Aarohi slapped the money away, the bills scattering in the wind. "I don't need your money," she said, her voice steady despite the fury in her eyes.

In a fit of rage, she picked up a rock and smashed the window of his SUV. The sound of breaking glass was satisfying, a small victory in a day full of defeats. "Keep your money and attitude to yourself," she spat before getting back into her car and driving off, the vehicle bearing the scars of the encounter.

Raghav stood there, staring at the shattered glass and the retreating car. A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. "You'll pay for this, cutie," he muttered to himself. "Revenge time."

Aarohi's POV

I drove to my best friend Priya's house, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. As soon as I reached her place, I collapsed into her arms, the tears flowing freely once more.

"Aarohi, what happened?" Priya asked, leading me to the couch.

Between sobs, I explained everything—the confrontation with my stepfamily, the car accident, and the infuriating encounter with Raghav. By the time I finished, I felt drained, but a little lighter.

"We should report him," Priya said, her eyes flashing with anger on my behalf. "What's his name?"

"Mr. Arrogant suits him," I replied with a weak smile. "I don't want to report him, Priya. There are already too many problems in my life."

Priya hugged me tightly. "We'll figure this out, Aarohi. Together."

We sat in silence for a while, the weight of the morning's events hanging heavily between us. Finally, Priya broke the silence.

"You know, Aarohi, you deserve better than this," she said softly. "You deserve to live your life on your own terms, not theirs."

I nodded, the lump in my throat making it hard to speak. "I know, Priya. But sometimes, it feels like I'm fighting a losing battle."

Priya took my hand, her grip firm and reassuring. "You're not alone, Aarohi. You have me, and you have your father. We'll get through this, one step at a time."

Her words were a balm to my wounded spirit. I leaned into her, drawing strength from her presence. "Thank you, Priya. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She smiled, her eyes filled with determination. "And you'll never have to find out. Now, let's get you cleaned up and ready to face the world again."

As I freshened up, I felt a renewed sense of resolve. I wasn't going to let my stepfamily or Mr. Arrogant ruin my life. I was stronger than they knew, and I was ready to fight for my future.

Author's Note

Thank you for joining me on the journey of "Obsession's Shadow"! I hope you enjoyed Chapter 1 as much as I loved writing it. Your feedback means the world to me, so please take a moment to vote and leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, favorite moments, and any suggestions you might have. Your support and engagement help shape the story, and I can't wait to hear from you!

Happy reading,
Aria