Shadows of obsession (18+)

chapter 2

Aarohi's POV

Priya hugged me tightly, her eyes full of concern. "Are you sure you don't want to stay here tonight? It's already late, and you seem exhausted."

I gave her a tired smile. "I appreciate it, Priya, but I need to go home. I need to show them that I'm not their puppet. I have to stand up for myself."

"Alright," she sighed, releasing me. "Just be careful, okay?"

"I will," I assured her, giving her one last hug before heading out the door. The night air was cool and refreshing, a stark contrast to the chaotic thoughts swirling in my mind. As I walked to my car, the first few drops of rain began to fall, quickly turning into a downpour.

The rain came down in sheets as I drove through the city streets, the rhythmic pounding on the roof of my car almost drowning out my thoughts. My heart was heavy with the weight of the evening's confrontation with my stepmother and stepsister. I needed to get home, but more than that, I needed to stand up for myself, to show them that I wouldn't be controlled.

Halfway home, my car sputtered and came to a stop. "No, not now," I groaned, trying to restart the engine. Despite my best efforts, it refused to cooperate. Frustrated and soaked to the skin, I stepped out of the car. With no one in sight and no hope of getting a lift, I decided to walk.

The streets were eerily empty, the rain driving everyone indoors. The city that never sleeps seemed almost ghostly in the storm. I trudged through the rain, shivering and miserable. My thoughts were a tangled mess of anger, frustration, and fear. What was I going to do? How was I going to get through this?

Suddenly, I saw a figure up ahead. A boy around my age was leaning against a wall, swaying slightly. Desperation overcame my caution, and I approached him.

"Excuse me, can you help me? My car broke down," I said, trying to sound confident.

He looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "Where are you going, darling?" he slurred, grabbing my arm.

"Please, let go of me," I pleaded, trying to free myself. His grip tightened, and panic surged through me. "Please, leave me alone!"

He leered at me, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Come on, don't be like that."

Just as I thought all hope was lost, a gunshot rang out. The boy's grip loosened, and he crumpled to the ground. I looked up, numb with shock, to see a man approaching, a gun in his hand. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized him.

It was the same man from this morning. Mr. Arrogant.

Raghav POV

The day had been long and tiresome. After dealing with yet another betrayal within my organization, I needed a distraction. Driving always helped clear my mind. As I navigated the slick streets, the rain pouring down relentlessly, something caught my eye. A familiar car on the side of the road, and a figure struggling nearby. My curiosity piqued, I pulled over and saw her. The girl from this morning. She was in trouble.

Without thinking, I grabbed my gun and got out of the car. The sight of a drunken man grabbing her made my blood boil. Before I knew it, I had pulled the trigger. The sound of the gunshot echoed in the empty street, and the man fell to the ground. I approached her, my heart pounding.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, but she seemed lost in her thoughts. I shook her gently, trying to snap her out of it.

She started sobbing, her words barely coherent. "Please leave me, please. Let me go. I'm not ready."

I couldn't stand seeing her like this. I pulled her into a hug, feeling her body tremble against mine. After a long moment, I gently pushed her back and looked into her eyes.