Love, Obsession & The Darkness In Between

Behind The Smile

Eshaani's life appeared outwardly cheerful, but beneath the surface lay a complex web of struggles and insecurities. Though she wore a smile, her mental health was far from stable.

The pressure of her academic performance weighed heavily on her, and her low marks in exams left her feeling inadequate. Despite her outward appearance of happiness, she constantly battled with self-doubt.

Late at night, Eshaani would often find herself alone with her thoughts, reflecting on her life and sharing her worries in a private journal. The pages of her notebook held a glimpse into her inner turmoil:

“Why am I so useless? I try so hard but can’t seem to get good marks. It feels like I’m falling behind, like I’m not good enough. Maybe I just don’t have what it takes.”

“Mom and Dad are always on my case about my grades and my future. I know they mean well, but it’s suffocating. Relationships seem impossible with the way they are. I can’t even think about managing one right now. What if I mess up? What if I can’t handle it?”

“I do believe in true love. I think relationships can bring real happiness. But it feels like something I can’t have right now. Maybe I’m not ready, or maybe the right person hasn’t come along. It’s hard to balance everything, and I wonder if I’m meant to be alone.”

Despite these feelings, Eshaani found solace in small joys, such as spending time with the children in her neighborhood. She loved playing with them, their laughter and innocence providing a brief escape from her own worries.

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One afternoon, Eshaani was outside, playing with the kids from her colony. She was on her knees, shaking hands with them, sharing stories and laughter. The simple act of connecting with these children brought her a fleeting sense of happiness and fulfillment.

Nearby, her male best friend, Arjun, joined her. They chatted animatedly, discussing their plans and reminiscing about old times. Their playful interactions were filled with genuine warmth:
Arjun would gently touch her cheek or brush his fingers through her hair, a gesture of affection that was natural between close friends. Eshaani, in turn, playfully hit his arm or nudged him, laughing as they talked.

Unbeknownst to her, Viraj was watching from a concealed spot. At first, he admired Eshaani’s genuine affection for the children and her natural demeanor. However, his admiration soon shifted to a growing suspicion.

Viraj couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Eshaani’s outward happiness seemed too perfect, too well-crafted. There was a subtle but unmistakable sadness in her eyes that contradicted her smiles and laughter. It was as if her eyes revealed a truth she was trying to hide from the world.

As Viraj observed Eshaani and Arjun’s interaction, his jealousy flared. The sight of Arjun touching Eshaani’s cheek, brushing her hair, and casually resting his hand on her arm ignited a fierce anger within him. The playful hits Eshaani gave Arjun only fueled Viraj’s frustration further.

“How dare he be so close to her?” Viraj thought, his jaw tightening with rage. “Touching her so casually, laughing with her—doesn’t he know she’s mine to control?”

The sight of Eshaani’s interactions with Arjun, combined with her unguarded moments with the children, struck Viraj with a dual sense of frustration.

While he admired her warmth and kindness, he was infuriated by the fact that another man shared these intimate moments with her. His anger quickly shifted from mere jealousy to a deep-seated rage as he envisioned the ways he could assert his dominance and remove any competition.

As Viraj’s feelings boiled over, his resolve to draw Eshaani into his world only grew stronger. He was determined to reassert control and ensure that her reality aligned with his dark desires. Eshaani’s innocence, her moments of happiness, and her interactions with others only fueled his obsession further.

In the shadows, Viraj vowed to tighten his grip on Eshaana’s life, pushing aside any lingering admiration in favor of a more possessive and controlling approach. Her world, which seemed so full of simple joys, would soon be intersected by his relentless pursuit.

Viraj’s jealousy had reached its peak. His admiration for Eshaani had turned into anger and possessiveness. He had originally planned to befriend her, win her trust, and eventually propose. But seeing her so close with Arjun had ruined those plans.

Sitting alone in his office, Viraj’s frustration was clear. He was now convinced that simply asking Eshaani to come with him wouldn’t work. She was just 17, and the idea of her leaving her life willingly seemed unrealistic.

“I’ve seen enough,” Viraj said to his trusted men. “If I want Eshaani, I will  take her , by her will or not"

His men understood. They knew Viraj’s commands were serious. They quickly set to work on a plan: track Eshaani’s daily routine, find the right moment to grab her, and make sure everything went smoothly.

Viraj was obsessed with the idea of having Eshaani in his world. The more he watched her, the more he realized that his earlier plan wasn’t going to work. He was now determined to bring her to him by force.

He imagined her in his mansion, surrounded by luxury but under his control. The thought of her being happy with someone else, especially Arjun, was unacceptable. His anger had turned into a strong need to possess her.

As the plan for her abduction came together, Viraj’s determination grew. He knew his actions would be extreme, but he was prepared to do whatever it took to make Eshaani his. Her freedom and happiness didn’t matter to him anymore; all he cared about was having her in his life, under his control.

With everything in place, Viraj was ready to move forward. His once gentle admiration for Eshaani had become a dark obsession. For him, the only reality that mattered was having Eshaani by his side, no matter what it took.