His dark obsession

19. Angry kitten

Samyuktika's eyes flashed with irritation.

"You know what? It's a sin to even talk to you!"

She turned to leave, her words hanging in the air.

Ekansh watched her go, a smirk on his face.

"Naakchadi Billi," he muttered to himself.

(The phrase "Naakchadi Billi" is Hindi for "spoiled cat," implying someone who is stubborn or finicky.)

Ekansh's eyes lingered on Samyuktika's retreating figure.

A mix of amusement and curiosity danced in his gaze.

Little did he know, their encounter was far from over.

Rihaan, still standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. "Naakchadi Billi, huh?" he teased. Ekansh shot him a warning glance. "Mind your business, Rihaan."

Rihaan chuckled. "Hard to ignore when she's got you wrapped around her finger." Ekansh's expression darkened.

"She doesn't have me wrapped around anything." Rihaan smirked."Keep telling yourself that." Ekansh's jaw clenched.

Rihaan's knowing gaze lingered. "You're in trouble, my friend." Ekansh shook his head. "Leave it alone, Rihaan."

Rihaan shrugged. "Your funeral." With a parting grin, Rihaan walked away.

Leaving Ekansh to ponder. Was Rihaan right? Was Samyuktika getting under his skin?

Ekansh's thoughts swirled. Samyuktika's fiery spirit. Her captivating smile. He couldn't shake off the feeling.

That she'd disrupted his carefully crafted world. Just then, his assistant approached. "Sir, urgent business requires your attention."

Ekansh nodded, refocusing. "The meeting with Singh Enterprises?" "Yes, sir. They're waiting." Ekansh strode toward the conference room.

But his mind lingered on Samyuktika. Rihaan's words echoed. "Your funeral."
Was Rihaan right? Was Samyuktika his undoing?

Or his salvation? The conference room door closed behind Ekansh. But his thoughts remained with Samyuktika.

Samyuktika walked into the dining room.
"Leela, where's Ekansh?" she asked.
Leela smiled. "He went for a meeting, madam. He said it was urgent."

Samyuktika nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I wasn't expecting him to leave so soon."

Leela poured her a glass of water. " Would you like dinner to be served, madam?" Samyuktika nodded.

"Yes, please." As Leela served the meal, Samyuktika's mind drifted. To their earlier argument.

And Ekansh's sudden departure. She couldn't shake off the feeling. That something was amiss.

But what? The questions lingered. As Samyuktika began her meal. In Ekansh's absence.

Samyuktika finished dinner. And headed to Ekansh's room. She entered his walk-in closet. And spotted an old photo. Of Ekansh as a child.

Glasses perched on his nose. A goofy grin spread across his face. Samyuktika giggled.

The nerdy side of Ekansh. Was adorable. She couldn't reconcile. This awkward child.

With the suave man. He'd become. Ekansh's transformation. Was remarkable.

She studied the photo. A mix of amusement. And affection? Filled her heart.

And occasionally. Wanted to strangle. But that was marriage. Right? Samyuktika smiled.

And placed the photo back. Her eyes adjusted. To the dim room. She slipped into bed.

Awaiting Ekansh's return. And the chance. To tease him. About his childhood look.

She went to his closet again and looked at his photo while lying on the bed.

Samyuktika gazed at the childhood photo of Ekansh, her thoughts taking a sharp turn. "Who would have thought that this innocent child would grow into a monster?" she mused, a hint of irony in her voice.

But as she looked deeper into his young eyes, her expression softened. "He looks like a nerd," she said, a smile playing on her lips, "but in reality, he's..."

She caught herself, her cheeks flushing. "What am I doing?" she whispered, cursing herself for entertaining such thoughts about Ekansh, especially after their argument.

Despite her better judgment, Samyuktika couldn't shake off the image of Ekansh's chiseled features, his piercing gaze, and his commanding presence. She shook her head, trying to clear the fog.

"He's the person who drives me crazy," she reminded herself, tossing the thought aside. Yet, the memory of his intense eyes lingered, making her heart skip a beat.

Samyuktika sighed and turned off the light, plunging the room into darkness. Her mind, however, remained ablaze with conflicting emotions.

As she lay in bed, Samyuktika's thoughts continued to swirl. She couldn't believe she was still thinking about Ekansh's attractive qualities after their argument.

"Get a grip, Sam," she muttered to herself.

But her mind refused to cooperate.

She recalled the way Ekansh's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.

The way his voice rumbled deep within his chest.

The way his touch sent shivers down her spine.

Samyuktika tossed and turned, frustrated with her own thoughts.

Why couldn't she stay angry with him?

Why did her heart still flutter at the mere thought of him?

Just as she was starting to drift off to sleep, she heard the door open.

Ekansh walked in, his face illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window.

Their eyes met, and Samyuktika's heart skipped a beat. "Hey," Ekansh said softly, his voice low and husky.

Samyuktika's lips parted, but no words came out. The tension was palpable. The argument still lingered. But in that moment.

Ekansh approached the bed, his eyes never leaving Samyuktika's. "Hey," he said softly again.

Samyuktika's gaze sparkled with mischief. "Hey, nerd," she teased, holding up the childhood photo.

Ekansh's eyes widened in surprise. "Where did you find that?" he asked, his face flushing.

Samyuktika giggled. "Your secret's out," she said, her eyes sparkling. Ekansh chuckled, shaking his head.

"You're going to blackmail me with this, aren't you?" Samyuktika nodded, grinning. "Oh, absolutely," she said, her voice playful.

Ekansh climbed onto the bed, his hands reaching for the photo. Samyuktika held it out of reach, laughing.

"No, no, no," she said, her voice teasing.
Ekansh's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with amusement.

"You're going to pay for this," he whispered. Samyuktika's grin faltered for a moment.

But Ekansh's playful smile reassured her.
"Truce?" he asked, his voice light. Samyuktika nodded. "For now," she replied.

Ekansh took the photo, his eyes scanning the image. A nostalgic smile crossed his face. "I was a cute kid," he said, his voice filled with humor.

Samyuktika rolled her eyes. "Modest, too," she teased. The tension between them dissipated. But the underlying issues remained. Unspoken. Unresolved.