His dark obsession

39. Loving staring

As Ekansh watched Samyuktika sleep, a profound realization washed over him. This girl, who I once thought I hated, has now become my solace. The irony of it struck him hard. There had been a time when their arguments and misunderstandings had pushed them apart, a time when he couldn't fathom how someone so stubborn and independent could ever find a place in his heart. Yet here he was, sitting on the floor of her room, completely captivated by her presence.

He thought back to the moments of tension and frustration they had shared, the misunderstandings that had clouded their early days together. But now, every argument seemed trivial compared to the depth of connection he felt for her. She had managed to break through the walls he had built around himself, challenging him in ways he hadn’t expected.

It was her fierce spirit, her unwavering strength in the face of adversity, that had drawn him to her. He realized that it was precisely those qualities that had transformed their relationship from one of conflict to one of comfort. Samyuktika had become the calm in his stormy life, the beacon of light he never knew he needed.

How did I let it get this far? he pondered, guilt gnawing at him for trying to provoke her feelings. He hadn’t meant to hurt her; he had just wanted to feel that spark again, to reignite the passion that had initially drawn them together. Instead, he had pushed her away, and now he felt the weight of that mistake heavily on his shoulders.

Looking at her, he could see the innocence in her expression, a stark contrast to the fiery debates they often engaged in. She looked so peaceful, so unaware of the turmoil that had recently unfolded between them. In that moment, he felt an overwhelming need to protect her, to shield her from any pain he might cause.

With a soft sigh, he leaned forward slightly, allowing himself to imagine a future where they could be happy together, where love overshadowed anger and jealousy. A future where they could navigate life as partners, not adversaries.

I’ll make this right, he vowed silently. I’ll show her that I’m committed to us, to this beautiful mess we’ve created. He wanted to prove to her that she wasn’t just a fleeting moment in his life; she was a crucial part of his journey, the one he wanted to share everything with.

As the quiet night deepened around them, Ekansh sat silently, his heart full of determination. He would wait for her to wake, and when she did, he would find the right words to express how much she truly meant to him.

He watched her closely, noticing the small frown that appeared on her face as she stirred. Without thinking, his hand reached out, gently patting her head to soothe her back to sleep. Her breathing slowed again, and the tension seemed to melt away, leaving her peaceful once more.

A faint smile touched his lips as he studied her features. Despite everything that had happened between them, this moment felt different—almost serene. He sighed, pulling his hand back carefully, not wanting to disturb her rest any further.

He walked back to his room, deep in thought. The realization hit him hard—she wasn't just upset about the situation she was angry because he had been giving Naira more attention, whether intentionally or not.

As he sat on the edge of his bed, he ran a hand through his hair, frustrated with himself. How could he have been so blind? He thought of all the moments he’d spent with Naira lately, how Samyuktika had watched from the sidelines, her eyes clouded with hurt and anger.

His heart tightened. He hadn't meant to make her feel neglected. He hadn't realized just how much it bothered her. But now, it was clear—his actions had only pushed Samyuktika further away.

He stood up from the bed, determination flooding through him. "I shall not let any kind of misunderstanding occur between us," he muttered to himself, his voice firm. He knew he had to fix things before it was too late, before the growing distance between them became irreversible.

He had already hurt her enough with his actions, and he wasn’t about to let this misunderstanding with Naira make things worse. He would talk to Samyuktika, clear the air, and make her understand that no one—not even Naira—could take her place in his life.

With a deep breath, he decided that he would face the situation head-on, no more hiding behind excuses or silence. He had to make it right.

After making up his mind, he felt an unusual sense of calm wash over him. His decision gave him a small sense of relief, but the exhaustion from everything that had happened weighed heavily on him. He glanced at the clock—it was late.

With a sigh, he lay down, pulling the blanket over himself. His thoughts kept circling around Samyuktika and how he would make things right, but soon, the day's events caught up to him, and his eyes grew heavy. Before he knew it, sleep overtook him as well, his mind still focused on the promise he had made to himself.

The next morning, Samyuktika felt a bit more refreshed after a good night’s sleep. After bathing, she slipped into a beautiful anarkali—a soft lavender one with intricate silver embroidery. She wasn’t obsessed with wearing them, but she knew Ekansh loved to see her in traditional attire, and some part of her wanted to feel connected to him despite the tension between them.

As she made her way to the kitchen, the scent of something cooking filled the air. To her surprise, she found Naira already there, moving around with ease, as though she belonged. Samyuktika paused at the doorway, forcing a neutral expression.

"Good morning, Samyuktika," Naira greeted her with a bright smile, seemingly unaware of the awkwardness between them. "I thought I’d make breakfast for Ekansh today. He loves the sandwiches I make."

Samyuktika’s heart clenched. Sandwiches? The small, personal detail felt like another blow. She swallowed the irritation building inside her and returned Naira’s smile, though it was strained. "Good morning. I can help if you need—"

But before she could finish, Naira shook her head. "No, no! I've got it all under control. You relax."

Samyuktika nodded, though her mind was racing. She’s taken over my kitchen now too? It felt as though Naira was slowly encroaching on every part of her life, inch by inch, with her charm and her familiarity with Ekansh.