His dark obsession

46. Rihaan and Naira

As Naira stood in the kitchen with Samyuktika, she felt the weight of her unspoken fears pressing down on her. She glanced at her , bustling about with an infectious energy, and a wave of pity washed over her. If only she knew what I knew about Anirudh. But Naira couldn’t bring herself to voice her concerns. The thought of Samyuktika’s cheerful demeanor faltering made her hesitate.

“Hey, are you okay?” Samyuktika asked, her brow furrowing as she noticed Naira’s distracted expression.

“Yeah, just a bit tired,” Naira replied, forcing a smile. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“Oh, I get that. I can make you some tea if you’d like,” Samyuktika offered, clearly concerned.

“No, it’s fine,” Naira said quickly, shaking her head. “I just need to get my mind off things.”

As breakfast came together, the sound of sizzling on the stove and the aroma of spices filled the air, creating a comforting atmosphere. Naira tried to focus on the moment, but the nagging fear about Anirudh lingered in the back of her mind. What could he do?

As they set the table, Naira's thoughts spiraled back to Anirudh’s charm and his unsettling fixation on her. She could easily imagine how he might approach Samyuktika if he ever got the chance, and the very thought made her stomach churn.

Once breakfast was ready, the family gathered around the table, laughter and chatter filling the room. Naira found it hard to concentrate on the conversations happening around her. Instead, her mind drifted to Anirudh, wondering if he had any plans for the day. Will he try to contact me again?

During the meal, Naira watched as Samyuktika animatedly recounted a funny incident from school, her laughter ringing like music. But each chuckle reminded Naira of the threat that Anirudh posed, and she felt an urge to shield her friend from whatever might come next.

Finally, after breakfast, while everyone else began to disperse, Naira knew she couldn’t keep her feelings bottled up any longer. But she also feared that saying anything would only complicate things further.

“Hey, I’ll be in my room for a bit,” Naira said to Samyuktika, trying to sound casual. “I just need some time to clear my head.”

“Okay! Let me know if you need anything,” Samyuktika replied cheerfully.

As Naira retreated to her room, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it, her heart racing. What if Anirudh tries to approach Samyuktika? She felt a deep sense of protectiveness wash over her. Naira picked up her phone, contemplating whether to warn her friend.

But deep down, she knew that Samyuktika was a strong person. Maybe it’s better if I don’t say anything. I don’t want to ruin her mood. The idea of creating unnecessary tension made her hesitate even more.

As the hours passed, Naira’s worry only grew. She knew she should trust Samyuktika to handle herself, but the gnawing feeling in her gut wouldn’t let up. What if I’m too late?

Determined not to let her fears consume her, Naira decided to distract herself by diving into her studies. She sat at her desk, surrounded by textbooks and notes, but her mind continued to wander back to the unsettling thoughts about Anirudh.

I’ll keep my distance, she resolved silently. I’ll protect Samyuktika from Anirudh, even if I have to do it from the shadows.
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Naira sat nervously at a cozy table in the corner of the bustling café, glancing around as she waited for Rihaan to arrive. The ambiance was warm, filled with the enticing aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries, but her mind was racing. What would they talk about?

When Rihaan finally walked in, his easy smile instantly put her at ease. He waved as he approached, and Naira felt a flutter of excitement mixed with apprehension. “Hey, sorry I’m late! The traffic was insane,” he said, taking a seat across from her.