Veins Of Obsession

CH - 9 ( Unexpected guest )

A month into their shared living arrangement, Ishaan brought home an unexpected guest.

Ishaan: (smiling) "Saanvi, meet Siya. An old friend of mine."

Saanvi: (raising an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed) "Friend, huh? Nice to meet you, Siya."

Siya: (smiling sweetly, eyes lingering on Ishaan) "I've heard so much about you, Saanvi. Ishaan and I go way back."

Saanvi: (crossing her arms) "Good to know. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other then."

After Siya left, Saanvi watched Ishaan with narrowed eyes.

Saanvi: "You never mentioned her before."

Ishaan: (nonchalantly) "Didn't think it was important."

Saanvi: (sarcastic) "Sure. Let’s hope your not-so-important friend stays out of our way."

Unknown to Saanvi, Siya's feelings for Ishaan ran deep, and jealousy festered in her heart. She was determined to come between them, no matter what it took.
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Over the following weeks, Siya began to insert herself into Ishaan and Saanvi's life, often dropping by unannounced.

Siya: (playfully touching Ishaan’s arm) "Remember that time at the beach, Ishaan? You were so brave, saving me from that wave."

Saanvi: (eyes narrowing) "I’m sure it was nothing Ishaan can’t handle. He does like to play the hero, doesn’t he?"

Ishaan: (sensing Saanvi's irritation) "Oh, it was nothing, really."

Siya, seeing Saanvi's reaction, pressed harder.

Siya: "You know, Saanvi, Ishaan and I have so many memories. I hope you don’t mind me stealing him away for dinner sometime, just the two of us."

Saanvi: (fake smile) "Oh, please, go ahead. I have a life beyond Ishaan, believe it or not."

Later that night, when they were alone, Saanvi confronted Ishaan.

Saanvi: "You know she's playing you, right?"

Ishaan: (smirking) "Jealous, are we?"

Saanvi: (snorting) "Of her? Hardly. I just don’t want her meddling in things that don’t concern her."

Ishaan: (stepping closer, his voice dropping) "You’re concerned about us, then? I didn’t realize you cared so much."

Saanvi: (flustered) "I care about my sanity. And right now, she’s making it hard to maintain."

Ishaan: (chuckling) "Don’t worry, Miss Mehra. I’ve got this under control."

Saanvi turned away, rolling her eyes, but the truth was, she was more irritated than she cared to admit. Ishaan, however, seemed almost amused by the jealousy that flickered in her eyes.
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As the weeks turned into month, the tension between Saanvi, Ishaan, and Siya continued to build. Siya's subtle attempts to drive a wedge between them only seemed to bring Saanvi and Ishaan closer in unexpected ways. There were moments when, despite themselves, they found a strange comfort in each other’s presence.

Ishaan: (watching Saanvi cook dinner) "You know, you’re pretty cute when you’re angry."

Saanvi: (flinging a dish towel at him) "Don’t push your luck, Mehta."

Yet, despite the playful banter, there was a sense of unease, a feeling that something was brewing beneath the surface—something that neither Saanvi nor Ishaan were ready to confront.