Veins Of Obsession

CH - 26 ( Fight )

On the day of the wedding, dawn had barely broken when Saanvi entered Ishaan's room, her face serious. She moved cautiously, her steps soft, almost hesitant. She had come to tell him about a piece of information she’d uncovered that might be vital for their safety, but she was taken aback by the hardness in his expression.

Saanvi: "Ishaan, I need to tell you something important."

Ishaan, voice edged with coldness: "Important? The only thing important right now, Saanvi, is that your family remembers who they are—Mehra. The ones responsible for what happened to mine."

Saanvi felt her stomach churn. "What are you even talking about? This is nonsense, Ishaan, and I didn’t come here to argue about our past again."

Ishaan, voice rising: "Oh, it’s nonsense now, is it? Of course, you’d think so. You’re a Mehra. Always turning a blind eye to the damage you’ve caused."

Saanvi clenched her fists, her patience slipping. "Don’t throw this at me as if I don’t know what’s going on! I didn’t ask for this war between our families, Ishaan!"

Ishaan stepped closer, anger simmering just below the surface. "Then why don’t you just walk away? If you hate this so much, why are you still here? Why don’t you go back to your perfect Mehra family?"

Her voice trembled with both anger and hurt as she spoke. "Don’t assume that I haven’t thought about it, Ishaan. But unlike you, I believe that we can rise above revenge. Or at least I used to believe that."

Their heated words echoed in the quiet room, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, breaths heavy, each holding their ground. The words she wanted to tell him about slipped from her mind as she turned on her heel, leaving him in silence.
___

Back at the wedding venue, Saanvi kept herself occupied with the ceremonies, focusing on supporting Aahana. Despite the tension simmering inside her, she managed to keep up a brave front, smiling and laughing with her friend.

During the varmala ceremony, as Aahana and Rohan exchanged garlands, Rohan playfully lifted his head, making Aahana stretch on her toes.

Aahana laughed, nudging him. "Stop teasing me, Rohan. We both know you’re going to accept this garland!"

Rohan: "Maybe, but only because you’re asking so nicely."
___

Later in the evening, while all the couples danced, the music transitioned, and partners switched. Anaya found herself with Sidharth, and she raised an eyebrow as he spun her around.

Sidharth: "Still pretending you don’t like this?"

Anaya, smirking: "Still pretending you don’t wish it were you up there, Rohan’s place?"

He narrowed his eyes at her, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Maybe. But I’m perfectly happy with my dance partner right now."
___

The wedding celebrations finally came to a close with Aahana and Rohan’s farewell. It was an emotional scene, with everyone lined up to bid them goodbye. Aahana, adorned in her bridal attire, hugged her family members, tears in her eyes as she embraced each one, and Rohan stood by her side, offering quiet comfort.

Aahana, holding Saanvi’s hands tightly, voice trembling: “You’ve always been there for me, Saanvi. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself, okay?”

Saanvi, with a sad smile: “Don’t worry about me, Aahana. You focus on your new life with Rohan. And remember, if he ever troubles you, I’m just a call away.”

They both laughed through their tears as Rohan placed a hand on Saanvi’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of her, Saanvi. You have my word.”

Rohan looked back at the crowd, his own eyes misty, before finally helping Aahana into the car. As the vehicle pulled away, everyone waved, watching until they disappeared down the road.
___

Later that evening, after the farewells and the lingering traces of the celebration had faded, Ishaan made his way up to their room. His mind was still clouded by the anger from their morning fight, but a nagging thought kept bringing him back. When he walked in, he found Saanvi silently packing her things, her expression cold and focused.

Ishaan, standing by the doorway, voice clipped: “Where are you going, Saanvi?”

Saanvi didn’t look up as she continued folding her clothes. “To another room. I’ve decided that I’ll be handling my problems on my own from now on.”

Ishaan stepped closer, his gaze intense. “What are you talking about? We have the same target—if anything, we should be working together.”

She paused, meeting his gaze with steely eyes. “Should we? If Mehta’s can’t trust Mehra’s, then why should I, a Mehra, trust you or any Mehta?”

Her words struck him, his jaw clenching. “It’s not about trust. We’re in this together, whether you like it or not.”

She let out a bitter laugh, closing her suitcase. “Together? You’re here for revenge, Ishaan. So focus on that. I don’t need you to interfere with my work or my problems. Stay away from me and let me handle this alone.”

Ishaan, voice firm but with a hint of something softer underneath: “And what if I don’t stay away? What if I don’t want to? We’re bound together in more ways than you’re willing to admit.”

Saanvi turned away, her expression resolute. “Then consider this my warning, Mr. Mehta. Don’t get between me and my work.”

For a moment, they both stood there in silence, a standoff of emotions simmering beneath the surface. Finally, Ishaan took a step back, his face unreadable.

Ishaan, after a long pause: “Fine. If that’s what you want, Saanvi. But remember—you’re not the only one with scores to settle.”

Without another word, she picked up her suitcase and walked past him, Saanvi turned back one last time, her voice low, each word laced with a chilling intensity that seemed to hang in the air, sending a shiver through the silence of the room.

“And listen carefully, Mr. Ishaan Singh Mehta,” she began, her eyes dark, gleaming with a ferocity he’d never seen before, “the day I get proof of Mehra's innocence, I will be free from all of this—this twisted revenge marriage, your lies, your games.”

She stepped closer, her tone sinking into a quiet threat, her gaze unblinking as it bored into him. “And the moment I find out who that unknown figure is—the one hiding in the shadows, the Mehta who has betrayed their own blood to come after my family, my friends—well, that day, I’ll bring down everything.”

Her voice grew colder, filled with an almost lethal promise. “The real war will begin then, Ishaan. And mark my words: it will be the beginning of the end for the Mehta empire. I will watch it burn until there’s nothing left but ashes.”

She paused, her words hanging like ice in the air as she leaned in, just close enough that he could feel the depth of her conviction, her unyielding determination. “So keep this in mind, Ishaan. The moment I discover the truth... the downfall of your entire legacy is inevitable.”

And with that, she turned and strode out, leaving him standing in the heavy silence, her words echoing in his mind—a promise, a warning, and a declaration of war.
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