OUR OBSESSIONS - FATE of LOVE

Chapter 3

It's going to be the first Dhruv's POV... hope you all enjoy and continue to delve into the joy.

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DHRUV

I couldn't comprehend why I had unleashed such hurtful words upon her. The moment I caught sight of tears shimmering in her beautiful sapphire eyes, reality crashed down around me like a tidal wave. I had never witnessed her cry since the day our paths first crossed, and now, as I stood there, the vibrant spirit I had cherished began to fade before my very eyes.

In a desperate search for her, I finally spotted her sitting on a bench, laughter spilling from her lips as she shared a moment with another man. A surge of rage coursed through my veins, and my fists clenched involuntarily, aching to strike the face of the man who dared to flirt with her. But instead of confronting them, I retreated to the sanctuary of my home, a silent observer, waiting for her return. From my hidden vantage point by the gate, I could see the world outside while remaining unseen. When she finally returned, accompanied by that man, a tempest of anger boiled within me as I watched her carefree demeanour, so close to him, so intimate. Who was he that she could radiate such joy in his presence?

With this unexpected jealousy gnawing at my insides, I found myself grappling with a troubling question: "Why do I care?" I stepped inside, wrestling with the tumult of emotions that threatened to consume me.

The following day, news of her job offer reached my ears, leaving me in a state of confusion. I maintained a facade of indifference, but inside, I was a storm of conflicting feelings. She didn't approach me as she usually did, seeking my opinion or sharing her excitement. Strange questions swirled in my mind like autumn leaves caught in a whirlwind: "Why doesn't she come to me to share the good news?" "Did she confide in her parents about what I had said yesterday?" I considered the possibility that if she had shared my hurtful words with them, neither Aunt nor Uncle nor my own parents, would be so calm. She was the apple of their eye, cherished and nurtured to the point where nothing seemed to faze her.

Just then, my eight-year-old brother, Aaryan, bounded over to me, his innocent curiosity shining through. "Why don't you congratulate sister-in-law?" he asked, his eyes wide with expectation. Aaryan had started calling Esha "sister-in-law" after learning from our parents that she was to be my future wife-a notion I had never fully embraced or agreed to.

I patted his head and lied, "I already congratulated her, Aaryan."

"Oh, was it before I came? Because I never saw you talk to her," he replied, confusion flickering in his eyes.

"Yes," I fibbed again, watching as he scampered off to play with her.

Esha had always adored children, and when Aaryan was born, her joy knew no bounds. She would spend countless hours entertaining him, her laughter ringing like music in the air.

Today, I noticed her climbing into a cab, a realization dawned on me-she didn't know how to drive. Usually, she would ask her driver, Mohan, to take her if she needed something. Hiding my concerns deep within, I left for work, but upon my return, I found the house still locked. "Where could she have gone?" I pondered, a knot of worry tightening in my chest.

Just as I stepped through the gate, a cab pulled up, and Esha emerged, heading inside. "What could she have been doing all day?" I questioned myself, but I pushed those thoughts aside as I went home, freshened up, and settled into my study for a meeting.

As the CEO of my company, I was constantly juggling meetings across various time zones, my mind racing to keep pace. I quickly wrapped up my agenda and headed to bed, but sleep eluded me once more. "Where had she gone all day?" She never stayed out this long since childhood. "Is she hiding something from everyone?" The thought jolted me upright in bed, unsettling my very core. I slipped out of bed and made my way downstairs for a glass of water.

My mother approached me, concern etched on her face, her eyes searching mine. "What's going on between you two?"

"Who two, Ma?" I feigned ignorance, my heart racing.

"You and Esha!"

"Nothing, Ma," I replied curtly, the word tasting bitter on my tongue. "It's late, Ma. Go to sleep. Your health might deteriorate." I said, my voice laced with emotion.

"Then why is she acting so strangely around you? Ever since we arrived, she hasn't had a day without talking to you. So, tell me what happened exactly."

"Nothing, Ma. Maybe she's just busy figuring out how to adapt to her new office life." With that, I turned away, feeling the weight of my mother's disapproving gaze burning into my back.

I climbed into bed, yearning for the sweet embrace of sleep, but rest remained a distant dream, forever out of reach. My mind, a relentless tide, drifted back to that fateful day-the sharp words I had hurled, the pain etched on her face, and the tears that had glistened like shattered glass in her beautiful sapphire eyes. Each memory reverberated through my thoughts, a haunting echo that refused to fade, now precariously teetering on the edge of uncertainty.

We had just arrived at our new home in Kolshet. As I stepped out of the car and made my way toward the gate, a sweet, melodic voice caught my attention. "Hi!" she said, and I turned to see her. She was stunning, a perfect blend of cherry and peach blossoms. Her eyes sparkled with the mesmerizing shades of a deep blue sky, and her small pink lips curved into a sunshine smile that could light up the entire galaxy.

A strange feeling welled up inside me. She seemed so innocent and naive; a vulnerability that made me worry about the harsh world outside that could easily consume her. Esha came from a loving family; her parents had a loving marriage, and in their eyes, she was a treasure. However, Esha's mother had suffered from uterine issues, preventing her from having more children. After that, Mr. and Mrs. Sharma decided to open an orphanage, embracing the children with the same love they showered upon Esha. Their family celebrated every festival and occasion with the children at the orphanage, transforming it into a vibrant world of colours, especially on Esha's birthday.

As I adjusted to my new lifestyle in this city, I found the school enjoyable, even though Esha attended the same one and often found ways to bother me. She had a knack for teasing, her laughter ringing in my ears like a playful melody which I never appreciated but annoyed.

I was not an outgoing person, but Ashish and Joshi were different. They were the kind of friends who could light up a room with their energy, and as time passed, I found myself drawn to their infectious enthusiasm. I made friends with them, and we shared a similar outlook on life, which helped me navigate the new environment.

We all ended up at the same university, where Ashish pursued interests in finance and media, Joshi was captivated by biology, and I immersed myself in computers and technology. Despite our differing passions, we made it a point to hang out together regularly, enjoying each other's company and navigating the challenges of school life as a united front.

Esha, too, found her place in our circle, her vibrant personality adding a unique dynamic to our group. She would often join us for lunch, I couldn't shake the feeling of annoyance that accompanied her presence. It was as if she had a radar for my discomfort, and she revelled in teasing me, her laughter ringing out like a challenge.

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