OBSESSION'S DARK VOW

┃c h a p t e r - 15┃

NEXT DAY 

The evening had arrived with a soft, pink glow on the horizon, casting a serene light over the beachside bungalow. The gentle breeze rustled the palm leaves, creating a soothing melody that was meant to be relaxing. However, within the confines of their shared vacation, tension was simmering beneath the surface, particularly between Esha and Reyansh.

Esha had decided to take a swim in the pool, hoping the cool water would help clear her mind. She donned a simple black swimsuit, leaving her hair loose to dry naturally. As she approached the pool, she noticed that most of the team was enjoying a quiet evening in their respective rooms, leaving her with a rare moment of solitude.

The pool area was dimly lit, with a few lanterns casting a warm glow around the perimeter. Esha slid into the water, letting the coolness envelop her. She swam laps, trying to focus on the rhythmic strokes and the peacefulness of the water. But her thoughts kept drifting back to her argument with Reyansh and the unresolved feelings between them.

Reyansh, meanwhile, had been trying to push aside his frustration, but the sight of Esha's interactions with Aiden had rekindled the feelings he had hoped to control. He had decided to take a late-night swim to cool off and clear his head, not realizing that Esha was already in the pool.

As Reyansh approached the pool area, his frustration was evident in his tense posture. He didn't see Esha at first, but as he neared the edge of the pool, her silhouette became visible. He hesitated for a moment before deciding to join her, hoping that the water might provide some semblance of clarity.

"Hey," Reyansh called out, his voice breaking the calm of the evening.

Esha turned, her eyes narrowing slightly as she recognized him. "Hi, Reyansh."

Reyansh slid into the pool with a splash, the cool water enveloping him. He swam towards Esha, his movements sharp and deliberate. "Can we talk?"

Esha's expression was guarded. "I thought we had already talked."

Reyansh's frustration was palpable. "No, we haven't. Not really. We keep skirting around the issues."

Esha sighed, pushing a strand of wet hair from her face. "What do you want to talk about?"

Reyansh stopped swimming and faced her, his eyes intense. "I want to talk about us. About why you seem so distant and why I feel like I'm losing you."

Esha's eyes flashed with anger. "You think I'm distant? Maybe I'm just trying to move on and make the best of this vacation."

"Move on?" Reyansh's voice rose. "You're spending time with Aiden, and it feels like you're moving on without even talking to me about it."

Esha's face flushed with frustration. "You're the one who's been avoiding me. You've been distant, too. It's not just me."

Reyansh's jaw tightened. "I've been trying to deal with my feelings, but it's hard when you're always with someone else."

Esha took a deep breath, her emotions bubbling over. "And what am I supposed to do? Just sit around and wait for you to figure things out?"

Reyansh's eyes softened slightly, though his frustration remained. "No, that's not what I meant. I just don't understand why we can't seem to communicate anymore."

Esha swam closer to him, her voice trembling with raw emotion. "Maybe because every time we try to talk, it turns into an argument. Maybe because every time I try to be close to you, it feels like you push me away."

Reyansh's expression was a mix of guilt and sadness. "I don't want to push you away. I'm just... I'm scared. I'm scared of losing you, and I don't know how to handle it."