Obsessive Flames of Love

06:00 PM. Tanvi arrived at her apartment after a hectic day. While shoving her door open, the keys jingled, and she dropped them twice before jiggling the right one into the lock. With a deep sigh, she reached her bedroom and slipped into her pajamas.

Strode to her kitchen for a good coffee, while her head is aching pretty bad with the level of stress. In addition to it, “I need to meet Mr. Chauhan and Sign off the project officially.”

“Ah, my cup is already full with piles of work, and I should travel in between too?” She cursed herself while her coffee was ready by then. Grabbed the cup, she switched on her television and began sipping.

Meanwhile, a buzzing sound banged in the living room and disturbed her peace. She screamed with annoyance and went to pick it up. It’s Riaan.

“Hey, Tanvi.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Yes.”

“I’m in no mood to entertain this today. I have no energy left. I just wanted to sleep and relax.” She thought when his voice snapped her back.

“How’s your day?” Riaan noticed the discomfort and tried to ease her.

“sort of okay,” she gave a vague reply while massaging her temples.

A frown appeared on Riaan’s face with her change of attitude. He remained silent for a second, “what are you doing now?”

“nothing.”

Riaan stood from the couch when the sounds from her television caught his attention. “Watching a movie?”

“Not exactly.”

“Would you like to, then?”

“not sure.”

“Shall I suggest one?” He tried to test his luck.

“What?” She asked a little annoyed.

“Let’s watch the same movie while we connected online?”

“Ahem,” she didn’t understand how to react when her mind went blank.

“Tanvi, are you there?” His voice brought her to her senses. Blinked twice before responding, “Yes, Riaan.”

“Woah! That’s super. I heard it would be exciting.”

“I…” she swallowed her words, “… didn’t say yes to that.” by realizing the happiness in his tone.

“Choice is yours,” he said as cheerfully as he can.

“Um. Comicstaan?”

“Perfect!”

They left the WhatsApp call and shifted to skype video call with screen share. Tanvi saw Riaan in pictures, but it’s the first time seeing him, though in the video.

“He’s in a blue T-shirt, with his muscles hugged the soft cloth, trimmed beard, small grey eyes, neatly combed hair, with clean facial features.” She observed her without squinting and her lips curved in satisfaction. “You’re the same as in the picture.”

“I’m not able to see you?” Riaan said in a pout. “Aw! Acting cute?” She teased while he put his head down in defeat.

“Uf! I feel bad about it.” She pondered, “I’m in pajamas,” Tanvi warned. “It doesn’t matter to me.” He reassured her in a soft tone. Yet, she felt conscious about her appearance, and nervousness crept in.

Jumped out of her bed, checked herself thrice, and with a smile, she switched on her video.

“You look beautiful.” He complimented wholeheartedly. Her eyes popped out by hearing that, “seriously? Don’t kid me.”

“I’m being honest, Tanvi. You’re a beauty.”

Heat rose in her with his words. “Ahh… Thanks. Let’s watch?” She averted her gaze, not wanting him to see her blush.

“Sure.”

The comedy show started with the judges’ entry. Later the ten people were seated. The hosts were setting the mood, and slowly they got involved in the fun.

“Hahaha!! Have you heard it?” Tanvi said while trying to control her laughter.

“The restaurant joke was hilarious.” Riaan gave a Colgate ad smile while his eyes were gleaming.

“Ah!!! This flames joke.” They held their cheeks while laughing.

After a while, “Hum do Hamara Ek policy!!” Riaan held his stomach while giggling hard. Tanvi is rolling off while chuckling hard.

“Omg!! The jet airways joke… I can’t control it anymore.” Tanvi and Riaan both burst out snickering.

“I laughed my heart out, Riaan. Thanks!”

“Haha! My cheeks were paining with laughing too.”

Then she glanced at the episode number. “Aw! We were in the sixth episode!!” Her eyes widened when a smile appeared on her rosy lips.

“I’m happy since you became normal,” Riaan said.

“Ahem…” She fake coughed to hide her redness rushing up to her cheeks. He chuckled, and she slept in peace.

…

Riaan glanced at her picture with a contented smile, “My company relieved your stress!” He smirked, “That’s quite an achievement.”

“With this pace, I’m sure we can make a good match.” He exclaimed and went back to the works he left.

…

4th September

Tanvi dressed in a white v neck dress with a half collar, three-fourth sleeves, inserted into brown trousers, with three feet brown wedges.

Applied little makeup to highlight her complexion, tied her hair into a high ponytail, grabbed her Channel handbag, and left her house with a proud smile.

10:00 AM. Tanvi entered Chauhan Group of Companies with a potential charm and went to the last visited place. When every person on the floor was hurrying up, she couldn’t help but turn her head to see what’s happening.

A tall figure, dressed in a white shirt, paired with a brown suit, perfectly styled hair, his unapproachable vibe like a king, handsome facial features made her gape in awe. “He’s damn sexy.” She mumbled.

When he approached nearer, the vision became clear to her. “It’s Mr. Chauhan.” She gasped when his obsidian-brown eyes met with her deep black eyes. She winced in bewilderment, but his gaze fixated on her.

Tanvi felt her heartbeat fastened, and breath became difficult for her in his proximity when he crossed behind her. They didn’t break their staring competition until he left the alley. His cologne, his deep glare on her, made her heart skip a beat.

“Why did he stare at me? Did I mistake it?” She bit her nails in a puzzled state.

“no, no! I’m sure he’s looking at me. But why would he?”

“Omg! Did I offend him by any means?” A cold sweat broke out on her.

“No way! What had I done to make him angry? Nothing, right?” She asserted, but it felt like convincing herself.

“His gaze didn’t seem angry, though? I had seen his furious expression last time. It’s very different from this?” Tanvi was becoming restless when Maahir came to her.

“Ms. Tanvi, please come this way.” He carefully took her in, not wanting to make his boss burn with fury. She nodded and followed Maahir.

This time, it’s a different hall with a large screen in the darkroom, which was lit dimly. Tanvi connected her pendrive to the laptop and set everything to present the video before signing off the project.

“It’s just a quick ten minutes. Relax.” She consoled herself to feel at ease.

Soon, Rudra entered and occupied the main chair. Tanvi stood up, “Nice meeting you, Mr. Chauhan,” and greeted politely, and he nodded. She was seated on the opposite side with a drool. His lips twitched slightly upwards by seeing her ogle.

“You can start Ms. Tanvi.” Maahir caught her back when her brows furrowed. “Only Mr. Chauhan will be present?”

Maahir nodded, and the color in her cheeks drained. She felt her knees given up while facing him this close just a few feet away, let alone gave a one-on presentation.

“I agree he’s handsome, but he’s more powerful.” The latter part bothered her. Soon, she composed herself and stood up while Rudra’s gaze didn’t even once miss her.

Rudra noticed her shaking legs, while sweat started forming on her forehead, even it’s icy cold in the hall.

“She tried to mask her nervousness. But I saw through her.” Rudra smirked and softened his gaze, “Uh-huh. Did it comfort her?”

Tanvi looked in his eyes, “Ugh! His expression isn’t cold, and he’s not serious either. He’s super calm. Thank god, he might be in a good mood today.” She quoted in her mind.

This glimpse of his soft side comforted her while Maahir remained astounded with his calmness. “Ms. Tanvi sure got him,” Maahir exclaimed to himself and moved aside. “Staring at him in the eye without fear might be possible only to you.” He chuckled.

Tanvi went to the stage and begun explaining, and her confidence, posture, tone everything changed into a different woman. The nervousness was nowhere.

“Is it the same her?” Rudra couldn’t help but question himself. “She completely turned into another dominant person with a charisma after stepping onto the podium.” His eyes brightened, ‘interesting.’

“You never stop amazing me, Tanvi.” Rudra thought while Maahir rendered speechless in amazement.

Soon, she finished with it and occupied her seat.

“Good job,” Rudra said nonchalantly, which gave Maahir a heart-attack. “He praised?” Maahir gasped while his eyes popped out.

“Thank you, Mr. Chauhan.” Her eyes sparkled like a kid, which amused him. “You are making me more curious about you.” He pondered.

Maahir placed the documents in front of Rudra, and he signed them while Tanvi is gazing at him, “How can he be this perfect? He’s simply flawless.”

Rudra approached her and she stood up with a gulp, his towering height made her lift her head to look in the eye, “Congratulations on this project, Ms. Tanvi.” He shook his hands with her.

Tanvi froze with his touch, “It’s warm. His hands were smooth. His fragrance is captivating my mind.” She felt heat rush up to her cheeks.

“Thank you, Mr. Chauhan.”

Rudra’s body became stiff with her closeness, he sniffed her unique cologne, “her touch was too soft.” His lips curved upwards. “Looking forward to working with you.” He said and left.

Tanvi dropped to her seat and panted for air, “Huh!! I became hot, Damn it!” She waved her hand while Rudra stopped at the door and turned back. Gazing at her actions, a dainty smile lingered on his lips.

…