Arjun sat at his desk, engrossed in reviewing files, when his phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence. He glanced at the screen and saw his father's name flashing, making his heart sink. He considered ignoring the call, but his sense of duty prevailed, and he reluctantly picked up.
"Dad" Arjun said curtly.
"Well, hello, Son! How's everything going at work?" his father asked, his voice cheerful, but Arjun wasn't having it.
"Is there a reason you called?" he asked gruffly, his patience wearing thin.
"Can't a father call his son when he misses him?" his father replied, chuckling, but Arjun didn't find it amusing.
"Okay, okay, I called to remind you about your dinner with Suhana. I hope you didn't forget" his father said, his tone turning serious.
Arjun's grip on the phone tightened, and his jaw clenched.
"Yes, I know, and I didn't forget" he said, his voice cold.
"You better don't," his father said. "Seize this chance! And don't keep her waiting. Perhaps you can bring her on my birthday, you know, to announce you guys publicly."
"No!" Arjun's response was immediate and firm.
"No?" his father repeated, surprised.
"You heard me the first time. I agreed to the dinner, don't push your luck, father." Arjun said, his tone unyielding.
"Fine, slow steps then. But remember to bring her on my birthday. Your mother requested it," his father said, his tone softening.
"Fine!" Arjun sighed, running his hand through his hair.
"That's my boy! Well, then, have a good date!" his father said, and with that, the call ended.
Arjun let out a deep sigh, feeling trapped. He was only doing this for his beloved mother, the only woman he truly loved. The thought of going through with the dinner and potentially more with Suhana felt like a chore, but he would do it for his mother's sake.
Arjun's mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming party and his reluctance to accept Suhana to go with him.
He couldn't shake off the feeling that his father was manipulating him, using his cunning and sadistic nature to control him.
The thought of being tied down to Suhana made him feel trapped, especially when his mind kept wandering to the mysterious girl with hazel eyes and brunette hair, whose vanilla scent drove him wild.
He remembered the way she smiled, the way her eyes sparkled, and the way her hair fell in soft waves down her back.
Just as he was lost in thought, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in." he muttered. The door opened, and a young man with blond hair, blue eyes, and a chiseled physique walked in, wearing a navy blue office suit that accentuated his muscles.
"Karan" Arjun greeted, his tone neutral.
Karan, one of Arjun's closest friends and a trusted ally in the Mafia, approached him with a file in hand.
"Arjun, here are the details you asked for" he said, handing over the file.
Arjun took it, his eyes scanning the contents. The name "Rohit Khanna" jumped out at him, and he felt a surge of bitterness. This was the guy who had hugged Meera yesterday, and Arjun regretted not taking him out when he had the chance.
"What does he have that I don't?" Arjun asked, his voice laced with anger and jealousy. Karan was taken aback by the question, unsure of what to say.
"What do you mean?" he asked, trying to clarify.
Arjun's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Rohit's picture.
"What does she see in him that I don't have?" he blurted out, his anger boiling over.
Karan was confused, unsure of who "she" was, but he tried to answer the question.
"Okay, calm down, Arjun. I don't understand. you need to explain."
Arjun's jealousy was flaming up, and he couldn't contain it.
"Does he look like someone a girl at 23 would like?" he asked, his voice dripping with venom. Karan, still confused, tried to reason with him.
"Well, he is very handsome. He's muscular, has a strong jawline, amazing hair, and the nerdy glasses... honestly, he looks like a girl any girl in college would love to date. He's got all the charm for a guy at 24."
Arjun's anger reached a boiling point, and he slammed his fist on the desk. "Love to date??" he muttered, his eyes blazing with fury.
He stood up, his jaw clenched, and stormed out of the office, leaving Karan staring after him in confusion.
Who was Rohit, and who was the mysterious "she" that Arjun kept mentioning? Karan wondered, shaken by the intensity of Arjun's emotions.
As Arjun walked out of the office, he couldn't shake off the feeling of possessiveness that had taken over him. He felt like he was losing control, and he didn't know how to stop it.
He thought about the girl with hazel eyes and brunette hair, and his heart raced with excitement. But first, he had to take care of Rohit.
*
*
*
"This is getting really concerning, Meera" Jiya said, her voice laced with worry, as they walked out of the school building, class finally over. Meera sighed, her shoulders sagging in frustration.
"Ah! Yes, it is. It's like the more I try to stay away from him, the more he keeps appearing. I'll do anything to get him locked up, at least until I finish with the project" Meera wished, her eyes scanning the crowded hallway.
Jiya chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I believe you just need to be more cautious" she said, as they made their way to the parking space.
Jiya's eyes wandered over the sea of students, her gaze drifting from one face to another, until she suddenly halted, her eyes fixed on a figure in the distance.
Meera looked at her, confused, noticing the sudden change in Jiya's demeanor.
"Are you okay, Jiya? Why does it look like you've seen a ghost?" she asked, her brow furrowed in concern.
Jiya's voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes wide with terror.
"Arjun" she breathed, her gaze fixed on the figure in the distance.
Meera froze, her heart skipping a beat, as she slowly turned to the side, her eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on Arjun. It was as if a cold water had been poured over her, sending shivers down her spine.
"Why is he here?" Jiya asked, her voice laced with worry, as Meera clenched her hand, her nails digging into her palm.
Meera's voice was low, urgent. "I don't know, and I don't care. He might be here for something. Let's just not make eye contact and leave. Okay?" she suggested, trying to blend in with the crowded students, her eyes fixed on Jiya's scooter in the distance.
But it was too late. "Meera" they suddenly heard, the voice calling out to her, sending a shiver down her spine.
Meera mumbled words beneath her breath, her heart racing, as Jiya started to speak.
"Meera what-" but Meera cut her off, her voice firm.
"Just pretend we didn't hear him. He will leave us alone" Meera said, her eyes fixed on the ground, but she knew it was futile.
She heard her name again, this time closer, and Meera knew she couldn't avoid him any longer. She slowly turned around, meeting face to face with Arjun, her heart racing with anticipation.
Arjun had been waiting outside for Meera, his mind consumed by thoughts of their previous encounter.
After leaving his office, he had driven down to the school, determined to see her and get the answers he needed.
The unsatisfying conversation they had yesterday about Rohit still lingered in his mind, and Karan's words continued to echo in his ears.
He just needed answers from her to calm his head sbd aching Heart.
As he stood outside, he caught sight of Meera and Jiya walking out of the school building. His heart skipped a beat as he approached them, his deep voice calling out to Meera.
"Meera, I need to speak with you."
Jiya was taken aback, her eyes wide with surprise, and she couldn't help but notice how handsome Arjun looked in person.
The pictures and videos she had seen online didn't do him justice. Meera, on the other hand, tried to maintain her composure, her voice respectful but firm.
"Mr. Madhav, I'm really busy now."
She turned to Jiya, trying to usher her away.
"Let's go" she said, but Arjun was not having it. His patience was wearing thin, and he could feel his anger rising up.
"Meera, I need to speak with you, and it's now" he said, his voice firm but controlled.
Meera hesitated, looking uncomfortable, before responding.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Madhav, but not now. I have work and other things to take care of."
Arjun's anger was beginning to simmer just below the surface. He didn't understand why Meera was being so evasive, why she didn't want to spend time with him.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, but his eyes never left Meera's face.
"Mr. Madhav, what Meera meant was that her schedule is really tight and she's running late for work. Maybe another day?" Jiya intervened, trying to calm the situation, while simultaneously giving Meera a warning glance to behave.
Jiya could clearly see the anger rising on Arjun's face and knew that he was not a man to be trifled with.
However, Arjun ignored Jiya's attempt at mediation and instead, his eyes locked onto Meera's, his gaze intense and unyielding.
He reached out and grasped Meera's hand, pulling her away from Jiya. Meera tried to wriggle free, but Arjun's grip was firm, though not painful.
"Let's go." he said, his voice low and commanding, as he led Meera to his car. He opened the door and gestured for her to get in.
"Get in." he repeated, his tone stern and brooking no argument.
Meera gasped, her eyes darting to the few students who were now staring at them. She tried to reason with Arjun,
"Mr. Mad-"
"Arjun" he corrected, his eyes boring deep into hers.
"Please don't call attention to yourself, I told you I'm busy. And please, I'm running late for work." Meera pleaded, trying to wriggle free from his grasp.
But Arjun was unmoved. "You are the one calling attention to yourself. I said I want to talk to you, and I mean now." he said, his patience wearing thin.
Meera tried to protest, "And what if I-"
But Arjun cut her off, his voice rising.
"One thing I don't tolerate at all is disrespect, Miss Meera. And you have been doing that. Get inside the car now, or I'm not promising you what I will do to your father." he threatened, his eyes flashing with anger.
Meera's eyes widened in shock and fear.
"What? Y-you w-won't dare to do a-" she barely whispered, staring at him in disbelief. How could he threaten her like that? Couldn't he understand that she didn't want to talk to him or be with him?
"I guess you forget who I am quite fast, huh? Miss Meera" Arjun said, his face stern, his eyes staring intensely at her.
He had been left with no choice but to threaten her, as she had been pushing his boundaries and testing his patience. He admired her feisty side, but she needed to be reminded that he was not a man to be trifled with.
Meera opened her mouth to respond
"I-" she started
Just then, Jiya called out
"Meera!" and headed towards them. Meera looked at Jiya, then back at Arjun, his face still glaring at her, daring her to reject his demands. The threat he had made still lingered in the air, and Meera clenched her bag, her mind racing.
"Jiya, you head back first, okay?" Meera forced a tight smile, trying to reassure her friend.
"Mr. Madhav will drop me, it's better that way." She said, her eyes fixed on Arjun, her gaze unwavering.
Jiya looked concerned.
"Bu-" she started to say, but Meera cut her off.
"I will be fine. Go first, okay? Please?" Meera gave her a reassuring smile, trying to alleviate Jiya's worries.
Jiya hesitated for a moment, then nodded, although she still looked concerned. She glanced over at Arjun, but his eyes were fixed on Meera, his expression strange and unsettling.
For a moment, Jiya thought she saw something in his eyes, something that looked almost like obsession. She shook her head, clearing the thoughts, telling herself she was just imagining things.
As Jiya turned to leave, Meera felt a shiver run down her spine. She was alone now, with a man who seemed determined to get what he wanted, no matter the cost.
*
*
*
The tension in the car was suffocating, making Meera's skin crawl. Her bag was clenched tightly in her fist, her knuckles white with anxiety.
The thought of spending another minute with a man who had threatened her made the small space feel even more oppressive.
Suddenly, Arjun blurted out a question, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife.
"Do you have a boyfriend, Meera?" Meera's head snapped towards him, her face shocked and incredulous.
'Is he sick?' she thought to herself.
'What kind of question is that?'
Meera tried to respond, but Arjun cut her off, his grip on the steering wheel tightening.
"Answer me, Meera." he demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Meera hesitated, unsure of how to respond.
"No, I don't have one." she finally answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
But Arjun wasn't satisfied.
"Ex?" he questioned again, his voice getting harder and more aggressive.
Meera shook her head, feeling a sense of unease.
"No" she replied, her voice firm.
But Arjun continued to probe.
"Crush?" he asked, his eyes glinting with intensity.
Meera was astonished.
'Is he crazy?' she thought to herself. But she answered anyway, just wanting to be done with this uncomfortable conversation.
"Um, no." she replied, her voice laced with hesitation.
The silence that followed was oppressive, the tension between them palpable. Meera couldn't understand why Arjun was asking her these questions, or what he hoped to achieve.
All she knew was that she wanted to get out of the car, and away from him, as quickly as possible.
"Okay." Arjun said, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He was satisfied with Meera's answer, but his mind was still consumed by thoughts of her interaction with Rohit Khanna. He couldn't shake off the feeling of possessiveness that had taken over him.
"And the boy?" he asked, his jaw clenched, his eyes still fixed on the road.
Meera gazed at him in confusion.
"Sorry?" she replied, unsure of what he was referring to.
"The boy yesterday." Arjun said, his voice low and menacing. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles white with tension.
Meera's eyes widened as she realized who he was talking about.
"What happened to Roh-" she started to say, but Arjun cut her off.
"Don't call his name." he growled, his anger visible on his face. The veins on his hand were bulging, and Meera could see the pressure he was putting on the steering wheel.
Meera gulped, taken aback by Arjun's outburst. "He is just a friend and my course mate. We are in the same project-" she tried to explain.
But Arjun wasn't interested in her explanation.
"Do you like him?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.
Meera was shocked.
'Is this man mad?' she thought to herself.
"W-what? No. No, I don't." she stuttered, glaring at him. She couldn't understand why Arjun was asking her these questions, or what he hoped to achieve.
Arjun's face relaxed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Good." he said, his heart at peace once again. He couldn't believe that Meera's answer could make him feel this way.
Meera, on the other hand, was relieved that the uncomfortable conversation was over. She just wanted to leave the situation behind and get on with her day. As soon as Arjun's car stopped at her workplace, she unhooked her seatbelt and grabbed her bag, ready to make a quick exit.
"Thank you, Mr. Madhav" she said, trying to sound polite.
But Arjun wasn't having it.
"F*ck! Will it kill you to say my name!" he lashed out, his patience wearing thin. He was tired of hearing her call him Mr. Madhav.
"Say my name, Meera" he demanded, his eyes locked on hers. "Please." he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. He was desperate to hear his name on her lips.
Meera gulped, taken aback by Arjun's intensity.
"A-Arjun."Â She slowly said his name, her voice barely above a whisper.
Arjun's eyes flashed with excitement, and he demanded again.
"Again." His voice was hoarse, and Meera could see the tension in his body.
"Arjun" she said clearly, her voice firm.
Arjun gulped, his face twisted in a mixture of emotions.
"Get down" he told her, his voice gruff.
Without thinking twice, Meera got out of the car and closed the door behind her. The car drove away immediately, leaving her standing alone on the sidewalk.
Meera took a deep breath, her heart still racing from the uncomfortable encounter. She calmed herself down and walked into the library, trying to put the strange conversation behind her.