The tension in the room was palpable as Vihaan took a seat next to me, his thigh brushing against mine under the table. Raj's eyes flashed with annoyance, but he maintained a polite smile, asking his mom to pass Vihaan the biryani.
As we ate, the conversation was stilted, with Vihaan dominating the discussion with stories about his latest business ventures. Raj's mom seemed fascinated, but Raj and I exchanged awkward glances.
I couldn't help but notice the way Vihaan's eyes kept drifting to me, his gaze lingering on my face, my lips, my hands. It was as if he was staking his claim, marking his territory. I felt a flutter in my chest, unsure how to react.
Raj, on the other hand, seemed to be seething quietly. His eyes would dart to Vihaan, his jaw clenched in annoyance. I could sense the tension building between them, and I wondered what would happen next.
As we finished lunch, Vihaan turned to Raj's mom and said, "Thank you for the delicious lunch. I'll have to return the favor sometime."
Raj's mom beamed, oblivious to the undercurrents. "That would be lovely, Vihaan. You're always welcome here."
As we walked Vihaan out, Raj's hand brushed against mine, and I felt a spark of surprise. Vihaan's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Raj's hand.
"Thanks for dropping by, Vihaan," Raj said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Vihaan's smile was tight-lipped. "Anytime, Raj. Anytime."
As Vihaan walked out, I turned to Raj and whispered, "What's going on between you two?"
Raj's expression was neutral, but his eyes betrayed a hint of jealousy. "Nothing, Janvi. Just business as usual."
But I knew better. Something was definitely brewing between Vihaan and Raj, and I was caught right in the middle.I pulled Raj back into the house, my curiosity getting the better of me. "Raj, seriously, what's going on? You're not exactly hiding your feelings well," I said, my voice low.
Raj's expression softened, and he leaned against the wall, his eyes searching mine. "It's just... Vihaan's been acting weird around you, and it bugs me," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
I raised an eyebrow. "Weird? What do you mean?"
Raj hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "He's just really... possessive. And it's not just about you. It's like he's trying to one-up me or something."
I frowned, unsure how to respond. Was Raj jealous of Vihaan's interest in me, or was there something more to it?
Before I could ask another question, Raj's mom called out from the kitchen. "Raj, can you help me with something?"
Raj nodded, pushing off the wall. "Yeah, Ma, I'm coming."
As we walked back into the kitchen, I caught Raj's eye, and he mouthed, "Let's talk later."
I nodded, my mind racing with possibilities. What was brewing between Vihaan and Raj? And where did I fit into all of this?As Vihaan and I walked out of Raj's house, the cool breeze hit us, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. The tension between Raj and Vihaan had been palpable, and I wasn't sure how much more I could handle.
Vihaan fell into step beside me, his long strides matching mine. "So, what did Raj want to talk to you about?" he asked, his voice casual, but with a hint of curiosity.
I glanced up at him, trying to read his expression. "Just asking about you, I guess," I said with a shrug.
Vihaan's eyebrow arched. "Oh? And what did you tell him?"
I smiled, teasing him. "Maybe I'll never tell."
Vihaan's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled back. "I'm sure you'll find a way to spill the beans eventually."
As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the way Vihaan's eyes kept flicking back to Raj's house, a hint of jealousy flashing in his eyes. I felt a flutter in my chest, unsure how to react.
But what caught me off guard was the realization that Vihaan wasn't the only one feeling possessive. Raj's admission earlier had left me feeling... unsettled. And as I looked up at Vihaan, I wondered if maybe, just maybe, I was starting to feel something more for both of them.
The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I quickly pushed it aside. No, no, no. I was not going to get caught up in this complicated web of feelings. Or was I?As we continued walking, Vihaan's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and frowned. "I need to take this," he said, his voice tight with annoyance.
I nodded, and Vihaan stepped aside, answering the call. I watched him, noticing the way his expression darkened as he listened to whoever was on the other end.
After a few minutes, Vihaan ended the call, his jaw clenched. "Everything okay?" I asked, concern etched on my face.
Vihaan's eyes locked onto mine, a hint of frustration still simmering in their depths. "Just some business issues I need to take care of," he said, his voice neutral.
I nodded, not pushing the issue. "Do you need to go?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
Vihaan's eyes never left mine. "No, I'll deal with it later. Let's get you home," he said, his voice firm.
As we walked to his car, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What was going on with Vihaan? And why did I feel like I was getting pulled into a world I wasn't sure I was ready for?
The drive home was silent, Vihaan's mind clearly preoccupied with his business issues. I watched him, trying to read his expression, but he was a master at hiding his emotions.
When we reached my house, Vihaan turned off the engine and turned to me. "I'll walk you to your door," he said, his voice softening.
I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest. "You don't have to," I said, trying to sound casual.
Vihaan's eyes locked onto mine. "I want to," he said, his voice low and husky.
My heart skipped a beat as I realized that Vihaan's possessiveness wasn't just about jealousy – it was about something more. And I wasn't sure if I was ready to acknowledge it.