Page 27 of Obsession

“I still can’t believe thatyouplanned a party,” Rajiv Mehra said, handing Mihir a glass of vodka. “I know how much you dislike social dos.”

Like him, Rajiv was dressed in swimming shorts and a loose linen shirt, with sleeves rolled up. Rajiv and Sheena had come early so their kids had enough time to play in the water before it was their bedtime.

Mihir took a sip of his vodka, rattling the ice in his glass. “Everyone’s always over at your place. Plus it seemed like a good day for a barbeque.”

Rajiv studied him. “I’m glad you did this. I hate that you keep isolating yourself from all of us. The rest of us are together all the time. In fact, I’d love to introduce you to my friends, the Rajpoot brothers and Dev Luthra.”

“Maybe once my situation changes a bit,” Mihir replied. “Your family and you are already in danger thanks to your association with us.”

“A danger I willingly accepted because of my sisters falling in love with your brothers.” Rajiv clutched his shoulder. “All of my friends are very powerful in their own right, Mihir. It wouldn’t hurt you to include more people in your life. I’m sure they would welcome you in their midst. It will only make you stronger.”

“Perhaps, soon then,” Mihir said.

He was aware of the deep bond Rajiv shared with his friends. Rajiv had been telling him for months to meet them, but considering the looming threat to his family, Mihir had kept delaying it. Besides, Mihir found it extremely hard to trust people and let outsiders into his close circle. Rajiv was the only exception to this. They’d first started communicating on safety protocols when Navya had fallen for Armaan. Over time, Rajiv had become an integral part of his life. They met regularly in Rajiv’s sports club, where they sparred in the boxing ring and spoke daily on the phone. Rajiv had become one of his closest friends, and the one person Mihir could discuss everything with.

Well, not exactly everything.

Mihir truly dreaded Rajiv finding out about his marriage to Anna.

He exhaled. That’s why he was doing all this. He’d prove to his siblings that he and Anna had gotten over their differences. They’d get a divorce, and no one would know any different.

A splash to the side distracted them. Rajiv’s four-year-old son, Shiven, had jumped into the water and was now bouncing in the ripples, laughing loudly, while his mother cheered him on as he swam toward her. Sheena was seated at the shallow end of the pool, her two-year-old daughter Nia standing at the ledge beside her.

“Shiven’s swimming well,” Mihir told Rajiv. “I see those lessons have come in good use,da?”

Rajiv smiled. “He swims daily. I’m afraid he will soon outgrow the pool in our house.”

“Oh yeah, about that. What’s happening to the new home you bought from KeyStone? Has the work started?”

Rajiv had recently purchased a new and bigger home in Arabian Greens from Aryan Rajpoot’s company KeyStone Corp.

Rajiv sipped his beer. “The construction will take another year. But now that Shiven is swimming so well, I want to ensure we have a bigger pool in the new house. I hope Nia also takes to it. Which means it’s back to the drawing board.”

“Nice,” Mihir replied.

From the entrance of the lawns, he could see his brothers arriving. His brothers made their way toward him, their girls following behind. Armaan gave him a happy wave, while Vedant refused to even look at him.

Mihir took a sip of his drink. The previous week had been one of the worst in his life. Vedant barely acknowledged him, and now, everyone at home was privy to this rift between them. Reina and Navya steered clear of the topic, and Armaan refused to take sides. Mihir hated it. The few times he’d tried to talk to Vedant had been a disaster. His youngest brother was pissed, and he made no qualms about showing exactly how much. He walked out of any room Mihir was in, and he refused to look Mihir in the eye. It sucked; the whole situation sucked. But at least Armaan had gotten him to come here. Hopefully, the next few hours would change everything.

A small hand tapped Mihir’s knee. He smiled at Rajiv’s little daughter as she stared up at him, water dripping down her wet eyelashes. Dressed in a tiny orange swimsuit, her hair tied in two wet ponies on her head, her lips curled into a pout, Nia was the picture of adorable.

He had met Rajiv’s kids on the few occasions he’d gone out for dinner or coffee with Rajiv and Sheena. They were cute kids, and Rajiv and Sheena doted on them.

He leaned down to talk to her. “What’s up, little princess? You look angry.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I want to jump like Shiven in the water. Mom won’t let me.”

He gave Rajiv a confused look.

Rajiv laughed. “She’s refusing to wear her arm floats, so Sheena’s banned her from jumping in the pool. Now, she’s trying to act all cute with you, hoping you will side with her.”

The little girl patted Mihir’s knee again, holding her arms up in the air. Mihir lifted her up.

He gave her a soft smile. “You know I cannot go against your mom, sweetheart.”

He looked to the side again and saw Vedant and Armaan nearing them.

Nia put her cold hands on both his cheeks, turning him to face her. “Do something.”

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