Indian Mafia's Obsession

Chapter-10

The following day, the pre-wedding photoshoot was in full swing. The venue was adorned with beautiful decorations, creating a dreamy and romantic ambiance. Tania and her groom, Viraj, were a picture-perfect couple, radiating love and happiness. 

I was in the thick of coordinating the photoshoot, making sure every detail was on point.

The photographer Sia, determined to capture the essence of their love, suggested a variety of poses and settings. Tania and Viraj, ever the playful couple, obliged with each request, their laughter and affection filling the air.

Sia seemed to dial up the enthusiasm a tad too much when she was around Arjun. I mean, seriously, can we keep the focus on the bride and groom? Her flirty vibes were more noticeable than a neon sign, and I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow or two.

As I saw Sia chatting up Arjun with stars in her eyes, a knot twisted in my stomach. Her flirty moves were as clear as day, and I couldn't shake off the touch of jealousy. 

Jealousy was a new flavor, and I wasn't sure I liked its taste.

Her sweet talk and the big sigh when Arjun turned down her offer made me want to gag. It was like witnessing a cringe-worthy scene from a bad romance movie.

But the real kicker came when Sia, with a sly smile, suggested a personal photoshoot. My heart skipped a beat, hoping Arjun would decline.

 To my dismay, he hesitated, his eyes locking onto Sia's with a contemplative look.

His hesitation, though, had left me on edge. Was he considering it? Why did that bother me so much? Just as I braced myself for disappointment, he declined, and a small sense of relief washed over me. 

However, as our eyes met, there was a flicker of something in Arjun's gaze. Was it mischief? Was it a challenge? Before I could decipher, Sia, not one to back down, looked straight at Arjun and said, "Come on, Arjun, be a sport. Let's make some magic with a photoshoot. You'd make a stunning model."

I could feel his gaze lingering on me as he hesitated, and just when I thought he'd decline again, he surprised me. "Alright, let's do it," he said, and a strange mix of annoyance and curiosity flashed in his eyes.

As she began instructing Arjun on how to pose, my jealousy intensified. Each directive felt like a dagger, and I couldn't help but make faces behind her back. Was this some twisted game to rouse my emotions?

 "Arjunnnn, add a bit of mystery to your smile. Yes, just like that!"

My eyes rolled involuntarily, and I mimicked an exaggerated smile, my own version of mockery. Arjun, lost in Sia's direction, seemed oblivious to my silent theatrics.

 "Now, Arjun, a little intensity. Imagine you're in a dramatic movie poster." Sia squatting like a spider monkey as she hold's the camera.

I scoffed quietly, unable to contain my disdain. Arjun, following Sia's lead, struck a pose that I can only describe as overly dramatic. His eyes, however, met mine briefly, and I could sense a silent acknowledgment of the absurdity unfolding.

"makadi kahin ki" I muttered under my breath as I watched Sia giggle at something Arjun said. It was like they were in their own rom-com, and I was stuck playing the role of the annoyed sidekick.

"Perfect, Arjun! You're a natural. Now, let's capture a candid moment. Pretend you just spotted someone special in the crowd." 

 I felt a rush of discomfort--- Arjun's gaze shifted towards me, and was he looking as me??
 His expression held a mixture of playfulness and something else, something more profound, something which we are hoping for right ????? my brain mocked me.

 Someone bumped into me, and I stumbled backward. Just when embarrassment was about to claim its victory, strong arms caught me, and I looked up to find Sumit, my savior.

"Steady there, Rhea," Sumit grinned, shot him a grateful smile as he passed by hurriedly, thankful for his impeccable timing.

 As I straightened myself, I couldn't ignore the sensation of Arjun's gaze burning into me. Was that a hint of jealousy in his eyes? I bit my lip, suppressing a smile as sense of satisfaction warmed me at the thought.

"Sia, yeh pose try karte hain(let's try this pose)," he suggested more like ordered, pulling me into the frame. I stumbled a bit, caught off guard, and his grip tightened. 

"Arjun, what are you doing?" I hissed, his proximity felt like a magnetic force. I could feel his warmth, his scent, and an undeniable tension hung in the air.

""Creating a moment," he whispered, his breath teasingly close 

"Huh???.... I"

"Shhhh," he murmured, his eyes locking onto mine, a spark of challenge in them. The sudden closeness sent a shiver down my spine, and

I muttered a soft "okay" while trying to keep my composure. For a moment, the world around us blurred, and it was just him and me, entangled in a web of staged chemistry and unspoken tension.

Arjun's hand found its way to the small of my back, a subtle yet deliberate touch that sent a subtle thrill through me. The chemistry between us, still in its infancy, simmered beneath the surface.

In the midst of poses and laughter, Arjun leaned in slightly, his lips close to my ear. "Beautiful," he whispered, his breath sending a delightful shiver down my spine. Was it just me, or did the air around us change? 

Our eyes locked, and in this moment, it felt like the universe had hit pause, giving us a stolen moment.

As the day progressed, the chemistry between Tania and Viraj was beautifully captured in the photos, and their love seemed to come alive through the camera lens.

During a break in the photoshoot, I found a moment to catch my breath and steal a quiet moment to myself. As I stood at a distance, I felt a presence beside me.

It was Arjun, his gaze focused on the couple being photographed. "They make a beautiful pair, don't they?" he said, his tone soft and genuine.

I nodded, a warm smile playing on my lips. "Yes, they do. It's heartwarming to see two people so in love and ready to start their journey together."

Arjun's eyes briefly met mine, and there was a flicker of vulnerability in his gaze. "Do you think that kind of love is possible for everyone?" he asked, his voice tinged with introspection.

"I don't know," I replied honestly, my mind momentarily wandering into a world of uncertainty. "But I'm hoping that kind of love exists for everyone. It's what makes life beautiful, isn't it?"

As we continued to gaze at the couple, a sense of connection lingered between us, an unspoken understanding of the complexities of love and life.

In that moment, as our eyes met, there was an unspoken understanding between us. We were both guarded, carrying our own past wounds and uncertainties. Yet, there was a yearning, a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, love could find its way to us too.

As Arjun's phone rang, breaking the intense moment, he quickly looked at the screen. His face froze, and the warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by a coldness I hadn't seen before. 

He excused himself, and I watched him storm off from the area, his steps quick and purposeful.