Obsession is not love. It's a cage built with fear, locked with control."
---
One Week Later – Tanvi's Control Deepens
Kartik and Tanvi were now officially a couple.
Everyone in college knew — "Kartik and Tanvi are together."
But what shocked people the most wasn't the relationship itself —
It was how Tanvi was always there.
Outside Kartik's classes.
Among his friends.
Near his hostel.
Everywhere.
She had become his shadow.
---
New Character #1: Rudra – Kartik's Old Best Friend
Rudra — a sharp, charming guy from the CS branch.
Kartik's best friend from school. He had just returned from an exchange program abroad.
The moment he saw Kartik, he hugged him tightly.
> "Bro! It's been ages. You've become a freakin' celebrity at IIT!"
Kartik smiled.
But seconds later… Tanvi appeared.
She slapped Rudra's hand off Kartik's shoulder — cold and sharp.
> "Distance, please. He's mine."
Rudra looked confused.
Kartik stood awkward and silent.
Tanvi stared blankly — possessive. Controlling. Ice-cold.
> "This is a warning," she said quietly.
"If I find out about any old or new friend…"
"You won't even recognize yourself, Kartik."
---
New Character #2: Dr. Reeva – The Psychiatrist
A new doctor had joined the college counseling cell —
Dr. Reeva Sharma, young, insightful, and emotionally intuitive.
She had a warm way of talking — especially with students who were visibly struggling.
One day, Kartik's name came up for a routine mental wellness session.
Inside the room, Reeva observed:
Nervousness
Mental fatigue
Silence
And faint scars on his wrist
She spoke gently:
> "Kartik… do you ever feel like someone is controlling your space?"
"That you're losing yourself in someone else's love?"
Kartik said nothing.
But tears welled up in his eyes.
Reeva leaned forward softly:
> "This isn't love, Kartik.
This is trauma bonding."
---
Tanvi Finds Out About Reeva
Kartik hadn't told anyone about the session.
But Tanvi knew everything. She had installed a hidden tracker on his phone.
She waited outside Reeva's cabin.
And when the session ended, she walked in — expressionless.
> "I'm Kartik's girlfriend. His past, his present, his future — they all belong to me."
"He doesn't need a psychiatrist.
He needs me."
Reeva tried to stay calm:
> "Tanvi, this relationship is becoming toxic. Your behavior—"
Tanvi's tone darkened:
> "You're a doctor.
So stay one."
"If you touch my love life again…
You won't have a career left."
Reeva sat frozen in silence.
---
Tanvi's Obsession Spirals
She forced Kartik to password-protect his phone — and gave him her password.
Took full control of his Instagram and WhatsApp.
Installed a hidden camera outside his room — through a bribe to the hostel guard — to monitor who visited.
And one night, in crimson letters smeared on the hostel wall, she wrote:
> "You're not allowed to leave me."
---
Kartik – A Living Prisoner
He sat alone in his dim hostel room.
A fresh scar beneath the old "T" on his wrist — this one read "Forever."
His eyes no longer held love — only restlessness…
Fear.
---
✦ Chapter End Diary Entry
In his diary, Kartik wrote:
> "Maybe I was in love once…
But now… I'm just a prisoner of it."