Her Dangerous Obsession

Chap 31 - The Search Operation

Author’s POV

The silence that settled over the grand hall after Anaisha’s outburst was suffocating. Her words — “he will never be able to leave me again” — still lingered in the air, clinging to the walls like smoke.

The Mishra family huddled together, fear written across every face, each heartbeat pounding louder than the flames crackling in the havan kund.

Her words were less a promise and more a curse, that sank into the bones of every Mishra family member present. They knew what it meant — Anaisha’s madness was no longer masked by smiles or pretenses. It was now open, raw, dangerous. And it was directed entirely at Adhrit.

Anaisha’s crimson lehenga shimmered under the firelight, but the beauty of the bride was long gone. Madness radiated from her in waves, consuming the grandeur of the mandap.

Her hands trembled as she tugged at the heavy jewelry around her neck, each piece clattering to the ground with loud noise.  

She tore the heavy gold bangles from her wrists with trembling hands, and threw them on the floor mercilessly.  

Her fingers clawed at the flowers pinned into her hair, ripping them out violently, scattering petals across the floor, before flinging the rest into the burning flames. The flowers crackled as they burned, sending a bittersweet scent into the air.

"Anaisha, stop!", Preeti rushed to her, holding her shoulders firmly. The young woman’s eyes brimmed with fear, her voice trembling, as she tried to soothe her sister-in-law. "Please calm down… he will come back. Soon, Adhrit will be with you. Just wait—"

Anaisha’s head snapped toward her, a terrifying smile creeping across her lips.

Obsession gleamed in her eyes, shimmering like molten gold. "He will be with me...", she whispered, her voice unsteady, feverish. “Not because he wants to… but because, I will leave him with no choice. He will belong to me, only me. No one can take him away. Not even he himself!"

Preeti froze, her hands dropping from Anaisha’s shoulders, horrified by the madness she saw in her eyes.

Across the mandap, the guns were still raised. Pranay’s gun aimed squarely at Namish, while Jeet’s gun hovered over Arjun. The Mishra family stood paralyzed, fear holding their voices hostage.

"Papa...", Kriya whispered, clutching her father’s arm tightly, as if her touch alone could shield him. Arjun stood protectively beside Namish, his fists clenched, though his knees trembled at the sight of Jeet’s gun.

The air grew heavier with every passing second.

It was Barkha, who finally intervened, her sharp instincts calculating the damage spiraling out of control. She raised her hand, stepping forward with the grace of authority. "Enough." Her voice cracked like a whip in the silence. "Lower the guns."

Pranay and Jeet exchanged glances, reluctant but obedient, slowly pulling their weapons back.

Barkha’s gaze swept across the trembling Mishra family, her voice cold and decisive. "Until Adhrit is found, none of you will leave. You will remain under strict watch. Guards — surround them."

At once, the Mehrotra guards moved in, forming a threatening circle around the Mishras. The clang of leather shoes echoed against marble floors, suffocating the family further.

Namish’s heart hammered erratically in his chest, louder than the chants, that had died with the halted wedding. He could feel sweat trickling down his spine, his throat tightening. He couldn’t even imagine, what condition Adhrit would be in, if they caught him.