Embers of Obsession

chapter 7

Aaradhya's plan was now unfolding with precision, each piece falling into place. After the closeness she'd shared with Dev, she knew that the time was right to subtly influence the household around him, to weave herself more tightly into his life until she became indispensable. The first step would be to draw close to his fiancée, Anika, but not as a rival. Instead, she would position herself as a friend and ally—someone Anika could trust.

---

The morning after her clandestine meeting with Dev, Aaradhya found herself lingering near the gardens where Anika often spent her time. Observing the other woman from a distance, she noted her graceful manner, the way she moved with a soft elegance. It would have been easy to dislike her, but Aaradhya saw her instead as an instrument—another pathway to solidifying her position in Dev's life.

She approached quietly, offering a gentle smile when Anika finally noticed her presence. "Good morning, Anika Didi," Aaradhya greeted, bowing her head respectfully. "I hope I'm not intruding?"

Anika smiled back, though her expression held a hint of wariness. "Not at all, Aaradhya. I often see you in the gardens."

"Yes, Didi," Aaradhya replied, choosing her words carefully. "I find peace here—it reminds me of simpler days. It must be wonderful to live in such beauty, surrounded by everything one could wish for."

Anika's smile softened. "It does sound ideal, doesn't it? But... well, there are always pressures," she admitted, her voice trailing off.

Aaradhya tilted her head slightly, feigning innocence. "Pressures, Didi? But you're set to marry Dev Babu, the most esteemed young man in the village. What could possibly weigh on you?"

Anika glanced around, a flicker of unease crossing her face. "It's just... sometimes I wonder if he truly cares for me. I sense a distance between us, and I don't know how to bridge it."

Aaradhya's heart raced at the opening Anika had provided. Maintaining her calm expression, she placed a gentle hand on Anika's arm. "It's natural to have doubts, Didi, especially with all the demands and expectations that surround a marriage like yours. Perhaps Dev Babu is simply preoccupied with the responsibilities he'll inherit?"

Anika's shoulders relaxed, and a small sigh escaped her lips. "Yes, maybe you're right. I've tried talking to him, but he always seems distracted. It's like there's something... or someone... keeping him from being fully present."

This was precisely the vulnerability Aaradhya had hoped to uncover. Her voice dropped to a sympathetic murmur. "Men of his standing often carry unseen burdens, things they feel they must handle alone. But you... you should be his priority, Didi. Sometimes they need a gentle reminder of that."

Anika gave her a curious look. "You speak as though you understand men well."

Aaradhya smiled demurely. "Not all men, Didi. Just... Dev Babu." Her voice softened, conveying an almost sisterly admiration. "He has always been kind to those around him, even to us villagers. It's a rare trait. I've watched him closely, and I believe he's struggling to reconcile his duty and his own happiness."

Anika seemed to ponder this, her expression clouded. Aaradhya could see the doubt beginning to take root in her mind. She knew this moment would sow the seeds of separation, creating a quiet unease between Anika and Dev, one that she would continue to nurture.

---

Days passed, and Aaradhya kept a careful watch, making sure to maintain her role as a confidante to Anika while subtly feeding her uncertainties. Each time they met, Aaradhya would casually mention a distant look she had seen in Dev's eyes or a sigh she had heard him utter. She framed it as concern, as though she wanted to help the couple draw closer, but in reality, she was planting seeds of doubt with every word.