Chapter 17
HIS VAILED OBSESSION
Meerhan stood with his back to them, his silhouette a dark, jagged pillar against the sky. The silence was more terrifying than a scream.
"Kahan hai woh?" Meerhan asked, his voice a low, vibrating hum of restrained violence.
[Where is she?]
"Hamein nahi pata," Hashim muttered, though his eyes darted nervously.
[We don't know.]
Meerhan turned slowly. The sheer rage etched into his features made Asmara gasp and step back. "Aakhri baar puch raha hoon... kahan hai woh?"
[I’m asking for the last time... where is she?]
"Nahi pata kahan hai woh! Agar pata hota toh bhi nahi batata!" Hadi spat, his protectiveness for Arzoo overriding his fear. "Meri behen tumhare bina hi theek hai! Nahi karani uski shaadi tum jaise insaan ke saath!"
[I don't know where she is! Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you! My sister is better off without you! She shouldn't be married to a man like you!]
The words hadn't even fully left Hadi’s mouth before Meerhan’s fist collided with his jaw. The force sent Hadi flying across the stone floor. Before anyone could move, Meerhan was over him, crouching down to grab his collar, his eyes burning with a lethal blue fire.
"Chutiye... tere bolne ya chahne se kuch hone wala nahi hai," Meerhan hissed, his voice like sliding steel. "Biwi hai meri... woh."
[Idiot... nothing is going to happen because of your words or wishes. She... is my wife.]