Kashvi finished packing the lunch and went to Ved's grandfather.
"Dada ji, the lunch is packed. You can ask the driver to deliver it," she said softly.
He looked at her thoughtfully, then smiled.
"Why don't you go along with the driver, beta? Ved will be happy to see you."
Kashvi froze. Fear instantly crept into her eyes.
"N-no, Dada ji… I won't go," she said nervously.
"Please send it through the driver only. It's such a big company—going there won't be appropriate for me."
His grandfather chuckled gently.
"My child, everything that belongs to Ved belongs to you as well. What hesitation is there in visiting your own company?"
Then he added firmly,
"Go get ready. I'll ask the driver and a few guards to accompany you."
Left with no choice, Kashvi nodded.
Back in her room, her hands trembled as she got ready. She draped herself in a simple saree, her heart pounding with every breath. Holding the lunch box tightly, she left for Ved's office.
As soon as she reached the office, Kashvi walked to the reception desk.
"I want to meet Ved," she said quietly.
The receptionist snapped at her, clearly irritated.
"Ved? Do you even know who he is? How dare you take his name so casually? Ved sir is the owner of this company. Address him with respect."
Kashvi swallowed and replied,
"I am Ved's wife. Mrs. Kashvi Ved Oberoi."
The receptionist burst into laughter.
"Have you seen yourself? Claiming to be Ved sir's wife?"
She scoffed.
"Everyone in this company knows Ved sir loves Anvi ma'am."
At the mention of that name, Kashvi's heart skipped a beat.
"Who… who is Anvi?" she asked anxiously.
A calm, confident voice answered from behind.
"I am. I am Anvi Malhotra."
Kashvi turned around.
A beautiful woman stood there, wearing a peach-colored cotton saree, her arms folded, a faint sarcastic smile playing on her lips.
Anvi walked closer and looked Kashvi up and down.
"Oh… so you're Kashvi Mehra," she said smoothly.
"Ved's wife."
The receptionist panicked.
"A-Anvi ma'am… is she really Ved sir's wife?"
"Yes," Anvi replied coldly.
"She is his wife."
Then she turned to the receptionist.
"And the way you spoke to her? You're fired."
Anvi took Kashvi's hand.
"Come with me."
Kashvi followed her, completely dazed.
If this is Anvi—the woman Ved loves so deeply—then why is she being so kind to me, even after knowing I'm his wife?
Anvi led her into her office and gestured to a chair with a gentle smile.
"Sit. Make yourself comfortable."
Kashvi sat down, still stunned, her eyes fixed on Anvi.
After a moment, Anvi smiled again—this time sharper, almost mocking.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
"That you're Ved's wife, yet I'm being so calm?"
She leaned forward slightly.
"Because I know something very well. Ved was mine, is mine, and will always remain mine. He won't even touch you."
Her voice was steady, confident.
"The world may see you as his wife, but Ved's heart and mind belong only to me."
Kashvi gathered her courage and asked,
"Then… if you both love each other so much, why did Ved marry me?"
Anvi's expression hardened.
"That's not something I feel the need to explain to you," she said coolly.
"The truth will reveal itself in time. For now, do what you came here to do—and leave."
Kashvi stood up, gripping the lunch box tightly.
"Where is Ved's office? I need to meet him."
Anvi pointed ahead without hesitation.
"Straight ahead. Then turn left."
And just like that, Kashvi walked toward the man who had already turned her life upside down—
unaware that she was stepping deeper into a storm.
To be continued.