The following week passed in a blur of endless activity.
For Kavya, time seemed to move differently now. Every day began before sunrise and ended long after midnight. Her small Home Kitchen had transformed into something resembling a professional catering operation. Additional workers had been hired temporarily, ingredients were arriving in bulk, delivery schedules were being updated every few hours, and every corner of her house was filled with lists, notebooks, and planning sheets.
Despite the exhaustion, she never complained.
She couldn't.
Every time her body demanded rest, she remembered Baba sitting quietly near the window, growing weaker with each passing day. The image alone was enough to keep her moving.
The wedding events were officially beginning.
The engagement ceremony would be held first, followed by multiple pre-wedding celebrations spread across several days. Each event required different menus, different arrangements, and different levels of preparation.
The responsibility was enormous.
Yet somehow, she was managing.
At least for now.
That morning, she arrived at the Singh Mansion shortly after seven. The estate was already buzzing with activity. Workers moved in every direction carrying decorations, lighting equipment, flower arrangements, and furniture. Event coordinators spoke constantly through wireless headsets while security teams monitored arrivals.
Everything was perfectly organized.
Or at least it appeared that way from the outside.
The reality was far more chaotic.
As soon as Kavya entered the service area, three different people approached her with three different problems.
One supplier had delivered the wrong vegetables.
Another shipment was delayed.
A temporary worker had called in sick.
By eight o'clock, she had already solved five separate issues.
By nine o'clock, she felt like she had lived an entire day.
And the function hadn't even started yet.
She was reviewing preparation schedules when she heard familiar laughter nearby.
Loud.
Unapologetic.
And impossible to ignore.
Kabir.
She didn't need to turn around to know.
A few seconds later, she heard Meera's voice.
"Give it back."
"No."
"Kabir."
"No."
"I mean it."
"That's nice."
Curiosity got the better of her.
Looking up, she found Kabir holding Meera's phone above his head while she attempted to retrieve it.
The situation would have looked ridiculous regardless of who was involved.
The fact that they belonged to one of the country's wealthiest families somehow made it even funnier.
"Kabir!"
"What?"
"Give me my phone."
"Why?"
"Because it's mine."
"Strong argument."
Meera looked ready to commit violence.
Kavya tried—and failed—not to laugh.
Unfortunately, Kabir noticed.
Immediately.
"You laughed."
She looked away.
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
"You definitely did."
A victorious grin appeared on his face.
"See, Meera? Someone appreciates my talent."
"Nobody appreciates your talent."
"That hurts."
Their argument continued until another figure approached.
Vihaan.
Unlike his brother, he looked as though he had actual responsibilities.
Which, to be fair, he did.
"What happened now?" he asked.
"She's attacking me."
"You're holding her phone."
"That's unrelated."
Vihaan stared at him.
Kabir stared back.
Finally, Vihaan sighed.
"Sometimes I genuinely wonder how you've survived this long."
The phone was returned.
Peace was restored.
For approximately twenty seconds.
Then the argument restarted for a completely different reason.
Watching them, Kavya couldn't help smiling.
The Singh siblings fascinated her.
They fought constantly.
Teased each other relentlessly.
Yet beneath all of it was obvious affection.
The kind that couldn't be faked.
The kind that only existed between people who truly loved one another.
For someone who had spent most of her life worrying about survival, it was strangely comforting to witness.
Unfortunately, she didn't have much time to observe.
Work called.
Always.
Several hours passed quickly.
Food stations were inspected.
Preparations finalized.
Schedules adjusted.
Everything seemed to be progressing smoothly.
Then Aarav arrived.
And somehow the atmosphere changed.
Not dramatically.
Not obviously.
Yet people immediately became more focused.
More efficient.
More alert.
Leadership had that effect.
Especially when the leader was Aarav Raj Singh.
Dressed in a simple black suit, he moved through the venue reviewing arrangements. His attention to detail was remarkable. Nothing escaped his notice.
A decoration slightly out of place.
A scheduling conflict.
A transportation delay.
He noticed everything.
And solved most problems before they became serious.
Kavya watched him occasionally while working.
Not intentionally.
At least that's what she told herself.
The truth was that she found him increasingly difficult to ignore.
There was something unexpectedly admirable about the way he carried responsibility.
He wasn't demanding respect because of his position.
He earned it.
Through competence.
Through discipline.
Through the quiet confidence that came from knowing exactly what needed to be done.
Their interactions remained professional.
Brief.
Focused.
Yet each conversation felt slightly easier than the previous one.
And that realization was beginning to concern her.
Because becoming distracted was dangerous.
Especially now.
Especially here.
She had important goals.
Important responsibilities.
There was no room for foolish thoughts.
Unfortunately, emotions rarely listened to logic.
---
By evening, the engagement celebration was in full swing.
Guests filled the venue.
Music echoed through the gardens.
Laughter blended with conversation beneath thousands of decorative lights.
The entire estate looked magical.
For the first time all day, Kavya allowed herself a moment to breathe.
She stood near one of the food stations, quietly observing the event.
People seemed happy.
The food was being praised.
No major problems had occurred.
Everything was working.
A small sense of pride warmed her chest.
Then she noticed someone arriving.
A young man.
Tall.
Well-dressed.
Confident.
The moment he entered, Meera's expression changed.
Kavya noticed immediately.
The smile.
The nervousness.
The excitement.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The young man approached the family and greeted everyone politely.
Yet his attention seemed focused entirely on Meera.
And Meera's attention seemed focused entirely on him.
Before Kavya could think further, someone appeared beside her.
Kabir.
"That's Karan."
She blinked.
"What?"
Kabir nodded toward the newcomer.
"Karan Khanna."
The name sounded familiar.
One of the Singh family's business rivals.
At least that's what she remembered hearing.
"He and Meera are friends?"
Kabir's expression became difficult to read.
"Something like that."
The answer felt incomplete.
But before she could ask more, another person arrived.
This time, the reaction was entirely different.
The newcomer was cheerful, energetic, and immediately greeted everyone as though he belonged there.
Which apparently he did.
Because Meera hugged him without hesitation.
And Kabir groaned dramatically.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"He's here."
"Who?"
"My best friend."
Kavya looked confused.
"Is that a problem?"
Kabir sighed.
"You'll understand eventually."
The newcomer—Reyansh Malhotra—joined the group.
The atmosphere shifted once again.
Unlike Karan's controlled confidence, Reyansh brought warmth wherever he went.
People smiled around him naturally.
Conversations became easier.
The difference was noticeable.
What Kavya didn't notice was the way Reyansh looked at Meera.
The way his smile lingered slightly longer.
The way his attention followed her.
The way his eyes softened whenever she laughed.
Because if she had noticed, she would have recognized the signs immediately.
The signs of someone hopelessly in love.
Even if he hadn't admitted it yet.
Even to himself