A few days later, Mahesh returned to his office. His heart was heavy, his mind clouded with regret.

As he entered, the usual chatter around him felt distant—until he overheard two employees whispering.

Employee 1: "Do you remember the time that woman came here? The one who claimed to be Mahesh Sir’s wife?"

Employee 2: "Yeah… what was her name? Supriya? We all thought she was lying because everyone knew Shivani Ma’am was his future wife."

Mahesh’s steps halted.

Supriya came to his office?

Turning sharply, he approached the employees.

Mahesh: "What did you just say?" His voice was cold, demanding.

The employees flinched, exchanging nervous glances.

Employee 1: "S-Sir, a woman named Supriya came here once… about a month after your marriage… It was your birthday."

Mahesh’s breath hitched.

Employee 2: "She said she was here to surprise you, but… everyone thought she was lying. Some even laughed at her, saying you were going to marry Shivani Ma’am instead."

Mahesh felt as if the ground beneath him had vanished.

His wife—his Supriya—had come to surprise him.

And instead of being welcomed, she was humiliated.

Employee 1: "She looked so heartbroken… she left before you even arrived."

Mahesh’s hands trembled. His mind flashed back to those early days of their marriage, when Supriya had still tried to win his heart…

And he had never even noticed.

Regret clawed at his chest. She had loved him. Despite everything, she had wanted to be part of his life.

And what had he done?

Pushed her away. Ignored her. Let her suffer alone.

Now, she was gone. And there was no way to make it right.

Mahesh clenched his fists. This pain, this regret—he would carry it for the rest of his life.

Because the one person who had truly loved him… was now just a memory.

______

Employee: She came again but you....

Mahesh felt his heart pounding. His voice was barely a whisper.

Mahesh: "Me… what?"

The employee hesitated, glancing at his colleagues before continuing.

Employee: "Supriya Ma’am came again… She brought lunch for you. But that day, you were with Shivani Ma’am. Everyone in the office saw you two together… laughing, standing close. It looked like… you were a couple."

A sharp pain shot through Mahesh’s chest.

Employee 2: "She saw you, Sir. She saw how happy you were with Shivani Ma’am. And before she could even approach, some of the guys started teasing her again."

Mahesh’s fingers curled into fists.

Employee 1: "One of them even laughed and said, ‘Why are you still coming here,so called Mrs. Mahesh? If you need a husband, I can be yours instead.’"

Mahesh’s breath hitched.

Employee 2: "She just stood there, silent. She didn’t argue, didn’t defend herself. She just… looked at you. Then, without saying a word, she placed the lunchbox on your desk and walked away."

Silence.

Mahesh felt like he couldn’t breathe.

She had seen everything.

She had heard their words.

And still… she had brought him food.

And he… he had ignored her.

Guilt crashed over him like a wave, suffocating him.

How many times had she been humiliated? How many times had she been hurt while he had been too blind to see?

And now… she was gone.

And there was nothing he could do to bring her back.