Chapter 7: The First Step

The white light above the hospital bed flickered gently.

Poornima stirred, eyes fluttering open, greeted by the antiseptic smell and the soft beeping of machines.

Her throat was dry. Her limbs, weak.

And then… her eyes met his.

Veeresh.

Sitting on the side, shoulders hunched, eyes swollen from lack of sleep — but steady.

> “How are you feeling?” he asked softly.

She stared for a moment. The emotions were too many to name.

> “Not bad,” she replied faintly.

A nurse walked in, followed by the doctor.

After a few checks and vitals, the doctor looked gently at Poornima.

> “Your body’s stable, but the emotional strain... it’s too deep. Poornima, I suggest you begin counselling.”

She nodded slowly. “Yes… I think I need that.”

Veeresh looked at her — proud, guilty, relieved, and ashamed all at once.

The nurse stepped out.

Silence stretched between them, heavy and sharp.

Poornima broke it.

> “Let’s end this, Veeresh. You and me. Let us leave each other… peacefully this time.”

But before she could finish, Veeresh’s voice hardened.

> “Don’t make me slap you here.”

She froze — not in fear, but shock.

His tone softened immediately.

> “I didn’t mean it like that,” he said, standing. “I meant… stop running.”

He took a breath, looking directly into her tired eyes.

> “Let’s go home, Poornima. Not to pretend. Not to fight. But to heal.”

She looked away, staring at the pale blue curtain.

> “Veeresh—”

> “I need you,” he cut in, voice trembling. “Physically. Mentally. Not for desire. Not for guilt. But because you are the only one who understands pain like I do.”

He knelt down beside her bed.

> “I shut you down before. I treated you like you didn’t exist. I pushed my grief onto you, when you were bleeding inside too. I’m sorry.”

He held out his hand. “Let’s mourn together. Let’s not carry it alone anymore.”

Poornima didn’t say a word.

But she allowed the nurse to remove the IV. She allowed herself to get dressed.

And when Veeresh opened the car door, she stepped inside silently.

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In the Car

The ride was long.

Poornima stared out the window. Silent.

Veeresh glanced at her every few seconds, but didn’t push.

The wind outside howled. But inside the car, it was just quiet.

Two broken people.

Carrying decades of pain.

Not sure how to speak… but finally learning how to listen.

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End of Chapter