The Sacred Knot & The Final Stand

It was a beautiful morning. The skies were clear, the temple bells echoed across the hills, and the soft scent of incense filled the air. Veeresh and Poornima stood before the deity, draped in traditional attire, their hearts calm… finally in sync.

Veeresh looked into her eyes, full of clarity now — no doubts, no questions, only love.

The priest handed him the sacred mangal sutra and the vermilion tray.

With reverence, Veeresh tied the three sacred knots around Poornima’s neck — slow, deliberate, promising.

> “One for our past,” he whispered.

“One for our present.”

“And one… for every tomorrow we’ll share.”

He smeared sindur across her parted hair, and it felt like the entire world paused — like the universe had finally settled their destinies right.

> “Now it’s perfect,” he whispered again.

Poornima blushed, and her heart skipped. Before she could say anything, he pulled her by her waist and whispered close,

> “Let’s go for another round, Mrs. Veeresh.”

“Round of what?” she laughed.

“Round of being madly in love.”

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Later that day... Sahana returns.

They had just reached home when Sahana stormed in — her expression unreadable but her anger simmering beneath the surface.

> “Veeresh,” she said coldly, “How dare you marry her again in front of the world when I’m still alive?”

He stood tall, unfazed. “You left.”

> “I was forced. But I am your first wife, and I still have rights,” she hissed.

> “You disappeared, Sahana. You made me live with a ghost of our past. You never came back when I broke, when I lost myself,” Veeresh replied. “She… Poornima… she stayed.”

Sahana turned to Poornima.

> “You don’t belong here. You’re a widow, married once before. How can you just... slide into my place?”

Poornima looked down but stayed silent.

But Veeresh didn’t.

> “Yes, she was married,” Veeresh stepped forward. “Her husband died. She was blamed. She suffered. She left everything to heal.”

> “And me?” Veeresh continued. “I ran from love. Doubted her. Hurt her. But she still stayed.”

He turned to Sahana, voice unwavering:

> “I avoided her for two years, trying to stay loyal to your memory. But Poornima… healed me. Loved me. Stayed even when I didn’t deserve her.”

> “We both were broken. And we healed together.”

Sahana’s eyes glistened with tears, but Veeresh walked to Poornima and held her hand in front of everyone.

> “This is my wife. The woman I choose every single day.”

> “I’m not looking back, Sahana. I’ve already come too far forward.”

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Scene fades with Poornima clutching his hand tighter, a soft smile on her lips — this time, with pride.

They didn’t just win love.

They earned it — by surviving storms together.

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End of Chapter 20