When Comparison Becomes a Curse

The coffee shop was warm and buzzing, the perfect setting for new beginnings.

Veeresh sat across from Meghana, a beautiful, well-mannered woman with a warm smile. His parents had arranged the meeting. She was polite, intelligent, everything a man could wish for.

> “So, Mr. Veeresh… what are you looking for in a partner?”

“Someone who understands priorities,” he said flatly, sipping his espresso.

Meghana chuckled.

> “That sounds like something you say at a board meeting, not a rishta!”

He forced a smile.

But in that instant… his mind drifted.

To Poornima.

To the way she once teased him during their late-night walks…

> “Priorities? Really, Veeresh? At least pretend to be romantic once in a while!”

“I love you, Poornima. That’s the only priority I know.”

He blinked back to the present. Meghana was talking about family, and he wasn’t listening.

---

🥀 The Problem With Perfection

As Meghana went on about her plans to move abroad and pursue an executive role in Europe, Veeresh felt… nothing.

No spark. No interest. No fight.

She was everything right — on paper.

But in his heart, she wasn’t her.

She wasn’t the girl who argued with him over coffee brands.

She didn’t look at Excel sheets with fire in her eyes.

She didn’t cry at old movies.

She didn’t scar him.

> “So… would you like to meet again?” Meghana asked gently.

Veeresh looked at her for a long second.

> “I don’t think we’re a match,” he said bluntly, standing up.

“You’re wonderful, Meghana. But… it’s not fair to either of us.”

And with that, he left.

---

💼 Back at the Office

Veeresh walked in late the next day.

His eyes scanned the floor.

There she was — Poornima, hair tied in a bun, sleeves rolled up, completely immersed in a client proposal.

No makeup. No smile.

Just strength.

And for a moment, he hated her all over again.

> Because she still had that power over him.

Because he couldn’t replace her — no matter how much he tried.

Because every woman he met… wasn’t her.

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🩶 The Final Sting

Later that day, during a presentation, Poornima handed him the report he had asked for — detailed, perfect.

He didn’t even glance at it.

> “This is too late,” he said coldly. “Next time, learn to respect deadlines.”

She said nothing.

Just nodded.

But as she turned away… he caught the slightest shimmer in her eyes.

And that hurt him more than he could admit.

---

Final Line

That night, Veeresh sat alone in his room, staring at an old photo of him and Poornima laughing during a rain-soaked college day.

And for the first time in years…

> He didn’t feel angry.

He felt empty.