Shattered Echoes

🌧️ Poornima's Apartment – Night

The rain lashed against the windows.

Poornima sat on the floor of her small apartment, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her breath trembled, her eyes swollen, cheeks wet.

But it wasn’t the slap.

It wasn’t the cruel words.

It wasn’t even Veeresh.

It was Thoshini.

> That tiny hand holding her kurti.

That innocent voice saying “Princess.”

The shock in her eyes when she was hit.

The tears she couldn’t even understand.

Poornima sobbed into her palms.

> “She’s just a baby… she just smiled…”

She pulled open her drawer, took out an old photo — her and Veeresh during college days, holding hands, grinning wide, unaware of what fate had in store.

> “I didn’t leave because I stopped loving you, Veeresh… I left because I didn’t want to destroy you.”

She held the photo to her chest and cried — not just for what they lost…

But for the little girl who didn't even know what she was caught in between.

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🖤 Veeresh’s Penthouse – Same Night

The lights were dim. Thoshini lay on the couch, arms crossed, pout firmly in place.

Veeresh stood in front of her, broken in ways he didn’t understand.

> “Baby…”

“Go away, Appa.”

His heart cracked.

He sat beside her, lowering himself to her height.

> “I’m sorry… I’m a bad Appa, okay?” he said softly, eyes moist.

“I just don’t want you to talk to her.”

“But why, Appa? She said nothing. She smiled.”

He couldn’t answer. He couldn’t tell his daughter that the woman she called Princess was the one who shattered him — the woman he never stopped thinking about, even when he said he hated her.

A tear slipped from his eye.

And just like that, Thoshini’s anger melted.

She climbed onto his lap and gently wiped his tear.

> “Don’t cry, Appa… I won’t talk to her. Promise.”

He pulled her into a tight hug, pressing her tiny head to his chest.

> “You’re the only one I love… the only one I have.”

She kissed his cheek, snuggled into his arms, and slowly fell asleep.

But Veeresh didn’t sleep that night.

Because deep down… something felt wrong.

Why was Thoshini drawn to Poornima?

Why did she call her Princess, a name no one else ever used?

And why, despite everything…

> …did her smile look exactly like hers?