Chapter 7: “The Unspoken Consequence”

(Veeresh & Poornima)

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💍 Narayana’s Wedding Day – Lavish Hall, Bangalore

The Shastri mansion glowed under golden lights.

Narayana, ever composed, stood beside his bride — Neha — a woman he barely knew… yet somehow felt strangely drawn to.

Veeresh stood beside his brothers, dressed in an elegant sherwani, hiding a storm beneath his calm smile.

His eyes searched the crowd for Poornima.

But she never came.

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✈️ After the Ceremony – Airport Departure

Dhanush hugged Veeresh. “London will be good for you. Just focus on the final semester.”

Veeresh nodded. But his heart wasn’t in it.

Not after that night with Poornima.

Not after the way she suddenly disappeared from his life.

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🚪 Poornima’s Apartment – Weeks Later

Poornima sat alone in her washroom — the world blurring through tears.

She clutched the pregnancy strip in her trembling hand. Two bold lines.

Positive.

The room spun.

Her heart shattered.

She pressed her back against the cold wall and let out a sob she had been holding for days.

It wasn't just the shock of the result.

It was the ache of betrayal.

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💔 The Accusation

The door burst open.

Veeresh.

He had just returned to Bangalore unannounced, unable to focus, unable to stay away.

He found the apartment door open, the silence haunting, and the light in the washroom flickering.

And there she was — curled up, broken, tear-streaked face, holding the test.

Veeresh (shocked): “Poornima…?”

She looked up at him — eyes full of betrayal, pain, and disbelief.

Poornima (voice shaking):

“You played with me… right?”

“A bet to break the pride of your rival?”

Her voice cracked. “You won, Veeresh. Congratulations.”

He stood frozen. The strip in her hand. Her red eyes.

Her trembling lips whispered,

“And now this…”

She broke down again, covering her mouth as her cries grew louder.

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🖤 No Words, Only Action

He didn’t speak.

He stepped forward.

Kneeled before her, lifted her into his arms — gently, as if she were porcelain.

She didn’t fight him.

She couldn’t.

He held her tighter when she buried her face in his chest, sobbing harder.

Veeresh walked out of the apartment with her in his arms.

No destination.

No promises.

Just one silent vow in his heart:

“She will not face this alone.”