The Sound That Broke Her

The sunlight filtered through the white curtains of the Rathore mansion, gently waking Poornima from her sleep.

Still wrapped in the warmth of last night’s closeness, she opened her eyes slowly. The calm silence made her feel… safe.

She gently removed Veeresh’s arm from around her waist, not wanting to disturb his sleep. She tiptoed into the bathroom and freshened up.

When she stepped out, Veeresh had already stirred.

He blinked slowly, watching her walk across the room, and thought about how she looked the night before — nervous, shy… but not resisting his closeness.

A faint smile curved his lips.

> “So she’s thinking too.”

He sat up, stretched, and walked toward the washroom while she headed toward the kitchen.

---

The Morning Routine

Poornima had prepared a simple breakfast again — toast, boiled eggs, and tea.

She placed it on the table silently.

Veeresh came out, dressed in his ironed charcoal-grey suit, clean-shaven, hair sleeked back, dangerous charm intact.

He sipped his tea and glanced at her from above the rim of the cup.

No words.

But something had definitely changed between them.

Poornima went back to the room to grab her clinic bag and stethoscope.

> “I’ll drop you,” Veeresh said casually, grabbing his keys.

> “Okay,” she nodded with a slight smile.

---

The Drop and Departure

On the way, the car was silent — a silence not awkward, but warm.

At the hospital gate, she looked at him and said softly,

> “Bye…”

> “Bye,” Veeresh said, eyes lingering for a second longer.

She turned and walked in.

Veeresh watched until she disappeared through the main entrance.

He then headed toward Rathore College, where he was guest lecturing that morning.

---

The Call

In the middle of the lecture, Veeresh’s phone buzzed. Once. Twice. Thrice.

He kept cutting it, focused on finishing the session.

As soon as the class ended, he stepped outside, dialing the missed number.

> “What happened, Raghu?”

Raghu’s voice was breathless.

> “Sir… Poornima madam has been admitted. She fainted.”

Veeresh’s eyes turned dark instantly.

> “What?! Where?!”

> “City General Hospital. Saif’s men… they triggered gunfire near the clinic. Sir, they knew about her trauma. She fainted immediately.”

---

The Hospital

The car screeched to a halt outside the emergency wing.

Veeresh ran in, eyes scanning until he saw Raghu and the doctor near a room.

> “What happened to her?!” he barked.

The doctor came forward.

> “She had a severe panic attack. The gunfire sound triggered old trauma. She collapsed — we managed to stabilize her for now. But listen, Mr…?”

> “Her husband,” Veeresh said without hesitation. “I am her husband.”

The doctor nodded gravely.

> “Mr. Rathore… repeated exposure to those sounds could lead to psychological coma. Her brain might shut down in self-defense. She’s fragile emotionally, but strong-willed. Keep her away from any sort of gun violence. Even news or sound.”

Veeresh felt something shift inside his chest.

> She could go into coma because of this…?

> “Understood,” he said firmly. “It won’t happen again.”

---

Standing by Her Side

He stepped into the ICU room quietly.

Poornima was lying on the hospital bed, hooked to IVs, her face pale, sweat still beading on her forehead.

Veeresh walked to her slowly.

He sat beside her, eyes fixed on her face.

> “You didn’t deserve this,” he whispered.

He gently placed his hand over hers.

> “You deserve peace… chocolates… not this damned world of mine.”

His fingers curled around hers tightly.

In that moment, the mafia don inside him… cracked a little.

Not for anyone.

Only for her.