The Silence Between Us

The storm didn’t come with thunder—it came with Veeresh’s silence.

Poornima stood at the threshold of their room, sensing something was wrong. His back was turned, fists clenched, jaw tightened. Something inside him had snapped, but she didn't know what.

She slowly stepped forward.

> “Veeresh… what happened? Why are you quiet?”

No response.

> “Talk to me…”

He turned sharply. His eyes were red—not from tears, but from rage, frustration, and something deeper… heartbreak.

> “Leave the house,” he said coldly.

Poornima froze, stunned.

> “What…?” she whispered.

She walked closer, her voice shaking but determined.

> “Don’t do this. What happened? Look at me, dammit!”

She grabbed his collar, forcing him to meet her eyes.

> “Tell me what happened, Veeresh!”

But Veeresh pushed her away—not harshly, but enough to shatter her heart.

> “Raghu!” he called, voice sharp like a blade.

Raghu stepped in hesitantly, glancing between them.

> “Drop her at her apartment. Now.”

> “Sir… maybe you should talk—”

> “Raghu!” he snapped.

Poornima stared at him, her world crashing.

And then, her voice broke, low and heavy:

> “If my leaving brings you peace… I’ll walk away.”

She didn’t wait for a reply. She turned to Raghu, then back at Veeresh.

> “Don’t worry. I know the way. I can go by myself.”

She walked out of the Rathore mansion—her heart shattering with every step. Outside, the rain poured but she didn’t notice. Her tears mixed with the raindrops as she reached her apartment, soaked in pain.

She collapsed on the bed, holding onto her dupatta like a child holding comfort.

> “Why is it always me?” she whispered.

“Why does love punish me every time I give it everything…”

She didn’t eat. She didn’t even change. Sleep came only because grief numbed her.

---

Back in the mansion…

Veeresh sat alone, a bottle of whiskey half-empty. He stared blankly at the wall, Poornima’s voice echoing in his head:

> “If my leaving brings you peace… I’ll walk away.”

That sentence tore him apart.

He wasn’t angry at her.

He wasn’t done with her.

He was trying to protect her—from his past, from Bindu, from the world that had already taken too much from him.

But tonight, he realized…

He pushed away the only person who ever stayed.

He closed his eyes, her face coming to him in memory—her smile, her care, the red thread she tied for him… and that night when she said,

> “When your shirtless, my imagination goes wild.”

He chuckled bitterly… and took another sip.

But it didn’t help.

Nothing could dull the ache that he had caused.

And for the first time, Veeresh Rathore regretted pushing away the only woman who truly loved him… not for his power, not for his position… but for who he was beneath all of it.

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