Chapter 9: Amma, I Will Never Leave Him

After the visit to the dargah, Poornima quietly entered the home, her heart still echoing with the peaceful silence and Veeresh’s smile.

Veeresh had left for work after dropping her off, a gentle "take care" being their only parting.

In the kitchen, Amma was rolling chapatis, her bangles jingling softly. She looked up and smiled warmly.

“How was it, Poornima? The dargah?”

Poornima placed the bag of prasad and flowers down, smiled gently, and said,

“It was good, Amma… peaceful. I prayed for both of us.”

She hesitated… then looked down, fidgeting with her dupatta.

“Amma… I think we are destined… forever.”

Amma stopped rolling and looked at her.

“I will never leave him, Amma. No matter how hard it gets… I may get angry, I may stay silent, but I’ll always stand by him. I promise.”

Amma’s eyes moistened. She placed her hand gently on Poornima’s cheek.

“That’s all a mother could ever wish for… someone who stays beside her son in every phase.”

Poornima then quietly whispered,

“But Amma… I have one fear. What if I am not enough? What if one day he finds someone better… more open… more—”

Amma interrupted firmly, cupping her face.

“No, beta. He saw the world, but his eyes always returned to you. Not because you were perfect, but because you were his. You were his comfort, his storm, his peace.”

Poornima’s throat tightened, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“Thank you, Amma… for trusting me.”

“Always, Poornima. Just trust yourself too. And give love time — it will blossom beyond your imagination.”

They both shared a quiet, emotional hug in the kitchen — a simple, grounding moment.

Then, Amma served lunch with affection, and Poornima joined her — two women from different generations, now bonded by the same man, and by silent love growing stronger every day.

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