Chapter 18: Dil Se (From the Heart)

Later that evening, after the relatives had left and calmness settled back into the house, Poornima sat quietly in the kitchen, slicing vegetables. Her mind was racing.

She overheard whispers earlier — her name, a second marriage, hushed tones. But before she could ask anything, Veeresh’s mother came and sat beside her with a soft smile.

"Poornima," Amma said gently, "I wanted to tell you something. Today, your Veeresh stood in front of everyone and said there’s no woman in this world for him except you."

Poornima looked up, stunned.

"He said he swore in front of Allah during your nikkah... that in happiness or sadness, fight or peace — you are his only choice."

Tears welled in Poornima's eyes.

She slowly whispered, "Amma... I’m so happy hearing this. You know..." she paused, swallowing her pain, "from childhood I’ve seen pain, Amma."

"My appa married twice. I’ve seen how my mother cried silently every night. She never showed it, but I saw it. I used to sit alone and pray to Allah..."

Her voice trembled.

"‘Please don’t make me share my husband. I want only love. Only my own space in his heart. Nothing else.’"

Veeresh’s Amma’s eyes became misty too. She gently held Poornima’s hand and said,

"Beta, those prayers reached Allah. That’s why you got Veeresh. I raised him with the value of love and commitment. You are not just his wife. You are his peace, his prayer, his promise.”

Poornima leaned her head on Amma's shoulder and smiled through her tears.

"Thank you, Amma... for raising a man like him."

"And thank you, Poornima," Amma said, brushing her hair gently, "for loving him the way you do... even through your fears."

They both sat there, hand in hand, heart to heart — a daughter and mother connected not just by marriage, but by love and pain shared and healed.

Poornima wiped her tears and smiled. This time, not with fear — but with trust.