Chapter 66 – Father’s Blessing

The night was quiet in the safe house, but Veeresh’s heart was anything but calm. His hand trembled slightly as he held the phone, dialing a number he had long hesitated to call—his father.

When the line connected, the deep, familiar voice of his father carried both surprise and warmth.

“Veeresh?”

Veeresh took a deep breath, his voice heavy.

“Dad… I’ve uncovered everything. The man behind the trafficking, the betrayals—it was Uncle Rishi. I wrongly doubted my brothers. I’m sorry for that. But your brother… he’s going to be arrested. I can’t let blood blind justice.”

There was a silence, then a sigh that carried years of weight.

“My son,” his father said quietly, “thank you—for proving your brothers’ innocence. I always believed in them, but I knew only you could uncover the truth. Go ahead. Do your duty. Arrest him.”

Veeresh closed his eyes, relief washing through him.

“Dad… I’ll see this through.”

But then his father’s tone softened, shifting from patriarch to parent.

“Veeresh, your wife… she’s due anytime now. Come back soon. Remember the promise you made to her.”

Veeresh froze. His breath caught.

“Dad… how do you know? About Poornima… our marriage… the baby?”

His father chuckled softly, a rare warmth in his voice.

“I am your father, son. Do you really think you could hide the glow in your eyes, the change in your voice, the way you carried her name in silence? A father knows. I didn’t tell your mother. She would worry. But me—” his voice cracked with pride, “—I’m only waiting to see my grandchild in your arms. Claim your wife before the world, Veeresh. Let us meet her as our daughter. Let us become grandparents.”

Tears welled in Veeresh’s eyes, his throat tight. A smile broke through the storm of his heart.

“Thank you, Dad. For trusting me… for accepting her… for accepting us.”

His father’s voice steadied.

“Do your work, son. Finish what you started. But don’t forget—your family is waiting. Your wife is waiting. And your child will be waiting to be held by his father.”

Veeresh whispered, “I promise, Dad. I’ll come back.”

As he ended the call, he wiped his tears, kissed the photo of Poornima he kept with him, and whispered to himself,

Hold on, my love. I’m coming back. For you. For our child. For our forever