Chapter 71 – The Longest Night

The clock ticked mercilessly toward dawn, each second pulling Poornima closer to the edge of life and silence.

Veeresh hadn’t moved from her side. His arm was still wrapped around her fragile frame, his face pressed into her hair as if her scent alone could keep him alive. He spoke to her constantly, refusing to let silence win.

“Do you remember our first dance, Poornima? You said you didn’t know how to dance, and I pulled you anyway. You looked so nervous, but I couldn’t take my eyes off you. The whole hall disappeared—it was only you and me. Wake up, so I can remind you of that moment again.”

He kissed her cold fingers and pressed them to his lips, tears soaking her knuckles.

“Remember the night I cooked toast for you? It was burnt, but you still said it was tasty. You teased me for calling it breakfast like it was a feast. Wake up, Poornima. I’ll cook you toast every morning—perfect ones this time. Just open your eyes once.”

The baby stirred in the cradle. Veeresh leaned over, carefully lifting him into his arms, and then pressed the tiny bundle against Poornima’s chest.

“See… he’s here. Our son. He needs his amma. You hear me? He needs your warmth, your lullabies, your touch. Don’t leave him to me—I can fight the world, but I can’t be you.”

His father watched from the doorway, silently crying. The great patriarch who once demanded strength from everyone now stood helpless, his only prayer hanging on the lips of his son.

The night dragged on. Veeresh whispered every memory, every laugh, every fight they had shared.

“Poornima, remember that night you wore my shirt and laughed because it was too long for you? You said it smelled of me, and you liked it. I still see that smile in front of me. Wake up, jaan. I can’t breathe without it.”

As the hours slipped away, his body grew weak, but he refused to sleep. His voice was hoarse, broken, but he kept talking, as though his words alone could keep her heart beating.

Finally, as the clock neared dawn, Veeresh broke down completely. He clutched her face between his palms, pressing his forehead to hers.

“Poornima… if you leave, I will follow you. I swear, I will. Because there is no life for me without you. So wake up. Fight. For me. For us.”

His tears soaked her cheeks as he kissed her again and again, desperate, shattered, refusing to let her go even as the night’s darkness began to fade.