✨CHAPTER 5 – The Breakdown and the Stand✨

The hall erupted the moment Poornima and Veeresh pulled apart.

“POORNIMA!” her mother shrieked.

“What have you done?!”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“Do you know how humiliating this is?!”

Her father’s voice cut through the chaos like a knife.

“This is disgraceful. You have ruined everything!”

Rehan stood frozen, shock written across his face. He didn’t accuse, didn’t shout—just stared, stunned.

But before anyone could drag Poornima away or throw another accusation—

Veeresh stepped forward.

His voice was calm, icy, and powerful enough to silence the entire room.

“Enough.”

Every head turned toward him.

“She’s not a child. And she doesn’t owe anyone an explanation right now.”

The authority in his tone made even the elders shut their mouths.

Poornima stared at him, stunned.

Not because he defended her…

but because he meant it.

He looked at her parents.

“You want answers? You’ll get them. But right now, she needs space. And I’m taking her upstairs.”

No one dared stop him.

He gently took Poornima’s hand—steady, reassuring—and led her upstairs to one of the guest rooms. The moment the door closed, all her strength vanished.

She collapsed on the bed, buried her face in her hands, and broke down in heavy sobs.

Veeresh stood there, jaw tight, trying to process everything… the kiss… her tears… the way his chest clenched seeing her fall apart.

“Poornima,” he said softly, stepping closer, “look at me.”

She looked up through swollen eyes, trembling.

“I… I don’t want to marry Rehan,” she whispered.

“I figured,” he muttered.

“I didn’t know what to do,” her voice cracked. “I couldn’t breathe down there. I— I kissed you because… I just… I wanted to choose something for myself, at least once.”

Her lips trembled.

Her shoulders shook.

And suddenly she stood up and hugged him.

A full, desperate, tight hug.

“Please, Veer… help me,” she cried into his shoulder.

“I don’t want this marriage. Please… don’t let them force me. Please help me.”

Her fingers clutched his shirt as if he was the only thing keeping her from drowning.

Veeresh froze.

Poornima. Hugging him. Crying on him. Begging him.

His enemy.

He slowly lifted his hands, hesitating—then wrapped them around her, pulling her close, steadying her.

“Don’t cry, enemy,” he whispered, trying to lighten the moment even though his own heart was thudding.

She pushed his chest weakly.

“Stop it, Veer. I’m serious.”

He sighed, brushing her hair gently.

“I know. But first… you need to stop crying.”

She shook her head, tears falling harder.

“I can’t. I’m scared.”

“Then sleep,” he said softly, guiding her to the bed.

“What?”

“Sleep, Poornima.” His tone was unexpectedly gentle.

“You’re exhausted. You’re overwhelmed. I won’t let anything happen to you. But right now you need rest.”

She stared at him through wet eyelashes.

“And then… you’ll help me?”

Veeresh looked at her—really looked at her.

Broken.

Terrified.

Brave.

His enemy… who suddenly felt like something more.

“Yeah,” he said quietly.

“I’ll help you.”

Poornima lay down slowly, eyes still watching him.

Veeresh pulled the blanket over her and stood guard near the door, arms crossed—but heart unsettled.

Because somewhere inside him…

he knew nothing between them would ever be the same again.