Chapter 31: Choosing Her, Again

Veeresh walked toward his parents with Poornima’s hand firmly in his.

The moment they reached them, the air changed.

There was no warmth.
No relief.
No blessing.

His mother looked at him briefly—then her gaze shifted to Poornima, sharp and unforgiving.

“So you came here also,” she said coldly.
“After doing everything, you have the courage to come to a temple?”

Poornima stiffened, but she didn’t pull her hand away.

Veeresh felt her fingers tighten around his.

His father stood silent, his face hard. His mother continued, her words cutting deep.

“She trapped you,” she said bitterly.
“Because of her, our name—”

“That’s enough, Mom.”

Veeresh’s voice was firm. Calm. Unshaking.

“This is a temple,” he said, his eyes steady.
“Speak properly about my wife.”

His mother scoffed.
“Wife? After what she did—”

Veeresh stepped forward, placing himself slightly in front of Poornima, shielding her without hiding her.

“No,” he said clearly.
“Everything that happened was my decision. My mistake. My responsibility.”

His voice rose—not in anger, but in truth.

“You curse her every time you see her. But remember this—she did nothing wrong. Nothing.”

Poornima’s eyes filled with tears, but she stood tall, her grip still strong.

“She lost her parents,” Veeresh continued, his voice breaking just a little.
“She lost her peace. Her dignity. Her life—for something she didn’t choose.”

He took a breath.

“And still, she stands here with me.”

There was silence.

Then he said quietly, with finality—

“We will be good. We are good. Because she has no sin in this.”

He turned to Poornima.

“Let’s go.”

She nodded.

Without another word, Veeresh turned his back on his parents and walked away—hand in hand with her. No anger. No regret.

As they moved farther from the temple steps, Poornima finally spoke, her voice trembling.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“You had to hear that.”

Veeresh stopped.

He turned to her, cupped her face gently, right there in the temple courtyard.

“Don’t ever apologize for existing,” he said softly.
“I choose you. Every single time.”

Tears slipped down her cheeks, but there was strength in her eyes now.

They walked away together, bells ringing behind them—not as a sound of loss, but as a reminder:

Sometimes, devotion isn’t about kneeling before God.

Sometimes,
it’s about standing up for the one you love.