Chapter 32: A Door Left Ajar

From Dharmasthala, they traveled to Kollur.

The journey felt quieter—less heavy. The hills, the greenery, the temple bells in the distance carried a kind of reassurance Poornima hadn’t felt in a long time.

Inside the Kollur Mookambika temple, Veeresh stood beside her as they prayed. When the priest handed the kumkum, Veeresh gently filled her maang. It wasn’t hurried. It wasn’t ritualistic alone.

It was deliberate.

Poornima closed her eyes, her lips moving in a silent prayer—not asking for miracles, just continuity. Strength to keep going. Peace to keep healing.

They completed the darshan together.

As they stepped aside, Poornima suddenly froze.

Her breath hitched.

“Veeresh…” she whispered.

He followed her gaze.

Janani.

Her sister stood a few steps away, unmistakable. For a second, Poornima forgot how to move. Months of separation, pain, unanswered calls—all of it rushed back at once.

Before fear could stop her, Poornima walked toward her.

“Janani,” she said softly, her voice trembling.
“How are you?”

Janani looked at her.

And looked away.

The rejection hit harder than any slap. Poornima stood there, frozen, her hands curling into herself.

Veeresh stepped forward immediately.

“Janani,” he said firmly but respectfully.
“Please talk to her.”

Janani turned, startled.

“She misses you all every single day,” Veeresh continued, his voice steady.
“If you want to blame someone, blame me. It was my mistake. Don’t punish her for it.”

There was silence.

Then Janani sighed—long, tired, emotional.

She turned back to Poornima.

“I’m fine, akka,” she said quietly.

Poornima’s eyes filled instantly.

“How are Amma and Appa?” she asked, almost afraid of the answer.

Janani hesitated, then spoke honestly.
“They miss you.”

Poornima’s breath caught.

“They’re angry,” Janani continued, softer now.
“But don’t worry. Appa keeps asking about you. He will talk to you… just not now.”

Hope—small but real—lit up Poornima’s face.

She smiled through tears and pulled Janani into a hug. Janani didn’t resist this time. She hugged her back briefly, tightly—like sisters who never stopped belonging to each other.

“Take care, akka,” Janani said, stepping back.

Then she turned and walked away.

Poornima stood there, tears flowing freely—but they weren’t heavy this time.

They were light.

Relief-filled.

Veeresh watched her quietly as she wiped her tears and turned toward him, a smile breaking through.

“See?” he said gently.
“Everything will fall into place.”

Poornima nodded, her eyes shining.

For the first time in a long while, she believed it.

She smiled at him—not out of gratitude, not out of dependence—

But out of hope.

And as the temple bells rang again, Poornima realized something profound:

Some wounds don’t heal all at once.
Some relationships don’t return immediately.

But when even one door opens—
the heart learns how to breathe again.