Chapter 40: Back From the Edge

That one week broke Veeresh in ways no words could describe.

He stopped being a man and became only a prayer.

Every morning, barefoot, he walked to temples—
hands folded, eyes hollow.
He fasted, starved himself, lit lamps, rang bells until his palms hurt.

“Take me instead,” he whispered to every god he stood before.
“Just give her back.”

Nights were worse.

He sat outside the ICU, talking to walls, begging machines, replaying her smile, her laughter, her quiet strength.

He became… almost mad.

On the seventh day—

A finger moved.

A slow blink.

Poornima opened her eyes.

Veeresh saw it.

For a second, he couldn’t breathe.

Then he ran to her bed like a child, collapsing beside her.

“Poornima!” he cried, hugging her carefully, afraid she might disappear again.
“You’re here… you’re really here…”

Tears soaked her pillow.

She lifted her weak hand and touched his face.

“Veer…” she said softly,
“don’t cry. Stop.”

Her voice was faint—but alive.

“I’m hungry.”

He laughed and cried at the same time.

“Doctor!” he shouted, joy exploding through him.

Within minutes, he was back with a bowl of kichdi.

He fed her slowly, spoon by spoon, watching her like she was a miracle.

She smiled weakly.

“Enough,” she said, pushing his hand.
“Stop crying.”

She pulled him closer and kissed him—gentle, reassuring.

“Calm down.”

His forehead rested against hers.

“Never,” he whispered.
“I’m sorry… for everything.”

His voice shook.

“Please don’t leave me again. I love you.”

She looked straight into his eyes.

“I won’t,” she said firmly.
“I promise.”

After a pause, she added softly,
“Let’s go back.”

His heart leaped.

“Right now,” Veeresh said without hesitation.

By evening, the discharge papers were in his hands.

Poornima slept in the wheelchair as he pushed her gently through the hospital corridors—
out of fear,
out of pain,
back toward life.

That night, on the bus to Chennai, she slept with her head on his chest.

Veeresh didn’t move.

Not even to breathe too loudly.

Because this time—
she had come back to him.