Chapter 46: Homecoming

When Poornima and Veeresh stood outside her parents’ house, her heart beat faster than it ever had before.

This house had once shut its doors on her.
Now, it waited—open.

Her mother was the first to step forward.

For a second, Poornima hesitated.

Then her mother pulled her into a tight embrace, crying openly.

“My child…” she whispered, hands trembling as they touched Poornima’s face, her hair, her shoulders—like she was making sure she was real.
“You’ve grown thinner… but stronger.”

Her father stood silently behind, eyes moist, voice heavy when he finally spoke.

“You should have come earlier,” he said, placing a hand on Veeresh’s shoulder.
“But… welcome home.”

That word—home—broke something gentle and old inside Poornima.

Veeresh folded his hands respectfully.

“Uncle… aunty,” he said softly,
“I will never let her suffer again. I promise.”

Her parents didn’t answer with words.

They answered with acceptance.

When her mother noticed Poornima’s slight baby bump, her face lit up completely.

“Five months?” she asked, amazed.

Poornima nodded, smiling shyly.

Her mother placed her hand over Poornima’s stomach, eyes filling again—this time with joy.

“A blessing,” she whispered.
“God has been kind after all.”

Her father smiled for the first time in years.

“You both look… happy,” he said simply.
“That’s all parents ever want.”

Days passed gently in that house.

Veeresh never missed a single hospital appointment.
He woke up early, made sure Poornima ate on time, reminded her to rest—even when her mother teased him for worrying too much.

“She’s safe with you,” her mother said one evening, watching him tuck a shawl around Poornima’s shoulders.
“More than safe.”

Her parents grew fond of Veeresh—not because he was perfect, but because they saw how carefully he loved their daughter. How he listened. How he never raised his voice. How he always walked beside her, never ahead.

Poornima’s pregnancy progressed smoothly.
Her health was good.
Her smile came easily now.

At night, when Poornima lay down, surrounded by familiarity and warmth, she finally felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Peace.

She rested her head on Veeresh’s shoulder and whispered,

“Everything is okay now.”

Veeresh kissed her forehead gently.

“Yes,” he said, holding her close.
“It finally is.”