Chapter 5 – The Breaking Point

Poornima stood at the reception desk, her heart pounding louder than the office hum around her.

“Can I meet Veeresh Rathore?” she asked softly.

The receptionist hesitated, eyes flickering with discomfort. “Ma’am… I’m sorry for telling you this. Sir instructed us strictly. He said if you come to the office, we are not to allow you inside.”

Poornima froze.

“He told us,” the receptionist continued carefully, “to inform you that you’re not permitted to meet him.”

Shock hit her like a physical blow.

Without another word, Poornima turned and walked straight past the reception, ignoring the startled calls behind her. Her feet carried her down the corridor she knew too well—past glass walls, past people who stared, straight to his cabin.

The door was open.

Veeresh was inside, speaking to his PA, voice calm, controlled—just another meeting, just another day.

“Veeresh.”

He looked up.

Before he could react, Poornima reached him, grabbed his arm, spun him around—and slapped him hard.

The sound cracked through the room.

She clutched his collar, her hands trembling, her eyes blazing with hurt. “Why are you avoiding me?” she demanded, her voice breaking. “What did I do to deserve this?”

Veeresh’s face hardened instantly.

He turned sharply and snapped, “Receptionist!”

The woman rushed in, terrified.

“Did I not clearly mention,” he said coldly, “that when this woman comes, she is not to be allowed inside? I will fire you for this.”

Poornima slapped him again.

“I will not come here again,” she cried. “I break our friendship today. You are no one to me anymore.”

The receptionist whispered, shaking, “Sir, I’m sorry—”

Poornima turned toward her immediately. “I’m sorry. Don’t punish her.”

Veeresh didn’t look at either of them.

“Get lost,” he said flatly.

Poornima’s breath caught. Tears spilled freely now, unstoppable. She released his collar, her hands falling lifelessly to her sides. Without another word, she turned and walked away, crying openly as she left the cabin, the corridor, the building.

The receptionist slipped out silently, wiping her eyes.

Only Veeresh and his PA remained.

The PA looked at him, disappointment clear. “You did wrong.”

Veeresh said nothing.

The PA turned and walked away, leaving Veeresh alone in the cabin—standing exactly where she had left him, the echo of her slap still burning on his skin, and the cost of his decision finally sinking in.