Chapter 45: The Silence That Scared Her

Morning came quietly.

Too quietly.

Breakfast was ready—the table set the way it always was. Plates warm, lunch boxes packed, milk poured, everything done out of habit… out of hope.

Poornima glanced toward the stairs again.

“Veeresh?” she called softly.

No answer.

She turned to the maid.
“Where is sir?”

The maid hesitated.
“He left early morning, madam. Said it’s important work. He’ll come back after two days.”

Poornima froze.

Two days?

He had never done this.
Never left without telling her.
Never walked away without explaining.

Something tight wrapped around her chest.

“Oh,” she managed, forcing a smile. “Okay.”

The kids came down, laughing, arguing about who would sit where. She kissed each of their heads—longer than usual, tighter than usual.

“Study well,” she said softly.
“Finish your food.”

They nodded, unaware of the storm inside her.

When the door closed behind them, the house felt… hollow.

Poornima sat slowly on the sofa, staring at nothing.

He didn’t tell me.
He didn’t look at me.
He didn’t say goodbye.

Her mind betrayed her.

What if…?
What if he becomes like Paul?
What if this is how it starts?

She shook her head immediately.

“No,” she whispered to herself.
“Veeresh is not like that.”

But fear doesn’t listen to logic.
Fear listens to memory.

Her hands trembled as she hugged her knees.

Paul also used to leave like this.
After anger.
After silence.

Her breathing grew uneven.

“I know you’re not him,” she said aloud, as if Veeresh could hear her.
“I know you’re not.”

But tears came anyway—quiet, exhausted tears that slid down without permission.

She lay down on the bed, curling into herself like a child seeking safety.

“Veer…” she whispered into the pillow.
“I miss you.”

Her voice broke.

“Please come back,” she murmured.
“I’m scared… even though I trust you.”

She covered her face, sobbing softly.

“I know you regret it. I know you’re hurting too,” she cried.
“But don’t leave me like this.”

The room held her pain without answers.

Outside, life continued.
Inside, Poornima waited—hoping that love would return not with words… but with proof.