Poornima — POV

I was not expecting him.

When I opened the door and saw Veeresh standing there—calm, unapologetic, eyes fixed only on me—my heart betrayed me before my mouth could.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, cold. Defensive.
Because if I let myself soften even a little, I knew I’d lose.

He didn’t even hesitate.
“I’ve come to pick up my wife.”

That word. My.
It hit harder than any apology.

“I’m not coming,” I said, stepping back.

Big mistake.

In one swift move, he caught my wrist—not rough, not gentle either—just certain. He pulled me closer, forcing me to look at him.

“Listen to me,” he said, voice low but steady. “I didn’t stop you that day because I thought you needed space. And I didn’t call or message because I know you, Poorns. If I had… you would’ve come back before you were ready.”

I struggled, anger spilling out where fear really lived. I slapped his chest, once, twice.
“Do you know how it feels to be ignored?” I snapped. “To think—”

He didn’t let me finish.

“I wanted you completely alright,” he said firmly. “Then I would come. I would apologise. And I would take you back myself.”

My hands stilled.

“I’m sorry,” he said. No drama. No ego. Just truth. “I should’ve held you tighter. But I swear on everything—I will not smoke again.”

I searched his face, looking for lies. I found none.

“We are already in our forties,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I don’t want anyone falling sick. I want us to enjoy life… with the kids.”

He smiled then—soft, crooked, unmistakably Veeresh.
“Baby,” he said, pulling me into his chest, “that’s exactly my plan.”

Then, like the shameless man he is, he leaned down and murmured,
“And about the future… we can still give them siblings.”

I hit his arm instantly.
“Shut up!”

He laughed—a real laugh, the one I missed for two days straight—and wrapped his arms around me tighter.

“We will,” he said confidently. “Soon.”

I should’ve argued more.
I should’ve stayed angry longer.

But instead, I rested my forehead against his chest and closed my eyes.

Because this—
This man, this chaos, this love—

This is home.