Chapter 66 — Between Breath and Prayer

Poornima reached the hospital clutching the broken mangalsutra so tightly that the black beads pressed into her palm, leaving marks she didn’t even feel. Her saree was crumpled, her face pale, eyes red from crying—but she stood straight, driven by fear and love alone.

“Doctor… where is my husband?” she asked, her voice trembling but firm.

The doctor looked at her file, then at her face. His hesitation frightened her more than words.

“Madam,” he began carefully, “he had an allergic reaction.”

Poornima frowned through her tears. “That’s not possible. He is very careful. He is allergic to almonds. He never eats them.”

The doctor nodded gravely.
“Yes. That is exactly the issue. He consumed kheer. Almond powder was mixed into it.”

Her breath caught.

“No…” she whispered. “No, that can’t be.”

“It triggered a severe reaction,” the doctor continued. “His condition worsened quickly. He lost a lot of blood. We managed to stabilise him for now, but…”
He paused.
“We don’t know whether he will regain consciousness.”

The words crashed into her like a storm.

“No, Veeresh…” Poornima cried out, her knees buckling.

Rudra rushed forward, holding her before she could fall. He guided her to a chair, kneeling in front of her like a child again.

“Mom, please… sit. Please,” he begged.

She cried continuously now—silent, broken sobs that shook her entire body. Her fingers trembled as she opened her palm, staring at the broken mangalsutra beads resting there like a bad omen.

“This is my fault,” she whispered repeatedly. “I should have been there. I should have—”

She suddenly looked up at the doctor, desperation burning in her eyes.

“Can I see him?” she asked. “Please. Just once.”

The doctor studied her condition—the swollen eyes, the visible baby bump, the fear etched into every line of her face.

“Yes,” he said gently. “You can. But only for a few minutes.”

Poornima stood up immediately.

As she walked toward the ICU, every step felt heavy, as if the hospital floor was pulling her down. Her hand automatically went to her belly.

Please stay with me, she prayed again.
For me. For our children. For this little life growing inside me.

The doors opened.

And there he was.