Chapter 70 — If You Can Hear Me, Come Back

Two days.

Two endless, unforgiving days had passed.

Poornima sat beside Veeresh’s hospital bed, her eyes never leaving his face—not even for a moment. Every machine sound had become part of her heartbeat now. Every silence terrified her.

She was desperate… desperate to hear her name.

But Veeresh showed no visible signs.

The almond reaction had damaged him deeply. The blood loss had weakened his body beyond measure. His spirit was fighting, she could feel it—but his body was no longer cooperating. It was as if he was trapped somewhere between worlds, trying to reach them, yet held back.

Poornima folded her hands every few minutes, whispering prayers that had no structure anymore—only love and fear.

She spoke to him constantly.

“Veer… it’s me,” she said softly, brushing his hair back.
“I’m here. I haven’t gone anywhere. You don’t have to search for me.”

She leaned closer, resting her forehead against his.

“You always told me you’re strong,” she whispered. “So be strong now… just a little more.”

She gently lifted his hand and placed it on her belly.

“Feel this,” she said, her voice breaking. “Our baby is here. Your dream. You said you wanted this… don’t you remember?”

Her tears fell onto his hand, warm and trembling.

“You can’t leave us now. I can’t do this without you.”

One by one, the children came closer.

Rudra stood on the other side of the bed, holding Veeresh’s arm carefully, afraid even his touch might hurt him.

“Dad…” he said, his voice shaking despite his effort to stay strong.
“Come back. Please. I still need you.”

Mannat wiped her tears angrily and leaned forward.
“You promised to scold me forever,” she said softly. “You can’t break that promise.”

Ramir swallowed hard.
“Dad… we’ll prepare biriyani for you,” he said, forcing a small smile through tears.
“Your favourite. We won’t even complain.”

Kayan and Kavya held his other hand together.

“Dada,” Kayan whispered, tears dripping onto the bedsheet,
“Don’t leave us. We are all here.”

Kavya nodded desperately.
“We will be good. We will listen. Please come back.”

All of them hugged him as much as they were allowed, surrounding the bed with love, voices overlapping, hearts begging.

And then—

A tear slipped from Veeresh’s closed eye.

Just one.

Poornima noticed it instantly.

She gasped softly and cupped his face, wiping it away with trembling fingers.

“Veer… you can hear us, right?” she whispered urgently.
“You’re listening… I know you are.”

She kissed his forehead, then his cheek, again and again—gentle, desperate, full of love.

“I’m here,” she murmured. “Your Poons is here. I’m not going anywhere.”

She held his face between her palms and whispered the words that carried all her strength.

“Come back to us, Veeresh. We’re waiting. I’m waiting.”

And as she kissed away his silent tears, hope—fragile but alive—refused to leave her heart.