Chapter 38

Unfinished Conversations

lay beside him, eyes closed but thoughts awake.

She wanted to ask him why he still couldn’t speak properly to Maa… why there was always a wall between him and .

But tonight didn’t feel right.

They had just begun understanding each other.

Some wounds shouldn’t be touched too soon.

Not now, she told herself.
But I will make sure he speaks to her one day.

After freshening up, came to bed and lay beside her.
He pulled her closer unconsciously.
Inayat slept peacefully on the other side.

Poornima relaxed.

Slowly, sleep claimed her.

His hand rested on her belly.

Warm.

Protective.

And then his thoughts betrayed him.

Is this right?

She was once his friend’s wife.
Then his rival’s wife.
Now his wife.

What if her heart still carried someone else?

What if he was only a responsibility?

The thought burned.

He immediately removed his hand as if it hurt him and got up, walking to the balcony.

The sudden absence of warmth woke her.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly. “Did you see any dream?”

“Nothing.”

He didn’t look at her.

He just went upstairs.

She watched his retreating figure.

There was something heavy in his silence.

This man will break himself before speaking.

And fear crept inside her chest.

What if he abandons me again?

—

One line:
Kabhi kabhi khamoshi sabse bada darr hoti hai — chhod kar chale jaane ka darr.