Chapter 28: Breaking and Holding

Poornima was happy.

Sitting beside him, in that crowded place, she felt something she hadn’t felt before—peace in his presence, even in the middle of noise. Veeresh sat close, his hand resting on her lap, his touch steady, almost like he needed that contact.

She didn’t move.

She let it stay.

But something shifted.

Suddenly.

His hand tensed.

His jaw tightened.

She looked at him, confused.

His eyes weren’t the same anymore.

They were sharp.

Angry.

“Let’s leave,” he said, his voice low but firm.

She didn’t argue.

She simply nodded.

They left without another word.

The ride back was silent.

Heavy.

Poornima kept looking at him, trying to understand what changed… what triggered him.

But he didn’t say anything.

When they reached, he walked inside quickly.

Straight to the room.

She followed.

“Veer… what happened?” she asked softly.

“Leave,” he said, not even looking at her. “Let me sleep. My head is spinning.”

She stepped closer. “Come here, I’ll—”

Before she could finish, he pushed her away.

“Stay away from me,” he said sharply.

The words hit harder than the push.

He walked to the side, took a cigarette, and lit it.

The smoke filled the room slowly.

Poornima stood there for a second.

Then she walked toward him again.

“Veer…” she said gently.

The next moment—

His hand came across her cheek.

A slap.

The sound echoed in the room.

Her face turned slightly with the force.

But she didn’t react.

She didn’t step back.

She didn’t hold her cheek.

She just looked at him.

Because she knew.

This wasn’t him.

This was his anger.

His pain.

His head spinning.

“Veer… please… what happened?” she asked again, her voice soft, steady.

“I shouldn’t have married you,” he said.

Her heart stopped.

“What…?” she whispered.

“I know,” he continued, his voice rough, broken under the anger. “You were supposed to marry Pavan. He didn’t come… so you had to marry me.”

Another drag of the cigarette.

“I know I was not your fucking choice.”

His words were harsh.

But underneath them—

There was something else.

“I hoped it,” he said quietly. “But I am just a replacement.”

The word stayed in the air.

Replacement.

Poornima felt it.

Deep.

He lit another cigarette.

Before he could take another drag, she stepped forward.

“Veer, listen—”

“If not, then why did you remove the waist chain?” he snapped. “I told you never to remove it. You promised me.”

His voice broke slightly under the anger.

“And you won’t… you said that.”

Poornima shook her head gently. “I didn’t break my promise, Veer.”

“Leave,” he said again. “Just leave.”

But this time—

She didn’t.

She moved forward, held his hand, and pulled him toward the bed.

He resisted for a second.

Then gave in.

She made him lie down, placing his head on her lap.

Like always.

Like where he belonged.

Her fingers moved into his hair, massaging slowly.

He closed his eyes tightly.

“I’m fine… leave,” he murmured.

She didn’t stop.

“Veer,” she said softly, “it was loose. That’s why I removed it. I gave it to the jewellery shop to fix the hook. I’ll get it tomorrow.”

Silence.

His breathing slowed slightly.

But he didn’t speak.

“Now leave,” he said again, but his voice had lost its sharpness. “I shouldn’t have hoped anything from you.”

That hurt her.

More than anything else he said.

She didn’t reply with words.

Instead—

She leaned down and kissed him.

Soft at first.

Then deeper.

Stopping his thoughts.

Stopping his words.

He responded.

Immediately.

Holding her, pulling her closer, kissing her with everything he had been holding inside.

The anger.

The fear.

The insecurity.

All of it poured into that moment.

When they pulled back, his breath was uneven.

His hand moved to her cheek.

The same cheek he had slapped.

Gently.

He leaned in and kissed that spot.

Softly.

Like an apology he couldn’t say.

Poornima looked at him, her eyes steady, filled with something stronger than hurt.

“I have accepted you,” she said quietly.

Her hand rested on his.

“Don’t ever think you are my replacement.”

Her voice didn’t shake.

Because she meant it.

Completely.

He looked at her.

For a long moment.

And something inside him… finally stilled.

Not completely.

But enough.

Enough to believe her.

Enough to stay.