Chapter 38: When He Became Her Answer

By the time Poornima returned home, the weight of the day hadn’t left her.

She had smiled through the interview, stood beside him with pride… but somewhere, that one question had stayed.

At home, Lakshmi welcomed her gently. “How was it, beta?”

“It went well, Ma,” she said softly, trying to keep her voice normal.

Before anything else could be said, Riya’s voice came from behind.

“Of course it went well,” she said with a slight taunt. “But people are already talking… after marriage, his award is gone.”

The words were casual.

But they hit deep.

Poornima’s smile faded slightly.

She didn’t argue.

Didn’t respond.

She just nodded faintly and walked away.

Not to his room.

To hers.

She closed the door quietly.

And then the tears came.

She sat on the bed, her hands trembling slightly as she wiped her face again and again.

“I am not unlucky…” she whispered to herself.

Her voice broke.

“My horoscope is not cursed…”

The words hurt her more than anything else.

Because somewhere…

She had started believing she was his strength.

And now—

Those doubts were creeping back.

She cried until exhaustion took over.

At some point, she lay down, her face turned to the side, tears still wet on her cheeks.

And she fell asleep like that.

Alone.

A little broken.

Downstairs, Veeresh had returned.

Lakshmi stopped him.

“Veeresh…” she said softly, and told him everything.

Every word.

Every taunt.

His expression changed instantly.

He didn’t say anything.

He just walked.

Straight upstairs.

He entered their room first.

She wasn’t there.

His jaw tightened.

Then he turned and went to her room.

He opened the door quietly.

And saw her.

Curled slightly on the bed.

Tears still visible.

Something in him stilled.

He walked closer.

Sat beside her.

For a second, he just looked at her.

Then he lay down beside her, pulling her gently closer.

His hand moved to her back.

He kissed her there softly.

“Poons… don’t,” he murmured.

She stirred.

Slowly waking up.

Her eyes opened, still heavy, still filled with hurt.

“Veer…” she whispered.

He didn’t let her speak immediately.

He kissed her.

Soft at first.

Then deeper.

Stopping her words.

Stopping her thoughts.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested against hers.

She held onto him, her voice trembling. “Mom said… I’m unlucky… that because of me…”

He didn’t let her finish.

“Listen to me,” he said, his tone firm.

Her eyes lifted to him.

“I don’t believe in all this,” he continued. “Not horoscope, not luck, not any of that nonsense.”

He held her face gently.

“I am where I am because of my work. And if I lose something, it’s because of me. Not you.”

Her lips trembled slightly.

“You are not unlucky,” he said, his voice softer now but intense. “And you are definitely not cursed.”

A pause.

“You are mine.”

Her eyes filled again.

But this time… not from pain.

“You understand me better than anyone,” he continued. “You handle me, my life, my work… everything without asking anything.”

His thumb wiped a tear from her cheek.

“And you think you’re a problem?” he asked quietly.

She shook her head slowly.

He leaned in and kissed her again.

Not to silence her.

But to reassure her.

“You’re not my weakness, Poons,” he murmured. “You’re the only person I don’t have to pretend with.”

She closed her eyes, her hands holding onto him tighter.

The heaviness inside her slowly faded.

Because he didn’t just defend her in front of the world.

He fixed her… when she broke inside.

And in that moment—

She didn’t feel questioned anymore.

She felt chosen.