Chapter 28

The moment his name was called, everything else faded for Poornima.

She moved forward without thinking, her eyes fixed on him.

Rayesh.

He turned the second he heard her voice.

“Akka…”

The word broke out of him before anything else.

And in the next moment—

He ran to her.

Poornima didn’t wait.

She stepped forward and pulled him into a tight hug.

“I’m so happy,” she said, her voice soft but filled with pride. “I’m so proud of you.”

Her hand came up to his face, and she kissed his forehead gently.

Rayesh held her tighter, his composure slipping just for a second.

“Akka… thank you for coming,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Tears gathered in his eyes, but he tried to hold them back.

Poornima noticed immediately.

“It’s okay,” she said softly. “Don’t…”

He let out a small breath, nodding, but he didn’t let go of her just yet.

Then, pulling back slightly, he looked at her with a small smile.

“Akka… remove the cover from my shirt,” he said. “The rank will be visible. And you have to put the cap.”

Poornima blinked, a little overwhelmed.

“Rayesh…”

“Come on,” he insisted, his eyes shining.

She hesitated for just a second.

Then nodded.

Her fingers moved carefully, almost reverently, as she removed the protective cover from his uniform.

The insignia beneath it became visible.

Sharp.

Proud.

Earned.

Rayesh stood straighter, his voice firm despite the emotion.

“Colonel Rayesh Rai.”

Poornima looked at him—

Really looked.

At the boy she had known.

At the man standing in front of her now.

A soldier.

Her brother.

A slow smile spread across her face, filled with nothing but pride.

She picked up his cap and placed it gently on his head.

Perfect.

Complete.

For a second, neither spoke.

Then—

He pulled her into another hug.

This time tighter.

Stronger.

And Poornima held him just the same.

Because in that moment—

Nothing else mattered.