Chapter 31

The celebrations had softened into smaller moments now.

Rayesh stood beside Poornima, still glowing with pride, when his eyes shifted toward Veeresh.

“Akka… who is he?” he asked, curious but calm.

Before Poornima could respond—

Veeresh stepped forward.

“I am your sister’s soon to be husband,” he said, his tone steady. “Veeresh Raj. Congratulations.”

Poornima’s eyes widened instantly.

“Veeresh—”

But Rayesh, still processing, nodded politely.

“Thank you, sir,” he said. “Nice meeting you.”

A small pause.

“She told me about you.”

Poornima turned sharply.

“Rayesh!”

He blinked, realizing he might have said something unnecessary.

“Sorry, akka,” he said quickly.

Veeresh just smiled.

Not correcting.

Not explaining.

Just watching her reaction.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of movement and laughter.

Rayesh didn’t let them sit idle for long.

He took them across Kashmir—showing them the beauty he had been living in.

Snow covered landscapes stretching endlessly.

Cold winds brushing past.

Quiet lakes reflecting the sky.

Poornima walked beside her brother, listening, smiling, absorbing everything.

And Veeresh—

Stayed just a step behind.

Watching her more than the scenery.

At a small market, he paused.

His eyes fell on a set of Kashmiri bangles.

Delicate.

Elegant.

He picked them up, studying them for a second.

Without a word, he bought them.

Not giving them to her.

Not yet.

Something in him decided—

Mumbai.

Later.

Properly.

The journey didn’t end there.

They traveled further.

To Katra.

To the sacred path leading toward Vaishno Devi.

The climb was slow, but filled with energy, devotion surrounding them from every side.

At one point, Rayesh walked beside her, smiling.

“Akka,” he said, “they say… the one who comes here, their first child will be a daughter.”

Poornima looked at him.

He grinned.

“Meaning… she herself is born again.”

She shook her head lightly.

“Pagal,” she murmured.

But a small smile stayed.

They reached the temple.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Quiet.

Sacred.

Deep.

Poornima stood before the deity, her hands folded, her eyes closing slowly.

Her mind didn’t rush.

It settled.

First—

Her brother.

Always.

“Take care of him,” she prayed silently. “Give him strength. Keep him safe.”

A pause.

Then—

Without meaning to—

Another thought entered.

Gadha.

Her lips pressed together slightly.

And then—

Eletem.

She exhaled softly.

And for the first time—

She didn’t push it away.

“I am ready,” she prayed quietly. “If he is in my life… then I accept it.”

A small pause.

“My gadha… my eletem.”

No drama.

No confusion.

Just a quiet acceptance.

When she opened her eyes—

Something had changed.

Not outside.

But within.

And somewhere behind her—

Veeresh stood.

Unaware of her exact words.

But somehow—

Feeling them.