Chapter 32

The railway station in Kashmir was quieter than before.

The goodbye carried more weight than the arrival.

Poornima stood facing Rayesh, her hands still holding his for a moment longer than usual.

“Take care,” she said softly. “Call me if possible… or at least message.”

He nodded, trying to keep his composure.

“I will, akka.”

She smiled faintly.

“I’m happy,” she added. “Very happy.”

Rayesh didn’t say anything for a second.

Then he stepped forward and hugged her.

Tight.

Like he didn’t want to let go.

Poornima closed her eyes briefly, holding him just as firmly.

“Sure, akka,” he said quietly.

When he pulled back, his eyes shifted to Veeresh.

“Take care of her,” he said.

Veeresh met his gaze.

And for once—

There was no arrogance.

No dominance.

Just a simple nod.

“I will.”

Rayesh smiled.

But Veeresh noticed it.

The tears.

Quickly wiped away.

Hidden.

But not enough to miss.

Poornima turned away before it could get harder.

They boarded the train.

As it began to move, she stood near the door for a moment, watching him grow smaller in the distance.

Her expression didn’t break.

But it wasn’t the same either.

She sat down quietly.

Veeresh watched her for a second.

“You okay?” he asked.

She shook her head slightly.

“No.”

A pause.

“But I should be.”

He didn’t interrupt.

“Rayesh… is very attached to me,” she continued.

Veeresh nodded.

“I can see that.”

She looked out the window.

“I’m just happy he fulfilled his dream.”

Her voice carried pride.

More than sadness.

Veeresh leaned back slightly.

“Don’t mind me asking,” he said after a moment. “Your parents… they are not happy?”

She didn’t respond immediately.

He continued.

“I don’t understand something,” he said. “Why do business families force their children into the same path?”

A pause.

“They have their own life. Their own choices.”

Poornima looked at him then.

“For some people,” she said quietly, “control matters more than understanding.”

Silence followed.

“But yes,” she added, “they believe they have that right.”

Veeresh exhaled slightly.

“They don’t.”

Simple.

Firm.

The train continued its journey, the rhythm steady beneath them.

No more heavy questions.

No more explanations.

Just quiet.

By the time they reached Mumbai—

The silence had settled into something easier.

Not empty.

Not heavy.

Just understood.

And as they stepped down—

They both knew—

Something between them had changed again.