Chapter 33: Distance and Pull

Veeresh reached the company early that morning.

The office was already active, files moving from one desk to another, phones ringing softly in the background, the usual rhythm of work continuing without pause.

Rayan entered his cabin after a few minutes.

“How is everything going on?” he asked.

Veeresh leaned back slightly in his chair.

“Good,” he said. “Mannat is very fond of Poornima. She loves her a lot.”

Rayan nodded, listening carefully.

“And Aryan?” he asked.

“He is comfortable with me,” Veeresh replied. “He calls me Abbu happily now.”

A small smile appeared on Rayan’s face.

“And your relationship with Madam?” he asked cautiously.

Veeresh looked at him for a second.

“Nothing much,” he said. “But it is going slow and steady.”

There was no further explanation.

Rayan understood and did not push.

He shifted the conversation toward work.

“There are upcoming projects,” he said, opening his file. “First one is the Jaipur infrastructure expansion. We are focusing on luxury residential units and commercial spaces near the tech corridor. The proposal is already approved for initial planning, and we will need your final review on investor allocation.”

Veeresh nodded slightly.

Rayan continued, “Second project is the overseas textile partnership. We are expanding into export markets, mainly Europe and UAE. The initial meeting is scheduled for next week.”

He flipped another page.

“Third is the digital venture fund. We are investing in startups, especially AI and fintech. Shortlisting is already in progress, and we need your approval on the first list of companies.”

Veeresh listened carefully, his attention fully on the details now.

“Send me the reports,” he said finally. “I will review them tonight.”

Rayan nodded. “Alright, sir.”

Meanwhile, in Jodhpur, Poornima was in the college classroom, teaching as usual.

Her voice was steady, her focus on the students in front of her.

Her phone rang suddenly.

She glanced at the screen.

Yashoda.

Her expression changed immediately.

She stepped out of the class and answered.

“Ammi, everything okay?” she asked quickly.

There was a pause on the other side.

“No, beta,” Yashoda said. “Mannat is crying continuously. I gave her your milk also, but she is not stopping.”

Poornima’s heart tightened instantly.

“I am coming, Ammi,” she said without thinking.

She disconnected the call immediately, informed the department briefly, and left the college.

The drive home felt longer than usual.

When she reached, she rushed inside.

The moment Mannat saw her, she stopped crying.

Her small hands stretched out immediately.

She crawled toward Poornima as fast as she could and hugged her tightly.

Poornima sat down quickly and held her close.

“What happened, shona?” she asked softly.

She fed her gently, adjusting her comfortably in her arms.

Within moments, Mannat calmed down completely.

Her breathing became steady again.

Poornima wiped her mouth carefully and kissed her forehead.

“Ammi,” she said softly, “shall we go to hospital?”

Yashoda nodded. “Yes, beta.”

They took Mannat to the hospital.

The doctor examined her carefully.

“The baby is fine,” the pediatrician said calmly. “Sometimes babies at this age need emotional attention more than physical feeding. She may be craving your presence.”

Poornima listened silently.

She understood immediately.

It was not illness.

It was attachment.

It was need.

They returned home after that.

The house felt quiet again, but Poornima’s mind was not.

She held Mannat closer than before.

That evening, she spoke softly to Yashoda.

“Ammi,” she said, “I think I should resign.”

Yashoda looked at her immediately.

“No, beta,” she said firmly. “Do not decide like this.”

Poornima shook her head.

“It is okay,” she replied. “I have been working long. I will take a break and go back after some time.”

Her voice was calm.

But her decision was already forming.