Chapter 34: Choices in a Quiet Room

Veeresh came home at night.

The house was calm, softly lit, with the familiar warmth of evening settling in.

He looked around as he stepped inside.

“Mom, kids, Poornima?” he asked.

Yashoda looked at him and told him everything that had happened during the day.

About Mannat crying.

About the hospital visit.

About how she finally calmed only in Poornima’s arms.

Then she added gently, “She has decided to resign.”

Veeresh paused for a moment.

His expression changed slightly, but he did not react immediately.

“I will speak to her,” he said simply.

He freshened up, changed, and finished his dinner quietly.

After that, he walked toward Aryan’s room.

When he opened the door, he saw Aryan sitting on the floor, colouring carefully in his drawing book.

Next to him, Mannat was playing with building blocks, focused and happy.

Poornima was sitting nearby, watching them closely.

“Shona, no eating,” she said softly as she gently stopped Mannat from putting a toy in her mouth.

Veeresh paused at the door for a second.

He saw everything.

The way Mannat smiled at her.

The way Aryan looked up from his drawing.

The way Poornima sat there naturally, like she belonged in that space.

Aryan looked up first.

“Mumma,” he said.

Poornima turned toward him.

“Yes,” she replied.

Aryan smiled proudly. “I want to become fighter pilot.”

Poornima’s face softened immediately.

“You will,” she said gently.

Aryan smiled wider.

Then he looked at Mannat.

“What will Mannu become?” he asked.

Poornima smiled slightly and answered calmly, “She is small right now. Once she grows up, she will decide what she wants to become.”

She looked at Mannat and added softly, “Right, shona?”

Mannat just smiled and continued playing with her blocks.

At that moment, Veeresh stepped inside fully.

“Hi Aryan,” he said.

Aryan looked up happily.

“Hi Abbu,” he replied.

He immediately showed his drawing.

“Abbu look, I want to become fighter pilot.”

Veeresh looked at the drawing and nodded.

“You will, son,” he said simply.

Aryan smiled brightly.

Then Veeresh turned his attention toward Poornima.

“Poornima,” he said, his tone steady, “you decided to resign?”

Poornima looked at him and nodded.

“Yes.”

Veeresh studied her for a moment.

“Think,” he said.

Poornima did not look away.

“I have no problem,” she replied calmly. “Tomorrow I will complete all the work and hand over everything. I can go back after that, so it is okay.”

She spoke as if it was already settled.

Veeresh said nothing.

He simply stood there for a moment, looking at her, then at the children, then back at her again.

And he did not respond.