Chapter 35: A Night That Did Not Ask Questions

Veeresh was sitting near the window, smoking quietly.

The room was dim, the smoke rising slowly into the silence.

Poornima came out after placing Mannat to sleep.

She looked at him for a moment but did not say anything.

Veeresh noticed her gaze.

“You have rights to ask,” he said calmly.

Poornima shook her head slightly and then spoke.

“Stop smoking in the room,” she said softly. “Shona sleeps here.”

Veeresh looked at her for a second.

Then he nodded.

“Okay,” he said, and put the cigarette out immediately.

There was no argument.

No resistance.

Just acceptance.

A few moments passed in silence.

Then Poornima spoke again.

“Veeresh, Aryan cleared the entrance test. He is joining tomorrow.”

Veeresh looked at her.

“Good,” he said. “I will come.”

Poornima nodded slightly.

“Thank you,” she replied.

She then went to change her saree, moving quietly, adjusting herself into something more comfortable for the night.

Mannat was already asleep on the bed.

Poornima came back and sat beside her.

She gently kissed her forehead.

“Good night, shona,” she whispered.

Veeresh looked at her from where he stood.

“I am also there,” he said casually.

Poornima glanced at him.

“You are not a child,” she replied softly.

He did not answer.

Instead, he came and lay down beside her.

Very close.

Without hesitation, he pulled her slightly toward him.

“Do it,” he said simply.

Poornima looked at him for a second.

Then she leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

It was quiet.

Natural.

Veeresh’s expression softened, and he gently wrapped his arm around her.

He closed his eyes.

Poornima stayed still for a moment.

Then she relaxed.

Mannat, in her sleep, reached out and held onto Poornima’s saree tightly, as if anchoring herself there.

Aryan was asleep on the other side of the room, peaceful.

Poornima looked at both children.

Then at Veeresh.

Her husband.

All three holding onto her in different ways.

And for the first time that night,

She did not feel pulled in different directions.

She felt… held.

And she smiled quietly to herself,

As sleep slowly took over.