Chapter 46: The Past That Returned

Life had finally settled into something peaceful.

Days were filled with small routines, laughter, school runs, and quiet evenings. Veeresh and Poornima had found a rhythm that felt real, steady, and theirs.

And then, Poornima found out.

She sat alone for a moment, holding the report in her hand, her fingers trembling slightly.

A soft smile slowly appeared on her face.

She was pregnant.

Her heart filled with warmth instantly.

Without thinking, her hand went to her stomach.

A new life.

A part of them.

She closed her eyes for a second, letting the feeling sink in.

Then she smiled to herself.

Veeresh’s birthday was coming.

She would tell him that day.

It would be perfect.

But life did not wait for perfect moments.

That evening, everything changed.

The house was filled with voices when Veeresh walked in.

Confusion.

Shock.

Silence.

And then…

She walked in.

Ridhima.

Alive.

Standing there.

Everyone froze.

No one moved.

No one spoke.

For years, she had been gone.

Believed to be dead.

And now she stood there, as real as the moment itself.

Before Veeresh could even react, she walked straight toward him and hugged him tightly.

“Veeresh…” she whispered.

The room felt heavy.

Poornima stood there, watching.

Something shifted inside her.

A sudden, sharp feeling.

Not anger.

Not fear.

Just… something she could not name.

But she did not show it.

Not even for a second.

She turned quietly, took Mannat into her arms, held Aryan’s hand, and walked to the room.

No questions.

No drama.

Just silence.

Inside the room, Mannat looked at her and smiled.

“Mumma… love you,” she said innocently.

Poornima looked at her and smiled back.

“I love you too, shona.”

Her voice was calm.

Steady.

As if nothing had shaken her.

A few minutes later, the door opened.

Veeresh walked in.

His face was tense.

Confused.

He looked at Poornima immediately.

“Poornima, I do not know anything,” he said quickly. “Believe me.”

He stepped closer.

“I did not—”

“Veer,” she interrupted softly.

“Sit.”

He stopped.

Then slowly sat down, still looking at her.

“Stop apologizing,” she said.

Her voice was not angry.

Not broken.

Just… clear.

“I know you,” she continued. “You will not do anything wrong.”

Veeresh stared at her.

The tension in his chest eased slightly.

“Be calm,” she added.

Then, without hesitation, she leaned forward and kissed him softly.

It was not dramatic.

Not emotional.

It was steady.

Grounding.

Veeresh held her face immediately and kissed her back.

Deeper.

More intense.

As if he needed to hold onto something real in that moment.

“I love you,” he said, his voice almost breaking. “Please do not leave me.”

Poornima looked at him.

There was no doubt in her eyes.

“I will not,” she said. “We are together.”

That was enough.

Veeresh pulled her into a tight hug.

Holding her firmly.

As if anchoring himself.

And in that moment,

Even with the past standing outside their door,

They chose each other.