Chapter 48 – A Table Divided

The next morning began quietly, but not peacefully. Poornima came downstairs after freshening up and paused near the dining area, her steps slowing when she noticed Rakesh sitting alone, eating in silence, his focus only on his plate. A few steps away, Nitin had come in, saw him, and without a word turned back, choosing to wait rather than sit at the same table. Only after Rakesh finished and left did Nitin return and take his seat, as if that was the routine.

Poornima’s eyes followed the pattern.

Rahul passed through next, not even looking toward the table, walking away without speaking.

No greetings.
No conversation.

Just distance.

The children sat together, unusually quiet. Vedant and Aradhya looked at their plates with little interest, while Reyansh pushed the bread aside and Sri Devi simply watched them.

Poornima walked closer. “Good morning,” she said gently.

They looked up. “Good morning, aunty…”

“What happened?” she asked, noticing their expressions.

Vedant made a face. “I don’t like this bread and jam breakfast.”

Aradhya nodded quickly. “Me too.”

Poornima didn’t say anything more. She turned and went straight into the kitchen, and within a short time, the smell of fresh poha filled the space. When she brought it out and served them, the change was instant.

“This is nice!” Vedant said, already eating.
“I like this,” Aradhya added happily.

Even Reyansh joined without complaint, and little Sri Devi followed along.

Poornima watched them for a moment, then quietly packed small dabbas for each of them before they left.

“Bye, aunty!” they said together, smiling now.

“Bye,” she replied, her voice soft.

Ruhi and Ragini came in next, had their breakfast without much conversation, and left soon after.

Then Ritika walked in. “Poornima,” she called, “come, have breakfast with me.”

Poornima sat with her, and for a moment, it felt normal.

“I’m sorry,” Ritika said suddenly.

Poornima looked at her. “For what?”

“For not bonding with you… earlier,” Ritika said, her voice quieter. “Because of… everything with our parents.”

Poornima shook her head slightly. “It’s okay.”

A pause.

“Are you happy?” Poornima asked.

Ritika smiled faintly. “Outside… yes.”

“And inside?”

Ritika looked down. “Nothing.” She exhaled slowly. “My marriage was a deal. We married… but there’s no love.”

Poornima didn’t react immediately. “Don’t worry,” she said simply.

Ritika gave a small smile and got up. “See you.”

When she left, Poornima sat there for a moment, thinking.

Weird family, she thought.

No one talks to each other.

Gayathri Devi’s voice broke her thoughts. “Beta, did you have breakfast?”

Poornima looked up. “Yes, dadi.”

Gayathri sat down slowly.

Poornima hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Dadi… why doesn’t everyone sit together?”

Gayathri looked at her, a small knowing smile on her lips. “You are new… you will understand yourself, beta.”

Poornima didn’t look convinced. “Do you want everyone to sit together?” she asked directly.

“Yes,” Gayathri replied without hesitation.

Poornima nodded once. “Give me some time. I will make sure it happens.”

Gayathri’s smile deepened slightly. “Thank you, beta.”

Poornima leaned forward a little. “I want to know something.”

“What, beta?”

“Devki maa… she likes Veeresh?”

Gayathri’s expression softened. “Yes,” she said. “He used to call her mumma… but suddenly, he started calling her Mrs Thakur. I don’t know why.”

Poornima went quiet for a second.

Then she said, “Dadi… I need your support to keep this family united.”

Gayathri nodded slowly. “You have it.”

Poornima smiled faintly. “I like big families, dadi. All my life… I grew up in a hostel.”

There was something simple in that truth.

Gayathri looked at her carefully. “We will see, beta.”

Poornima nodded.

Because now—

This wasn’t just a house she entered.

It was something she had decided to change.