Chapter 41 — The Evil Eye Ring

The Dreewan mansion was unusually warm that night.

For a house known for power, silence, and fear, it suddenly felt… welcoming.

Poornima stepped inside cautiously, still in her wedding attire, her fingers loosely curled around Veeresh’s hand. Before she could even fully process the space, the entire Dreewan family gathered to greet her.

No cold stares.

No judgment.

Only acceptance.

Mrs. Dreewan approached her first, her eyes softening instantly. “Welcome home, beta.”

Poornima blinked slightly at the unfamiliar warmth.

Mr. Dreewan stepped forward next, holding a small velvet box.

He opened it slowly.

Inside was a delicate ring — designed with a small evil eye charm, subtle yet meaningful.

“For protection,” he said quietly.

Poornima looked at it for a moment before smiling faintly. “Thank you, uncle.”

Mr. Dreewan paused.

Something in his expression softened painfully.

“You can call me… papa.”

Poornima hesitated for a second.

Then nodded gently. “Okay… papa.”

Mrs. Dreewan’s eyes immediately filled with emotion. She stepped forward and held Poornima’s hand.

“And I’m mumma,” she said softly.

Poornima gave a small, confused but polite smile.

“Mumma…”

It wasn’t memory.

But it wasn’t rejection either.

Just… acceptance of something unfamiliar yet safe.

Mrs. Dreewan gently guided her toward the room, speaking softly as though afraid to overwhelm her.

Veeresh stood a few steps behind, watching everything carefully.

Then his gaze shifted to his father.

The moment Poornima left with Mrs. Dreewan, Veeresh finally asked, “What is that ring?”

Mr. Dreewan looked at him for a long moment.

Then answered quietly.

“Zoya.”

Veeresh’s expression tightened instantly.

His father continued, voice low. “She and Zoya used to have matching evil-eye rings. I gave them both.”

A pause.

“I kept hoping it would trigger her memory someday.”

Silence settled heavily between them.

“But nothing worked,” Mr. Dreewan added. “She still doesn’t remember.”

Veeresh stayed still.

Then his father’s voice turned heavier.

“And today she called me ‘papa’… and your mother ‘mumma’… like she always belonged here.”

A faint sadness crossed his face.

“But she doesn’t remember why.”

Veeresh exhaled slowly, his eyes darkening slightly.

“Don’t worry, dad,” he said firmly. “She will remember.”

His father looked at him for a long moment.

Then spoke quietly, almost warning him.

“I hope you don’t make me shoot you one day, Veeresh.”

Veeresh didn’t even flinch.

“No,” he said calmly.

But inside—

He wasn’t sure anymore what truth was waiting at the end of Poornima’s memories.