Chapter 71 — Just Breathe With Me

Poornima’s words were still shaking in the air, raw and unfiltered.

Veeresh didn’t respond with anger this time.

He moved immediately.

In a second, he was in front of her.

He pulled her into his arms and held her firmly—not tight enough to trap her, but steady enough to ground her.

“Calm down,” he said lowly. “Poornima… calm down.”

Her breathing was still uneven, caught between panic and confusion.

Veeresh lifted her face slightly, forcing her attention back to him—not harshly, just firmly.

And then, in a rare moment of vulnerability, he kissed her forehead.

Poornima froze for a second.

Then, unexpectedly, she kissed him back—lightly, almost instinctively, like her body still remembered safety even when her mind didn’t.

Veeresh exhaled slowly.

“Breathe with me,” he said.

Poornima’s lips trembled slightly. “Inhaler…”

“Wait,” Veeresh said immediately.

He turned, grabbed it from the table in seconds, and brought it to her.

“Here,” he said softly.

She inhaled.

Once.

Twice.

The tightness in her chest slowly eased.

Veeresh didn’t move away.

He stayed close.

Watching her carefully.

After a few seconds, her breathing steadied.

She looked up at him, still slightly unstable but more aware now.

Veeresh’s voice softened.

“Look…” he said quietly, “I don’t mind remembering everything for us. I will carry it if you can’t.”

Poornima let out a short, breathy laugh—almost disbelieving.

“Oh really?” she said. “Now you care?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“What do you even want from me? Don’t show me this concern. I don’t believe you.”

Veeresh didn’t react defensively.

Instead, his expression shifted—something deeper, quieter.

He stepped closer again and gently held her arms.

“Poornima,” he said, voice lower now, “just once… at least try to believe me.”

She looked away immediately, still guarded.

Veeresh didn’t let go.

He pulled her into a slow, careful hug again.

This time, not forceful.

Just present.

“Please,” he murmured against her hair. “Poons…”

His voice softened completely at that name.

“Just stay with me right now. That’s all I’m asking.”

For a moment, there was only silence between them.

Her breathing was still uneven… but she didn’t push him away this time.

Not fully.

And Veeresh held her there—like if he let go too soon, she would disappear again into the fragments of her own mind.