Chapter 86 — The Internship Begins

The next morning arrived quickly.

The Roy family accompanied Poornima to the airport.

Her luggage was ready, her documents were safely packed, and excitement practically radiated from her.

"Aunty, I'll call you the moment I land," Poornima said while hugging Aparna tightly.

Aparna smiled.

"You better."

Mr. Roy laughed.

"Don't forget us after becoming a big corporate executive."

Poornima rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Impossible."

Everyone laughed.

After a few more hugs and goodbyes, Poornima headed toward security.

Before disappearing inside, she turned around and waved enthusiastically.

"Bye!"

The Roy family waved back proudly.

"All the best, Poons!"

Poornima walked away with a huge smile.

A new chapter was waiting for her.

A few hours later.

The flight was smooth.

Poornima spent some time reading, listening to music, and eventually fell asleep peacefully in her seat.

When the announcement sounded,

"Welcome to Mumbai."

She opened her eyes and smiled.

India.

Her internship was finally starting.

After collecting her luggage, she booked a cab and headed toward the PG accommodation arranged near her workplace.

The city was busy, energetic, and alive.

Poornima sat by the window, watching Mumbai rush past her.

Tall buildings.

Crowded streets.

Food stalls.

Endless traffic.

Everything felt exciting.

Once she reached the PG, she completed the formalities and moved into her room.

It wasn't luxurious.

But it was comfortable.

And most importantly—

it was hers.

After unpacking a few essentials, she took a quick shower and got ready.

A crisp white shirt.

Black formal trousers.

A professional blazer.

Simple watch.

Neat ponytail.

She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.

"First day, Poons."

She picked up her bag and documents.

Then left the PG.

Soon the cab stopped in front of one of Mumbai's most prestigious corporate headquarters.

Dreewan Industries.

The massive glass building stood proudly against the skyline.

Employees moved in and out continuously.

Luxury cars lined the entrance.

Poornima looked up at the building and felt a surge of excitement.

"So this is Dreewan Industries."

A smile appeared on her face.

This wasn't just an internship.

It was the beginning of her career.

Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her bag and confidently walked toward the entrance, completely unaware that fate had quietly brought her back into the orbit of the man who had never stopped looking at the stars and wondering where she was.

Chapter 87 — The Girl Who Returned

Samuel was reviewing some files near the reception area when he looked up casually.

And froze.

The file in his hand slipped slightly.

His eyes widened.

For a second, he genuinely thought he was seeing a ghost.

The same eyes.

The same smile.

The same face.

"Ma'am..." he whispered unconsciously.

The young woman blinked in confusion.

"Myself Poornima Roy," she said politely. "I'm here for the internship program, sir."

Samuel stared.

Poornima Roy.

Not Rathore.

Not Dreewan.

Roy.

The receptionist spoke up.

"Sir, she has been instructed to meet the CEO."

Samuel immediately composed himself.

"O-okay."

He cleared his throat.

"The CEO's office is on the left."

Poornima smiled.

"Thank you, sir."

And walked away.

Samuel stood rooted to the spot.

His heart was pounding.

Because after two years—

Poornima was standing in Dreewan Industries alive.

Meanwhile.

Inside the CEO's office.

Veeresh was reviewing international expansion reports.

His expression remained cold as always.

The entire office was silent.

Then came a knock.

"Come in."

The door opened.

A cheerful voice followed.

"Good morning, sir."

Veeresh looked up.

And time stopped.

The pen slipped from his hand.

His entire body went still.

Poornima stood there holding a file.

Professional.

Confident.

Alive.

For two years he had imagined this moment a thousand different ways.

Dreamed it.

Prayed for it.

Destroyed himself because of it.

And now—

she was standing in front of him.

Breathing.

Smiling.

Real.

His eyes immediately filled with tears.

He couldn't stop them.

For the first time in two years—

hope entered the room.

Poornima looked confused.

Very confused.

"Sir?"

Veeresh couldn't speak.

Not a single word.

Poornima tilted her head slightly.

Then she asked gently,

"Sir... why are you crying?"

That question shattered something inside him.

Because she truly didn't know.

She wasn't pretending.

She genuinely had no idea who he was.

Poornima quickly stepped closer.

"Did something happen?"

Still silence.

She extended her hand politely.

"Myself Poornima Roy."

A bright smile appeared on her face.

"From Scotland."

Veeresh stared at her hand.

Unable to believe reality.

Poornima continued enthusiastically.

"I completed Business Management from Cambridge College and applied for an internship here."

Still no response.

She frowned slightly.

"Sir?"

Veeresh finally blinked.

His entire world was standing three feet away from him.

And she had forgotten everything.

Everything.

Then Poornima suddenly smiled awkwardly.

"Please don't take this the wrong way..."

Veeresh looked at her.

And she said completely innocently,

"You look really hot."

The silence that followed was unbelievable.

Samuel, who had just reached the office door, nearly choked hearing it.

Poornima immediately laughed.

"I mean professionally hot."

A pause.

"Actually, that sounded worse."

Veeresh stared at her.

For the first time in two years—

a faint smile appeared on his face.

Because despite losing every memory—

Poornima was still Poornima.

Still capable of saying the most unexpected thing in the room.

And as he looked at her standing there, completely unaware of who he was—

Veeresh made a silent promise.

He wouldn't force memories.

He wouldn't force the past.

But this time—

he would fall in love with her all over again.

And if fate allowed it—

he would make her fall in love with him again too.

Chapter 88 — She's Here

The moment Poornima left the office, the room remained silent for several seconds.

Veeresh couldn't take his eyes off the closed door.

As if he was afraid she would disappear again if he blinked.

For two years, he had lived with grief.

For two years, he had believed he would never see her again.

And now she was here.

Walking.

Talking.

Smiling.

Alive.

A slow smile appeared on his face—something Samuel hadn't seen in a very long time.

Finally, Veeresh pressed the intercom.

"Samuel."

"Yes, sir."

"Come inside."

Samuel entered immediately.

The moment the door closed, both men looked at each other.

Neither needed to explain who they were talking about.

"She's here," Veeresh said quietly.

Samuel nodded.

"Yes, sir."

For the first time in years, Veeresh looked genuinely happy.

Not satisfied.

Not victorious.

Happy.

A rare sight.

"Details," Veeresh said.

Samuel understood immediately.

"We know she introduced herself as Poornima Roy from Scotland."

Veeresh stood up and walked toward the window.

"I want everything."

Samuel nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"Who found her."

"Where she lived."

"Her education."

"The Roy family."

"How she survived."

"Everything from Scotland."

Samuel immediately opened his notebook.

"I'll start today."

Veeresh's expression softened slightly.

"She's finally here."

For a moment, even his usually controlled voice carried emotion.

"After two years..."

Samuel smiled faintly.

"I never thought I would see this day either, sir."

Veeresh looked toward the city skyline.

Neither had.

Everyone believed Poornima was gone.

Yet somehow fate had brought her back.

Different.

Without memories.

But alive.

And for Veeresh, that was enough.

A few minutes later, Veeresh picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number.

His father answered almost immediately.

"Veeresh?"

"Dad."

There was something unusual in his voice.

Mr. Dreewan immediately noticed.

"What happened?"

For the first time in two years, Veeresh smiled like a son instead of Salvatore Dreewan.

"She's alive."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Then his father spoke slowly.

"Veeresh..."

"Poornima is alive."

The words sounded unreal even to him.

On the other end of the line, Mr. Dreewan sat down heavily.

For two years he had watched his son become colder and colder.

For two years he had watched his wife pray for Poornima.

And now—

"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.

"She's in my office, dad."

A long pause followed.

Then Mr. Dreewan laughed and cried at the same time.

"Thank God."

Veeresh closed his eyes briefly.

For the first time in years, the future didn't seem empty.

"She doesn't remember anything," he said.

"I know."

"But she's happy."

His father smiled.

"That's enough for now."

Veeresh looked toward the office door where she had walked out minutes ago.

Yes.

That was enough.

Because the woman he thought he had lost forever had somehow found her way back.

And for the first time in two years—

Veeresh Dreewan wasn't looking at the stars hoping she was happy somewhere.

He knew exactly where she was.