Chapter 57: The People Who Loved Her

The next morning, sunlight slowly entered the hospital room.

Veeresh had barely slept.

The entire night he remained beside Poornima, holding her hand, afraid that if he looked away for even a moment something would happen.

Every few minutes he would look at her face.

Every few minutes he would check if she was breathing comfortably.

His eyes were tired.

Red.

But he didn't care.

Nothing mattered more than the woman lying on that bed.

Suddenly he felt a slight movement in her fingers.

Veeresh immediately sat up.

"Poons?"

Poornima slowly opened her eyes.

The bright light made her blink several times.

For a few moments she looked confused.

Then her eyes found him.

"Thakur ji..."

The moment Veeresh heard her voice, relief washed over him.

A relief so powerful that his eyes immediately filled with tears.

He quickly held her hand.

"Poons."

His voice shook.

"You are okay?"

Poornima looked at him.

Really looked at him.

She could see he hadn't slept.

Could see the fear in his eyes.

And her heart hurt.

"I am okay."

Veeresh exhaled slowly.

As if he had been holding his breath for hours.

"You scared me."

His voice came out softly.

Like a complaint.

Like a prayer.

Like the truth.

Poornima managed a faint smile.

Then after a few moments she spoke again.

"Thakur ji."

"Hmm?"

"I am hungry."

For two seconds Veeresh simply stared at her.

Then he laughed.

Actually laughed.

The first genuine laugh since she collapsed.

"Bas?"

She nodded innocently.

"Hungry."

Veeresh shook his head.

"My wife gives me heart attacks and then asks for food."

Poornima smiled weakly.

Seeing her smile made him feel alive again.

A little later, the nurse brought khichdi.

Veeresh adjusted her pillow carefully.

"Sit slowly."

She obeyed.

Still weak.

Still tired.

Then Veeresh took a spoonful of khichdi and held it towards her.

Poornima looked at him.

"I can eat."

"No."

"Thakur ji—"

"No."

His tone left no room for argument.

"You are my patient today."

Poornima rolled her eyes slightly.

But opened her mouth.

Veeresh fed her patiently.

One spoon after another.

Watching carefully to make sure she ate properly.

The small act filled the room with warmth.

Neither needed words.

The care itself spoke everything.

Soon the door opened.

Ajay entered first.

Behind him came Rhea, Ritesh, Airav, and Zara.

The moment they saw Poornima awake, everyone's faces brightened.

"Ma!"

Ajay reached her first.

Poornima smiled.

"Ajay."

His eyes became moist.

"You scared all of us."

She gently touched his cheek.

"I am sorry."

Rhea immediately hugged her carefully.

"Maa."

Poornima wrapped an arm around her.

"My child."

Rhea's eyes filled.

"I thought..."

She couldn't finish.

Poornima kissed her forehead.

"I am here."

Ritesh also came forward.

"Ma, don't do this again."

Poornima smiled.

"I'll try."

Airav stood quietly near the bed.

Then finally said softly,

"Take care of yourself, Mom."

The word still touched Poornima every time.

Mom.

She smiled warmly.

"I will."

Then Zara stepped forward.

The moment their eyes met, Zara's tears returned.

"Mumma."

Poornima opened her arms immediately.

Zara hugged her tightly.

Like a child afraid of losing her mother.

Poornima gently rubbed her back.

"I am fine."

Zara shook her head.

"No."

"You are not allowed to scare me like this."

Poornima smiled despite herself.

"Okay."

After everyone settled down, Zara sat beside the bed.

"Mumma."

"Hmm?"

"Come to Delhi with me for some time."

The room became quiet.

Zara continued.

"You will feel better."

"You can rest."

"You can stay with me."

Her voice was gentle.

But everyone knew what she really meant.

She wanted her mother safe.

Close.

Where she could see her every day.

Poornima looked at her daughter lovingly.

Then shook her head.

"No, beta."

Zara looked disappointed.

"I am fine."

"Mumma..."

"I am okay."

Poornima smiled softly.

"Don't worry."

After a few moments, Zara nodded.

"Okay, Ma."

She didn't argue further.

But the concern remained in her eyes.

Everyone could see it.

After some time, the children stepped outside to give Poornima some rest.

Zara was standing alone near the corridor window.

Trying to control her emotions.

She didn't hear Veeresh approaching.

"Dad."

She quickly wiped her eyes.

Veeresh stood beside her.

For a moment neither spoke.

Then suddenly Zara hugged him.

The action surprised him slightly.

But he immediately wrapped his arms around her.

Just like a father would.

"I'm sorry."

Her voice was muffled.

Veeresh frowned.

"For what?"

Zara looked up.

Her eyes were wet.

"I was just worried about her."

Fresh tears escaped.

"I don't want to lose her."

The vulnerability in her voice broke his heart.

Because he understood.

Better than anyone.

He had spent the entire night feeling exactly the same.

Veeresh gently placed his hand on her head.

"It's okay."

His voice was calm.

"You were worried."

Zara nodded.

"I got scared."

"So did I."

The confession surprised her.

She looked at him.

For the first time, she could see how exhausted he looked.

How scared he had been.

Veeresh smiled sadly.

"Your mother means a lot to me."

Zara's eyes softened.

He continued quietly.

"She is my wife."

There was so much love in those simple words.

"So much more than that."

His gaze shifted towards the room where Poornima was resting.

"And I would never leave her."

The certainty in his voice brought tears to Zara's eyes.

Not because she doubted him.

But because she knew he meant every word.

No hesitation.

No conditions.

No fear of society.

Just love.

Pure love.

Zara smiled through her tears.

"Thanks, Dad."

The word came naturally now.

And Veeresh's heart warmed hearing it.

He gently touched her head.

"No thanks between family."

Zara nodded.

Then both looked through the glass window.

Inside the room, Poornima was talking softly with Rhea and Ajay.

Smiling.

Alive.

Safe.

And at that moment both Veeresh and Zara silently thanked God.

Because for a few terrible hours, they had imagined a world without her.

And neither wanted to live in that world.