Chapter 8 – Unspoken Pain

The next morning, Poornima freshened up and got ready for the day.

She walked out of the washroom, gently wiping her damp hair with a towel.

Just then, Veeresh slowly opened his eyes.

Before either of them could speak, Poornima's phone rang.

She looked at the screen.

Pavan Calling

She answered with a smile.

Poornima: "Good morning, Pavan... Yes, I'm on my way... Actually, everyone is going wedding shopping today, so I've taken leave. We'll talk later."

She ended the call.

Veeresh silently looked away, his jaw tightening.

As he tried to sit up, a sharp pain shot through his back.

Veeresh: "Ah..."

Poornima immediately turned.

Poornima: "Are you okay?"

Without looking at her, he replied,

Veeresh: "No."

He slowly stood up.

Veeresh: "Move aside."

He walked into the washroom.

A while later, everyone gathered downstairs for breakfast.

Veeresh came down dressed, but the stiffness in his back was obvious.

Rudra noticed immediately.

Rudra: "Dad... your back is still hurting?"

Veeresh looked at him.

Veeresh: "It's paining. Any problem for you all?"

Without waiting for a reply, he turned around and walked away without eating.

He climbed back upstairs.

A few moments later, everyone noticed him standing on the balcony, smoking.

Rudra smiled helplessly.

Rudra: "Dad gets cranky whenever anyone talks about his back pain."

Ritika sighed.

Ritika: "I'll take him a painkiller."

Poornima stood up.

Poornima: "Aunty, you sit and have breakfast. I'll see him."

She quietly walked upstairs.

Watching her go, Rajendra smiled knowingly.

Rajendra: "They still care for each other."

Raghav nodded.

Raghav: "Yes... they do. Neither of them admits it."

Poornima entered the room.

Veeresh was standing on the balcony, another cigarette between his fingers.

Without turning around, he spoke.

Veeresh: "Nothing."

He had already sensed she had come.

Poornima walked closer.

Poornima: "Veer... you need to lie down. Your back needs rest."

He let out a dry laugh.

Veeresh: "You leave from here."

She looked at him quietly.

Veeresh: "Don't irritate me... and don't bother about me."

His voice turned cold.

Veeresh: "I can take care of myself."

He looked straight ahead.

Veeresh: "For the past fifteen years, I've been taking care of myself."

He paused before adding,

Veeresh: "I don't need anyone to bother about me."

Poornima stared at him.

Poornima: "Veer... what is wrong with you?"

He finally turned to face her.

Veeresh: "Will you leave... or should I?"

The words stung.

Poornima remained silent.

She placed the pain-relief ointment carefully on the table beside him.

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room.

Veeresh watched the closed door for a long moment, then looked away, hiding the emotions he refused to show.

Downstairs, the family began getting ready for wedding shopping.

Since everyone was going together, Poornima had already taken leave from the RBI for the day, deciding to spend it with the family despite the heaviness in her heart.