Chapter 14 – The Misunderstanding

Veeresh finished the last spoon of khichdi.

Poornima picked up the empty bowl and looked at him.

Poornima: "When are Adwait and Thoshini coming?"

Veeresh looked at her for a moment.

A bitter smile crossed his face.

Veeresh: "Why are you worried about your stepchildren?"

Before he could say another word—

Slap!

Poornima's hand landed across his cheek.

The room fell silent.

She looked at him with tears of anger in her eyes.

Poornima: "I never saw them like that."

Veeresh held his cheek, stunned.

He looked at her.

Veeresh: "Then why did you divorce me?"

His voice was filled with pain.

Veeresh: "You said they were your ex-girlfriend Riya's kids."

He swallowed hard before continuing.

Veeresh: "You wanted to stay with them... and that is why I thought you divorced me."

Poornima stared at him in disbelief.

Veeresh: "I never said anything like that, Poons."

Her eyes widened.

Poornima: "What?"

Veeresh: "I never said that."

Poornima took a step back.

Poornima: "I received your WhatsApp message..."

Her voice trembled.

Poornima: "...and then a lawyer came with the divorce papers."

Veeresh frowned.

Veeresh: "What WhatsApp message?"

The silence that followed was heavier than any argument.

For the first time in years, both of them realized they might not have been remembering the same story at all. Something had happened fifteen years ago that neither of them fully understood—and it had changed both of their lives.