Chapter 39 – You Are Not Alone

Poornima sat on the bed with tears streaming down her face.

She couldn't stop crying.

Veeresh moved closer and gently held both her hands.

His thumb slowly wiped away the tears from her cheeks.

Veeresh: "Poons..."

She looked down.

Poornima: "Everyone will judge us, Veer."

Her voice trembled.

Poornima: "Richard's family..."

Poornima: "The relatives..."

Poornima: "Society..."

She covered her face.

Poornima: "What if someone says something to Aradhya? What if they make fun of her because of us?"

Veeresh gently removed her hands from her face.

He made her look at him.

Veeresh: "Look at me."

She slowly lifted her eyes.

His expression was calm.

There wasn't even a hint of worry on his face.

Only love.

Only reassurance.

Veeresh: "First..."

He placed his palm over hers.

Veeresh: "This child is not a mistake."

His voice was steady.

Veeresh: "This child is ours."

He smiled gently.

Veeresh: "A blessing."

Fresh tears rolled down Poornima's cheeks.

He wiped them away again.

Veeresh: "Second..."

He took a deep breath.

Veeresh: "I don't care what society thinks."

She looked at him.

Veeresh: "Society wasn't there when we spent fifteen years apart."

Veeresh: "Society didn't wipe our tears."

Veeresh: "Society didn't give us back those lost years."

He gently cupped her face.

Veeresh: "So why should society decide how we live now?"

Poornima listened quietly.

Veeresh: "As for Richard's family..."

He smiled.

Veeresh: "If they truly respect our family, they'll share our happiness."

Veeresh: "If someone has a problem with our child..."

His voice became firm.

Veeresh: "...then they have a problem with me."

He held her a little closer.

Veeresh: "I'll answer every question."

Veeresh: "I'll stand in front of you."

Veeresh: "No one will say a single word that hurts you."

Poornima rested her forehead against his shoulder.

He wrapped his arms around her.

Veeresh: "And Aradhya..."

He smiled softly.

Veeresh: "Do you really think our daughter will be embarrassed?"

He chuckled.

Veeresh: "She'll probably tease us first."

Poornima gave a small smile through her tears.

Veeresh smiled seeing it.

Veeresh: "There..."

He gently lifted her chin.

Veeresh: "That's the smile I wanted."

He kissed her forehead.

Veeresh: "We've already lost fifteen years."

His voice was full of emotion.

Veeresh: "I'm not going to let fear steal another beautiful moment from us."

He placed his hand gently over her stomach.

His eyes became moist.

A smile slowly appeared on his face.

Veeresh: "Whether people understand or not..."

He looked back at Poornima.

Veeresh: "...I'm already in love with our little miracle."

Poornima broke down again, but this time she cried in his embrace, feeling the weight of her fears slowly replaced by the comfort of knowing she did not have to carry them alone.