Chapter 19: The First Gift

The next afternoon, a courier vehicle stopped outside Haji Kareem's house in Bikaner.

The delivery man handed over a beautifully wrapped parcel.

Delivery Man: "Parcel for Haji Kareem Qureshi."

Haji signed for it and smiled knowingly.

Just then, Poornima returned home from school with Ayat and Aarhan.

She noticed the parcel in Haji's hands.

Poornima: "Abbu, what's that?"

Haji smiled warmly.

Haji Kareem: "Come here, beta."

She walked towards him.

He gently handed her the parcel.

Haji Kareem: "Before opening it, place it before Allah."

Poornima nodded respectfully.

Poornima: "Ji, Abbu."

She carried the parcel to the prayer room, placed it before Allah, silently prayed for guidance and peace, and then took it to her bedroom.

Ayat and Aarhan followed behind her curiously.

She carefully untied the ribbon and slowly opened the box.

The moment she lifted the lid, she froze.

Inside lay a breathtaking purple saree with delicate lavender embroidery.

It looked elegant, graceful, and unlike anything she had ever owned.

Beside it was a beautifully crafted set of Kashmiri-design bangles in matching shades of purple and lavender.

Ayat gasped.

Ayat: "Ammi... it's so beautiful!"

Aarhan's eyes sparkled.

Aarhan: "These bangles look like they're for a princess."

Poornima smiled faintly.

As she lifted the saree, she noticed two neatly folded letters beneath it.

One was marked...

"For the Saree."

The other...

"For the Bangles."

Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the first letter.

To Poornima,

I don't know what your favourite colour is.

In fact, I don't know much about you.

The moment I entered the shop, my eyes fell on this saree.

Purple has always been my favourite colour, and somehow I couldn't stop looking at it.

I saw many beautiful sarees today, but every time I chose another one, my eyes returned to this one.

I honestly don't know whether this colour will suit you or whether you'll even like it.

Please don't feel that you must wear it.

If you feel more comfortable wearing another saree, I have absolutely no objection.

Your comfort is more important than any tradition.

I simply chose this with respect.

— Veeresh Rathore

Poornima read every line slowly.

She wasn't expecting such simple, respectful words.

There wasn't a single demand.

Not a single order.

Only consideration.

She carefully folded the letter and opened the second one.

To Poornima,

I have to admit something.

I had absolutely no idea what kind of bangles to buy.

I stood in the shop looking at so many designs that I probably confused the salesman more than myself.

In the end, I chose these Kashmiri-design bangles because I thought they matched the saree well.

I don't know if this style is something you like.

If it isn't, please don't hesitate to choose a pair that makes you happy.

I hope these reach you safely.

— Veeresh Rathore

Poornima couldn't help but smile.

It was small...

But it was genuine.

Ayat noticed it immediately.

Ayat: "Ammi..."

Poornima looked at her.

Ayat: "You're smiling."

Poornima gently touched the soft fabric of the purple saree.

For the first time in years...

Someone had sent her a gift without expecting anything in return.

Not to impress her.

Not to control her.

Not to judge her.

Just... with quiet respect.

She looked once more at the signature at the bottom of both letters.

"Veeresh Rathore."

She whispered his name softly, almost to herself.

Poornima: "Thank you... for thinking about my comfort before your tradition."

She carefully folded both letters and placed them back inside the box, not knowing why they already felt too precious to throw away.