Chapter 25: The First Conversation

The room was quiet once again.

Veeresh pulled a chair and sat across from Poornima.

He looked at her for a moment before speaking.

Veeresh: "Trusting someone is hard for me."

Poornima looked up.

Veeresh: "After everything that has happened... I don't trust people easily."

He smiled faintly.

Veeresh: "But I'll try."

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

Veeresh: "One more thing..."

Poornima waited.

Veeresh: "I have a short temper."

He immediately added,

Veeresh: "I don't like shouting or insulting people, but I do get angry quickly."

Poornima nodded gently.

Poornima: "I understand."

Another silence filled the room.

Veeresh chuckled softly.

Veeresh: "If only I keep talking, this won't be much of a conversation."

Poornima smiled slightly.

Veeresh looked at her.

Veeresh: "Say something."

She thought for a moment before speaking.

Poornima: "I don't know what to say."

Veeresh smiled for the first time.

Veeresh: "Fair enough."

After a brief pause, he asked,

Veeresh: "Ayat... how old is she?"

Poornima: "She's ten."

Veeresh: "And Aarhan?"

Poornima's face softened.

Poornima: "He's six years old."

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "They're still very young."

Poornima smiled lovingly.

Poornima: "They're my whole world."

Veeresh looked at her and replied quietly,

Veeresh: "I understand."

For the first time since their marriage, the silence between them didn't feel uncomfortable.

It felt like the beginning of understanding.