Chapter 33: A New Identity

The next morning, Veeresh and Poornima left for the children's school.

Ayat and Aarhan sat excitedly in the back seat of the car.

When they reached the prestigious school where Yash, Aarav, and Aadhya studied, the principal personally welcomed the Rathore family.

After a brief conversation, the admission forms were placed before Veeresh.

He picked up the pen.

Poornima sat beside him quietly.

Without hesitation, Veeresh began filling in the details.

He wrote carefully.

Student's Name: Ayat Qureshi Rathore

Then he filled the second form.

Student's Name: Aarhan Qureshi Rathore

Poornima silently watched him.

Veeresh continued writing.

Father's Name: Veeresh Rathore

Then,

Mother's Name: Poornima Veeresh Rathore

Poornima's eyes remained fixed on the form.

There was no hesitation in his handwriting.

No pause.

No second thoughts.

He completed every column carefully before signing at the bottom.

He then turned the forms towards her.

Veeresh: "Poornima..."

She looked at him.

Veeresh: "Please sign here."

She looked down at the documents once again.

For a moment, her eyes became moist.

She gently traced the names with her fingers.

"Ayat Qureshi Rathore."

"Aarhan Qureshi Rathore."

"Father: Veeresh Rathore."

"Mother: Poornima Veeresh Rathore."

She looked at Veeresh.

He simply gave her a reassuring nod.

Without saying anything, she picked up the pen and signed the forms where required.

After signing, she quietly handed them back.

The principal smiled warmly.

Principal: "Welcome to our school, Ayat and Aarhan."

The two children smiled happily.

As they walked out of the office, Poornima looked at Veeresh.

A gentle smile appeared on her face.

It wasn't because of a surname.

It wasn't because of a form.

It was because, through a simple act of signing those papers, Veeresh had made it clear that he had accepted both children as part of his family.

She silently thanked Allah.

Perhaps...

This new beginning was becoming a little easier than she had ever imagined.