Chapter 49: The Wounds of the Past

The night had grown quieter.

The balcony was lit only by the moonlight.

Veeresh noticed that Poornima had become unusually quiet.

She was holding her glass, staring into the distance.

He gently poured her just a little more.

Not because he wanted her to drink—

But because, for the first time, she was speaking about the pain she had buried for years.

He looked at her.

Veeresh: "What happened, Poornima?"

She remained silent.

He asked again, more softly.

Veeresh: "Why are you so sad?"

Poornima took a slow sip and smiled weakly.

Poornima: "I don't know how to trust you."

Veeresh didn't interrupt.

She continued.

Poornima: "I know you're a good man."

She looked at him.

Poornima: "But sometimes..."

Her voice trembled.

Poornima: "...I keep wondering... when will your true colours come out?"

Veeresh quietly listened.

Poornima: "I'm happy that you've bonded with Aarhan and Ayat."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

Poornima: "They talk about you all the time."

She laughed softly through her tears.

Poornima: "Ayat is just like Yash and Aarav."

She smiled.

Poornima: "Even Aarhan..."

She looked down.

Poornima: "...he talks about you with so much happiness."

Veeresh listened carefully.

He poured only a little more into her glass.

He wanted to understand her.

She rarely spoke about herself.

Tonight was different.

He asked gently,

Veeresh: "Then what makes you so afraid of trusting me?"

He looked into her eyes.

Veeresh: "You yourself just said Aarhan and Ayat love me."

Poornima closed her eyes.

Poornima: "I don't know."

She shook her head.

Poornima: "Maybe I'm thinking too much."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

Poornima: "Or maybe..."

She whispered,

Poornima: "...Shamir's betrayal was just too much."

She held the glass tightly.

Poornima: "I still don't know what happened."

Her voice cracked.

Poornima: "I was six months pregnant with Aarhan..."

She looked into the darkness.

Poornima: "...and he left."

Silence surrounded them.

Poornima: "Everyone spoke as if I had made the mistake."

She smiled bitterly.

Poornima: "His mother blamed me too."

Another tear escaped.

Poornima: "I couldn't face anyone."

She took a deep breath.

Poornima: "Were all his promises fake?"

She looked at Veeresh.

Poornima: "Were all those moments we spent together fake?"

Her voice broke.

Poornima: "Did he just... use me?"

Veeresh remained silent, letting her empty her heart.

Poornima: "One day..."

She swallowed hard.

Poornima: "...he simply handed me the talaq papers..."

She closed her eyes.

Poournima: "...and walked away."

The pain in her voice was unmistakable.

Poornima: "There were so many questions."

She touched her chest.

Poornima: "I started doubting myself."

She smiled sadly.

Poornima: "Even my own parents questioned me."

Her tears wouldn't stop now.

Poornima: "They asked what I had done wrong."

She whispered,

Poornima: "They said I couldn't keep my husband happy."

She looked at Veeresh with frightened eyes.

Poornima: "I want to know..."

She paused.

Poornima: "...what is your happiness?"

Her voice became almost a whisper.

Poornima: "I don't know how long you'll stay either."

She looked away.

Poornima: "Because I don't want to be broken again."

She wiped her tears.

Poornima: "If you ever want to leave..."

She looked directly at him.

Poornima: "...tell me to my face."

She forced herself to continue.

Poornima: "I'll walk away."

Her lips trembled.

Poornima: "Just don't betray me."

She took a shaky breath.

Poornima: "And please..."

She looked at him with pleading eyes.

Poornima: "...don't ever use my past against me."

She quickly added,

Poornima: "I know you won't."

She smiled weakly.

Poornima: "But still..."

She placed a hand over her heart.

Poornima: "...I want to come out of this fear."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

Poornima: "I just... don't know how."

Veeresh looked at her for a long moment.

He saw not just his wife...

But a woman carrying years of unanswered questions, betrayal, and fear.

He gently took the glass from her hands and placed it on the table.

Then he looked into her eyes, ready to answer—not with anger, but with the patience her wounded heart needed.