Chapter 62: Building Bridges

That night, after dinner, everyone wished each other good night and went to their respective rooms.

Poornima and Veeresh entered their bedroom.

Veeresh changed into his night clothes and was arranging a few files on the table when Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "Veer..."

He looked up.

Veeresh: "Hmm?"

She couldn't hide the happiness on her face.

Poornima: "Do you know something?"

Veeresh smiled teasingly.

Veeresh: "I don't know."

She sat beside him.

Poornima: "Listen first."

He nodded.

Veeresh: "I'm listening."

Her eyes sparkled.

Poornima: "Today... Aadhya called me 'Mumma.'"

For a second, Veeresh simply looked at her.

Then a genuine smile spread across his face.

Veeresh: "Wow..."

He chuckled.

Veeresh: "That's great."

Poornima nodded happily.

Poornima: "I was surprised too."

She smiled to herself.

Poornima: "I even asked her if she was sure."

Veeresh laughed softly.

Veeresh: "And?"

Poornima: "She said yes."

She continued,

Poornima: "She told me Yash and Aarav had spoken a lot about me."

Veeresh smiled proudly.

Veeresh: "Looks like they've accepted you more than they show."

Poornima nodded.

Then her expression became serious.

Poornima: "She also told me something important."

Veeresh immediately gave her his full attention.

Veeresh: "What happened?"

Poornima spoke gently.

Poornima: "Aadhya doesn't want to go to her mother's house anymore."

Veeresh's smile faded.

He remained silent.

Poornima: "She said she isn't comfortable there."

She continued carefully.

Poornima: "She told me her mother's friends come home often."

Poornima: "There's a lot of loud noise."

Poornima: "She doesn't like that environment."

Veeresh frowned.

Poornima continued,

Poornima: "She also said her mother keeps forcing her to learn cooking."

Poornima: "She said she'll learn eventually, but she doesn't like being forced."

Veeresh listened without interrupting.

Poornima: "She asked me..."

She looked at him.

Poornima: "...if the next time her mother calls, you could tell her 'no.'"

Veeresh sighed deeply.

Veeresh: "Why didn't she tell me herself?"

Poornima smiled gently.

Poornima: "She said she wanted to."

She paused.

Poornima: "But she isn't comfortable discussing certain things with you."

Veeresh lowered his eyes.

There was pain in his expression.

Poornima moved a little closer.

Poornima: "Veer..."

He looked at her.

Poornima: "Can I say something?"

He nodded.

Veeresh: "Always."

She smiled softly.

Poornima: "I think you should start asking the children more about how they're feeling."

He listened carefully.

Poornima: "Not just whether they've eaten or how school was..."

She continued,

Poornima: "...but what makes them happy."

Poornima: "...what worries them."

Poornima: "...what they enjoy."

She gently held his hand.

Poornima: "I think the distance between all of you will become smaller."

She smiled.

Poornima: "The bridge that's broken..."

She squeezed his hand lightly.

Poornima: "...will slowly be rebuilt."

Veeresh remained quiet for a long moment.

Then he smiled.

Veeresh: "You're right."

He looked thoughtful.

Veeresh: "After the divorce..."

He sighed.

Veeresh: "I kept thinking being a good father meant providing everything they needed."

He looked at Poornima.

Veeresh: "Maybe I forgot that children don't just need things."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Veeresh: "They need conversations too."

Poornima nodded.

Poornima: "Exactly."

Veeresh smiled gratefully.

Veeresh: "I'll speak to Aadhya."

He paused.

Veeresh: "And I'll start spending more time listening to all of them."

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "They already love you, Veer."

He looked at her curiously.

Poornima: "Now let them know they can tell you anything."

Veeresh nodded slowly.

He realized that rebuilding a relationship with his children wasn't about one grand gesture.

It would happen one conversation...

One question...

And one shared moment at a time.