Chapter 76: Together

By afternoon, the Eid feast was ready.

The dining table was filled with delicious dishes—vegetable biryani, paneer curry, dal, fresh rotis, pulao, salad, sheer khurma, seviyan, and a variety of sweets.

Everyone gathered around the table.

Poornima moved from one person to another, making sure no one's plate was empty.

She served Mahendra first.

Mahendra: "Enough, beta."

Poornima: "Just a little more, Dadu."

He smiled and nodded.

She served Mahesh next, then Haji Kareem and Shabana.

She lovingly served Yash, Aarav, Aadhya, Ayat, and Aarhan.

The children happily began eating.

Veeresh quietly watched her.

He had already been served, but he didn't touch his food.

Haji noticed and smiled to himself.

After everyone had been served, Poornima finally looked towards her own plate.

She was about to remain standing as usual.

Veeresh looked at the empty chair beside him.

Veeresh: "Poons."

She turned.

Poornima: "Yes?"

He gently pulled the chair beside him.

Veeresh: "Sit."

She smiled.

Poornima: "I'll eat later."

Veeresh shook his head.

Veeresh: "No."

His voice was gentle but firm.

Veeresh: "We'll eat together."

She looked at everyone around the table.

Shabana smiled encouragingly.

Shabana: "Go, beta."

Mahendra nodded.

Mahendra: "The food tastes better when everyone eats together."

Poornima finally sat beside Veeresh.

He smiled with satisfaction.

Only then did he pick up his spoon.

Poornima looked at him in surprise.

Poornima: "You were waiting for me?"

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "Of course."

He looked at her warmly.

Veeresh: "How can I eat without my wife?"

Poornima lowered her eyes shyly.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

The two of them began eating together, occasionally serving each other another roti or a little more curry without saying much.

Across the table, Haji Kareem quietly watched them.

His eyes softened.

He remembered the day he had worried whether Poornima would ever smile again.

Now he was watching a husband who didn't begin his meal until his wife sat beside him.

It wasn't a grand gesture.

It was a simple habit.

But it spoke of respect, companionship, and understanding.

Haji looked at Mahendra.

Mahendra noticed the smile on his old friend's face.

Without a word, both men understood what the other was thinking.

Haji whispered softly,

Haji Kareem: "She has found a home."

Mahendra smiled.

Mahendra: "And Veeresh has found his peace."

Haji looked back at the couple.

Veeresh was saying something that made Poornima laugh quietly.

Seeing them together, his heart felt lighter than it had in years.

He silently thanked Allah.

The happiness he had prayed for his daughter-in-law...

Was finally sitting beside her, sharing a simple meal with her, one smile at a time.