Chapter 80: Come Back to Us

The room was quiet except for the steady beep... beep... of the heart monitor.

Veeresh lay peacefully on the hospital bed, still unconscious.

Poornima sat beside him, holding his hand with both of hers.

She gently stroked his fingers, as if hoping he would respond.

Her tears fell silently.

She took a deep breath and began speaking to him.

Poornima: "Veer..."

She smiled through her tears.

Poornima: "You always tell me that I'm stronger than I think."

Her voice trembled.

Poornima: "Today... I don't feel strong."

She looked at his peaceful face.

Poornima: "The children are waiting for you."

She smiled faintly as she remembered them.

Poornima: "Aadhya will be looking for her Papa."

Poornima: "Yash and Aarav have just started getting their father back."

Poornima: "Ayat and Aarhan keep asking, 'Where's Abbu?'"

She tightened her grip on his hand.

Poornima: "They all need you."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

Poornima: "Mahendra Dadu is praying outside."

Poornima: "Mahesh Abbu is trying to stay strong."

Poornima: "Haji Abbu hasn't stopped praying for you."

She lowered her head.

Poornima: "Everyone is waiting..."

She looked at him again.

Poornima: "And I'm waiting too."

Her voice cracked.

Poornima: "Please come back."

She gently kissed his hand.

Poornima: "You promised me we'd celebrate every festival together."

A small, tearful smile appeared.

Poornima: "You still have to tease me."

"You still have to call me Poons."

"You still have to complain about my spicy food."

She let out a soft laugh that quickly turned into another sob.

Poornima: "You even said we should try for babies..."

She shook her head with a watery smile.

Poornima: "You don't get to say something like that and then leave me waiting."

She rested her forehead against his hand.

Poornima: "Please..."

Her words were barely above a whisper.

Poornima: "Come back to us."

Poornima: "Come back to your children."

Poornima: "Come back to your family."

She closed her eyes.

Poornima: "Come back to me..."

The monitor continued its steady rhythm.

Poornima remained by his side, refusing to let go of his hand, believing that somehow, somewhere, he would hear her voice and find his way back.