Chapter 84: Healing Takes Time

A day later, after reviewing Veeresh's reports one final time, the doctor smiled.

Doctor: "Mr. Rathore, you're fit to go home."

He looked at Veeresh firmly.

Doctor: "But this comes with conditions."

Veeresh smiled faintly.

Veeresh: "I know, Doctor."

Doctor: "Complete rest for a few weeks."

Doctor: "No unnecessary stress."

Doctor: "Take your migraine medicines regularly."

Doctor: "Eat on time, stay hydrated, and absolutely no skipping meals."

He glanced at Poornima.

Doctor: "Mrs. Rathore..."

She nodded.

Poornima: "I'll make sure he follows every instruction."

The doctor chuckled.

Doctor: "Good. I think he'll listen to you more than he'll listen to me."

Everyone smiled.

The family returned to Rajgarh.

Life slowly settled back into its routine.

The next morning...

The house was lively once again.

Yash adjusted his school bag.

Aarav called out,

Aarav: "Arhan, hurry up! We'll be late."

Ayat came downstairs with Aadhya.

Ayat: "Didu, your ribbon is loose."

Aadhya laughed.

Aadhya: "Can you fix it?"

Within minutes, all five children left together for school.

Yash and Aarav in front.

Ayat, Aarhan, and Aadhya following behind, chatting happily.

Veeresh watched them leave from the balcony before Poornima gently interrupted.

Poornima: "Enough."

He looked at her innocently.

Veeresh: "What?"

She folded her arms.

Poornima: "Doctor said rest."

He sighed dramatically.

Veeresh: "I'm only standing."

She pointed towards the bedroom.

Poornima: "Rest means rest."

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "Yes, ma'am."

He quietly went back to his room.

In the kitchen...

Poornima prepared fresh cardamom tea.

She carried two cups to the living room.

Mahendra and Mahesh were reading the newspaper.

She handed them their tea.

Mahendra: "Thank you, beta."

He took a sip before smiling.

Mahendra: "Today I feel like eating sarson ka saag."

Poornima smiled immediately.

Poornima: "Done, Dadu."

She returned to the kitchen.

For Mahendra, she prepared sarson ka saag with fresh makki ki roti.

For Mahesh, she made the same meal along with homemade butter.

She cooked dal, vegetables, curd, and salad for everyone.

Then she paused.

She opened another vessel.

For Veeresh...

She gently started preparing a simple bowl of khichdi, just the way the doctor had advised.

Less oil.

Light spices.

Easy to digest.

As she stirred the pot, her thoughts drifted back to the hospital.

"Let's get divorced."

Her hands stopped moving for a moment.

Those words still echoed in her mind.

She remembered how broken he had looked afterwards.

Then another memory surfaced.

His trembling voice...

"Poons... once I met with an accident..."

"Radhika said..."

"I didn't marry you to become your nurse."

"You're becoming a burden."

"I can't spend my life taking care of a weak man."

Poornima closed her eyes.

Her heart ached for him.

No wonder he had been terrified.

He hadn't asked for a divorce because he didn't love her.

He had asked because he was afraid of hearing those same cruel words again.

She gently stirred the khichdi.

A soft smile appeared on her face.

She whispered to herself,

Poornima: "You'll never be a burden to me, Veer."

She tasted the khichdi to check the seasoning.

Perfect.

She filled a bowl and carried it upstairs.

Veeresh was resting against the headboard, reading a book.

He looked up as she entered.

She placed the tray before him.

Veeresh: "Khichdi?"

She smiled.

Poornima: "Doctor's orders."

He made a face.

Veeresh: "And I thought I'd get biryani."

Poornima laughed.

Poornima: "Dream on."

He looked at her and smiled.

There was comfort in the room now.

Not because life had become perfect.

But because both of them had chosen to stay...

Even through the difficult days.