Chapter 17 — Don't Stop Your Dreams

Poornima finished a few more bites of her biryani and slowly placed the spoon back on the plate.

For a moment, she remained quiet.

Veeresh noticed the change in her expression.

She looked less angry than before, but the sadness in her eyes was still there.

Poornima took a deep breath.

Poornima: "I am still hurt."

Veeresh looked at her.

Poornima: "And I am still angry about everything."

Veeresh didn't interrupt her.

Poornima: "I know I was rude to you. I know I called you names, and maybe I shouldn't have thrown that vase at you."

She looked at him.

Poornima: "But I can't just forget everything because you brought me food."

Veeresh nodded slowly.

Veeresh: "I know."

Poornima looked down at her plate.

Poornima: "I don't want to study anymore."

Veeresh's expression changed.

Veeresh: "Why?"

Poornima sighed.

Poornima: "Because my mind isn't working."

She rubbed her forehead.

Poornima: "Everything is happening at once. Marriage, this house, you, your daughter, my sister, my parents... I don't even know what I am supposed to think anymore."

Veeresh listened quietly.

Poornima: "I had plans for higher studies. I used to think about what I wanted to do next. Now when I look at my books, I don't even feel like opening them."

Veeresh leaned back slightly.

Veeresh: "Then don't force yourself today."

Poornima looked at him.

Veeresh: "But don't give up on studying."

Poornima immediately frowned.

Poornima: "There you go again."

Veeresh raised an eyebrow.

Veeresh: "What?"

Poornima: "Advice."

She pointed her spoon at him.

Poornima: "Stop your advice."

Veeresh calmly took another bite of his food.

Veeresh: "I will not."

Poornima stared at him.

Poornima: "Why?"

Veeresh: "Because you are angry right now, and I don't want you making decisions about your entire future while you're hurting."

Poornima rolled her eyes.

Poornima: "Don't be a good boy."

Veeresh looked at her.

Veeresh: "I'm not trying to be a good boy."

Poornima gave him a suspicious look.

Poornima: "Then what are you trying to be?"

Veeresh thought for a moment.

Veeresh: "Your husband."

Poornima immediately made a face.

Poornima: "Asshole husband."

A faint smile appeared on Veeresh's face.

Veeresh: "That too."

Poornima tried not to smile, but the corner of her lips moved slightly.

She quickly looked down at her plate.

Poornima: "Don't think I'm forgiving you."

Veeresh: "I don't."

She looked at him again.

Poornima: "And don't think I'm suddenly going to start studying tomorrow."

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "I'm not asking you to."

Poornima narrowed her eyes.

Poornima: "Then what are you asking?"

Veeresh looked directly at her.

Veeresh: "I'm asking you not to stop your dreams because of me."

Poornima became quiet.

His words stayed with her.

She looked down at her hands.

For the first time since the wedding, someone wasn't telling her what she had to become.

He was simply asking her not to give up on what she had wanted before everything changed.

Poornima swallowed.

Poornima: "I don't know if I can."

Veeresh's voice softened.

Veeresh: "Then you don't have to know today."

She looked at him.

Veeresh: "Take your time."

Poornima remained silent for a moment.

Then she picked up her spoon again.

Poornima: "Fine."

Veeresh raised an eyebrow.

Veeresh: "Fine?"

Poornima: "I'll think about it."

She took another bite.

Poornima: "But I'm still angry with you."

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "I know."

Poornima glanced at him.

Poornima: "And you're still an asshole."

Veeresh calmly continued eating.

Veeresh: "I know that too."

Poornima finally smiled faintly.

It lasted only for a second.

But Veeresh noticed it.

And he didn't say anything.

He knew better than to ruin it.