Chapter 18 — Noor

The room had finally become peaceful.

Poornima was sitting on the bed, her food plate resting on the small table beside her. She had calmed down considerably, although the hurt inside her had not disappeared.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.

Veeresh looked toward it.

Veeresh: "Come in."

The door opened, and Rebecca, Noor's nanny, stood outside.

She looked slightly worried.

Rebecca: "Sir, Noor is crying."

Veeresh immediately stood up.

Veeresh: "What happened?"

Rebecca: "I tried to calm her, but she keeps crying."

Rebecca stepped aside.

A small baby was in her arms, her little face wet with tears.

The moment Noor saw Veeresh, she stretched her tiny hands toward him.

Veeresh immediately took her from Rebecca.

Veeresh: "Come here, Noor."

Noor continued crying for a few seconds, pressing her face against his chest.

Rebecca smiled softly.

Then she noticed Poornima sitting on the bed.

She looked between Veeresh and Poornima and quietly stepped away.

Rebecca: "I'll leave you both."

Veeresh nodded.

Rebecca walked out and closed the door behind her.

Poornima remained completely still.

She stared at the baby in Veeresh's arms.

This was the first time she had actually seen Noor.

Her husband's daughter.

The baby she had only heard about through Veeresh's words.

Noor was still sniffling, her tiny hands gripping Veeresh's shirt.

Poornima's expression slowly changed.

The anger she had felt toward Veeresh didn't disappear.

But when she looked at the baby, something inside her softened.

Veeresh noticed her looking.

Veeresh: "This is Noor."

Poornima didn't answer.

She simply looked at the baby.

Veeresh gently rocked Noor in his arms.

Veeresh: "She is eight months old."

Poornima nodded slightly.

Noor slowly stopped crying.

Veeresh looked at her.

Veeresh: "I'll get her milk."

He carefully placed Noor on the bed beside Poornima.

Poornima immediately looked at him.

Poornima: "You're leaving her here?"

Veeresh: "I'll be back in a minute."

He walked downstairs to get Noor's milk.

Poornima looked down at the baby.

For a few seconds, Noor stared back at her with big curious eyes.

Poornima didn't know what to do.

She slowly moved her hand closer.

Noor looked at her fingers.

Then, unexpectedly, Noor grabbed one of them.

Poornima froze.

She looked at the tiny hand holding her finger.

A small smile appeared on her face before she could stop it.

Poornima: "Hello..."

Noor stared at her.

Poornima gently touched her little cheek.

Poornima: "So you're Noor."

The baby made a tiny sound.

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "You don't look scary."

Noor suddenly smiled.

Poornima's heart melted slightly.

Poornima: "Your appa is an asshole."

She whispered it as though sharing a secret.

Poornima: "He made me cry."

Noor simply looked at her and smiled again.

Poornima laughed softly through the tears that still remained in her eyes.

Poornima: "See? You agree with me."

Just then, Veeresh returned upstairs with Noor's milk bottle.

He stopped at the doorway.

The sight in front of him made him completely still.

Noor wasn't crying anymore.

She was smiling.

And Poornima was sitting beside her, gently holding her tiny hand.

Veeresh watched silently.

He had never expected the two people he cared about most to meet like this.

Poornima looked up and noticed him standing there.

Her smile disappeared immediately.

Poornima: "Why are you staring?"

Veeresh walked toward them.

Veeresh: "Nothing."

He looked at Noor.

Veeresh: "She stopped crying."

Poornima glanced at the baby.

Poornima: "She is cute."

Veeresh smiled faintly.

Veeresh: "She likes you."

Poornima immediately looked at him.

Poornima: "Don't get ideas."

Veeresh chuckled quietly.

Veeresh: "I didn't say anything."

Poornima carefully picked up Noor's tiny hand again.

Noor smiled at her.

Poornima looked at the baby and whispered,

Poornima: "But your appa is still an asshole."

Veeresh shook his head.

For the first time in days, the room felt warm.

And Veeresh realized something.

Poornima might still hate him.

She might still be angry with him.

But perhaps, slowly...

she could learn to know Noor without blaming the child for the choices the adults had made.