Chapter 23 — Over the Months

The months passed quietly in the Qureshi residence.

Time did not magically erase what had happened.

Poornima was still hurt.

She still remembered the way her life had changed overnight.

She still hadn't completely forgiven Veeresh.

But something else had changed.

Noor had become a part of her heart.

At first, Poornima had been hesitant around the baby.

She didn't know how to hold her, how to calm her, or what Noor needed.

But slowly, everything changed.

Noor began recognizing her.

Whenever Poornima entered the room, Noor would stretch her little hands toward her.

And every time, Poornima would smile.

Poornima: "Bubba, come to me."

Noor would immediately brighten.

Poornima would pick her up, kiss her forehead, and carry her around the room.

The little girl had completely won her heart.

She would play with Noor for hours.

She would feed her.

She would make funny faces just to make her laugh.

And whenever Noor smiled, Poornima would forget everything else for a moment.

Poornima: "Bubba, your smile is so beautiful."

Noor would giggle.

Poornima: "You know what? You're my favorite person in this house."

She would pause dramatically.

Poornima: "Don't tell your appa."

But despite the growing bond between Poornima and Noor, things between Poornima and Veeresh remained almost exactly the same.

She could talk to him one day and completely ignore him the next.

Sometimes she would sit beside him at dinner and speak normally.

Other times, she wouldn't even look at him.

And whenever he said something she didn't like, she would immediately return to calling him an asshole.

Veeresh never complained.

He understood her.

He knew that her anger hadn't disappeared simply because time had passed.

He also knew that she had been forced into a life she hadn't chosen.

So he never demanded that she behave like a traditional wife.

He never demanded affection.

He never demanded forgiveness.

He simply waited.

One evening, Veeresh entered the room and found Poornima sitting on the floor with Noor.

She was teaching Noor how to clap.

Poornima: "Come on, Bubba. Clap."

Noor moved her tiny hands together and laughed.

Poornima laughed with her.

Veeresh stood near the door, watching them.

Poornima noticed him.

Her smile immediately disappeared.

Poornima: "What?"

Veeresh raised an eyebrow.

Veeresh: "Nothing."

Poornima: "Then why are you standing there?"

Veeresh: "I came to see Noor."

Poornima looked at Noor.

Poornima: "She's busy with me."

Veeresh gave a small smile.

Veeresh: "I can see that."

Poornima narrowed her eyes.

Poornima: "Don't smile like that."

Veeresh: "Like what?"

Poornima: "Like you're happy."

Veeresh chuckled.

Veeresh: "I'm allowed to be happy."

Poornima rolled her eyes.

Poornima: "Asshole."

Veeresh simply nodded.

Veeresh: "Okay."

Poornima stared at him.

She had expected an argument.

Instead, he just accepted it.

That had become Veeresh's way with her.

He understood that sometimes her anger needed somewhere to go.

And he was willing to be that person.

Later that night, Poornima sat beside Noor until the baby fell asleep.

She gently stroked Noor's hair.

Poornima: "Bubba, you know I love you, right?"

Noor slept peacefully.

Poornima smiled.

She looked toward the doorway.

Veeresh was standing there.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Poornima looked away.

She wasn't ready to forgive him.

She wasn't ready to love him.

But she no longer felt the same hatred she had felt on the first day.

Veeresh noticed the difference.

He didn't mention it.

He simply walked away quietly.

He knew better than anyone that healing couldn't be forced.

For now, Poornima had found something she could love freely.

Noor.

And Veeresh was willing to wait for the day when Poornima would finally decide what he meant to her.