Chapter 33 — The Words That Stayed

Veeresh sat alone in his study.

The room was dark except for the lamp beside his desk.

A cigarette burned between his fingers, the smoke slowly filling the air.

But he wasn't thinking about politics.

He wasn't thinking about the party.

He wasn't even thinking about the problems waiting for him downstairs.

His mind was stuck on one thing.

Poornima.

More specifically, the words she had said after he slapped her.

My father never raised his hand on me.

And you did.

Add this to your list.

I will not forgive you.

Veeresh closed his eyes.

He hated himself for what he had done.

His anger had taken control of him.

He had seen Poornima caring for Noor and had immediately thought about the consequences for her health.

But instead of asking her why she had done it...

Instead of listening...

He had raised his hand.

He took another drag from the cigarette.

His mind went back to the charity function.

Earlier That Day

Veeresh had been attending a charity function when he noticed the doctor who regularly looked after Noor speaking with Poornima.

He had been standing a little distance away when he heard the doctor mention something that caught his attention.

The doctor had explained that Noor had been having health problems and that Poornima had been helping with a breastfeeding process recommended as part of Noor's care.

Veeresh had been shocked.

He hadn't known.

He remembered staring at Poornima from across the room.

She had looked completely normal.

As if she hadn't done anything unusual.

He had wanted to ask her immediately.

But he had controlled himself because they were surrounded by people.

He had waited until they returned home.

And then his anger had taken over.

He had confronted her.

Veeresh: "How could you do this without telling me?"

Poornima had tried to explain.

But Veeresh hadn't listened.

His anger had turned into the worst mistake he had ever made.

He had slapped her.

And she had slapped him back.

Then came her words.

Poornima: "I did it for Bubba."

Veeresh opened his eyes.

He could still hear her voice.

Poornima: "She was having health problems, and now she's fine."

He lowered his head.

Then the sentence that hurt him the most came back.

Poornima: "If she is your daughter, she is mine too."

Veeresh stared at the cigarette between his fingers.

She had never been forced.

She had done it willingly.

She had seen Noor struggling and had chosen to help her.

And instead of understanding that...

He had punished her for it.

Veeresh slowly crushed the cigarette into the ashtray.

Veeresh: "What did I do?"

The room remained silent.

He remembered the shock on Poornima's face after he slapped her.

He remembered the tears in her eyes.

He remembered her telling him that her father had never raised a hand on her.

And suddenly, his own anger felt meaningless.

He had wanted to protect her.

But he had hurt her.

He had wanted to protect Noor.

But he had forgotten that Poornima had only been trying to protect Noor too.

Veeresh leaned back in his chair and covered his face with his hands.

Veeresh: "I'm sorry, Poons."

But she wasn't there to hear him.

And for once, Veeresh understood that an apology wasn't something he could demand her to accept.

He would have to earn back her trust.

If she ever allowed him to.