Chapter 35 — Six Months

Poornima returned home that evening with a decision already made in her mind.

She found Veeresh in his study.

He looked up when she entered.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Poornima took a breath.

Poornima: "Veer, I want to talk to you personally."

Veeresh put the file aside.

Veeresh: "You can."

She slowly sat down opposite him.

There was no anger in her voice this time.

Only exhaustion.

Poornima: "I need time for myself."

Veeresh listened silently.

Poornima: "I want to understand myself better. I want to understand what I need, what I actually want, what the next steps are, and how I want to lead my life."

She paused.

Poornima: "I just can't live like this anymore."

Veeresh's expression became serious.

He already knew what she had been thinking about.

Still, he asked.

Veeresh: "You want a divorce?"

Poornima looked down for a moment.

Poornima: "I thought about it."

Veeresh remained quiet.

Poornima: "But I didn't feel like going through that process right now."

She looked directly at him.

Poornima: "For the next six months, I want to understand myself better."

Veeresh nodded slowly.

Poornima: "I don't want you to interrupt me."

She paused before adding firmly,

Poornima: "And I don't want you to find out what I'm doing, where I'm going, or what I'm planning."

Veeresh looked at her.

Veeresh: "You want complete space?"

Poornima: "Yes."

She took a breath.

Poornima: "I don't want anyone deciding things for me anymore."

Veeresh understood what she meant.

For years, decisions had been made around her.

Her marriage.

Her future.

Her life.

She wanted one period of her life where she could simply decide for herself.

Then she said something that made Veeresh's expression change.

Poornima: "Bubba will come with me."

Veeresh stared at her.

Veeresh: "You want to take Noor?"

Poornima nodded.

Poornima: "Yes."

Her voice softened.

Poornima: "She is important to me, Veer. You know that."

Veeresh looked away.

He knew.

He had watched their bond grow for an entire year.

Noor ran to Poornima whenever she saw her.

Poornima was part of Noor's everyday life now.

Poornima: "I'm not taking her away from you. She's your daughter."

She paused.

Poornima: "But she's also part of my life."

Veeresh didn't answer immediately.

Poornima stood up.

Poornima: "I just need six months."

She looked at him one last time.

Poornima: "Don't follow me. Don't investigate me. Don't try to control what I decide."

Veeresh remained silent.

For once, he knew there was nothing he could say to change her mind.

Poornima walked toward the door.

Before leaving, she stopped.

Poornima: "I don't know what I'll decide after six months."

She looked back at him.

Poornima: "Maybe I'll come back. Maybe I'll choose divorce. I don't know."

Veeresh's jaw tightened, but he didn't stop her.

Poornima: "That's exactly why I need this time."

She walked out.

Veeresh remained alone in the study.

Six months.

For a man accustomed to controlling every situation around him, six months of uncertainty felt like an eternity.

But this time, if he truly wanted Poornima to choose her life freely...

he would have to let her go and wait for her decision.