Chapter 47 — Not Completely

Veeresh closed the laptop and looked at Poornima.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Veeresh gave her a small, hopeful smile.

Veeresh: "So... am I forgiven?"

Poornima looked at him.

She stayed quiet for a few seconds before answering.

Poornima: "Not much."

Veeresh's smile faded slightly.

Poornima continued softly.

Poornima: "But... okay."

Veeresh looked at her with surprise.

Veeresh: "Okay?"

Poornima nodded.

Poornima: "I said okay. Don't expect everything to become normal immediately."

Veeresh smiled faintly.

Veeresh: "I understand."

He took a breath.

Veeresh: "Thank you."

Poornima looked down at her hands.

Poornima: "Veer..."

He looked at her.

Poornima: "I'm still scared of everything."

Her voice became quieter.

Poornima: "Even though I'm talking to you now and we're working on my restaurant, some things haven't disappeared."

Veeresh listened without interrupting.

Poornima: "I'm still scared of what happened before."

She paused.

Poornima: "But that's okay."

She looked at him.

Poornima: "I don't want to pretend that everything is suddenly fine."

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "You don't have to."

Poornima looked surprised by his answer.

Veeresh: "Take your time."

She gave him a small smile.

Poornima: "Okay."

Veeresh stood up and picked up the laptop.

Veeresh: "Then we'll take it one step at a time."

Poornima nodded.

For the first time, forgiveness didn't mean forgetting.

It simply meant that perhaps, slowly, they could begin again.