Chapter 59 — The Traitor

Over the months, the bond between Poornima, Veeresh and Bubba had slowly grown stronger.

Noor was speaking more now, and she had started developing a mischievous little personality of her own.

That afternoon, Poornima was sitting in the room with her arms crossed, clearly angry.

Veeresh walked in and immediately noticed the expression on her face.

He looked at Noor, who was standing nearby.

Veeresh: "What happened? Bubba, why are you here?"

Noor looked at him and then at Poornima.

Noor: "I had chocolate."

Veeresh looked at Poornima.

Noor: "Mumma said no, but I had it."

Poornima pointed toward Noor.

Poornima: "I told her not to eat chocolate before dinner."

Noor looked guilty.

Poornima: "And now she's pretending she doesn't know what she did."

Noor quickly moved toward Veeresh.

Noor: "Papa, help me."

Veeresh tried not to smile.

Veeresh: "Why did you do it, Bubba?"

Noor looked at him seriously.

Noor: "Because I wanted chocolate."

Veeresh shook his head.

Veeresh: "You have to listen to Mumma."

Noor suddenly leaned closer to him and whispered.

Noor: "Papa, I will tell Mumma if you don't help me."

Veeresh's expression changed.

Veeresh: "Tell Mumma what?"

Noor smiled mischievously.

Noor: "That you stalk Mumma on Instagram."

Veeresh stared at her.

Veeresh: "No, Bubba. Not a word to your Mumma."

He knew exactly how Poornima would react if she found out.

Noor nodded innocently.

Noor: "Okay."

Veeresh sighed in relief.

Then Noor turned toward Poornima.

Noor: "Mumma!"

Poornima looked at her.

Poornima: "Come here."

Noor slowly walked over.

Noor: "Sorry, Mumma. I ate the chocolate."

Poornima softened slightly.

Poornima: "Okay. Now put your toys back in their place."

Noor nodded.

But before she could walk away, she suddenly turned around.

Noor: "Mumma, you know Papa stalks you on Instagram."

Veeresh closed his eyes.

Veeresh: "Traitor."

Noor winked at him.

Poornima slowly turned toward Veeresh.

Poornima: "Veer."

Veeresh immediately became innocent.

Veeresh: "Yes?"

Poornima walked toward him.

Poornima: "What is this?"

She held out her hand.

Poornima: "Give me your phone."

Veeresh hesitated.

Veeresh: "Poons..."

Poornima: "Phone."

He reluctantly handed it to her.

Poornima opened the Instagram account she had heard about.

Her eyes narrowed.

There was an unfamiliar account repeatedly viewing and following her public posts.

She looked at Veeresh.

Poornima: "This unknown account..."

She raised an eyebrow.

Poornima: "It's you?"

Veeresh remained silent.

Poornima looked at the account again.

Then she looked back at him.

Poornima: "You've been stalking my profile?"

Veeresh cleared his throat.

Veeresh: "I prefer the term keeping up with my wife's life."

Poornima stared at him.

Poornima: "That's stalking."

Veeresh smiled awkwardly.

Veeresh: "Maybe a little."

Poornima shook her head.

Poornima: "You are unbelievable."

From the corner of the room, Noor giggled.

Veeresh looked at her.

Veeresh: "And you are definitely not getting chocolate tomorrow."

Noor immediately stopped smiling.

Noor: "Papa!"

Poornima couldn't help laughing.

For once, the room wasn't filled with anger or old wounds.

It was simply a family teasing each other.

And somewhere along the way, the distance between Poornima and Veeresh had quietly begun to disappear.