Chapter 70 — The Truth He Finally Told Her

Mr. Qureshi looked at his son for a long moment.

Mr. Qureshi: "Go and speak to her, Veer. And this time, be truthful. No games. No politics. Tell her everything."

Veeresh nodded silently.

He walked toward their room and slowly opened the door.

Poornima was sitting on the bed, wiping her tears.

Veeresh walked over and sat beside her.

For a moment, he didn't know where to begin.

Then he took a breath.

Veeresh: "Poons, I need to tell you the truth."

Poornima didn't look at him.

Veeresh: "I have loved you for five years."

Her eyes slowly moved toward him.

Veeresh: "The first time I saw you, you were wearing a blue Anarkali suit at an event. You caught my eyes that day, Poons. I couldn't forget you after that."

He paused.

Veeresh: "I started looking for you. I followed your life from a distance, I learned about you, your dreams, your studies, everything. I know it sounds crazy, but I couldn't stop myself."

Poornima listened quietly.

Veeresh: "And this marriage... I planned it."

She looked at him in surprise.

Veeresh: "Rukmini told me on the very first day that she loved someone else. I already knew she didn't want this marriage. So I planned everything."

He lowered his eyes.

Veeresh: "And when I married you, I was happy. More than you can imagine."

He looked directly at her.

Veeresh: "But I also know I hurt you. I took away your choice, and I made decisions without telling you the truth."

His voice became softer.

Veeresh: "I can't stay away from you for even a minute, Poons. I love everything about you. Your anger, your stubbornness, your dreams, your badmashi, even the names you call me."

A faint smile appeared on Poornima's face through her tears.

Veeresh: "I only want you."

He reached for her hand.

Veeresh: "You're my obsession. You're my askim. You're my cennat."

He took a deep breath.

Veeresh: "And you're one of the purest sins I ever committed."

Poornima's eyes filled with tears again.

Veeresh: "I'm sorry for everything, Poons. Especially for not wishing you on our first wedding anniversary. I should have been there. I should have told you what you meant to me."

He squeezed her hand gently.

Veeresh: "I was planning something else. I wanted to have our remarriage and nikah again, but this time I wanted to ask you properly. I wanted you to choose me."

Poornima looked at him for several seconds.

Veeresh: "I'm sorry for everything."

His voice broke slightly.

Veeresh: "But I love you."

Poornima suddenly pulled him toward her and kissed him.

Veeresh froze for a second before wrapping his arms around her.

When they pulled apart, Poornima looked at him through her tears.

Poornima: "Veer... I love you too."

Veeresh stared at her.

Poornima: "I wanted to tell you on your birthday."

She smiled through her tears.

Poornima: "I want to spend my life with you."

Veeresh's eyes softened.

Poornima: "And I want us to have kids."

She laughed quietly.

Poornima: "I know I'm jealous and hot-headed. I know I get angry quickly and call you an asshole every five minutes."

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "I know."

Poornima moved closer.

Poornima: "But I love you, Veer."

Veeresh pulled her into a firm embrace.

He held her tightly, as if afraid that if he let go, she would disappear again.

Veeresh: "I love you too, Poons."

Poornima buried her face against his chest.

For the first time, there were no secrets between them.

No replacement.

No first or second.

Just Veeresh and Poornima, finally choosing each other.