Chapter 3 – Poornima Comes Home

The next morning, the Rajawat haveli was filled with the sounds of wedding preparations.

People were moving from one room to another, flowers were being arranged, and the entire house was filled with laughter.

In the middle of all the chaos, a car stopped outside the haveli.

Poornima Malhotra had finally arrived from Delhi.

She was thirty-three years old and worked as an Economics professor at a college in Delhi.

She was a calm, graceful woman who had learned to stand on her own after life had given her more than she had expected.

Poornima had been married to Rishi Malhotra.

Their marriage had ended after Rishi's infidelity came to light.

What surprised Poornima the most was that her in-laws had stood beside her instead of blaming her.

They supported her decision to leave the marriage and helped her through the difficult days that followed.

Poornima had no children.

After her divorce, she had focused on her career and built a peaceful life for herself in Delhi.

But Shreya's wedding was different.

She couldn't miss it.

Shreya was family.

The moment Poornima stepped out of the car, she looked toward the familiar haveli.

A small smile appeared on her face.

Poornima: "I'm finally home."

She picked up her bag and walked toward the entrance.

Before she could even reach the door, Gayathri came rushing toward her.

Gayathri: "Poornima!"

Poornima smiled brightly.

Poornima: "Maa!"

Gayathri immediately pulled her daughter into a tight hug.

Gayathri: "Look at you! You have become so thin."

Poornima laughed.

Poornima: "Maa, I just came. Please don't start."

Gayathri kissed her forehead.

Gayathri: "Let me look at my daughter properly."

Poornima smiled and hugged her mother again.

Aravind came forward next.

Aravind: "My daughter has finally arrived."

Poornima immediately hugged her father.

Poornima: "Papa."

Aravind: "How was the journey?"

Poornima: "Good. A little tiring, but I'm fine."

Aravind smiled proudly.

Aravind: "You should have told me. I would have sent someone to pick you up."

Poornima: "Papa, I can manage."

Aravind laughed.

Aravind: "I know. But let your father do something for you once in a while."

Poornima shook her head affectionately.

Just then, Kamala came toward them.

Kamala: "Poornima!"

Poornima turned around and smiled.

Poornima: "Chachi!"

Kamala immediately hugged her.

Kamala: "My child, how long has it been?"

Poornima: "Too long."

Kamala held her face between her hands.

Kamala: "You look beautiful."

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "Thank you, Chachi."

Kamala: "Come inside. Everyone has been waiting for you."

Poornima nodded.

As she entered the haveli, she was welcomed by Rahul and his wife, Revati.

Rahul smiled widely when he saw her.

Rahul: "Poornima! You finally came."

Poornima: "Of course I came. How could I miss Shreya's wedding?"

Revati hugged her warmly.

Revati: "We were waiting for you."

Poornima: "Bhabhi, I wouldn't miss this for anything."

Revati smiled.

Revati: "Shreya is going to be so happy when she sees you."

Poornima looked around the decorated house.

Poornima: "Where is the bride?"

Rahul laughed.

Rahul: "Probably hiding somewhere and pretending she isn't nervous."

Poornima laughed.

Poornima: "That sounds exactly like Shreya."

Everyone smiled.

For the first time in a long time, Poornima felt completely at ease.

She had left behind her quiet life in Delhi and returned to the warmth of her family.

She didn't know that another person had also returned to the same house.

Veeresh Singh Rajawat.

The man she hadn't seen in years.

The man who had changed completely.

And somewhere upstairs, Veeresh was standing near the window of his room, looking outside silently.

He had no idea that Poornima had arrived.

And Poornima had no idea that Veeresh was in the same house.

Their paths were about to cross again.