Chapter 37 – The Truth He Couldn't Tell Her

The car stopped outside a quiet clinic.

Veeresh got out first, followed by Poornima.

They entered the clinic together.

The receptionist greeted them and directed them toward a private consultation room.

A woman in her early forties stood up when Veeresh entered.

Olivia: "Veeresh."

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "Olivia."

She looked at him carefully.

Olivia: "It's been a long time."

Veeresh sat down.

Veeresh: "It came back."

Olivia's expression became serious.

She looked toward Poornima.

Olivia: "And you are?"

Veeresh answered quietly.

Veeresh: "My wife."

Poornima gave a small nod.

Olivia looked at Veeresh again.

Olivia: "Did you tell her?"

Veeresh shook his head.

Veeresh: "No."

He paused.

Veeresh: "She doesn't know anything."

Poornima looked at him.

Her heart sank slightly.

They had been married for only a month, and she was only now realizing how much he had been carrying alone.

Poornima: "We've been married for a month."

Olivia nodded.

Olivia: "Alright."

She turned toward Poornima.

Olivia: "Mrs. Rajawat, I won't discuss Veeresh's personal problems with you. What he tells me is confidential between a patient and his psychologist."

Poornima nodded quietly.

Olivia continued.

Olivia: "I can only tell you that he has been struggling with this for about six years."

Poornima's eyes immediately went toward Veeresh.

Six years.

She had never imagined that his pain had lasted that long.

Olivia: "There are periods when he improves considerably, and then there are times when things become difficult again."

Poornima looked at Veeresh.

He was staring at the floor.

She wanted to ask so many questions.

What happened six years ago?

Why did you never tell me?

How long have you been fighting this alone?

But she didn't ask.

She remembered what she had promised him.

She would wait until he was ready.

Olivia looked at Veeresh.

Olivia: "Let's go inside and talk."

Veeresh nodded.

He stood up.

Before following Olivia, he glanced at Poornima.

She gave him a small, reassuring smile.

Poornima: "I'll be here."

Veeresh nodded.

He followed Olivia into the consultation room.

The door closed behind them.

Poornima remained in the waiting area.

She sat quietly on the sofa, her hands folded together.

Her eyes slowly filled with tears.

She wiped them away quickly.

But another tear slipped down her cheek.

She looked toward the closed door.

Six years.

She couldn't stop thinking about those words.

For six years, Veeresh had been carrying something so painful that even now he wasn't ready to tell her.

Poornima lowered her eyes.

Poornima whispered to herself,

"Veer... whatever happened to you, you don't have to face it alone anymore."

She sat there patiently, waiting for him.