21-05-2026, 04:11 PM
Chapter 157 - Practical Hearts & Quiet Goodbyes
Gowtham stood alone in his small house, the silence pressing in after Suresh, Sneha, and Ramya had left for their trip. He moved slowly, still limping slightly, as he picked up the thick file Varsha had given him at the hospital.
He sat on the edge of his bed and began flipping through the pages. Market research, financial projections, competitor analysis, investor pitch decks — everything was neatly organized. There were even handwritten notes in the margins with sharp, practical suggestions. It wasn’t perfect — she clearly lacked real-world startup experience — but the effort, the intelligence, and the care behind it were undeniable.
A strange warmth settled in his chest.
She did all this for me.
He thought about Varsha — bold, ruthless when needed, yet willing to put in silent, tireless work without expecting anything in return. Marrying a beautiful girl was one thing… but marrying a sharp, ambitious mind who could actually build something with him? That felt rare. Valuable.
Even people who claim to love each other deeply don’t always do things like this, he realized. Varsha had chosen action over words.
A quiet decision settled in him.
I won’t let her go. No matter what.
He closed the file, stood up with renewed energy, and looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was messy, his face tired.
He needed to look sharp again.
He decided to go for a hair cute, as he wanted to appear before her fresh — ready to start something real.
He will be joining office tomorrow after 40+ days
Meanwhile, at the office, the evening felt heavier than usual.
Mirna’s one-month tenure as interim HR and shareholder was ending today.
Varsha who had been attached too much to Mirna, could not leave her alone, she quietly tagged alone, even in the morning, she compelled Mirna to accompany her to hospital.
The entire day at office, she was working on handing over responsibilities, The company is going smooth and in the zone they expect, so Mirna decided to go back Chennai. A new person joined in her place.
Varsha had stayed back longer than necessary, helping with final files, dragging out every small task just to spend a few more minutes with her.
When the clock struck 7 PM, Varsha couldn’t hold it in anymore.
She walked up to Mirna with a small gift-wrapped box in her hands.
Her eyes were already glistening.
Mirna looked up and smiled softly. “What’s this?”
Varsha’s voice cracked slightly as she placed the gift on the table.
“I… I just wanted to say thank you. For everything. You didn’t just guide me at work.
You pulled me back when I was losing myself. You mentored me, advised me, and stood like an elder sister when I needed it most.
I don’t know where I would have been without you.”
Mirna’s eyes softened. She stood up and gently wiped the tear that had escaped Varsha’s eye.
“You were already strong, Varsha. You just got lost for a while.
I’m glad I could help you find your way back.”
Varsha hugged her tightly, unable to hold back.
“I feel like my family is leaving all of a sudden. Prakash sir is mostly out now… and now you’re going back to Chennai.
I never saw you as just a boss or HR.
You were always like an elder sister to me.”
Mirna chuckled warmly, hugging her back.
“Don't keep seeing me as your elder sister it sounds like i'm too old!”
They both laughed.
Varsha prepared a coffee at pantry section, as a farewell coffee.
They chatted freely for few minutes, and they started back to parking area.
As she was about to leave, Varsha called her, Madam. !!!
Mirna looked at her and asked what?
Varsha hesitated, then asked if you dont mind shall i ask you one question?
Mirna: Go ahead?
Varsha then asked. the question that had been bothering her for long time.
I know you are gold, and you love your husband, right? Then how… how are you so close with Bharath? I saw you two kissing once. Im not judging you, i know you would have reasons. My worry is.... What if Vikram finds out one day?”
Mirna’s face tightened for a brief second, then she let out a long breath and smiled mysteriously.
“He knows.”
He knows already!
Varsha’s eyes widened in shock. “He… knows?”
Mirna nodded, her expression calm.
“My story is complicated… but it’s not messy. It’s actually quite beautiful in its own way.
When right time comes, I may tell you!”
She then took a box from the bag she is carrying.
She handed Varsha a brand-new mobile phone as a parting gift.
You bought gift for me? you thought about me?
Yes for my cute little sister!
“Take care of yourself. At work, be bold.
At home, guard your heart.
Don’t let emotions win over your mind completely.”
Varsha nodded, tears flowing freely now.
They walked together to the parking area.
Bharath was already waiting in his car. He smiled politely at Varsha.
Varsha stood there, heart heavy, watching Mirna get into the car.
As the vehicle moved away, she whispered to herself,
“Thank you… for everything.”
Gowtham stood alone in his small house, the silence pressing in after Suresh, Sneha, and Ramya had left for their trip. He moved slowly, still limping slightly, as he picked up the thick file Varsha had given him at the hospital.
He sat on the edge of his bed and began flipping through the pages. Market research, financial projections, competitor analysis, investor pitch decks — everything was neatly organized. There were even handwritten notes in the margins with sharp, practical suggestions. It wasn’t perfect — she clearly lacked real-world startup experience — but the effort, the intelligence, and the care behind it were undeniable.
A strange warmth settled in his chest.
She did all this for me.
He thought about Varsha — bold, ruthless when needed, yet willing to put in silent, tireless work without expecting anything in return. Marrying a beautiful girl was one thing… but marrying a sharp, ambitious mind who could actually build something with him? That felt rare. Valuable.
Even people who claim to love each other deeply don’t always do things like this, he realized. Varsha had chosen action over words.
A quiet decision settled in him.
I won’t let her go. No matter what.
He closed the file, stood up with renewed energy, and looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was messy, his face tired.
He needed to look sharp again.
He decided to go for a hair cute, as he wanted to appear before her fresh — ready to start something real.
He will be joining office tomorrow after 40+ days
Meanwhile, at the office, the evening felt heavier than usual.
Mirna’s one-month tenure as interim HR and shareholder was ending today.
Varsha who had been attached too much to Mirna, could not leave her alone, she quietly tagged alone, even in the morning, she compelled Mirna to accompany her to hospital.
The entire day at office, she was working on handing over responsibilities, The company is going smooth and in the zone they expect, so Mirna decided to go back Chennai. A new person joined in her place.
Varsha had stayed back longer than necessary, helping with final files, dragging out every small task just to spend a few more minutes with her.
When the clock struck 7 PM, Varsha couldn’t hold it in anymore.
She walked up to Mirna with a small gift-wrapped box in her hands.
Her eyes were already glistening.
Mirna looked up and smiled softly. “What’s this?”
Varsha’s voice cracked slightly as she placed the gift on the table.
“I… I just wanted to say thank you. For everything. You didn’t just guide me at work.
You pulled me back when I was losing myself. You mentored me, advised me, and stood like an elder sister when I needed it most.
I don’t know where I would have been without you.”
Mirna’s eyes softened. She stood up and gently wiped the tear that had escaped Varsha’s eye.
“You were already strong, Varsha. You just got lost for a while.
I’m glad I could help you find your way back.”
Varsha hugged her tightly, unable to hold back.
“I feel like my family is leaving all of a sudden. Prakash sir is mostly out now… and now you’re going back to Chennai.
I never saw you as just a boss or HR.
You were always like an elder sister to me.”
Mirna chuckled warmly, hugging her back.
“Don't keep seeing me as your elder sister it sounds like i'm too old!”
They both laughed.
Varsha prepared a coffee at pantry section, as a farewell coffee.
They chatted freely for few minutes, and they started back to parking area.
As she was about to leave, Varsha called her, Madam. !!!
Mirna looked at her and asked what?
Varsha hesitated, then asked if you dont mind shall i ask you one question?
Mirna: Go ahead?
Varsha then asked. the question that had been bothering her for long time.
I know you are gold, and you love your husband, right? Then how… how are you so close with Bharath? I saw you two kissing once. Im not judging you, i know you would have reasons. My worry is.... What if Vikram finds out one day?”
Mirna’s face tightened for a brief second, then she let out a long breath and smiled mysteriously.
“He knows.”
He knows already!
Varsha’s eyes widened in shock. “He… knows?”
Mirna nodded, her expression calm.
“My story is complicated… but it’s not messy. It’s actually quite beautiful in its own way.
When right time comes, I may tell you!”
She then took a box from the bag she is carrying.
She handed Varsha a brand-new mobile phone as a parting gift.
You bought gift for me? you thought about me?
Yes for my cute little sister!
“Take care of yourself. At work, be bold.
At home, guard your heart.
Don’t let emotions win over your mind completely.”
Varsha nodded, tears flowing freely now.
They walked together to the parking area.
Bharath was already waiting in his car. He smiled politely at Varsha.
Varsha stood there, heart heavy, watching Mirna get into the car.
As the vehicle moved away, she whispered to herself,
“Thank you… for everything.”
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