Chapter 9: A Home with You

The sun had barely reached its peak when they arrived at Veeresh’s penthouse—a warm, elegant space overlooking the quiet beauty of Bangalore’s skyline.

It wasn’t just a house.

Today… it felt like a home.

Poornima walked in holding Ayan’s tiny hand, and he didn’t leave her side even for a second.

He kept looking up at her, as if making sure she wasn’t going to disappear.

On the other end, Aradhya was curled up happily in Veeresh’s arms, her giggles echoing through the living room as he tickled her gently.

Poornima smiled quietly at the sight, placing her handbag on the table.

She watched Veeresh pretend to roar like a lion, while Aradhya laughed louder, trying to cover his mouth with her tiny hands.

“I’ve never seen her laugh like this,” Poornima said softly.

Veeresh looked up, still holding Aradhya.

“She loves me,” he said with a playful smirk. “What can I say?”

Poornima chuckled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

She sat beside Ayan on the couch and ran her fingers through his hair. He immediately rested his head on her lap.

“I should thank you,” she whispered. “For all this.”

But Veeresh shook his head, walking over with Aradhya still clinging to him.

“No,” he replied gently. “I’m thankful. You said yes. Ayan... he sees you as his mother. He always did.”

Poornima looked down at Ayan sleeping peacefully in her lap and smiled through her tears.

Veeresh settled on the carpet and placed Aradhya down beside him.

Both kids crawled toward each other, giggling as they played with soft pillows and toys that Veeresh had arranged earlier that morning.

“You were prepared,” Poornima said, noticing the toys, baby food jars, and even two matching beds in the corner.

Veeresh leaned back on his palms, watching the kids.

“I didn’t want to just marry you. I wanted to marry all three of you.”

Her eyes welled up. She looked away.

Silence filled the room for a few seconds—but it wasn’t empty.

It was full of meaning, comfort, and beginnings.

Then came the loudest laugh—Aradhya had thrown a pillow at Veeresh.

“Oh! Starting a war, are we?” he shouted playfully, tossing a pillow back.

Soon, both kids were jumping, and even Poornima got pulled into the chaos.

For the first time in months, she laughed. Really laughed.

And Veeresh… he didn’t stop looking at her.

That evening, after dinner, as the kids drifted off to sleep in their shared room, Poornima stood at the balcony with a soft breeze caressing her hair.

Veeresh came beside her, both watching the lights of the city.

Without looking at her, he whispered,

“Welcome home… Mrs. Suryavanshi.”

She smiled.

End of Chapter.