Chapter 11: A New Beginning, A Promise Pending

The morning sun was gentle, wrapping the school grounds in a golden warmth.

The entrance buzzed with chatter, bags bouncing on tiny shoulders, and parents offering last-minute advice with nervous smiles. Among them stood Poornima and Veeresh, each holding a hand of their little boy—Ayan.

Today was his first day of school.

“Be happy and enjoy everything,” Poornima whispered, kneeling down to adjust his collar and kiss his cheek softly. “Make new friends, okay?”

Ayan nodded bravely, but his hand gripped hers tighter.

“Just do what you feel, son,” Veeresh added with a proud smile. “Like your amma said. Smile and have fun.”

Aradhya, perched on Veeresh’s other arm, giggled and waved her tiny hands toward Ayan. Then she leaned forward and planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek, her version of a goodbye hug.

Ayan beamed.

The moment was warm. Quiet. A page turned in their lives.

And then—he ran inside, looking back once to wave at them.

Poornima wiped the corner of her eye and smiled.

Just as she turned, Veeresh leaned in and gently pecked her lips—quick, soft, full of teasing mischief.

She gasped, blushing furiously. “Veeresh! Behave—we’re in school!”

He smirked with mock innocence. “What? I’m just a proud husband seeing off his son… and stealing a moment with his gorgeous wife.”

She tried to scold him with a glare, but it melted into a smile.

She shook her head and muttered, “You’re impossible.”

Veeresh leaned close again, this time whispering,

“Still… the due is pending, Mrs. Suryavanshi.”

Poornima blushed deeper but turned away before he could see it fully.

She walked ahead, holding Aradhya as Veeresh followed with a wide grin on his face.

Love had entered their lives in whispers, in shared glances, in little kisses amidst parenting chaos. And now, with every smile and every goodbye… it was becoming unshakably real.