Chapter 22: Whispered Nonsense & Swinging Hearts

The room was dim, the soft amber light from the lamp casting a cozy glow. Poornima sat with her feet up on the bed, flipping through a parenting book when Veeresh walked in, his phone in one hand and a smug smile in the other.

He tiptoed behind her, leaned close, and whispered something completely ridiculous in her ear.

“If our baby turns out with my charm and your anger, the world better prepare for a storm.”

Poornima gasped and immediately threw a pillow at him. “Shut up, Veeresh! Seriously, nonsense flows from your mouth like a river.”

Veeresh laughed, catching the pillow mid-air and tossing it back gently onto the bed. He came closer again, and without asking, wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

“Ti amo,” he whispered this time—softly, sincerely.

Poornima smiled, her cheeks blooming with pink. “What's with the Italian all of a sudden?”

“Just matching the international glow of my wife,” he said smugly.

Before she could scold him again, he gently led her out to the swing in their balcony garden. The moonlight painted silver hues over her face. They sat together, Poornima in the crook of his arm, the slow creak of the swing rhythmically lulling them.

Veeresh rested his head on her shoulder, one hand protectively over her bump. She placed her hand over his. In the quiet comfort of each other, both slowly drifted off to sleep—he snoring lightly, and she smiling in her sleep.

The night sky wrapped around them like a blanket, and in the gentle swaying, their hearts beat in sync—two souls healing, growing, and falling deeper in love.