Chapter 15: The Warning

The night grew quieter, the house slowly settling after dinner. But Veeresh’s eyes were sharp, burning with anger beneath his calm smile.

After everyone retired to the drawing room, he called out:

“Bindu. Sahana. A word. Now.”

The girls looked at each other nervously. Something in his voice — calm yet commanding — made their hearts race.

They followed him to the corridor.

Veeresh turned, crossed his arms, and looked them both in the eye.

“You thought no one saw, didn’t you?”

Bindu stammered, “W-What are you talking about, Veeresh bhai?”

“Don’t act smart.” His voice was steel now. “I saw you both enter the kitchen when Poornima went out. And I saw you smirking when you came out. I went in, tasted the kheer — and you had added salt.”

Sahana gasped, face going pale.

“You... changed it?”

Veeresh stepped closer. “Of course, I did. I know every flavor from my Begum’s hands. Don’t forget — I’ve loved her since childhood.”

Bindu looked down, speechless.

“Let me make one thing very clear — as long as I’m alive, no one, absolutely no one, will insult Poornima.” His voice cracked like thunder in the silence.

He took a deep breath, his eyes fierce.

“She is my Begum. My wife. My best friend. My soul. You mess with her — you mess with me.”

Both girls froze.

“One more stunt like this…” he stepped back, “and you’ll see the side of me even I don’t like.”

Without waiting for a reply, Veeresh turned and walked away.

In the shadows of the hallway, Poornima had heard everything.

She stood frozen, tears in her eyes, watching the man who once was just her best friend — now standing like her protector, her voice, her home.

She turned back to their room, heart pounding, silently whispering,

“Maybe this love was always there… I just never saw it.”

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