Chapter 19: Five Days of Us

The early morning mist of Ooty wrapped around them as Veeresh and Poornima arrived, the cold breeze brushing their faces.

Day 1:

They checked into a cozy hillside cottage. Poornima wore a mustard sweater with jeans, her hair in a soft braid. Veeresh couldn't stop staring.

They rode a rented Royal Enfield through the winding tea garden roads, her arms tightly around him. Every time her grip loosened, he pulled her hand back, possessively.

“I didn’t bring you here to sit like a stranger,” he smirked.

At a tea stall near a valley view, they sipped on ginger tea, his hand warming hers.

A couple nearby asked, “Newly married?”

Veeresh answered without hesitation, “Yes. Mine.”

Poornima blushed, sipping silently as his thumb caressed hers.

Day 2:

They visited botanical gardens, clicking goofy and romantic pictures. He made her pose with flowers, while she clicked candid shots of him staring at her.

Later, they sat on a bench sipping filter coffee. He leaned in and kissed her cheek softly.

“Just for the memories,” he whispered.

She replied, “You’ve already made this trip unforgettable.”

Day 3:

Poornima wore a black top and jeans, and Veeresh’s eyes darkened.

“You’ll get me into trouble dressing like this.”

She smirked. “Why, Mr. Possessive?”

He pulled her close by the waist and marked her neck with a kiss.

“So the hills know who you belong to.”

They rode to a secluded waterfall and shared a quiet moment—his arms wrapped around her as the wind howled and birds chirped. They talked about dreams, careers, and babies someday. Poornima rested her head on his shoulder.

Day 4:

Rain poured. They stayed inside the cottage. Played cards, fought over snacks, danced barefoot on the balcony. She wore his sweatshirt. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“What?” she asked.

“I don’t want this day to end,” he said. “You, this moment, this rain.”

They shared a long, slow kiss with the thunder clapping in the distance.

Day 5:

Their last evening. They went to a quiet roadside dhaba. Ordered food and sat beside each other. Instead of two plates, Veeresh waved his hand.

“One plate is enough. We share everything now.”

Poornima didn’t argue. She just smiled and fed him with her hands. He held her hand mid-bite and kissed her knuckles.

They rode back through the chilly breeze. He slowed down and asked,

“Will you remember this forever?”

She hugged him tightly from behind, resting her cheek against his back.

“It’s etched in my soul, Veeru.”

They reached the cottage. He lifted her in his arms inside, like a movie scene.

“Next time,” he said, “let’s never come back. Let’s live here.”

She laughed, placing a kiss on his nose.