Where Peace Begins

It was past 11 PM when Veeresh finally stepped into their quiet home.

The lights were dim, the aroma of warm food lingered in the air — but what caught his eyes was Poornima, fast asleep on the couch, still in her saree, one hand resting on her lap, the other holding a book she must have dozed off reading.

Veeresh stood still for a moment.

His eyes softened.

> “My constant… My calm…” — he whispered to himself.

He quietly walked toward her, knelt beside the couch, gently brushed her hair away, and before she could even stir, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her — deeply, passionately.

Startled at first, Poornima slowly responded, wrapping her arms around his neck, allowing herself to melt into the kiss.

His hands roamed around her waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss until breathless.

> “I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice low and raspy against her lips.

“For not being around. For being lost in work. For not being with you.”

She opened her sleepy eyes and gave him a small smile.

> “Alright…” she said softly, placing her hand on his cheek.

“But I’m here. Just… don’t stop pulling me back when I drift too far.”

His lips found her neck, and he left a deep mark just below her collarbone.

> “Now you can’t drift,” he smirked. “You’re marked.”

She chuckled, softly hitting his arm.

> “Let’s eat before you go crazy again.”

---

Dinner: One Plate, One Heart

They sat down on the floor, one plate between them, just like always.

Veeresh began explaining the stress at the startup — the delays, the investor doubts, the overwhelming expectations. But for the first time, his words weren’t measured. He spoke freely.

Because he knew she was listening.

And Poornima — she didn’t interrupt once.

She just let him speak. Let him be vulnerable.

And then, she looked into his eyes and said:

> “You’ll do it. You’re Veeresh. You don’t stop.”

Those words were simple.

But for him, they were everything.

He finished the last bite, rested his head on her shoulder, eyes closed.

> “With you beside me... I feel limitless,” he murmured.

She stroked his hair gently.

No dramatic promises.

No lengthy speeches.

Just warmth, presence, love.

And in that silence, they both knew —

their agreement may have started with conditions...

but what they had now?

It was unconditional.