: The Victory That Belonged to Them

The office buzzed.

Laptops beeped.

Notifications flooded in.

And Veeresh stood in the center of it all — eyes gleaming with joy, disbelief, and pride.

> “The project is LIVE. It’s a success!” one of the team leads shouted.

The room exploded into cheers.

But Veeresh didn’t look at anyone first.

He turned… and found Poornima, standing quietly near the conference wall, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

He walked straight to her.

Without a second thought, in front of his entire team — his eyes still intense with emotion —

he kissed her cheek softly.

Then came a deep, firm hug. One hand around her waist. The other pressing her head to his chest.

> “We did it, Poornima…” he whispered.

“This is our victory too.”

Everyone paused, smiled, some chuckled softly — not out of mockery, but admiration.

It wasn’t a CEO and his wife.

It was a man holding the one who stood with him when no one else did.

Poornima was a little stunned. But her heart… it was thumping so loudly, so happily.

She embraced him back, a little tighter than usual.

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The Moment that Mattered

As calls started pouring in — investors, media, collaborators — Poornima gently pulled back.

> “Go,” she whispered.

“Your day. Your moment. Shine.”

But Veeresh shook his head with a soft smirk.

> “No. Our moment. You’re coming with me.”

He laced his fingers with hers — tight, warm — and pulled her along toward the core leadership table.

> “This is Poornima. My wife. My backbone.”

The boardroom lights reflected on her face as she met everyone — gracefully, simply. She didn’t say much, just nodded and smiled as people congratulated Veeresh.

But his hand never left hers.

He’d fought so many battles — but this win wouldn’t mean anything if she wasn’t beside him.

They returned home late that night, exhausted yet glowing.

Veeresh placed the award the company gave him on their living room shelf.

Then he looked at Poornima, held her hand again, and said:

> “I got the world’s applause today.

But my real award is watching you smile beside me.”

She didn’t reply. Just placed her hand on his cheek, and for once — kissed him first.

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