New Life Begins

The morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains of their Ooty cottage. Veeresh was still asleep, one hand possessively over Poornima’s waist. She carefully got up, trying not to wake him, and walked into the bathroom — but paused suddenly.

A wave of dizziness hit her.

She held the sink for balance, taking a deep breath. It wasn’t the first time lately. For the past few weeks, she had been feeling different — tired, nauseous, emotional. At first, she ignored it. But something inside told her this time… it wasn’t just stress.

Later that day, back in Bangalore, she visited the clinic quietly during her lunch break.

She clutched the report in her trembling hands.

Positive.

Her eyes welled up. She had always imagined this moment — but never thought it would come with such overwhelming emotion. A baby. A life growing inside her.

Their life. Their love.

---

Chapter 22: The Unspoken Glow

That evening, Veeresh walked into their home, exhausted but smiling. Poornima was in the kitchen, stirring something slowly. Her face was calm, glowing in a way he hadn’t seen before.

> “You okay, Poo?” he asked, coming behind her, placing a kiss on her neck.

She turned to face him, her eyes holding a mix of mischief and softness.

> “Veeresh… I’m carrying your madness.”

He blinked.

> “What?”

She smiled and held out the test report.

There was silence.

Then — his eyes widened. His lips parted. And the usually wild, dominant, fiery Veeresh — stood completely still, overwhelmed.

> “Poornima…” he whispered, stepping back and falling onto the couch in shock.

“You mean… I’m going to be a dad?”

Poornima nodded slowly.

Veeresh stood up, walked to her, cupped her face with trembling hands, and kissed her forehead so gently — like she was the most delicate thing in the world.

> “You’re giving me a family,” he said, voice rough with emotion.

“You’re giving me… us.”

He knelt and placed his palm softly on her belly.

> “Hey little one… I’m your Appa. And I already love you madly.”

Poornima’s eyes filled with tears as she ran her fingers through his hair, heart swelling with emotion.

---

Chapter 23: Growing Together

The coming weeks were filled with new changes — Poornima’s cravings, mood swings, sleepy afternoons. And Veeresh? He was everything she never imagined him to be.

He cooked. He sat by her while she napped. He argued with her doctor for every minor doubt. He bought her oversized sweaters and massaged her feet when they swelled.

And every morning? He still kissed her.

> “For you,”

“For our baby,”

“For this new world we’re building.”

Poornima often looked at him — wild Veeresh, once her enemy, now her protector, now her everything — and wondered how fate played such a miracle.