Chapter 2

The corridors of the university buzzed with the usual morning energy. Staff exchanged greetings, students hurried to their classes, and somewhere in the midst of it all, a new presence quietly made her way through the halls.

Poornima Rai walked with a calm grace, her simple white kurta flowing gently as she carried a stack of literature books. Her demeanor was serene, her eyes bright with curiosity and warmth. Though her family wielded power in the corporate and legal world, she carried none of that pride. She belonged to a world of words, stories, and ideas—a world that was entirely her own.

The staff greeted her with smiles and handshakes. “Welcome, Professor Rai,” said one colleague. “We’re so happy to have you.”

“Thank you,” Poornima replied softly, her voice gentle yet confident. She felt a flicker of nervous excitement as Mrs. Banerjee, the senior literature professor, took her by the arm. “Let me show you your classroom,” she said.

As they walked, Veeresh Raj’s eyes followed her from across the corridor. He had just finished a meeting with colleagues when someone mentioned the new literature professor. “Who’s she?” he asked casually.

“She’s the new literature professor, Veeresh. Poornima Rai,” a colleague replied.

“Poornima Rai…” he murmured, letting the name linger. There was nothing remarkable about it, yet something about the way she moved—calm, disciplined, unassuming—caught his attention. He found himself studying her from a distance, noting the simplicity in her demeanor and the quiet authority with which she carried herself.

Poornima entered her classroom, arranging her books and preparing for her first lecture. There was a gentle focus in her actions, a discipline that spoke of dedication and passion. Even from across the hallway, Veeresh could sense it—an aura of sincerity, strength, and quiet confidence that set her apart from anyone he had encountered before.

And for the first time in a long while, Veeresh Raj felt a flicker of intrigue—an unexpected pull toward someone whose world seemed so different from his own, yet somehow resonated with something deep inside him.