Chapter 41 – A Day of Us

The morning sun rose higher, but inside Veeresh’s penthouse, time seemed to stand still. After their fiery morning, Poornima sat on the edge of the bed, flustered, her saree nowhere to be found. She clutched the bedsheet, cheeks flushed.

Veeresh, watching her with that sly half-smile, walked to his wardrobe, pulled out a crisp white long shirt, and tossed it to her.

“Wear this,” he said, his tone both commanding and playful.

Poornima’s eyes widened. “Just this?!”

He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. “Only this. You’re mine, and I want to see you in my shirt.”

Her heart raced, but she finally nodded, slipping into the oversized shirt. It hung loose on her frame, the sleeves covering her hands. When she walked out shyly, Veeresh’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening at the sight.

“Perfect,” he murmured, pulling her into a quick, searing kiss.

---

In the kitchen, Veeresh insisted on cooking. He stood at the counter, sleeves rolled, buttering slices of bread before sliding them into the toaster. Poornima sat at the high chair, chin in her palm, watching him with hidden amusement.

“You can cook?” she teased.

He smirked without looking at her. “I can do everything, Mrs. Raj.”

When he placed the golden toast before her, she took a bite and smiled brightly. “It’s tasty.”

The rare softness in her praise made something inside him melt. He leaned over, stealing a kiss flavored with butter and bread crumbs.

---

Later, they curled up on the couch with a blanket, the screen flickering with a horror movie. Each jump scare made Poornima clutch his arm tighter, burying her face in his chest. Veeresh chuckled lowly, kissing the top of her head.

“Scared, wifey?”

She glared up at him. “No… maybe a little.”

“Good,” he teased, pulling her closer, “because now you’ll never let me go.”

---

By noon, laughter echoed from the swimming pool. Poornima splashed water at him, giggling as Veeresh chased her across the shallow end. Finally catching her, he pinned her against the pool’s edge, droplets of water glistening on her face.

“You’re mine, Poornima,” he whispered before kissing her deeply, the cool water contrasting the heat between them.

---

As evening fell, Poornima insisted on cooking dinner. In the kitchen, she moved gracefully, stirring dal, frying crisp papads, and steaming rice. Veeresh leaned against the counter, arms crossed, silently admiring the way she looked so at home.

At the table, they ate together, feeding each other small bites, laughing when the papad cracked too loudly.

---

That night, after the plates were cleared, they sat on the balcony, city lights twinkling like stars beneath them. Veeresh’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, her head rested against his chest.

It wasn’t a day of missions, secrets, or obligations. It was a day of stolen freedom. A day of husband and wife. A day of love.

And as they kissed under the open sky, both knew—they had tasted the life they wanted, the life they would fight to protect.