Chapter 56 – Hidden Teasing

The staff room was lively, laughter ringing through as the professors enjoyed the sweets. Professor Sharma praised the barfi, while Professor Banerjee kept teasing that two treats in one week could only mean something special.

Poornima shook her head, smiling politely, while Veeresh sat beside her, outwardly calm, inwardly restless.

His hand rested lightly on her waist under the table. Whenever she reached for her tea, his thumb brushed her side. Whenever she leaned forward to answer someone, he leaned too—close enough that their shoulders touched, close enough to remind her silently: You are mine.

At one point, Professor Banerjee cracked a witty line about poets falling in love too easily. The room roared with laughter, and Poornima laughed too, covering her mouth delicately.

Veeresh turned, his lips almost brushing her ear, and whispered so low only she could hear:

“Keep smiling like that, and tonight you’ll pay, Mrs. Raj.”

Her hand froze midair. She glanced at him quickly, eyes wide, a blush creeping up her cheeks. He smirked, as though nothing had happened, taking another sweet from the plate.

“Professor Raj, you seem in a very good mood today,” Banerjee observed.

Veeresh’s eyes flickered toward Poornima before answering smoothly, “Some things have a way of sweetening life.”

Only she caught the hidden meaning. Her heart fluttered, but she masked it with a sip of tea.

To everyone else, they were just colleagues. To each other, every word, every touch was a secret dialogue.