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The room was quiet, tension lingering in the air. Veeresh approached cautiously, his sharp eyes on Poornima, who sat silently on the edge of the bed, arms crossed and lips pressed together.

> “Ruby… I’m sorry,” Veeresh said softly, his usual commanding tone replaced with something almost vulnerable.

Poornima didn’t respond. Not a word. Her silence was louder than anything he had ever faced.

Veeresh exhaled, trying another approach, a teasing note in his voice:

> “Shall I… do sit-ups and push-ups?”

Poornima didn’t flinch. She ignored him completely, her gaze fixed somewhere beyond him.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head, and leaned closer, lowering his voice.

> “I want to have kids with you… everything. I want our future.”

Finally, she looked at him, her eyes glimmering with a mix of tears and resolve.

> “Then why didn’t you agree earlier?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Veeresh smiled faintly, rubbing the back of his neck.

> “It was… sudden,” he admitted, the rare vulnerability making him look almost human.

Poornima’s lips curved into a small, mischievous smirk.

> “Then do 50 sit-ups,” she said, her tone playful but firm. “And I’ll sit on your back while you do push-ups.”

Veeresh arched an eyebrow, amusement twinkling in his dark eyes.

> “You’re impossible,” he muttered, but he got down without protest, the guard counting out loud.

One… two… three…

He moved steadily, his muscles flexing under her gaze. By the time he finished 50 sit-ups, sweat glistening on his forehead, Poornima clapped softly, her smile triumphant.

> “Now, push-ups,” she instructed, climbing onto his back.

Veeresh grinned faintly, adjusting her carefully, then began the push-ups, counting each one with determination. Poornima held on, giggling softly as he strained beneath her weight.

By the fiftieth push-up, he collapsed gently onto the floor, breathing heavily but smiling up at her.

> “Not bad,” Poornima teased, hopping off his back. “You can bear my weight… and my plans.”

Veeresh chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow.

> “Yes, Ruby… and I’ll bear everything with you. Always.”

She knelt beside him, brushing his cheek softly and whispering,

> “Good… now I believe you completely.”

Veeresh pulled her into a warm embrace, feeling the weight of her trust settle over him like a shield. For once, the world outside didn’t matter — there was only her, him, and the unspoken promises of a shared future.