The arena buzzed with excitement, fans filling the stands with cheers and applause. Poornima, seated in the podium section with Veeresh’s team members’ wives, adjusted her red shawl over her shoulders. Her heart thumped in her chest — not just from the crowd, but from the anticipation of seeing Veeresh in his element.

Veeresh appeared in his basketball gear: black jersey, shorts, and pristine sneakers. His eyes scanned the court, his posture radiating authority and confidence.

“You can sit and watch, or you can leave,” he said quietly to Poornima, tying his shoes with precise movements.

“I’ll watch,” she said softly. “All the best.”

He looked at her briefly, almost amused. “Not necessary.”

“I want to,” Poornima insisted. “I’ve never watched a game like this before.”

With a faint nod, Veeresh left with his team members, the crowd’s roar rising as the match began.

Poornima leaned forward in her seat, her eyes locked on him. Every movement, every pass, every dribble captivated her. He was not just a player — he was a leader, guiding his team with precision, confidence, and strategy. Each time they scored a goal, her chest swelled with a mix of pride and delight.

But then she noticed a girl from the audience cheering loudly for Veeresh, waving signs and calling out his name. A strange pang of jealousy twisted inside her.

How dare she cheer for him… he is my husband, Poornima thought sharply, her fists clenching in her lap. I will cheer for him, not anyone else.

With renewed determination, she clapped and shouted quietly, “Go, Veeresh! You can do it!”

Veeresh, however, remained completely absorbed in the game. His eyes scanned the court, communicating silently with his teammates, his mind entirely on strategy, passes, and scoring. He did not notice the cheering audience, nor Poornima, and that made her chest tighten in a strange way — irritation mixed with an unfamiliar thrill.

He doesn’t see anyone… only the game, she mused quietly.

For the first time, Poornima realized that Veeresh was not only cold and controlling at home, but also completely devoted to what he cared about, whether it was basketball or, she suspected, other things.

Her hands tightened around her scarf, her eyes following him intently. Pride, jealousy, and a curious warmth coiled in her chest.

I’ll support him… I’ll be by his side… and maybe one day, he’ll see me the way I see him.

The game continued, fast-paced and intense, and Poornima found herself lost in the rhythm — cheering, hoping, and feeling an unexpected connection with the man she was slowly learning to understand and admire.

Veeresh played like a king on the court, confident, commanding, untouchable — completely unaware of the storm of emotions his presence was stirring in his new wife.