Veeresh leaned back in his study chair, eyes drifting toward the faint glow of the television from the living room. He had observed enough to understand one thing — Poornima’s friendships were her anchor.

She and her friends had always been inseparable, supporting each other through everything:

The school days where Veeresh had been bullied, and they had played their part in the chaos of it all.

Her crush on Pavan, and the silent encouragement — or gossip — her friends had shared with her.

The moments of triumph and defeat, laughter and tears — Neha and Priyanka were there for her in ways she sometimes needed more than anyone else.

Veeresh’s jaw tightened slightly, a mix of amusement and quiet grudging respect for their loyalty. Even if it meant they were once part of my humiliation… they were fiercely protective of her, he thought.

He returned to his laptop, fingers tapping on the keyboard as he lost himself in work, yet his mind couldn’t help but wander back to the laughter he had glimpsed, the joy in her voice, the way her eyes lit up.

Meanwhile, Poornima finally ended the call, smiling to herself. She placed her phone down, rose to the kitchen, and prepared dinner meticulously. Her movements were smooth, practiced — a small dance of habit and care.

Once dinner was ready, she set the table and returned to the living room, flipping through channels, half-watching television while she waited for Veeresh to return.

From the study, Veeresh occasionally glanced up. She was focused on her screen, yet there was a quiet warmth to her presence — something that tugged subtly at him.

He said nothing. He didn’t move. But inside, he felt it: the strange, unfamiliar stirrings of attachment, curiosity… maybe even something he was too stubborn to name yet.

The evening stretched on, quiet and normal on the surface, but underneath, a delicate tension of proximity and unspoken emotions began weaving between them.