The next morning, Poornima couldn’t stop smiling. The taste of last night’s kiss still lingered in her heart — tender, unexpected, and full of promise. Veeresh had left early for the estate, and she busied herself around the haveli, humming softly for the first time in years.

Around noon, her phone buzzed.

“Abhi beta,” she answered with a cheerful tone.

On the other end came Abhi’s excited voice.

“Mom! I have news—big news!”

Poornima’s heart skipped a beat. “What happened?”

“Mom,” Abhi said, laughter spilling through the line, “you and Dad are going to be grandparents! Kavya is expecting!”

Poornima’s eyes widened, her hand covering her mouth in shock and joy. “What… really?”

“Yes, Mom,” came Kavya’s soft, shy voice from behind him. “We just got the doctor’s confirmation today.”

Tears brimmed in Poornima’s eyes. “Kavya beta… I’m so happy for you both! May Mahadev bless you.”

Kavya giggled and said, “Mom, you sound happier than us!”

Poornima chuckled through her tears. “Of course, I am. My little girl is going to be a mother.”

Then she paused thoughtfully and asked, “Tell me, beta, what sweet does your appa like?”

Kavya teased her, “You still have to ask, Mom? Kheer! Appa can never say no to it.”

Poornima smiled knowingly. “Then kheer it is. And yes, we’ll come to Delhi soon.”

“Promise?” Kavya asked eagerly.

“Yes, after your grandpa returns, we’ll come,” Poornima assured before ending the call.

---

That evening, the golden sunset poured through the haveli windows as Veeresh returned, dust from the estate still on his shirt. He saw Poornima waiting in the veranda, holding a small silver bowl.

“What’s this?” he asked, setting his briefcase down.

“Kheer,” she said with a gentle smile.

He frowned playfully. “Kheer? What’s the occasion?”

“Guess,” she said, her eyes twinkling.

Veeresh smirked. “Hmm… you got pregnant?”

Poornima gave him a mock glare and said, “Don’t joke like that!”

He laughed softly. “Then I give up. Tell me.”

She stepped closer, her face glowing. “We’re going to be grandparents, Veeresh. Kavya is expecting.”

For a moment, Veeresh just stared at her — then a slow, proud smile spread across his face. “Really?”

Poornima nodded, eyes moist with happiness. “Abhi called me. They both are so happy.”

Veeresh took the bowl from her hand and set it aside, then gently held her shoulders. “Our little girl is going to be a mother,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You raised them so well, Poornima.”

She smiled softly. “We did.”

He nodded. “We’ll visit them soon. Let Appa come back from Mysore, and we’ll go to Delhi together.”

Poornima smiled warmly. “Yes. I want to be there for her.”

Veeresh looked at her, admiration in his eyes — the glow of the evening sunlight falling on her face. “You’re glowing more than the bride herself,” he teased gently.

She blushed and said, “That’s because I’m finally happy.”

He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “Then keep smiling like this, Poornima. You don’t know how peaceful it makes this house feel.”

And as the night settled around them, they sat side by side, sharing spoonfuls of kheer — sweet like the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.