Poornima stood near her dresser, brushing her hair gently, her cheeks still glowing with last night’s memories. Her heart felt lighter, warmer… calmer in a way she hadn’t expected.

She didn’t hear the door open.

She didn’t hear his steps.

But she felt him.

Two strong arms suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her gently into a familiar chest. She inhaled sharply—not in fear, but in recognition.

Veeresh.

His chin rested on her shoulder, his breath warm against her neck as he murmured softly, almost shyly:

“Poornima… I told your appa.”

She froze, brush stuck mid-air.

Then she slowly turned her head to look at him.

“You… what?” she whispered.

He tightened his hold, not letting her go even for a second.

“I told him I’m dating you.

That last night… you chose me.

And I told him I will marry you.”

Her breath hitched.

He continued, voice steady and honest—brutally honest:

“And I asked for his permission.”

She stared, stunned—not at his words, but at the calm confidence with which he said them.

“And?” she asked quietly.

“He approved,” Veeresh said, a small, rare smile tugging at his lips.

“He said he has no problem. He trusts me. And I… I’ll prove him right.”

Her chest tightened with emotion she couldn’t hide even if she wanted to.

He slowly turned her around to face him, never breaking contact. His eyes were warm, clearer than she had ever seen them.

“Poornima,” he said softly, cupping her cheeks with both hands,

“I don’t want to hide anything from you.

Not my fears.

Not my past.

Not my feelings.

I will always be honest with you.

No matter how hard it is.

I won’t lie. Not even once.”

Her eyes softened, glistening slightly.

He leaned his forehead against hers.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“For giving me a chance I don’t deserve.

For choosing me.

For coming back.”

Her lower lip trembled as she whispered back:

“Veeresh…”

But he wasn’t done.

He pulled her closer, holding her like she was the only steady thing in his universe.

“I love you.”

The words were simple.

Not dramatic.

Not flowery.

But heavy.

Real.

True.

Her breath caught.

She wrapped her arms around him tightly, sinking into his embrace.

“Thank you,” she whispered against his chest.

“For loving me now, when I stopped expecting it.”

She pulled back slightly, rose on her toes, and kissed him—soft, slow, gentle—filled with everything she had kept buried all these years.

He smiled into the kiss, pulling her even closer.

And for the first time, the room felt brighter.

The world felt right.

And their hearts… finally felt at home.