Chapter 13: The Card He Played

By now, Veeresh didn’t need to touch her to move her.

Poornima adjusted her steps to his pace without realizing it. She waited when he slowed. She stopped when he stopped. Her world had begun to orbit him so quietly that she didn’t even notice when her own center disappeared.

And she didn’t mind.

That frightened her the most.

Veeresh waited patiently. He always did. He knew games were won by timing, not force. And when the moment felt right—when he was certain she would follow—he moved his card.

They stood outside the academic block, shadows stretching long in the fading light. No one around. No voices. Just the hush of evening settling over the campus.

He pulled her close.

Naturally, his hand went to her waist.

Poornima didn’t resist. She never did anymore.

They kissed—slow, familiar, heavy with unspoken promises. When he pulled back, his forehead rested briefly against hers.

“You’re beautiful,” he said softly.

Her lips curved into a small, shy smile.

“And you’re mine.”

The word settled into her chest like truth instead of warning.

He tightened his hold, drawing her closer by the waist, grounding her there. “Tonight,” he said calmly, “you’re coming to the penthouse with me.”

Poornima’s smile faltered.

“Veer…” she began, uncertain, confused—not refusing, not agreeing.

His expression changed instantly.

Not anger. Something colder.

“Don’t upset me,” Veeresh said quietly.

The softness in his voice was more frightening than shouting.

Poornima fell silent.

Before she could say anything else, he released her abruptly and stepped back. His jaw was tight now, his eyes distant—controlled irritation sharpened into something deliberate.

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Poornima followed instinctively.

“Veeresh—wait,” she called, reaching out.

He didn’t stop.

He didn’t even turn.

That hurt more than anything he had ever said.

She stood there as his figure disappeared, her chest tightening, tears burning behind her eyes. Confusion crashed into fear, fear into guilt.

I shouldn’t have hesitated, she told herself.
Why did I upset him?

Tears slipped free before she could stop them.

“I’ll go,” she whispered to no one. “I will.”

She wiped her face quickly, trying to steady herself, already planning how to make it right. How to calm him. How to fix what she didn’t even understand she had broken.

Veeresh knew.

As he walked away, his steps slowed just slightly, satisfaction curling dark and sure in his chest.

She would come.

They always did.

Behind him, Poornima Rathore stood alone, crying quietly—not realizing that the moment she decided to go after him, she had handed him something far more powerful than love.

Her choice.

And Veeresh Raisinghania intended to shatter it.