Chapter: Her Space

Poornima stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the blue saree.

Nothing heavy.

Nothing loud.

Just simple, elegant, and completely her.

Her phone buzzed.

Veeresh:

I’ll pick you up from the Rathore mansion.

She paused, then typed.

Poornima:

Come to my place. I’ll send the address.

A moment later—

Veeresh:

Okay.

That word made her smile.

When Veeresh arrived, the penthouse surprised him.

Greenery wrapped around the balconies.

Plants everywhere—alive, breathing.

Not a house built to impress, but to heal.

Two huskies ran toward the gate, tails wagging wildly.

“Thor… Simba,” Poornima called gently.

Veeresh bent slightly, amused.

“They look more protective than guards.”

“They are,” she smiled.

He stepped inside.

The space was warm, full of light. Books. Wooden tones. Quiet corners.

“This place is beautiful,” he said honestly.

Poornima smiled—not proud, just content.

She walked down the stairs toward him.

The blue saree flowed softly. No heavy makeup. No ornaments.

Veeresh forgot to breathe for a second.

“You look… perfect,” he said, low and sincere.

She didn’t blush. She just nodded.

“I’ll come here again,” he said casually, as if promising himself.

“Alright,” she replied.

Thor and Simba wagged their tails as they walked out together, watching her leave.

She stepped into the car beside him.

No fear.

No hesitation.

As they drove toward the venue where the investors awaited, Veeresh glanced at her once.

For the first time, he wasn’t bringing her into his world.

He was being invited into hers.

And he liked it.