Chapter: Before the Distance

It was late when Veeresh arrived at her penthouse.

The moment he stepped inside the gate, Thor and Simba ran toward him, tails wagging wildly.

Veeresh bent slightly, smiling.

“Looks like I’ve been accepted,” he murmured.

Inside, the house felt calm—soft lights, greenery, silence that wasn’t lonely.

Veeresh sat on the sofa, loosening his watch.

Poornima came down a few minutes later, dressed simply in her tracks, hair tied back, no effort to impress.

She sat beside him—close, comfortable.

“The clothes are kept there,” he said casually.

“Just see when you get time.”

“Alright,” she replied.

She went, checked them, and returned with a small smile.

“It’s beautiful,” she said honestly.

Veeresh smiled back, relief and happiness flickering in his eyes.

He leaned slightly and kissed her cheek, gentle and familiar.

As she settled back, Veeresh noticed the blueberry diamond necklace still around her neck.

His smile softened.

She hadn’t removed it.

They had dinner together—simple food, shared quietly.

They spoke about small things.

Work.

Travel.

Nothing heavy.

And that was enough.

After a while, Veeresh stood up.

“I need to leave for Delhi,” he said.

“There’s an early meeting.”

She nodded.

“Okay.”

He freshened up quickly, picked up his bag.

At the door, he paused.

He leaned in and kissed her cheek once more, lingering just a second longer.

“Bye,” he said softly.

“Take care.”

Poornima smiled—no fear, no doubt.

“Bye,” she replied.

As Veeresh walked out, Thor and Simba watched him go.

And Poornima stood there for a moment, touching the necklace lightly—

Realizing that even with distance,

this felt steady.

And that mattered.