Chapter 60

City of Memories, Colour of New Beginnings

The morning in felt softer than usual.

Veeresh held Inayat’s hand while Poornima walked beside him, her saree flowing lightly in the cool breeze.

He wasn’t just showing her tourist spots.

He was showing her pieces of his past.

They walked near the calm waters of the , where he once sat alone during his loneliest years.

He pointed toward and said quietly, “I used to come here after late meetings.”

Poornima didn’t interrupt.

She just listened.

At , Inayat laughed loudly, clutching her father’s arm as the city rose beneath them.

Veeresh watched Poornima instead of the skyline.

Her happiness felt bigger than the city.

Later, he suddenly stopped outside a baby store.

“Let’s shop,” he said casually.

Poornima blinked.
“Why now? We can do it after the baby comes…”

He looked at her belly and smiled faintly.
“It’s okay. Boy or girl, we’ll shop. It’ll be useful… even for another baby.”

Her heart skipped.

Another baby.

Future.

Plural.

She felt shy, but her smile betrayed her happiness.

Inside the store, Veeresh picked up pink and blue outfits, then frowned slightly.

“Why only pink and blue? Let’s see other colours.”

They chose soft yellows, mint greens, creams.

Neutral.

Warm.

Hopeful.

He carefully selected tiny socks, little caps, and a small blanket.

Poornima watched him.

This was a man who once feared attachment.

Now he was choosing baby clothes with quiet excitement.

After shopping, they had lunch at an Indian restaurant, laughing when Inayat insisted on feeding her father with her tiny hands.

They took photos near the river.

One of him holding Inayat.

One of Poornima smiling with her hand on her belly.

One together.

A family picture.

Veeresh glanced at it and said nothing.

But he saved it as his wallpaper.

On the way back, Poornima leaned slightly into him while walking.

London no longer felt foreign.

It felt like a chapter being rewritten.

Not of loneliness.

But of belonging.

Inayat hummed happily between them.

And Veeresh held both their hands tightly.

As if promising silently—

This time, I won’t let go.

—

One line:
Kabhi sheher yaadein deta hai… kabhi wahi sheher nayi zindagi ka vaada ban jaata hai.