Chapter 16: From Cousin to Husband

They both stood together and took blessings.

Elders placed their hands on their heads, giving blessings for a happy married life, for strength, for togetherness.

Poornima bent down beside Veeresh, her mind still trying to catch up with everything that had just happened.

And then—

A sudden voice.

“Poornima!”

Everyone turned.

Pavan stood at the entrance.

His face filled with shock.

Anger.

Disbelief.

His eyes went straight to her… then to the sindur, the mangalsutra.

“What is this?” he shouted, stepping forward. “What nonsense is this?”

The atmosphere turned tense instantly.

“You were supposed to marry me!” he said, his voice rising. “How dare you do this?”

Poornima stood still.

Before she could even react—

Veeresh stepped forward.

Calm.

But dangerous.

“One more word against my wife,” he said, his voice low but sharp, “and I will shoot you.”

Silence fell.

Everyone froze.

Pavan looked at him, stunned.

“We waited,” Veeresh continued. “You didn’t arrive on time.”

A pause.

“So we got married.”

His gaze didn’t waver.

“Now… get out.”

There was no anger in his tone.

Just finality.

Raju stepped forward slightly, his presence supporting him.

Pavan’s family looked around, embarrassed, angry, but with no ground to stand on.

Without another word, they turned and left.

The door closed.

And just like that—

It was over.

Poornima stood there, her heart racing.

Not from fear.

But from everything happening too fast.

She turned slowly and walked inside Thakur Bhavan with Veeresh.

The same house.

The same walls.

The same corridors she had run through as a child.

Played.

Laughed.

Grown up.

And now…

She walked in as a wife.

His wife.

Her cousin.

The thought felt strange.

Heavy.

Unreal.

Rituals continued inside.

Poornima followed everything quietly, her mind filled with too many emotions to name.

Veeresh stood beside her, doing what was needed.

No extra words.

No expressions.

After some time, he turned slightly toward her.

“Finish the rituals and come to the room,” he said.

A pause.

“And tea.”

Then he walked away.

Like always.

Poornima stood there for a second, watching him go.

Then turned back.

Lakshmi gently held her hand and pulled her toward the kitchen.

“Beta…” she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Poornima looked at her.

“I am happy,” Lakshmi said honestly. “From childhood, I always wanted you both to get married.”

Poornima’s eyes softened.

“Today it happened,” Lakshmi continued.

She smiled slightly. “I know you will take care of that ice guy.”

Poornima let out a small smile.

Lakshmi cupped her face gently. “I am no more your aunty. I am your mom now.”

Those words stayed.

Deep.

“If he does anything,” Lakshmi added with a playful firmness, “you tell me. I will take his class.”

Poornima smiled properly this time.

A real one.

Lakshmi nodded. “Now go.”

Poornima prepared the tea quietly.

Her hands moved automatically, but her heart felt different.

She picked up the cup.

Walked toward the room.

Their room.

She paused for a second before entering.

Then stepped in.

Veeresh was there.

She went closer and placed the cup in front of him.

“Tea.”

He picked it up and drank.

No words.

Just silence.

But now…

It wasn’t the same silence anymore.