Chapter 22: Words Unspoken, Feelings Understood

Poornima stood outside Veeresh’s cabin, the file held neatly in her hand. For a moment, she didn’t move. It wasn’t hesitation about work… it was him. Being around him had started to feel different, even in the smallest, simplest moments.

She knocked lightly and stepped inside.

He was at his desk, going through documents, his focus sharp as always. Without looking up, he said, “Yes?”

“Signature,” she replied softly, placing the file in front of him.

He looked up then.

His eyes stayed on her for a second longer than necessary.

Something unspoken passed between them.

He took the file, scanned through it quickly, and signed without asking anything. Just as she reached forward to take it, his hand caught her wrist.

Before she could react, he pulled her closer.

“Veer…” she whispered, her voice barely there.

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he leaned in and kissed her.

Deep. Firm. Not rushed… but not hesitant either.

Everything he hadn’t said since morning was there.

For a second, she froze.

Then slowly, she responded, her hand rising to his shoulder, holding onto him lightly.

The world outside that cabin disappeared.

There was no office. No noise. No people.

Just him.

When he pulled back, it wasn’t sudden. He stayed close, his forehead almost touching hers, his breath still uneven.

Then, gently, he placed a soft peck on her lips.

Like sealing something that didn’t need words.

He adjusted her dupatta slightly, casually, as if nothing had happened.

But everything had.

Neither of them spoke.

They didn’t need to.

She understood.

He let go of her hand.

Poornima picked up the file quietly and walked out, her steps steady, but her heartbeat anything but.

Back in her cabin, she closed the door and sat down slowly.

Her fingers moved to her lips without thinking.

“What was that…” she murmured to herself, a soft smile forming.

She shook her head slightly. “He doesn’t say anything… but still…”

Her smile deepened.

“He says everything.”

By lunchtime, the office had settled into its usual rhythm.

Poornima was going through some files when her phone buzzed.

Come.

That was all.

She didn’t need anything more.

She stood up and walked toward his cabin.

When she entered, he looked up briefly. “Let’s go.”

“To…?” she asked, though she already knew.

“Lunch,” he said, getting up.

They sat across from each other in the small dining area. For a moment, there was silence.

Not uncomfortable.

Just new.

He opened the lunch box Lakshmi had packed. “You brought this?”

“Yes,” she said. “Ma packed it.”

He nodded and started serving.

Without asking, he placed food on her plate first.

She looked at him. “You didn’t have breakfast.”

“I told you, meeting.”

“That doesn’t mean you should skip,” she said softly.

He looked at her then, something faint shifting in his eyes. “You’re saying like…”

“Like?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Like you care.”

She didn’t look away.

“I do.”

That made him pause.

For just a second.

He didn’t respond immediately. He took a bite, then said quietly, “Good.”

They continued eating.

Silence again, but it felt… comfortable.

Then he spoke.

“Presentation was good.”

Poornima looked up, slightly surprised. “That’s it?”

He shrugged lightly. “Client signed. That’s what matters.”

She smiled faintly. “Still… thank you.”

He looked at her again, his gaze steady. “I told you… I don’t doubt your work.”

There was something firm in his voice.

Something that stayed.

She lowered her gaze, hiding her smile.

After a moment, he pushed a small portion from his plate toward hers. “Eat more.”

“You eat.”

“I am.”

“You’re not.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips. “You argue a lot.”

“Only when needed.”

He leaned back slightly, watching her.

And in that moment—

It didn’t feel like two people adjusting to a marriage.

It felt like two people…

Slowly choosing each other.