Chapter 25: A Restless Wait

The next morning began like any other.

Poornima woke up early, carefully moving away so as not to disturb him. She got ready, draping her saree neatly, adjusting her sindur and mangalsutra with quiet ease. When she stepped out, Veeresh was already up.

They didn’t exchange many words.

But they didn’t need to.

At the breakfast table, they sat beside each other. She served him without asking, and he ate quietly, occasionally glancing at her.

Small things.

But they stayed.

After finishing, they both left for the office together.

The drive was calm, filled with silence that felt familiar now.

At work, both got busy.

Poornima immersed herself in files, numbers, and meetings. Still, somewhere in between, her thoughts went to him… as they had started doing without her realizing.

Later, she walked into his cabin with a file.

“Signature,” she said softly.

He took it, signed it, and then looked at her.

“I’ll be going to the party tonight.”

She nodded slightly. “Okay.”

Then, almost immediately, “Don’t forget to take the tablets… if your migraine starts.”

He looked at her for a second.

“Alright.”

That was all.

But it was enough.

Evening came.

Poornima returned home and changed. She moved into the kitchen, preparing dinner, keeping everything ready like always. Lakshmi came in and spoke to her, asking about the day, guiding her through small things, treating her with warmth that felt like home.

Riya also spoke to her, but Poornima’s responses were softer, shorter.

Her mind wasn’t fully there.

Dinner was done.

The house slowly settled into its night rhythm.

But Poornima couldn’t.

She sat in her room for a while, then stood near the window, then walked again… unable to stay still.

Her heart felt restless.

Veeresh was at the party.

She knew what that meant.

Noise.

Drinks.

People.

And…

Her thoughts paused.

His ex.

What if she was there?

What if something triggered him?

She had seen his headaches.

She had seen how quietly he handled everything… and how deeply things affected him without showing.

Her fingers tightened slightly around her phone.

Should she call?

No… he was busy.

But what if—

She looked at the screen again.

Nothing.

No message.

No call.

Time passed slowly.

Every minute felt longer than usual.

Lakshmi passed by once and noticed her standing there.

“Beta, you didn’t sleep yet?” she asked gently.

Poornima turned slightly. “I will, Ma.”

Lakshmi smiled and nodded, but she noticed the concern in her eyes.

Poornima looked back at her phone.

Still nothing.

She sat down on the bed, her thoughts circling the same place.

Did he eat?

Did he take his tablets?

Is he okay?

The questions didn’t stop.

She wasn’t just waiting.

She was worrying.

Deeply.

Because she knew him.

Because she understood him.

Because somewhere along the way—

He had become hers.

And now, without even realizing it, her heart had started staying with him… wherever he was.

She lay down slowly, her phone still in her hand.

Her eyes remained open.

Waiting.

Hoping.

For just one call.