Chapter 21: A Feeling She Didn’t Resist

Morning light slowly filled the room.

Poornima’s eyes opened gently.

For a moment, she didn’t move.

There was a strange feeling inside her.

Light.

Calm.

Something she hadn’t felt in days.

She lay there quietly, her mind slowly waking up before her body did.

And then…

Everything came back.

The sudden marriage.

The moment he walked into the room and said, “You’re marrying me.”

The way he removed her layered jewellery without asking.

The wedding itself.

Fast.

Unexpected.

Final.

Her fingers moved slightly over the bedsheet as she remembered the night.

The way he had taken off every piece of jewellery.

The way his voice had turned firm when he said, don’t remove the anklets and waist chain.

That tone.

Authoritative.

Certain.

She should have felt uncomfortable.

But she didn’t.

Her breath slowed as more moments came back.

The red saree.

The way he draped it on her.

The way he lifted her without asking.

The sudden closeness.

The pinch at her waist.

His hand resting there.

Her cheeks warmed slightly at the memory.

She closed her eyes for a second.

There was no fear in it.

No hesitation.

Just… something new.

She opened her eyes again, staring ahead quietly.

Veeresh was cold.

A bit controlling.

That was true.

Everyone knew that.

But with him…

It never felt wrong.

It never felt suffocating.

With Pavan, even his words felt heavy.

Like they were taking something away from her.

But with Veeresh…

It felt different.

His control didn’t feel like restriction.

It felt like certainty.

Like she didn’t have to question anything.

And that thought surprised her.

She didn’t mind it.

She trusted him.

That was the difference.

A small breath left her.

Her heart felt… steady.

She slowly tried to get up, careful not to disturb him.

Her movements were soft.

Almost silent.

But before she could move away—

His hand tightened around her.

And in one swift motion, he pulled her back.

Closer.

She gasped softly, her eyes widening as she looked at him.

He was awake.

And he was staring at her.

Not saying anything.

Just looking.

His gaze steady.

Deep.

Holding her in place.

Her heart started beating faster.

Not out of fear.

But because of him.

And in that moment—

She didn’t try to move away.