Chapter 13: Waiting Without Complaint

The evening had settled into a soft golden hue when Veeresh parked his Bullet outside the hospital, his eyes instinctively moving toward the entrance, expecting her to walk out any moment.

He checked the time once.

Then again.

Five minutes turned into fifteen.

Fifteen into thirty.

His fingers tapped lightly against the handle, but there was no irritation on his face, just quiet patience.

After a while, he got down and walked inside.

At the reception, he leaned slightly forward. “Doctor Poornima?”

The nurse looked up. “Emergency delivery… she’s handling it.”

Veeresh nodded immediately. “Okay.”

No complaints.

No questions.

He simply turned back and walked out, sitting down on the bench near the entrance, waiting.

Time passed.

Almost forty-five minutes later, the doors opened, and Poornima walked out, speaking softly to the patient’s family.

“Everything is fine now… mother and baby are safe,” she assured them.

Relief spread across their faces as they thanked her repeatedly.

She nodded gently and turned…

And then she saw him.

Sitting there.

Waiting.

A small smile appeared on her lips instantly.

She walked toward him, her steps slower now, calmer.

“When did you come?” she asked softly.

Veeresh looked up at her, a faint smile forming. “It’s been 45 minutes, Noor.”

Her expression shifted slightly. “It was an emergency…”

“I know,” he said, cutting her gently, not letting her explain further. “That’s okay.”

No irritation.

No disappointment.

Just understanding.

She looked at him for a moment, something warm settling inside her again.

“Go… get ready,” he said, standing up. “We are going out.”

She blinked slightly. “Now?”

He nodded. “Hmm.”

There was no reason.

No plan.

Just… wanting to.

“Okay,” she said softly.

She went inside, changed into a saree, simple yet elegant, her movements lighter than before, as if she didn’t want to keep him waiting now.

When she came out, Veeresh was already there, leaning casually, his eyes lifting the moment he saw her.

He didn’t say anything.

He just walked up to her and held her hand.

“Come, Noor.”

She didn’t pull away.

They walked out together, side by side, his hand still holding hers, firm yet gentle.

As they reached the bike, she adjusted her saree and sat, her hand naturally going around his waist now.

The ride began again, the wind, the silence, the comfort… all familiar.

Poornima rested her cheek slightly against his back, closing her eyes for a moment.

She didn’t know when it started.

But she knew one thing.

These small moments…

His waiting.

His understanding.

The way he never forgot to call her—

“Noor.”

And somewhere within her…

“Veeresh ka Noor.”

It wasn’t just a name anymore.

It was becoming a feeling.