Chapter 18: Noor Was Waiting

The room was quiet, the night settling slowly, when Poornima’s phone buzzed softly beside her.

She picked it up, her eyes immediately searching the name.

Veeresh.

Her lips curved before she even opened the message.

“Midnight I will come… don’t think I am thief… I will have dinner with you.”

She read it once.

Then again.

A soft laugh escaped her.

“Him…” she whispered.

Her heart felt lighter instantly.

She stepped out for a moment when her mother called her for dinner.

“Beta, come eat.”

Poornima shook her head gently. “I’m not hungry, Ma… I’ll eat later.”

Her mother looked at her but didn’t question much.

Poornima returned to her room, closing the door softly, sitting on the bed, her eyes moving again and again to the window.

“Come soon…” she murmured under her breath. “…Noor is missing you.”

Time felt slower.

Every small sound made her turn.

Around 10 PM…

A soft knock came from the window.

She turned instantly.

Veeresh stood there, half inside already, a mischievous smile on his face.

“Noor… I thought you’d be waiting with a stick,” he said teasingly as he stepped in.

She couldn’t help but smile.

Before she could say anything, he leaned forward and pecked her lips quickly.

“I came,” he added softly.

She looked at him, that same warmth spreading again.

They sat together on the bed, close, comfortable, like they had done this a hundred times before.

“How was college?” she asked quietly.

He leaned back slightly, talking easily. “Normal… friends irritating… classes boring…”

She listened, not interrupting, just watching him, the way he spoke, the way his expressions changed, the small details she was beginning to notice more and more.

“Wait,” she said suddenly. “I’ll bring dinner.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

She went downstairs quietly, careful not to make noise, and brought the food up, placing it between them.

They sat close again.

One plate.

Like always.

Veeresh took a bite and held it toward her. “Open.”

She looked at him for a second… then did.

He fed her.

Then ate himself.

Simple.

Natural.

Poornima watched him in between, a soft smile never really leaving her face.

She was noticing something.

How he didn’t need big things.

How he made small moments…

Feel like everything.

After finishing, they went to wash their hands quietly, standing side by side, their shoulders brushing lightly.

He looked at her reflection in the mirror.

“You look cute in kurta,” he said casually. “Wear it.”

She smiled softly. “Okay.”

Back in the room, the night wrapped around them again.

No rush.

No noise.

Just them.

Veeresh pulled her close as they lay down, his arms wrapping around her firmly, his head finding its place against her chest like it belonged there.

Before closing his eyes, he leaned up slightly and pecked her lips again.

“Noor…” he murmured softly.

Poornima’s fingers moved into his hair gently, her touch slow, comforting.

She could feel his warmth against her skin.

Close.

Real.

Safe.

Her eyes slowly closed too.

And in that quiet night…

With him in her arms…

She slept.