Chapter 13

The evening sun cast a warm glow across the campus as students slowly dispersed, their voices fading into the distance.

Near the entrance, leaning against his bike, Veeresh Raj waited.

His Bullet stood steady beside him, engine off, but his presence alone was enough to draw attention. A few students glanced his way before quickly moving on.

His eyes, however, were fixed in one direction.

And then—

She appeared.

Poornima walked out, her steps calm, unaware for a moment that she was already being watched.

A slow smile formed on his lips.

“Mrs. Veeresh,” he called out.

She stopped.

Turned.

Her expression instantly shifting into annoyance.

“Come,” he added casually, nodding toward the bike. “I’ll drop you.”

She walked closer, but only enough to make her point.

“I have legs,” she said flatly. “I can go by myself.”

“I know you have,” he replied smoothly. “But I want to drop you. So sit.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“And if I don’t?”

His gaze didn’t waver.

“I’ll kiss you.”

The words were said like a fact, not a threat.

Poornima scoffed instantly.

“In your dreams, Mr. Raj.”

Before she could step away, his hand moved—quick, deliberate—pinching her waist just enough to stop her mid-motion.

She reacted immediately, hitting his hand away.

“Don’t touch me.”

His expression didn’t change, but his eyes held that same controlled intensity.

“Veer,” he said. “Or Veeresh. That’s what you call me.”

“Don’t irritate me,” she shot back.

For a moment, they just stood there—neither backing down.

Then his tone shifted, slightly firmer.

“Poornima. Sit.”

She glared at him.

“Gadha,” she muttered under her breath, stepping closer and lightly hitting his arm in irritation.

He caught her wrist briefly, stopping her.

“Don’t beat your soon-to-be husband,” he said calmly.

She hit him again.

Harder this time.

But instead of reacting, he simply smirked.

And then—

With a frustrated breath, she moved past him and sat on the bike.

As if she had just agreed to something she didn’t want to admit.

Veeresh’s smirk deepened.

He got on, settling in front.

Without asking, he reached back, took her hand, and placed it around his waist.

A brief pause.

Her fingers resisted for a second.

Then stayed.

The engine roared to life.

And in the next moment—

They were moving.

The wind picked up, carrying strands of her hair behind her, brushing lightly against his shoulder.

Poornima kept her grip firm—not out of comfort, but necessity.

Or so she told herself.

Veeresh rode steadily, his posture relaxed, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

As if she already belonged there.

Behind him.

Holding on.

And neither of them spoke.

But the silence between them—

Was no longer empty.