Chapter 15

They broke apart.

The rain had softened, but the moment hadn’t.

Poornima stepped back slightly, her breath uneven, her fingers still curled from where they had held his shirt.

“I… I’m sorry,” she said, her voice quieter than usual. “I should have pushed you but—”

Before she could finish, he pulled her back just enough to stop her from stepping away completely.

“Don’t be sorry, eletem,” he said, his tone low, steady.

She looked up at him, confused, still trying to gather herself.

“Sometimes emotions are not in control,” he continued. “And it’s okay.”

There was no teasing in his voice this time.

No challenge.

Just a strange kind of acceptance.

The rain stopped completely, leaving behind only the damp air and the echo of what had just happened.

Neither spoke for a moment.

Then, without another word, Poornima moved back to the bike and sat down.

This time—

She didn’t argue.

Veeresh started the engine, and they rode in silence.

But it wasn’t the same silence as before.

It carried something now.

Something neither of them named.

The ride felt shorter.

Too short.

Soon, the bike slowed to a stop in front of her apartment.

Poornima got down, adjusting her saree slightly, still not meeting his eyes fully.

“Don’t think too much, eletem,” he said, watching her. “Just relax.”

A pause.

“But I’m not backing away.”

Before she could react, he leaned slightly and pressed a brief kiss to her cheek.

Soft.

Quick.

Certain.

“Bye.”

She stood there, still processing, when he reached for her hand.

Her phone.

“What are you doing?” she asked, startled.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he unlocked it smoothly, saved his number, and handed it back.

She looked down.

Poornima ka Veer

Her brows drew together instantly.

“Mr. Raj—”

“Veer,” he corrected calmly.

Before she could argue, his phone was already in his hand. He dialed himself, saving her number.

Eletem

He glanced at her once.

“Take care,” he said. “Sleep.”

A slight pause.

“See you in the university.”

And just like that, he left.

The sound of his bike faded into the distance.

Poornima stood there for a moment longer before finally turning and walking inside.

Her apartment was quiet.

Familiar.

Safe.

But tonight—

It felt different.

She didn’t change.

Didn’t move much.

She simply lay down on her bed, still in her saree, staring at the ceiling.

Her fingers slowly lifted—

Touching her lips.

The memory hit her all over again.

The rain.

The closeness.

The intensity.

It hadn’t been a moment.

It had lasted.

Long enough to feel.

Long enough to stay.

Nearly two minutes.

Her breath deepened slightly.

Her first… unspoken fantasy.

Kissing in the rain.

And it had happened.

Without planning.

Without warning.

Her eyes closed for a second.

Then opened again.

Her hand reached for her phone.

The screen lit up.

Poornima ka Veer

She stared at it.

A faint irritation crossed her face.

“Haan, Mr. Raj…” she murmured under her breath.

“You’re doing too much.”

But even as she said it—

She didn’t delete it.

Instead, she placed the phone beside her and turned slightly, pulling the blanket over herself.

Her fingers brushed her lips once more.

And this time—

She didn’t move them away immediately.

Because no matter how much she tried to deny it—

That moment…

Had stayed.