Chapter 16

Sleep didn’t come.

Poornima turned to one side, then the other, her eyes open, mind restless. Every time she closed them, the same moment replayed.

The rain.
His touch.
That kiss.

She exhaled sharply and sat up.

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered under her breath.

Without thinking further, she got up, walked to the cabinet, and pulled out a bottle.

Old Monk.

She poured herself a glass, the dark liquid catching the dim light of the room. No water. No hesitation.

Just as she lifted it—

Her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen.

Poornima ka Veer

A slight frown.

She picked it up.

“What?”

There was a brief pause on the other end.

“I’m missing you,” Veeresh said, his voice calm, but carrying something real beneath it.

She blinked once, caught off guard, then scoffed lightly.

“Isn’t this too much?”

Silence.

Then she took a sip, the warmth spreading instantly.

“I’m drinking Old Monk,” she added casually. “Wanna join?”

A beat.

“Of course,” he replied. “You’re calling, I’m not coming.”

She almost rolled her eyes.

“Do you want sides?” he asked.

“No.”

“Okay. I’m coming.”

The call ended.

Poornima stared at the phone for a second.

Then shook her head slightly.

“Unbelievable.”

Still—

She didn’t stop him.

Instead, she got up, straightened the space just a little, placed two glasses, and opened a packet of chips.

Simple.

Unnecessary.

But done anyway.

Exactly ten minutes later—

The doorbell rang.

She opened it.

Veeresh stood there, as composed as ever, as if arriving at her place late at night was the most natural thing in the world.

Without a word, he stepped inside.

His eyes scanned the room briefly before settling on her.

She walked back and sat down, picking up the bottle.

He joined her, sitting comfortably, like he belonged there.

“Pour water,” he said casually.

She shot him a look.

“I will throw you out,” she replied flatly. “I like it raw. I have good tolerance.”

A faint smirk appeared on his face.

“Of course you do.”

She poured for both of them.

No dilution.

No softness.

Just like everything between them.

They clinked glasses lightly—more out of habit than intention—and drank.

The room settled into a quiet rhythm.

Chips opened.

Glasses refilled.

No formal conversation.

Just presence.

Comfortable.

Unusual.

Veeresh leaned back slightly, watching her for a moment as she took another sip without flinching.

“You don’t do anything halfway, do you?” he said.

She glanced at him.

“No.”

Simple.

Clear.

He nodded once, as if that confirmed something.

They continued drinking, the silence no longer heavy.

Just steady.

Two people.

In one room.

Sharing something undefined.

And neither of them questioning it—

At least, not out loud.