Chapter 21

The staff room was livelier than usual.

Poornima had just returned from her class, placing her books neatly on the table when Mr. Banerjee called out to her.

“Professor Rai,” he said warmly, gesturing toward a man standing beside him. “This is Pavan, our new professor. He’ll be joining the department from today.”

Poornima turned, offering a polite smile.

“Welcome,” she said gently.

“Thank you,” Pavan replied, clearly a little nervous but appreciative.

They exchanged a few words, simple and formal. Poornima remained her usual self—calm, composed, approachable.

Unaware—

That across the room—

A pair of eyes watched.

And burned.

Veeresh stood at a distance, his expression unreadable, but his gaze fixed. The ease with which she spoke, the small smile she offered—it didn’t sit well with him.

Not at all.

Time passed.

Conversations shifted.

And then—

Poornima stepped out into the corridor, carrying a file.

She had barely taken a few steps when suddenly—

A hand gripped her arm and pulled her aside into a secluded corner.

Her breath hitched for a second.

“Mr. Raj—”

Before she could finish—

His fingers pressed sharply into her waist.

“Veer,” he corrected, his voice low, edged.

Her eyes flashed.

“You—”

But the words didn’t come.

Because in the next moment—

He pulled her closer—

And kissed her.

Not like before.

This wasn’t rain.

This wasn’t hesitation.

This was intense.

Possessive.

Uncontrolled.

For a second, she froze.

Then her hand gripped his shirt instinctively.

“Veer…” she breathed against his lips, half protest, half surrender.

He didn’t step back immediately.

When he did, his forehead rested briefly against hers, his breath steady but heavy.

“I’m not leaving you, eletem,” he said, his voice firm, unwavering.

Her eyes searched his, confusion and resistance clashing within her.

“I don’t mind how broken you are,” he continued. “I will put you back together.”

She pulled back slightly, trying to regain herself.

“Have you gone crazy?” she asked, her voice low but sharp.

His lips curved faintly.

“Yes,” he said. “On you.”

She shook her head, disbelief clear on her face.

But he didn’t stop.

“I told you,” he continued, his gaze intense, “that parting will carry my name. Sindoor. Those black beads—mine. Everything…”

He stepped just a fraction closer.

“…mine.”

For a moment—

She just looked at him.

Really looked.

At his certainty.

At his madness.

At the way he didn’t step back.

Then—

A small, almost helpless reaction slipped out.

“Gadha.”

The word carried irritation.

But something else too.

Something she hadn’t fully named yet.

And Veeresh—

Just smiled.