Chapter 25

Evening settled quietly over the city.

Poornima walked toward her apartment, her steps steady, her thoughts anything but. The day had been long, filled with more than lectures and routine.

And as expected—

He was there.

Leaning against his bike, waiting.

Her eyes narrowed the moment she saw him.

“You don’t have any other work?” she said, walking past him without stopping.

Veeresh straightened, falling into step beside her.

“This is my work,” he replied calmly.

She scoffed.

“Of course. Following me around.”

He didn’t argue.

Didn’t deny.

He simply walked with her.

They reached her apartment without another word. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, not bothering to ask him if he was coming.

Because she already knew.

He entered as if it was familiar now.

She went straight to the kitchen, poured a glass of water, and handed it to him.

He took it.

Watched her.

“Poornima,” he said after a moment, his tone quieter than usual, “one chance.”

She looked at him immediately.

There was no hesitation in her response.

“Don’t beg.”

Her voice wasn’t harsh.

Just firm.

A pause.

“Give me some time.”

Silence followed.

Then—

Veeresh smiled.

Not his usual smirk.

Not teasing.

Something softer.

“Take it,” he said simply.

No pressure.

No argument.

Just acceptance.

That, more than anything, made her look at him for a second longer.

He stayed for dinner.

Nothing dramatic.

No arguments.

No tension.

Just a quiet meal, shared in an unusual comfort.

And then—

He left.

Just like that.

No insistence.

No pushing.

The door closed behind him.

Poornima stood there for a moment, the silence of the apartment returning.

But it didn’t feel the same.

She walked slowly to her room, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

A small smile appeared on her lips—unexpected, unplanned.

Her fingers brushed lightly against her own palm as if recalling something.

His words.

His certainty.

His madness.

“Gadha…” she murmured softly.

But this time—

There was no irritation in it.

Only something quieter.

Something she didn’t name yet.

She lay back, staring at the ceiling.

Thinking.

Not resisting.

Just… thinking.

And somewhere in between those thoughts—

A smile stayed.