Chapter 26

The phone rang past midnight.

Poornima stirred slightly, reaching for it without even opening her eyes fully.

“Gadha…” she muttered as she picked up. “You don’t have any sense of time?”

On the other end, Veeresh smiled.

“Not at all,” he said casually.

She sighed, sitting up now.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I was on a video call with my brother,” she replied, her voice softer at the mention.

A brief pause.

“Come out,” he said.

She frowned slightly. “Now?”

“Eletem.”

That one word.

She exhaled.

“Okay.”

“Ten minutes,” he said. “I’m coming.”

The call ended.

Poornima shook her head lightly but got up anyway. She changed into simple tracks, tied her hair, and walked downstairs.

He was already there.

Waiting.

She walked up without a word and sat behind him on the bike.

This time—

She didn’t hesitate.

He started the engine, and they rode through the quiet streets, the city almost asleep around them.

No rush.

No destination spoken.

They stopped near a roadside stall, the faint light flickering above it.

“Corn?” he asked.

She nodded.

They stood side by side, holding warm corn, the night air cool around them.

For a moment, it was just that.

Simple.

Unexpectedly peaceful.

Then she spoke.

“I’m going to Kashmir,” she said casually.

He turned immediately.

“What?”

She took a bite, unfazed.

“My brother is graduating. He called me. I’m going tomorrow.”

Silence.

He didn’t say anything.

But she noticed.

Of course she did.

She glanced at him, a small knowing look in her eyes.

“Only two days,” she said. “Don’t sulk.”

He didn’t smile.

“I’ll come,” he said.

She blinked.

“You’re not,” she replied instantly. “Don’t act like a kid.”

“I can’t,” he said simply. “I will.”

She shook her head.

“I’m going by train, Veeresh.”

“I’ll come,” he repeated.

She looked at him, half annoyed, half amused.

“You’re stubborn.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“Only for you.”

She held his gaze for a second.

“Veeresh… what if I don’t agree to you?”

There was no hesitation in his answer.

“I’ll still chase you, eletem.”

Her lips curved slightly.

Not fully.

But enough.

“Let’s leave,” she said.

They walked back to the bike, the conversation settling into a quiet understanding.

He dropped her back.

Before she got down, he spoke.

“I’ll be there,” he said. “At the railway station.”

She looked at him.

A pause.

Then—

“Okay.”

Simple.

Soft.

She stepped down and walked inside.

And this time—

He didn’t wait.

Because he already knew—

He would be there.