Chapter 42

Poornima gently placed Veda on the bed, adjusting the small blanket around her as the baby shifted once and then settled, her tiny fingers curling near Poornima’s saree pallu before going still. Poornima stayed there for a moment, watching her, making sure she was fully asleep, before she turned slightly—and found Veeresh standing near the door, watching her instead.

“You could have said no,” he said quietly.

She didn’t even look at him properly. “Out.”

He blinked. “What?”

“Go out,” she said, finally turning, her tone firm. “Take care of Veda. If she cries…” she paused, giving him a sharp look, “you will be thrown out.”

For a second, he just stared at her.

Then a small smile came. “Okay, eletem.”

He didn’t argue.

Didn’t push.

Just walked out.

Poornima exhaled softly and moved toward the kitchen area, where the maids were already standing, slightly nervous, watching her.

“What does everyone like?” she asked directly.

The maids exchanged glances before one of them stepped forward. “Bade saab, Rakesh sir… he likes simple food, ma’am. Dal tadka, jeera rice… and paneer butter masala.”

Poornima nodded. “And bhabhi?”

“Ritika ma’am likes light food. Phulka, aloo methi… and kheer.”

Poornima’s lips curved slightly at that.

“And Nitin sir?” she asked.

“Nitin sir likes spicy food. Chicken curry, biryani… and mirchi ka salan. Ruhi ma’am likes pasta also sometimes… but mostly veg pulao and raita.”

Poornima noted it silently. “Kids?”

“Vedant baba likes fries and dal chawal… Aradhya baby likes sweet things, especially halwa.”

Poornima smiled faintly.

“And Rahul sir?”

“Rahul sir likes mutton curry, ma’am… and Ragini ma’am prefers simple khichdi sometimes, but also likes dosa and coconut chutney.”

“And their kids?”

“Reyansh likes noodles… and little Sri Devi eats whatever Ragini ma’am feeds.”

Poornima took a slow breath, processing everything.

“Rakesh bhai married late?” she asked casually while tying her saree pallu properly.

“Yes ma’am,” the maid replied. “Just one year before.”

Poornima nodded once.

“Okay,” she said, stepping forward. “We’ll make everything.”

The maids looked surprised.

“All?” one of them asked.

Poornima didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

And then she started.

The kitchen slowly filled with movement, the sound of tempering spices, boiling, chopping, stirring. With the help of the maids, she moved from one dish to another without stopping—dal simmering on one side, paneer gravy thickening, biryani layered carefully, mutton cooking slowly, halwa being stirred, kheer boiling, dosa batter being prepared.

There was no panic.

No confusion.

Just focus.

Time passed without her noticing.

Outside—

Veeresh sat with Veda in his arms, watching the closed kitchen door again and again.

Inside—

Poornima didn’t stop.

Because this wasn’t about proving herself to them.

It was something else.

And she knew it.