Chapter 26: The Truth He Asked For

Morning came softly, but for Poornima… it felt different.

She opened her eyes slowly, her body still wrapped in his warmth, his arm holding her close as if nothing in the world could take her away.

She didn’t move immediately.

She just lay there… feeling it.

Whole.

For the first time in a long time… she didn’t feel broken.

A faint smile touched her lips.

But with it… came a thought.

“How long can I hide?”

Her eyes shifted slightly toward him.

His exams.

His dreams.

His focus.

“I don’t want to disturb him…” she whispered to herself.

Before she could think further, Veeresh stirred, his grip tightening slightly as he pulled her closer without even opening his eyes fully.

“Noor…” he murmured.

She looked at him.

He opened his eyes slowly, then without a word, leaned forward and kissed her gently.

“Don’t worry about anything,” he said softly, as if he had already read her thoughts.

She hesitated for a second.

“Veer…”

He looked at her. “Hmm?”

“Can we… live separately?” she asked quietly.

For a moment, he didn’t react.

Then his expression changed slightly.

“Noor…” he said, his tone calm but firm. “You know what you’re saying?”

She looked away.

“I don’t want you to be disturbed,” she added softly.

Before she could continue, he pulled her back toward him, his hand gently but firmly holding her by the neck, making her look at him.

“I won’t be disturbed,” he said, his voice steady, leaving no space for doubt.

Her breath paused slightly.

There was no anger in him.

Just certainty.

“And now…” he added, his gaze not leaving hers, “…tell me about your past.”

Silence fell between them.

Heavy.

Real.

Poornima’s eyes flickered, her fingers tightening slightly against him.

The one thing she had been running from…

Was now standing right in front of her.

And he wasn’t letting it go.