Chapter 44: Love That Became Easy

Time did not rush.

It moved gently.

And somewhere in between days and nights, Poornima and Veeresh changed.

Not suddenly.

But deeply.

Their bond grew stronger, steadier, without needing constant words.

One evening, Veeresh looked at her and asked casually, “You like Old Monk?”

Poornima raised her eyebrow slightly.

“Yes… how do you know? Did you stalk me?”

Veeresh smiled.

“Yes. Before marriage.”

She stared at him for a second, then shook her head.

“So why don’t we party?” he asked.

Poornima smiled.

“Okay.”

They sat on the balcony floor that night, the cool breeze brushing past them, the city lights glowing softly in the distance.

Veeresh held the bottle and looked at her.

“Mix or raw?”

“Raw,” she said without hesitation.

He poured it.

She took the glass and drank slowly.

He watched her.

“Habit?” he asked.

Poornima leaned back slightly.

“In college,” she said. “I got this taste there.”

Veeresh smiled.

It suited her.

The honesty.

The ease.

After a moment, Poornima looked at him.

“Veer… thank you for everything.”

He shook his head immediately.

“I should be thankful,” he said. “You agreed to this marriage.”

He paused, then added with a small smile,

“This marriage is awesome.”

Poornima smiled back.

A quiet one.

Then Veeresh narrowed his eyes slightly.

“You are giving too much attention to Shona and Aryan.”

Poornima laughed softly.

“Do not be jealous of your kids.”

Veeresh scoffed lightly.

He poured again.

They drank.

And in that simple moment, sitting on the floor, sharing silence and laughter, their love grew.

Not loudly.

But in a way that stayed.

Her trust in him became unshakable.

And Veeresh… he was happy.

Truly.

But life did not stay simple for long.

During one of his business collaborations, Veeresh worked closely with a well known businesswoman, .

They attended events together.

Met investors.

Gave presentations.

And in one such event, they posed together for pictures.

The media noticed.

People talked.

“They look like a perfect couple.”

“Couple goals.”

The comments spread quickly.

For the first time in a long while, Veeresh felt unsure.

Not about himself.

But about how Poornima would feel.

He came home that evening, thinking about it.

Wondering how to explain.

But Poornima surprised him.

Completely.

“Veer,” she said casually, “why did you pose like you are going to kill someone?”

He blinked.

“What?”

“You could have smiled a little,” she continued, laughing softly.

He stared at her.

“You are not feeling bad?” he asked.

Poornima looked at him as if the question itself was unnecessary.

“Why should I?” she said. “I know you will not cheat.”

She paused.

“Veer, I am secure.”

Her voice was calm.

Steady.

“All this is common. Do not worry. If something is wrong, I will ask you directly.”

Then she added lightly,

“And next time… smile.”

Veeresh did not say anything after that.

He simply pulled her closer and kissed her.

Because in that moment,

He realized something rare.

She trusted him.

Completely.

Years passed gently after that.

Aryan grew.

Stronger.

More confident.

He stepped into first standard, his shyness slowly fading.

Football became his favorite sport.

Evenings were filled with practice, energy, and small victories.

Mannat turned three.

Full of life.

Full of mischief.

At first, she called Poornima “Poonu,” picking it up from Syed.

Poornima would smile every time she heard it.

Later, it changed.

Naturally.

“Mumma.”

And for Veeresh,

“Abbu.”

Those small words filled the house with something warm.

Something complete.

One evening, Veeresh stood near Aryan’s room and laughed.

“This boy,” he said, “his room…”

Poornima looked at him.

“What?”

“It looks like a mini library,” Veeresh continued.

Aryan immediately protested.

“Abbu, do not make fun of my room.”

Veeresh walked in and pointed around.

Posters everywhere.

Along with them, pictures of fighter jets.

A dream still alive.

And one frame.

A family picture.

All four of them together.

Veeresh looked at it for a second.

Then back at Aryan.

He smiled.

Poornima smiled.

Mannat laughed.

And in that house,

There was no emptiness left anymore.

Only a life

They had built together.