Chapter 9 A Taste He Chose to Keep

The house was fully awake now, moving with purpose.

Veeresh walked down the stairs, dressed for the day, every detail of his appearance sharp and precise. The calm authority had returned to him, as if the chaos of the previous night had been folded away somewhere deep inside.

But it had not disappeared.

It never did.

At the dining table, breakfast was already served. The spread was simple but neatly arranged, the aroma of freshly cooked food filling the space.

Poornima stood near the table, adjusting the plates.

She did not look at him immediately.

But she knew he was there.

Veeresh took his seat without a word. Mrs Qureshi and Mr Qureshi joined shortly after.

“Good morning,” Mr Qureshi said, glancing at both of them.

“Morning,” Veeresh replied briefly.

Poornima nodded quietly.

The conversation began casually, moving toward the day’s schedule.

“We have the party meeting today,” Mr Qureshi said, his tone thoughtful. “The senior members of the Jan Shakti Party will be there. The discussion about the upcoming strategy cannot be delayed.”

Veeresh nodded slightly as he picked up his spoon.

“I know,” he said. “I will be there on time.”

He took the first bite.

The spice hit immediately.

Sharp.

Unexpected.

His jaw tightened for a fraction of a second.

But he did not stop.

He did not react.

He simply continued eating, his expression controlled, as if nothing was different.

Poornima watched him now.

Carefully.

“How is it, Mr Qureshi?” she asked.

Her voice was calm, but her eyes held a quiet curiosity.

A challenge.

Veeresh did not look up immediately. He took another bite, swallowed it, and then said simply,

“Good.”

Nothing more.

Just that one word.

Poornima’s lips curved slightly.

Not a full smile.

Just enough to show she had understood.

Mr Qureshi continued speaking, unaware of the silent exchange.

“The opposition is getting stronger. We need to be careful with every move,” he said. “The Jan Shakti Party cannot afford mistakes at this stage.”

Veeresh nodded again, finishing his meal without another word.

Not once did he comment on the spice.

Not once did he pause.

When he was done, he stood up, wiping his hands calmly.

“I will be in my room,” he said, before walking upstairs.

His steps were steady.

Unhurried.

As if everything was exactly how it should be.

The moment he left, Mrs Qureshi looked at Poornima with a soft smile.

“Beta, it is beautiful,” she said, referring to the food.

Poornima blinked slightly.

“The taste is very good,” she continued. “And the spice level also… it is perfect.”

Poornima’s brows furrowed faintly.

Perfect?

Mrs Qureshi chuckled lightly, shaking her head.

“You don’t know,” she said gently. “Veeresh has very low tolerance for spice.”

Poornima stilled.

Her fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the table.

“This level…” Mrs Qureshi added, smiling, “is actually dangerous for him.”

Poornima looked toward the stairs.

Her thoughts slowed for a moment.

Dangerous.

And yet…

He had eaten everything.

Without a word.

Without a reaction.

Without even a pause.

Something shifted quietly inside her.

Why?

The question rose without permission.

Why didn’t he say anything?

Why didn’t he stop?

Why pretend it was good?

Her mind replayed the moment.

His calm face.

His steady voice.

“Good.”

It did not make sense.

Not after everything he had said.

Not after everything he had done.

Poornima lowered her gaze, her thoughts turning softer, more uncertain.

“He could have told the truth,” she thought.

But he didn’t.

And that silence…

Felt different from the one that had brought her here.

This one…

She could not understand yet.