Chapter 16 A Gift That Reached Her

The house had grown quieter by the time Veeresh returned.

The ceremonies had ended, the guests had left, and only the soft hum of the night remained. He walked upstairs, loosening his cuff slightly, his steps slower than usual.

When he entered the room, he stopped.

Poornima sat near the bed, the papers spread carefully in her hands. Her face was lit with a smile that did not belong to duty or politeness.

It was real.

Soft.

Unfiltered.

He had not seen that expression on her before.

For a moment, he simply watched her.

Then he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

“What are you planning, begum jaan?” he asked, his tone carrying a faint trace of amusement.

Poornima looked up immediately.

There was still that smile on her face.

“I am thinking how to mix salt and spices properly,” she replied without missing a beat.

Veeresh let out a quiet breath that almost turned into a laugh.

“You are planning revenge already?”

“Of course,” she said lightly. “You should be careful.”

The ease in her voice made something inside him shift again.

Then she lifted the papers slightly, her eyes softening.

“Maa gave me these,” she said. “My college papers. I will resume my education.”

For a second, Veeresh did not respond.

Then a faint smile appeared on his face.

He remembered.

His mother’s voice, firm yet calm, telling him earlier to make sure everything was arranged. That Poornima should not lose her studies because of this marriage.

He had agreed.

Without argument.

And now, seeing her like this…

He felt something settle inside him.

“I am glad,” he said quietly.

Poornima nodded, her fingers holding the papers a little tighter.

“I didn’t think…” she paused, then shook her head slightly, not completing the sentence.

But he understood.

She had not expected this.

From anyone.

There was a brief silence between them.

Then Veeresh stepped closer and placed a small box on the table beside her.

Poornima’s gaze shifted to it immediately.

“What is this?” she asked.

He looked at her.

“You told me you will be expecting something,” he said.

Her eyes widened slightly.

“You brought it?” she asked, a hint of surprise in her voice. “I thought you wouldn’t, Mr Qureshi.”

He gave a faint smile.

“I said I would.”

She picked up the box carefully, her curiosity clear now.

“I will open it,” she said, almost like a child announcing something important.

He did not stop her.

He just stood there, watching.

Poornima opened the box slowly.

Inside was a sleek, elegant wristwatch and a set of books neatly arranged beneath it. The books were related to her field of study, carefully chosen, not random.

For a moment, she just stared at them.

Her expression changed.

From curiosity…

To surprise…

To something softer.

“You…” she looked up at him, her voice quieter now, “you got these?”

Veeresh nodded once.

“They will help you,” he said simply.

Poornima picked up one of the books, flipping through a few pages, then looked at the watch.

Her fingers traced it lightly.

This was not just a gift.

It was thought.

It was attention.

It was something she had not expected from him.

A small smile spread across her face again, but this time it carried more meaning.

“I like it,” she said softly.

Then she looked at him again.

“Thank you, Mr Qureshi.”

There was no sarcasm in her tone.

No edge.

Just sincerity.

She held the box close for a moment, as if protecting it.

And in that quiet room, between a girl who was learning to stand again and a man who was learning to see…

Something gentle had begun to take shape.

Not loud.

Not defined.

But real.