Chapter 34 Standing Beside Him

The next morning carried a different kind of nervousness.

Not silence.

Not distance.

But anticipation.

Poornima stood in front of the mirror, holding the saree in her hands, completely confused. The fabric slipped from her fingers again, refusing to stay in place.

“I don’t know how to wear this,” she said, frustrated.

Behind her, Veeresh leaned against the wardrobe, watching her struggle.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Poornima caught it instantly.

“Mr Qureshi,” she warned, turning toward him, “I will beat you if you laugh at me.”

That made his smile grow slightly.

“I am not laughing,” he said calmly.

“You are,” she replied, narrowing her eyes.

Without arguing further, he stepped forward.

“Come here,” he said.

She hesitated for a second, then stood still as he moved closer.

Carefully, he adjusted the saree around her, fixing the pleats, pinning it properly, making sure it stayed in place. His movements were steady, precise, as if he had done this before.

Poornima watched him through the mirror.

Not saying anything.

Just observing.

When he finished, he stepped back slightly.

“Done.”

She turned toward the mirror again.

The cream saree fell perfectly around her now, simple yet elegant.

Her fingers brushed lightly over it.

“You look beautiful,” Veeresh said quietly.

Before she could react, he leaned forward and placed a soft peck on her lips.

Poornima blinked, slightly surprised, then smiled.

“You also look handsome,” she said, glancing at him.

He was dressed in a black suit, sharp and composed, every bit the leader he was known to be.

For a moment, they just looked at each other.

Then she picked up her phone and turned toward him again.

“Mr Qureshi,” she said, her tone returning to its usual lightness, “you should take good pictures of mine.”

He raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Of course, begum jaan.”

They both smiled.

A quiet understanding passing between them.

Then together…

They stepped out.

Not as strangers.

Not as two people forced into a bond.

But as two people who had chosen to stand beside each other.

Even in defeat.

Even in front of the world.