Chapter 36 A Game She Chose

In one corner of the hall, away from the formal greetings and political conversations, a group of senior party members sat around a table.

Cards spread out.

Laughter loud.

Confidence careless.

“Veeresh!” one of them called out, waving him over. “Come, join us.”

Veeresh glanced at the table, then back at them.

“I’m not interested,” he said calmly. “I don’t play.”

A few of them exchanged looks.

Then one of them chuckled.

“Not interested… or don’t know how?” another added, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

Veeresh didn’t react.

“I don’t play,” he repeated, his voice steady.

The laughter grew louder.

“See, this is the problem,” one of them said, leaning back. “If you don’t know how to use cards, how will you win games?”

Another added, “That’s why you lost.”

The words were light on the surface.

But the insult beneath them was clear.

Poornima, who stood beside him, felt it instantly.

Her expression changed.

The calm disappeared.

Her anger rose quietly but sharply.

Then one of them looked at her and smirked.

“Let your wife play,” he said casually.

Veeresh’s jaw tightened slightly.

“Don’t,” he said softly, turning toward her.

But Poornima had already stepped forward.

“I will play,” she said.

Her voice was calm.

But firm.

“Begum jaan—” Veeresh tried again.

She looked at him.

“Trust me.”

Just two words.

But something in her eyes made him stop.

There was no impulsiveness there.

No blind anger.

There was confidence.

Sharp.

Controlled.

He studied her for a second.

And then…

He saw it.

Not just anger.

Not just defiance.

But clarity.

As if she knew exactly what she was doing.

Veeresh stepped back slightly.

Without another word.

Poornima walked to the table and took a seat.

The men exchanged amused looks.

“Are you sure?” one of them asked, still smiling.

She met his gaze directly.

“Yes.”

No hesitation.

The cards were dealt.

The game began.

And the room, slowly…

Started to watch.