Chapter 93 — Dreams and Confessions That Almost Happened

The bowl of noodles was almost empty.

The apartment felt comfortable in a way neither of them expected.

Poornima was sitting cross legged on the couch while Veeresh sat across from her.

For a moment she simply watched him.

Part of her wanted to say it.

To tell him.

That somewhere between the internship, meetings, and stolen glances, she had fallen in love with him.

Completely.

But every time she tried, the words refused to come out.

Instead, she chose something safer.

"Sir, my internship is ending next week."

Veeresh looked at her.

"I know."

She smiled.

"And after that, I'm going back to Scotland."

The smile on Veeresh's face faded slightly.

Back to Scotland.

The thought alone felt unpleasant.

For months she had been in the same city.

The same office.

Close enough to see.

And now she was talking about leaving again.

He set down his spoon.

"Can't you stay here?"

The question came out before he could stop it.

Poornima blinked.

Then smiled.

"Why, sir?"

A teasing look appeared in her eyes.

"Do you really like my work that much?"

Veeresh looked away for a moment.

"Maybe."

Poornima laughed.

She liked hearing that more than she should have.

"But I have plans."

Veeresh leaned back.

"What plans?"

Immediately her eyes lit up.

And Veeresh knew he had asked the right question.

Whenever Poornima became excited about something, her entire face changed.

She quickly stood up.

"Wait."

She ran to her room and returned carrying a folder.

Then she sat beside him and opened it.

"Look."

Several pages were filled with sketches and business notes.

Restaurant concepts.

Interior layouts.

Menu ideas.

Customer experience plans.

Growth projections.

Marketing strategies.

Veeresh looked through them carefully.

The drawings were impressive.

There was a warm modern dining area surrounded by indoor plants.

Large windows.

An open kitchen concept where customers could see food being prepared.

A small bakery section near the entrance.

A reading corner with books and coffee.

And a rooftop dining space covered with lights and flowers.

Every page was filled with handwritten notes.

Poornima pointed excitedly.

"This will be the main dining area."

Then another sketch.

"And this will be the bakery."

Another page.

"And here I want live music on weekends."

Veeresh found himself smiling.

Because she wasn't just dreaming.

She had planned everything.

Every detail.

Every possibility.

"You did all this yourself?"

"Of course."

She sounded proud.

"And I saved money too."

Then she showed him spreadsheets.

Budgets.

Investment calculations.

Revenue estimates.

Everything.

Veeresh was genuinely impressed.

"This is good."

Poornima beamed.

The praise clearly mattered.

Then her smile weakened slightly.

"There is only one problem."

Veeresh looked at her.

"What?"

Poornima sighed dramatically.

"I already found the perfect location."

"Then what's the issue?"

She leaned back against the couch.

"The owner is strange."

"Strange?"

"He keeps saying the property will only be sold to a married woman."

Veeresh stared at her.

For a second he wasn't sure he heard correctly.

"A married woman?"

"Exactly!"

Poornima threw her hands up.

"What kind of condition is that?"

Veeresh nearly laughed.

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him it makes no sense."

"And?"

"He said rules are rules."

She groaned.

"I finally find the perfect location and now apparently I need a husband."

She looked toward the ceiling dramatically.

"Now where am I supposed to go and find one?"

Veeresh almost choked.

Because sitting beside him was his wife.

Legally.

Technically.

Officially.

And she had absolutely no idea.

Meanwhile Poornima continued complaining.

"Honestly, people create the weirdest conditions."

Veeresh hid his smile.

Very carefully.

Because for the first time in years, fate seemed to be enjoying itself.

And somehow, watching Poornima passionately explain her restaurant dream was far more interesting than any business meeting he had attended all month.

Chapter 94 — The Proposal She Didn't Expect

Poornima was still complaining about the restaurant property owner.

"I mean, seriously, who makes rules like that?"

She folded her arms.

"Only married women can buy the property."

Veeresh quietly watched her.

The determination in her eyes.

The stubbornness.

The refusal to take shortcuts.

It reminded him of countless moments from before.

Then suddenly he remembered an old incident.

Years ago, when she had been struggling with permits for one of her restaurant projects, someone had suggested paying a bribe to speed things up.

Poornima had become furious.

"If I can't build it honestly, then I don't want it."

She had spent months doing everything legally instead.

At the time, Veeresh thought she was making her life harder.

Now he found himself smiling at the memory.

Some things truly never changed.

Even after losing her memories.

Even after rebuilding her entire life.

She was still Poornima.

Still stubborn.

Still determined to earn everything herself.

"Why are you smiling?" she asked suspiciously.

"Nothing."

"I don't believe that."

"You don't have to."

She narrowed her eyes but let it go.

Then Veeresh spoke casually.

"I can help you."

Poornima immediately shook her head.

"How?"

A pause.

"By bribing him?"

"That's not what I meant."

"Good."

She pointed a finger at him.

"No shortcuts, sir."

Veeresh laughed softly.

"No shortcuts."

For a few moments neither spoke.

Then a very dangerous thought crossed his mind.

And before he could overthink it—

he said it.

"We can get married if you want to."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Poornima stared at him.

The apartment seemed to freeze.

Even Veeresh was slightly surprised he had actually said it aloud.

Poornima blinked once.

Twice.

Then a third time.

Finally she pointed at him.

"You?"

Veeresh nodded.

"Me."

She looked genuinely confused.

"Sir..."

Another pause.

"I thought you were married."

Veeresh raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Poornima looked at him as if the answer was obvious.

"Look at you."

"Look at me?"

"You're rich."

"Okay."

"Handsome."

He tried not to smile.

"Continue."

"Successful."

He folded his arms.

"And?"

Poornima looked completely serious.

"I assumed you had a wife and at least two children."

For several seconds Veeresh just stared at her.

Then he laughed.

Actually laughed.

The sound filled the apartment.

Poornima looked pleased with her conclusion.

"See? It makes sense."

Veeresh shook his head.

"No wife."

"No children."

"Really?"

"Really."

She looked shocked.

That reaction alone amused him.

Meanwhile, Veeresh's thoughts drifted elsewhere.

I am married.

His gaze softened slightly.

To you.

The irony was unbelievable.

The woman sitting in front of him was legally his wife.

Yet she was looking at him as though he were a complete stranger.

And somehow asking questions about his imaginary children.

Life had a strange sense of humor.

Poornima continued studying him.

"That's surprising."

"Why?"

She shrugged.

"You seem like someone who would have a family."

For a brief second, Veeresh thought about answering honestly.

I did.

For a short while.

And she is sitting right in front of me.

But he kept the words to himself.

Instead, he smiled.

"Maybe I was waiting for the right person."

Poornima's heart immediately betrayed her.

Because she suddenly became very interested in the noodles she had already finished ten minutes ago.

And Veeresh, watching her avoid eye contact, found himself smiling again.

For the first time in years, hope didn't feel impossible.

Chapter 95 — What Do You Want in Return?

The room became quiet after their conversation.

Poornima sat with the folder still in her lap, thinking.

Then she looked at Veeresh seriously.

"Sir, if you're helping me..."

Veeresh looked at her.

"...then what do you expect from me?"

His expression softened slightly.

Poornima continued.

"I don't like keeping debts."

"Nobody helps for free."

"So tell me honestly."

"What do you want in return?"

For a moment, Veeresh simply stared at her.

If only she knew.

The things he wanted couldn't be bought.

Couldn't be negotiated.

Couldn't be written into a contract.

He wanted her to remember.

He wanted her to laugh the way she used to.

He wanted to hear her call him husband again.

He wanted the life that had been stolen from both of them.

But none of those things could be demanded.

Especially not from her.

So he leaned back and answered calmly.

"Nothing."

Poornima immediately frowned.

"I don't believe that."

"Why?"

"Because nobody gives something worth that much for nothing."

Veeresh smiled.

"You have a very suspicious view of people."

"I have a realistic view."

That made him laugh.

She was impossible.

Poornima folded her arms.

"No, seriously."

"What do you want?"

Veeresh looked at her for a long moment.

Then finally said,

"If I help you build your restaurant..."

Poornima waited.

"...I want a lifetime discount."

She blinked.

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Sir, that's a terrible business deal."

"Maybe."

She stared at him suspiciously.

"You're definitely hiding something."

Veeresh laughed again.

"Probably."

Poornima narrowed her eyes.

"See? I knew it."

For a few moments they simply looked at each other.

Then Veeresh's voice became quieter.

"Poornima."

"Hm?"

"You don't owe me anything."

The playful smile on her face faded slightly.

Because for some reason, those words felt sincere.

Very sincere.

Almost personal.

As if he meant them far beyond the conversation they were having.

She didn't understand why.

But something in his eyes made her heart ache unexpectedly.

Just for a second.

A strange feeling.

Gone as quickly as it appeared.

Poornima looked away first.

"Still..."

She smiled softly.

"If my restaurant becomes successful, your meals are free."

Veeresh shook his head.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I want the restaurant to make money."

She laughed.

"Then fifty percent discount."

"Twenty."

"Forty."

"Twenty."

"Thirty."

Veeresh pretended to think about it.

"Fine."

"Deal."

She immediately extended her hand.

"Deal."

Veeresh looked at her hand.

Then took it.

For a brief moment, neither let go.

Poornima felt an odd warmth spread through her chest.

And Veeresh...

Veeresh was thinking how strange life was.

Once upon a time, she had trusted him with her entire heart.

Now they were negotiating restaurant discounts.

Yet somehow, sitting in her small apartment and listening to her argue over percentages felt more valuable than any business deal he had ever signed.

And for the first time in a very long while, the future seemed to hold possibilities instead of regrets.

Chapter 96 — Husband on Paper

Poornima looked at the court marriage certificate for what felt like the hundredth time.

Then she looked at Veeresh.

Then at the certificate again.

Then back at him.

"Thank you, sir."

Before Veeresh could respond, she suddenly grabbed his wrist.

"Come."

Veeresh raised an eyebrow.

"Where?"

"You'll see."

And just like that, the CEO of Dreewan Industries was dragged out of the building by an excited Poornima.

Samuel watched them leave and muttered to himself,

"Sir doesn't even realize he's being kidnapped."

A few employees laughed.

Meanwhile, Poornima continued pulling Veeresh behind her.

"Hurry."

"Poornima, we're not running a marathon."

"We are if you walk this slowly."

Veeresh shook his head but followed.

A smile refusing to leave his face.

Some things never changed.

She always dragged him into her plans.

Whether he agreed or not.

Eventually they arrived at the property she wanted.

The owner was standing outside.

The elderly man looked at Poornima and then at Veeresh.

"You came back."

"I did."

Poornima grinned.

The owner folded his arms.

"So?"

Poornima proudly held out the documents.

"My husband."

The owner took the papers.

Adjusted his glasses.

And examined them carefully.

Then he looked at Veeresh.

"What is your name?"

Before Veeresh could answer, Poornima did it for him.

"Salvatore Dreewan."

The owner nearly dropped the papers.

His eyes widened.

"The Salvatore Dreewan?"

Veeresh nodded calmly.

"Yes."

The owner immediately straightened.

After another look at the documents, he handed them back.

"The property is yours."

Poornima's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Really."

For a second she simply stood there.

Then she jumped happily.

"YES!"

Several people turned to look.

Poornima didn't care.

For months she had dreamed about this place.

And now it was finally hers.

She immediately hugged the file to her chest.

Then turned toward Veeresh.

"Thank you."

The smile on her face was so bright that Veeresh forgot about everything else for a moment.

The paperwork was completed.

The land officially transferred.

And by evening, Poornima was already discussing construction plans.

Within days, work began.

The empty property slowly transformed.

Architects arrived.

Designers arrived.

Contractors arrived.

Every morning Poornima would stand on site with her helmet and notebook.

Giving instructions.

Checking measurements.

Reviewing layouts.

The workers quickly learned something.

The small woman with the notebook noticed everything.

If a wall was two inches off, she would find it.

If a design wasn't correct, she would point it out.

If something looked better another way, she had three alternatives ready.

One afternoon Veeresh arrived to check on the project.

He found Poornima standing in the middle of the construction site passionately explaining something to an architect.

"This wall needs more windows."

"Why?"

"Natural sunlight."

"But it costs more."

"I know."

The architect sighed.

Poornima crossed her arms.

"I still want it."

The architect gave up immediately.

Veeresh laughed quietly.

The architect looked relieved seeing him.

"Sir, please explain to her."

Veeresh looked at the plans.

Then at Poornima.

Then back at the architect.

"Add the windows."

Poornima immediately smiled victoriously.

The architect looked betrayed.

Veeresh simply shrugged.

"She's right."

Poornima grinned.

"I know."

As construction continued, the dream she had once shown him in a folder slowly became real.

The bakery section.

The dining area.

The reading corner.

The rooftop space.

Every detail she had drawn was coming to life.

And every evening, after work, she would walk through the site excitedly planning the next step.

Watching her, Veeresh realized something.

For years he had wanted to give her happiness.

Now he was watching her build it with her own hands.

And somehow that made him happier than anything else.

Chapter 97 — Mannat Inn

Months of planning, construction, meetings, and endless decisions had finally come to an end.

The building stood exactly as Poornima had imagined it.

Warm lighting.

Large glass windows.

An elegant dining area.

The bakery section near the entrance.

A cozy reading corner.

And the rooftop space she had dreamed about for years.

Workers were putting the finishing touches in place while Poornima walked around with a proud smile.

She had done it.

Her dream was finally real.

Veeresh stood beside her, watching her excitement.

He had seen billion-dollar projects completed.

International deals signed.

Companies launched.

Yet somehow, this small restaurant meant more to him than any of them.

Because every corner carried Poornima's touch.

Every detail reflected her.

"What name have you decided?" he asked.

Poornima looked at the signboard that hadn't been installed yet.

A thoughtful smile appeared on her face.

"Mannat Inn."

Veeresh repeated it softly.

"Mannat Inn."

For some reason, the name felt perfect.

Almost as if it belonged there.

He looked at her.

"It's beautiful."

Poornima smiled.

"Really?"

"Really."

A few days later, the signboard was installed.

Mannat Inn

The elegant letters stood proudly above the entrance.

Poornima stared at it for a long time.

Then she laughed happily.

"It's real."

Veeresh smiled.

"It's real."

The restaurant officially began preparations for opening.

Poornima hired chefs.

Managers.

Servers.

Bakery staff.

Receptionists.

Everyone was carefully selected.

She trained them personally.

Reviewed menus.

Taste-tested dishes.

Double-checked everything.

Every day brought new challenges, but she loved every second of it.

Everything was finally going according to plan.

Exactly how she had envisioned.

One evening, after most of the staff had left, Poornima and Veeresh were walking through the restaurant.

The lights glowed softly around them.

The place looked ready.

Alive.

Almost waiting for customers.

Poornima stopped near the entrance.

Her eyes drifted toward the glass windows.

And suddenly—

something hit her.

A sharp pain.

A flash.

Her breathing faltered.

The smile disappeared from her face.

Veeresh immediately noticed.

"Poornima?"

She blinked.

Another flash.

A road.

Rain.

A car.

Someone sitting beside her.

Her hands gripping a steering wheel.

Fear.

Then another flash.

A voice.

A familiar voice.

She couldn't hear the words clearly.

Only fragments.

Her heartbeat accelerated.

Veeresh moved closer.

"What happened?"

Poornima pressed a hand against her forehead.

"I..."

Another flash.

A truck.

Headlights.

A sudden turn.

Pain.

Her breathing became uneven.

"Poornima."

She looked at him.

Confused.

"I saw something."

Veeresh's heart immediately tightened.

"What did you see?"

She closed her eyes.

Trying to catch the memory before it disappeared.

"I was in a car."

A pause.

"There was someone beside me."

Another pause.

"It felt important."

Her voice had become softer.

Almost distant.

Veeresh remained completely still.

Because he knew exactly what memory she was touching.

The accident.

The last moments before everything changed.

Poornima frowned.

"I can't see his face."

Her fingers trembled slightly.

"But..."

She looked at Veeresh.

And for a brief second something unfamiliar crossed her expression.

Recognition.

Gone as quickly as it came.

"But when I look at you..."

She stopped.

The strange feeling vanished again.

The memory slipped away.

Like sand through her fingers.

Poornima blinked and shook her head.

"It's gone."

Silence filled the restaurant.

Veeresh looked at her carefully.

His heart was pounding.

For the first time—

a piece of the past had tried to return.

And for the first time—

he wasn't sure whether to be hopeful or afraid.

Chapter 98 — A Feeling Without a Memory

The restaurant was quiet.

The staff had already left.

Only the soft lights of Mannat Inn illuminated the space.

Poornima stood near the entrance, still trying to understand what had happened.

The flashes were gone.

The headache was fading.

But the feeling remained.

She looked at Veeresh.

For a few moments, neither spoke.

Then she finally broke the silence.

"When I look at you..."

Veeresh's attention immediately focused on her.

Poornima struggled to find the right words.

"A strange feeling comes."

His heart tightened.

"What kind of feeling?"

She looked down at her hands.

"I don't know."

A small laugh escaped her.

"It sounds ridiculous."

"Tell me anyway."

Poornima took a deep breath.

Then looked directly at him.

"It's like I've known you forever."

Veeresh froze.

Poornima continued softly.

"And my mind doesn't understand it."

A pause.

"But my heart does."

The words hit him harder than she realized.

She shook her head.

"I know that doesn't make sense."

"It does."

She smiled faintly.

"Whenever something bad happens, my first instinct is to look for you."

Another pause.

"And when you're around..."

She looked away for a moment.

"I feel safe."

Veeresh remained completely silent.

Because years ago, she had told him the exact same thing.

Without realizing it, she was repeating her own heart.

Poornima laughed nervously.

"I don't know how to explain it."

"You don't have to."

She leaned against a nearby table.

"It's weird."

"Maybe."

"I've known people longer than I've known you."

"But none of them make me feel this way."

Her eyes met his again.

"When I'm with you, it feels like I can stop worrying."

A soft smile appeared on her face.

"Like my mind becomes quiet."

Veeresh swallowed hard.

Because she had no memories.

No photographs.

No history.

Nothing that should connect her to him.

Yet somehow, the bond remained.

Somewhere beyond memory.

Beyond logic.

Beyond explanation.

Poornima looked thoughtful.

"And there's something else."

"What?"

She hesitated.

Then admitted it.

"My heart tells me to trust you."

The confession came so naturally that she didn't realize its impact.

Veeresh looked away briefly.

Trying to regain control of his emotions.

Because for years he had feared the opposite.

He had feared that if she ever returned, she would look at him and feel nothing.

But here she was.

Unable to remember his name from her past.

Unable to remember their marriage.

Unable to remember their life together.

Yet her heart still recognized him.

In its own way.

Poornima smiled lightly.

"Maybe I'm just crazy."

Veeresh immediately shook his head.

"No."

She raised an eyebrow.

"No?"

"No."

His voice was gentle.

"You're not crazy."

For a moment, the world seemed to narrow until it was just the two of them standing in the empty restaurant.

Then Veeresh smiled.

A real one.

The kind reserved only for her.

"Sometimes," he said quietly, "the heart remembers things that the mind forgets."

Poornima stared at him.

Something about those words felt important.

Familiar.

Comforting.

She couldn't explain why.

But she found herself smiling back.

And for the first time, Veeresh allowed himself a little hope.

Not hope that she would suddenly remember everything.

Not hope that the past would magically return.

Just hope that somewhere, beneath the missing memories, Poornima was slowly finding her way back to him.