Chapter 99 — A Familiar House

A few days later, Veeresh finally brought Poornima to the Dreewan Mansion.

The moment the gates opened, Poornima looked around curiously.

The mansion was grand, elegant, and surrounded by beautiful gardens.

"Sir, your house is huge."

Veeresh smiled.

"You'll get used to it."

Poornima laughed.

"I don't think so."

As they entered, the staff greeted Veeresh respectfully.

Soon the Dreewan family gathered in the living room.

Mrs. Dreewan immediately stood up.

Mr. Dreewan followed.

For a brief moment, both of them simply looked at Poornima.

After everything that had happened, seeing her standing there healthy and smiling still felt unreal.

Poornima greeted them politely.

"Hello, Uncle."

"Hello, Aunty."

Mrs. Dreewan smiled warmly.

"Welcome, beta."

Poornima smiled back.

"Thank you."

Mr. Dreewan asked about Scotland.

She happily spoke about her studies, the Roy family, her internship, and Mannat Inn.

Soon everyone was laughing.

Poornima's cheerful nature made conversation easy.

Mrs. Dreewan found herself smiling the entire time.

Mr. Dreewan was equally happy.

Even though she remembered nothing, she was still the same kind-hearted girl.

Meanwhile, Poornima had absolutely no idea why everyone looked at her with so much affection.

But she liked them.

They felt warm.

Comfortable.

Safe.

Later that evening, Veeresh took her upstairs.

"This is my room."

Poornima stepped inside.

Then immediately looked around.

The room was almost the size of her entire apartment.

A large balcony.

A sitting area.

A private study.

A walk-in wardrobe.

Floor-to-ceiling windows.

She looked impressed.

"Sir."

"Hm?"

"This is a very big room."

Veeresh laughed.

"A little."

"A little?"

She pointed dramatically around the room.

"This is bigger than my apartment."

Veeresh shook his head.

Some things never changed.

She could make him laugh without even trying.

Then he said casually,

"We'll be staying here."

Poornima nodded thoughtfully.

"Nice."

Then she immediately added,

"But I want one cupboard for my dresses."

Veeresh raised an eyebrow.

"One?"

"Okay."

She thought for a moment.

"Maybe two."

Veeresh laughed.

"It will be done."

Poornima smiled happily.

"Thank you, sir."

She walked around the room exploring everything.

Looking at books.

Photographs.

Furniture.

The balcony.

Trying to understand the man she was slowly falling for.

Then suddenly she became quiet.

Veeresh noticed immediately.

"What happened?"

Poornima frowned slightly.

"I don't know."

"What?"

She sat down on the couch.

"While entering the house, I saw a newspaper."

Veeresh became attentive.

"A newspaper?"

She nodded slowly.

"There was a photograph."

A strange expression crossed her face.

"Mr. Rathore."

Veeresh froze.

Poornima pressed her fingers against her temple.

"He felt familiar."

The room became silent.

"I don't know why."

She looked genuinely confused.

"I have never met him, right?"

Veeresh didn't answer immediately.

Poornima continued.

"When I saw his face, something felt strange."

"A bad feeling."

Her brows furrowed.

"Like I know him."

Another pause.

"But I don't."

The feeling frustrated her.

Because the face seemed connected to something important.

Something buried deep inside her mind.

Yet every time she tried to remember, the memory disappeared.

Veeresh quietly sat beside her.

His heart was beating faster.

For years her memories had remained locked away.

But now—

first the accident.

Then the feeling of safety around him.

And now Mr. Rathore.

Small pieces were surfacing.

Not complete memories.

Just fragments.

Poornima shook her head.

"Maybe it's nothing."

Veeresh looked at her carefully.

"No."

She looked up.

"No?"

He gave her a gentle smile.

"Maybe your mind is trying to remember."

Poornima stared at him for a moment.

Then slowly nodded.

Maybe.

Just maybe.

Somewhere behind the missing years, her past was waiting for her.

And for the first time, Veeresh felt that the wall separating her from her memories was beginning to crack.

Chapter 100 — Together

Poornima sat quietly on the couch for a few moments after the strange feeling passed.

Then she took a deep breath and stood up.

"Whatever it is, sir..."

Veeresh looked at her.

"If it comes back, I'll face it."

There was no fear in her voice.

Only determination.

The same determination that had built Mannat Inn from a sketchbook.

The same determination that had helped her start over in a new country.

Veeresh smiled softly.

"You don't have to face it alone."

Poornima looked at him.

He stepped closer and said calmly,

"I am always with you."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then a small smile appeared on her face.

A genuine one.

"Thank you, sir."

The words were simple.

But Veeresh knew she meant them.

She trusted him.

Maybe not with memories.

Maybe not with the past.

But she trusted him.

And for now, that was enough.

Poornima walked toward the balcony and looked outside.

The evening breeze gently moved her hair.

The city lights sparkled below.

It was beautiful.

Peaceful.

"Life is strange," she said suddenly.

Veeresh joined her.

"It is."

"A few months ago I was in Scotland planning my internship."

She laughed softly.

"And now I own a restaurant and somehow ended up married."

Veeresh couldn't help smiling.

"That is strange."

"Very strange."

She looked up at the stars.

"But I don't regret it."

The words surprised him.

Before he could respond, she continued.

"Something tells me I am where I'm supposed to be."

Veeresh looked at her quietly.

If only she knew how long he had waited to hear something like that.

Poornima leaned against the railing.

"Whatever these memories are..."

She paused.

"Whatever this Mr. Rathore connection is..."

She took a deep breath.

"I'll deal with it when it comes."

Then she turned toward him.

"And if I panic, you'll help me."

It wasn't a question.

It was a statement.

Because somewhere in her heart, she already knew the answer.

Veeresh nodded.

"Always."

The word came without hesitation.

Always.

Not for a day.

Not for a month.

Always.

Poornima smiled.

Satisfied.

Then she returned inside to continue exploring the room.

Leaving Veeresh standing alone on the balcony.

For a moment, he looked toward the night sky.

His smile faded into thought.

He hoped she wouldn't remember.

Not because he wanted her memories gone.

But because he knew the pain waiting behind them.

The betrayal.

The loss.

The suffering.

The truths that would return with them.

Yet deep down, he also knew something else.

Destiny could be delayed.

But it could not be changed.

If her memories were meant to return, they would.

No matter how much either of them wished otherwise.

Veeresh looked through the glass doors at Poornima laughing to herself while examining the books on his shelf.

A small smile returned.

Whatever happened next...

Whatever truths emerged...

Whatever memories came back...

They would face it together.

This time, he wouldn't let her carry it alone.

And somehow, that thought made the future feel a little less frightening.