Chapter 30: First Morning Together

Veeresh entered the haveli and his eyes immediately fell on a small group of children gathered near the courtyard.

Poornima was sitting with them.

One little girl was holding a drawing sheet and showing it to her proudly.

Poornima looked at it carefully and smiled.

"This is very nice."

The child beamed.

Then Poornima pointed at a corner of the drawing and said,

"You should put these colours here. It will look even better."

The children listened to her attentively.

Another child quickly showed his drawing.

Poornima patiently looked at that too, explaining what colours would suit it.

The children were completely comfortable around her, and she seemed equally comfortable with them.

Veeresh watched the scene for a moment before quietly heading upstairs.

After freshening up, he came back downstairs.

The children had left by then.

Poornima was arranging things near the temple area.

She noticed him and walked toward him.

Together they stood before the deity.

The lamp was lit.

Veeresh picked it up and began the aarthi.

Poornima stood beside him.

After the prayers were completed, Veeresh applied sindur in her maang.

Poornima looked at him briefly.

Veeresh said,

"It is our ritual that both husband and wife will do the aarthi every day."

Poornima nodded.

"Okay."

Afterward, she handed him his tea.

"Your tea."

Veeresh took it and drank quietly.

Then she served breakfast.

Simple dal and roti.

Nothing elaborate.

Nothing fancy.

Just simple homemade food.

Veeresh sat down and began eating.

Poornima was busy serving others and occasionally glanced toward him.

A few minutes later she noticed something.

His plate was completely empty.

Not a single bite was left.

He had finished everything without complaint.

Without asking for anything else.

Without leaving anything behind.

Poornima smiled slightly to herself.

She understood.

He had liked it.

After breakfast, Veeresh got up.

Poornima was collecting the dishes when he called her.

"Poornima."

She looked up.

"Yes?"

"Come with me."

She paused.

"Where?"

Veeresh replied simply,

"I will show you our village."

Poornima nodded.

"Okay."

A little later, they stepped outside the haveli.

Veeresh's Bullet motorcycle was already waiting.

Several villagers greeted him respectfully.

"Namaste Thakur sa."

Veeresh acknowledged them with a nod.

Poornima stood beside him quietly.

Then Veeresh started the Bullet.

The familiar sound echoed through the courtyard.

He looked at her and said,

"Come."

Poornima carefully sat behind him.

A few women standing nearby smiled at the sight.

Veeresh adjusted the mirror slightly.

"Ready?"

Poornima nodded.

"Yes."

And together they left the haveli on his Bullet, heading toward the village as Veeresh began showing Poornima the place that had been his home all his life.