Chapter 11 – A Familiar Demand

Veeresh turned without waiting for her reply and walked upstairs slowly, one hand pressed against his lower back.

Just before entering the room, he looked over his shoulder.

Veeresh: "Poons."

She looked up from the living room.

Poornima: "What?"

He spoke as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

Veeresh: "My back hurts very badly. Come and massage it."

Poornima stared at him in disbelief.

He continued,

Veeresh: "And prepare something spicy for lunch."

She folded her arms.

Poornima: "Excuse me?"

Veeresh: "You heard me."

Poornima shook her head.

Poornima: "Five minutes ago you said you'd order lunch because you didn't want to eat anything I made."

Veeresh shrugged.

Veeresh: "I changed my mind."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Poornima: "You're impossible."

Veeresh: "Maybe."

He looked at her with a straight face.

Veeresh: "But my back still hurts."

Poornima muttered under her breath,

Poornima: "Unbelievable... such an arrogant man."

Veeresh pretended not to hear.

Veeresh: "Are you coming or should I call Rudra and tell him his mother doesn't care that his father's back is hurting?"

Poornima narrowed her eyes.

Poornima: "Emotional blackmail?"

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Veeresh: "Whatever works."

She let out a frustrated sigh.

Poornima: "Fine. I'll apply the ointment."

Pointing a finger at him, she added,

Poornima: "And you're not getting spicy food. Your acidity will start again."

Veeresh looked at her for a moment.

Even after all these years...

She still remembered.

He quietly smiled to himself before turning and walking into the room.