Chapter 12 – The Old Arguments

Veeresh walked into the room and closed the door behind him.

He slowly removed his shirt, wincing as his back stiffened.

Lying face down on the bed, he rested his head on the pillow.

Veeresh: "Come on, Poons... do it lovingly."

Poornima rolled her eyes.

Poornima: "Shut up and sleep."

She opened the ointment and gently applied it to his back before beginning to massage the sore muscles.

A few moments later—

Veeresh: "Harder, Poons."

Without stopping, she replied,

Poornima: "I am doing it."

He let out a small groan as she pressed a little more firmly.

After a minute, he spoke again.

Veeresh: "I want spicy food for lunch."

Poornima sighed.

Poornima: "No. Your acidity will flare up."

Veeresh smiled without turning around.

Veeresh: "You're there to take care of me."

She stopped massaging for a second.

Poornima: "Excuse me?"

Veeresh: "If I get acidity, you'll give me medicine."

She couldn't help staring at him.

Poornima: "You're unbelievable."

He chuckled softly.

Veeresh: "You've been saying that for years."

Poornima resumed the massage, though a reluctant smile briefly appeared on her face.

Poornima: "You're getting simple food. Khichdi or dal and rice. That's it."

Veeresh: "I'm not a patient."

Poornima: "With the way you're behaving, you are."

Veeresh laughed quietly.

For the first time since he had arrived, the room felt lighter.

Their conversation sounded less like two divorced people forced to stay together and more like the familiar bickering they had shared during their marriage. Neither of them admitted it, but for a little while, those old arguments felt strangely comforting.