Chapter 22 – Still Jealous

The house was quiet after everyone returned from shopping.

Poornima had gone upstairs to freshen up and had left her phone on the bedside table.

Veeresh walked into the room.

Just then, her phone started ringing.

The screen flashed:

Pavan Calling

Veeresh narrowed his eyes.

He picked up the phone and answered.

Veeresh: "Hello."

There was a brief silence from the other end.

Before Pavan could speak, Veeresh said calmly,

Veeresh: "I'm her husband."

He glanced toward the bed.

Veeresh: "Don't disturb her. She's sleeping peacefully."

Without waiting for a reply, he disconnected the call.

Unbeknownst to him, Poornima had just reached the doorway.

She had heard everything.

She leaned against the doorframe, trying not to laugh.

"Father of four kids..." she thought.

"Still this jealous and possessive."

"When will he ever grow up?"

Veeresh placed the phone back on the table and muttered to himself.

Veeresh: "How dare he call my Poons and keep talking to her?"

He folded his arms.

Veeresh: "And this idiot lady smiles at him."

He shook his head dramatically.

Veeresh: "That smile is only for me."

He let out a small huff.

Veeresh: "She's the mother of four kids... Aradhya, Rudra, Adwait, and Thoshini."

He smiled to himself.

Veeresh: "She's even going to become a mother-in-law soon."

Then he sighed.

Veeresh: "Still... everyone falls for her."

A soft smile appeared on his face.

Veeresh: "Obviously... she's natural."

Standing at the door, Poornima couldn't stop smiling.

She whispered under her breath,

Poornima: "If I'm going to be a mother-in-law..."

She looked affectionately at Veeresh.

Poornima: "...then you're going to be a father-in-law too."

Veeresh turned at the sound of her voice.

Their eyes met.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

Then Veeresh looked slightly embarrassed, realizing she had heard every single word.

Poornima simply smiled.

Poornima: "Jealous?"

Veeresh cleared his throat.

Veeresh: "Very."

Poornima laughed, and for the first time in years, the laughter between them came as naturally as it once had.