Chapter 29 – Home Again

That night, after dinner, everyone retired to their rooms.

Veeresh quietly closed the bedroom door behind him.

Poornima was arranging a few clothes in the wardrobe when she suddenly felt someone gently pull her by the wrist.

She turned around.

Poornima: "Veer..."

He folded his arms with a playful expression.

Veeresh: "So... you were scolding me in front of everyone?"

Poornima tried to suppress her smile.

Poornima: "Who talks about having babies in front of grown-up children?"

Veeresh pointed at himself proudly.

Veeresh: "I do."

Poornima stared at him for a second before shaking her head.

Poornima: "You're impossible."

He grinned.

She walked towards the bed.

Poornima: "Now sleep before I kick you out of the room."

Veeresh laughed.

Veeresh: "You won't."

She looked back at him.

Poornima: "I will."

Instead of answering, Veeresh gently guided her onto the bed and lay down beside her, leaving enough space for her to be comfortable.

The room became quiet.

After a long silence, he spoke softly.

Veeresh: "I'm happy, Poons."

She turned towards him.

His usual teasing smile had disappeared.

He looked emotional.

Veeresh: "Do you know..."

He paused.

Veeresh: "...I was so scared."

She gently held his hand.

Poornima: "Scared of what?"

He smiled sadly.

Veeresh: "That one day you'd move on from me."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Veeresh: "I couldn't imagine seeing you with someone else."

He looked into her eyes.

Veeresh: "Never, Poons."

Poornima squeezed his hand.

He smiled faintly.

Veeresh: "But somewhere... I also knew you wouldn't."

She looked at him quietly.

He continued,

Veeresh: "Every moment we spent together was beautiful."

A small laugh escaped him.

Veeresh: "Even our fights."

He shook his head, smiling.

Veeresh: "Oh God... they were unforgettable."

Poornima couldn't help laughing.

Poornima: "You call those beautiful?"

Veeresh: "Absolutely."

He chuckled.

Veeresh: "Half the time we argued over silly things, and by the end of the day we'd forgotten why we were fighting."

She smiled, remembering those days.

After a moment, Veeresh became serious again.

Veeresh: "I've made a decision."

Poornima looked at him.

Poornima: "What decision?"

He intertwined his fingers with hers.

Veeresh: "I'm shifting here permanently."

She blinked in surprise.

Veeresh: "I'm taking retirement."

Poornima looked at him in disbelief.

Poornima: "Really?"

He nodded.

Veeresh: "I've worked enough."

He smiled warmly.

Veeresh: "Now it's time to spend my life with my family."

Looking at her affectionately, he added,

Veeresh: "And you're going to take care of me."

Poornima smiled and nodded.

Poornima: "Yes."

Then she pointed a finger at him with a mock-serious expression.

Poornima: "But there's one condition."

Veeresh raised an eyebrow.

Veeresh: "What?"

Poornima: "No spicy food."

He immediately made a face.

Veeresh: "Not possible, Poons."

She laughed.

Poornima: "It is possible."

He shook his head dramatically.

Veeresh: "Life without spicy food isn't life."

Poornima gently tapped his forehead.

Poornima: "And life with constant acidity isn't smart either."

Veeresh sighed in defeat.

Veeresh: "You're impossible."

She smiled.

Poornima: "That's exactly what you used to tell me."

He laughed softly.

The room filled with warmth and easy conversation.

For the first time in many years, they weren't speaking as two people trying to mend a broken past, but as husband and wife looking forward to a peaceful future together.