Chapter 26: The First Night

The conversation ended with a peaceful silence.

Neither Veeresh nor Poornima tried to force another discussion.

Veeresh stood up.

Veeresh: "It's been a long day."

He pointed towards the bed.

Veeresh: "You can sleep on the bed."

Poornima immediately shook her head.

Poornima: "No... we'll share it. It's big enough."

Veeresh nodded.

Without another word, he placed a couple of pillows between them, leaving enough space so she would feel comfortable.

Veeresh: "Good night."

Poornima: "Good night."

The lights were switched off.

Both lay on opposite sides of the bed, maintaining a respectful distance.

For a long time, neither of them slept.

Poornima stared at the ceiling.

She thought about the day—the nikah, the wedding rituals, leaving Bikaner, entering the Rathore Palace, and finally meeting the man she had married.

She closed her eyes.

"He isn't rude."

"He speaks respectfully."

"He doesn't force his opinions."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"He's... okay."

Then another thought crossed her mind.

"But his children..."

She remembered the hurt in Yash and Aarav's eyes when they had heard about the marriage.

She whispered softly to herself,

Poornima: "Winning their trust will take time."

On the other side of the bed, Veeresh was also awake.

He thought about Ayat and Aarhan.

Their innocent smiles stayed in his mind.

He silently promised himself,

"I'll never try to replace their father."

"I'll earn their trust, one day at a time."

Outside, the palace was silent under the moonlight.

Inside the room, two strangers slept under the same roof for the first time—not as people deeply in love, but as two adults willing to give each other time, respect, and patience.

Neither of them knew what the future held.

But both hoped that, slowly, not only would they understand each other...

...they would also build a bond with each other's children, one small step at a time.