Chapter 48: An Unexpected Discovery

The cool night breeze flowed across the balcony as they sat side by side, each holding a glass.

Veeresh looked at Poornima and then at the whiskey in her glass.

He smiled.

Veeresh: "I have to admit something."

Poornima looked at him.

Poornima: "What?"

He laughed softly.

Veeresh: "I can't drink it neat."

She raised an eyebrow.

Poornima: "Really?"

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "No matter how many years I've been drinking, I still mix it with water or ice."

Poornima couldn't help but laugh.

Poornima: "And here I thought you were an expert."

Veeresh shrugged with a smile.

Veeresh: "Not at drinking it neat."

He watched as she took another small sip.

Veeresh: "Where did you even learn to drink whiskey like that?"

Poornima smiled, remembering her college days.

Poornima: "My friends."

Veeresh looked at her curiously.

Poornima: "In college, they convinced me to taste it once."

She chuckled.

Poornima: "I ended up liking it."

She quickly added,

Poornima: "But only occasionally."

Poornima: "I don't drink regularly."

Veeresh nodded approvingly.

Veeresh: "Good."

A smile spread across his face.

Veeresh: "Looks like I finally have a drinking partner."

Poornima laughed and shook her head.

Poornima: "Not every time."

Veeresh pretended to look disappointed.

Veeresh: "Oh?"

She smiled mischievously.

Poornima: "Only when I feel like it."

Veeresh lifted his glass slightly.

Veeresh: "Fair enough."

He smiled warmly.

Veeresh: "Whenever you feel like it."

Their glasses clinked softly.

For the first time since they had married, they shared an easy laugh together—one born not from obligation, but from comfort beginning to grow between them.