Chapter 54: A Saree and a Smile

After breakfast, Veeresh quietly excused himself from the dining table and went upstairs to his room.

Poornima was helping the staff clear the table when she heard footsteps behind her.

She turned around.

It was Yash.

He was holding a neatly wrapped packet.

He extended it towards her.

Yash: "For you."

Poornima looked surprised.

Poornima: "For me?"

Yash nodded.

She accepted it carefully.

Poornima: "Thank you."

A small smile appeared on Yash's face.

Yash: "You're welcome."

Just then, Aarav walked into the kitchen.

Aarav: "Mrs. Rathore..."

She looked at him.

Aarav: "There's one thing we forgot to tell you."

Poornima: "What is it?"

Aarav scratched his head sheepishly.

Aarav: "Dad has very low tolerance for spicy food."

Poornima's eyes widened.

Poornima: "What?"

She immediately looked worried.

Poornima: "I... I didn't know."

Yash spoke calmly.

Yash: "Don't worry."

He smiled reassuringly.

Yash: "You're new."

Yash: "You'll get to know everyone's likes and dislikes."

Poornima nodded.

Poornima: "I'm really sorry."

Aarav grinned.

Aarav: "Anyway, we're taking Ayat and Aarhan to the village fair."

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "Alright."

Aarav: "Don't worry, we'll take care of them."

She nodded.

Poornima: "Have fun."

The two brothers left with Ayat and Aarhan, their excited voices echoing through the palace.

Holding the saree packet, Poornima walked upstairs.

She entered the bedroom quietly.

Veeresh was sitting on the edge of the bed with a glass of water nearby.

He looked a little uncomfortable.

Poornima immediately understood.

She quickly picked up the glass and handed it to him.

Poornima: "Here..."

Veeresh accepted it and drank.

She sat beside him.

Her face was full of guilt.

Poornima: "Veer..."

He looked at her.

Poornima: "I'm sorry."

She lowered her eyes.

Poornima: "I really didn't know."

She sighed.

Poornima: "The kids said they liked spicy food, so I made it that way."

She gently handed him another glass of water.

Veeresh smiled.

Before he could say anything, Poornima moved closer.

She gently held his face...

And placed a soft kiss on his lips.

For a brief moment, Veeresh was surprised.

Then he smiled and kissed her back just as gently.

When they pulled away, she looked at him anxiously.

Poornima: "Are you okay now?"

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "I'm okay."

She wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug.

Poornima: "I'm really sorry."

Veeresh hugged her back.

He smiled softly.

Veeresh: "It's okay."

He gently rubbed her back.

Veeresh: "I'm not angry."

He chuckled.

Veeresh: "Actually..."

He counted on his fingers.

Veeresh: "Yash..."

Veeresh: "Aarav..."

Veeresh: "Dad..."

Veeresh: "Dadu..."

Veeresh: "Ayat..."

Veeresh: "Aarhan..."

He smiled.

Veeresh: "And even Aadhya..."

He laughed.

Veeresh: "They're all lovers of spicy food."

He pointed to himself dramatically.

Veeresh: "Except me."

Poornima looked at him with disbelief.

Poornima: "You should have told me."

She gently tapped his shoulder.

Poornima: "I would've made a separate portion just for you."

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "It's alright."

He looked at her affectionately.

Veeresh: "You'll learn."

Poornima narrowed her eyes playfully.

Poornima: "You know..."

Veeresh raised an eyebrow.

Poornima: "You're a gande aadmi."

Veeresh laughed out loud.

He leaned closer with a mischievous smile.

Veeresh: "Your gande aadmi only."

Poornima couldn't stop herself from laughing.

She lightly hit his arm.

Poornima: "Shameless."

Veeresh grinned.

Veeresh: "Only with my wife."

The room filled with laughter.

For the first time since their marriage, their teasing came naturally.

It no longer felt like two strangers trying to be polite.

It felt like a husband and wife slowly discovering the comfort of each other's company.