Chapter 14: A Small Yes

Raghav looked at his daughter patiently.

The room was quiet except for the soft breathing of the sleeping twins.

Poornima looked at her babies for a long moment.

Then she looked back at her father.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

Poornima: "Okay, Appa."

Raghav blinked.

Raghav: "Is that a yes?"

Poornima sighed.

Poornima: "I'll trust you."

"I know you and Amma would never choose someone who isn't good for me."

She smiled weakly.

Poornima: "I'll marry him."

Raghav's eyes immediately filled with tears.

He cupped her face lovingly.

Raghav: "Thank you, kanna."

"You've made your old father very happy."

Poornima rested her head on his shoulder for a moment.

Poornima: "But if that rakshas starts irritating me..."

Raghav laughed.

Raghav: "Call me."

"I'll come and scold him."

Poornima giggled.

Poornima: "Promise?"

Raghav: "Promise."

He stood up and stretched his hand toward her.

Raghav: "Friends?"

Poornima smiled.

She clasped his hand.

Poornima: "Friends."

Instead of a handshake, Raghav raised his hand with a grin.

Raghav: "Thumbs up?"

Poornima laughed properly for the first time that night.

She raised her thumb too.

Poornima: "Thumbs up."

Their thumbs met.

Raghav looked at his daughter proudly.

Raghav: "That's my brave girl."

He kissed her forehead and walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he turned around one last time.

Raghav: "Sleep well."

"Next week..."

He smiled warmly.

Raghav: "...you're going to begin a new chapter."

Poornima nodded.

Poornima: "Good night, Appa."

Raghav: "Good night, kanna."

As he stepped out of the room, he quietly took out his phone and sent a short message to Devraj.

Raghav (text): Mission complete. Poons agreed. 👍

A few seconds later, Devraj's reply arrived.

Devraj (text): Checkmate.

Raghav shook his head and laughed softly.

Raghav: "You stubborn old wolf..."