Chapter 18: A New Beginning

After the wedding ceremonies, the newlyweds arrived at the Singh Mansion.

The entrance was beautifully decorated with flowers and diyas.

Rukmini stood at the door with an aarti thali.

She performed the welcoming ritual and smiled warmly.

Rukmini: "Welcome home, beta."

Poornima smiled softly.

She gently tipped the kalash with her foot and stepped into the house.

Following tradition, she walked inside and lit the lamp in the family temple.

Everyone folded their hands as the flame glowed brightly.

Rukmini looked at her lovingly.

Rukmini: "May this home always be filled with light and happiness."

Poornima nodded.

Poornima: "Thank you, Maa."

Rukmini smiled hearing her call her "Maa."

After the rituals were completed, Devraj came forward.

Devraj: "Beta, you've had a long day."

"Go and take some rest."

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "Come."

Poornima quietly followed him upstairs.

Their Room

The room had been decorated simply with fresh flowers.

Poornima looked around nervously.

The day had been long and exhausting.

Veeresh noticed the heavy bridal jewellery she was still wearing.

Without saying much, he picked up the jewellery box.

Veeresh: "Sit."

She looked at him in surprise.

Poornima: "What?"

Veeresh: "You've been wearing all this since morning."

"You'll be uncomfortable."

Poornima silently sat down.

Very carefully, Veeresh helped her remove the heavy necklace, earrings, and hair ornaments, placing each piece safely in the jewellery box.

There was no awkwardness.

Only quiet understanding.

Once everything was kept away, Poornima changed into a comfortable silk saree.

Veeresh changed into a grey T-shirt and black track pants.

When she came out, she noticed something.

The twins were sleeping peacefully in two small cradles beside the bed.

She immediately walked toward them.

A smile spread across her face.

She gently adjusted their blankets.

Veeresh walked over.

Veeresh: "Poons..."

She looked at him.

Poornima: "Hmm?"

He smiled slightly.

Veeresh: "Not 'Chudail.'"

She raised an eyebrow.

Poornima: "Oh?"

Veeresh: "That nickname..."

"...only when it's just the two of us."

Poornima couldn't help smiling.

Poornima: "Nothing has changed, has it?"

Veeresh: "Some things shouldn't."

He walked toward the cradles.

Very gently, he lifted one of the babies into his arms.

The little one stirred but didn't wake.

Then he picked up the other baby and settled both of them comfortably against him.

Poornima watched silently.

There wasn't even the slightest hesitation in his actions.

He smiled at the sleeping babies.

Then looked at Poornima.

Veeresh: "Poons..."

She looked at him curiously.

Veeresh: "They're my children too."

"From today..."

"I'm their father as well."

Poornima's eyes filled with tears.

She had feared many things.

But this...

She had never expected so naturally.

Veeresh gently rocked the babies.

Veeresh: "I missed so many moments with Adwait."

His smile faded.

"I couldn't watch him grow."

"I couldn't hold him whenever I wanted."

"I can't change that."

He looked lovingly at the twins.

Veeresh: "But I don't want to miss these moments with them."

"I'll be there."

"For every first step."

"Every first word."

"Every birthday."

"Every school function."

Poornima wiped away a tear.

Poornima: "Rakshas..."

He looked at her.

Poornima: "You're trying to impress me."

Veeresh laughed softly.

Veeresh: "Maybe."

He kissed each baby gently on the forehead.

Then he looked at Poornima again.

Veeresh: "What are their names?"

Poornima smiled sheepishly.

Poornima: "I... still haven't chosen names, Veer."

Veeresh looked surprised.

Veeresh: "Really?"

She nodded.

Poornima: "I kept waiting."

"I wanted to choose names that felt right."

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "Then we'll choose them together."

"Our first decision as parents."

Poornima looked at him in silence.

The word parents lingered in her heart.

Veeresh sat on the floor beside the cradles, smiling as the babies wrapped their tiny fingers around his hand.

For the first time in years, the room didn't feel lonely.

A new family had quietly begun to take shape.