Chapter 14 — A Secret Between Them

The study fell silent after Mr. Qureshi's words.

Veeresh remained seated, his eyes fixed on the floor as he thought about everything that had happened.

Mr. Qureshi looked at his son for a long moment before speaking again.

Mr. Qureshi: "There is one more thing you need to remember."

Veeresh looked up.

Mr. Qureshi: "Your mother doesn't know any of these things."

Veeresh's expression immediately became serious.

Mr. Qureshi: "She doesn't know about your plans with Rukmini. She doesn't know that you knew about her love. She doesn't know that you helped her leave. And she certainly doesn't know about your obsession with Poornima."

Veeresh nodded slowly.

Veeresh: "I know."

Mr. Qureshi's voice became firm.

Mr. Qureshi: "Let it remain a secret between us."

Veeresh remained silent.

Mr. Qureshi: "If your mother finds out what you have done, you know exactly what will happen."

A faint smile appeared on Veeresh's face.

Veeresh: "I know."

Mr. Qureshi: "She will get you arrested herself if she believes you manipulated this marriage."

Veeresh's smile disappeared.

Mr. Qureshi: "And after that, she will make sure Poornima divorces you."

Veeresh leaned back in his chair.

Veeresh: "I know Mom is dangerous."

Mr. Qureshi gave him a knowing look.

Mr. Qureshi: "Dangerous is an understatement."

Veeresh let out a quiet breath.

Veeresh: "But she is the only one."

His father looked at him curiously.

Mr. Qureshi: "The only one what?"

Veeresh's eyes moved toward the window.

His expression softened slightly.

Veeresh: "The only woman I ever laid my eyes on."

Mr. Qureshi remained quiet.

Veeresh continued.

Veeresh: "I have never wanted anyone else."

He paused.

Veeresh: "And I will go to any length for her."

Mr. Qureshi studied his son carefully.

There was determination in Veeresh's eyes.

But there was something else too.

For the first time, his father could see that this was not simply obsession.

There was genuine feeling buried beneath all the mistakes Veeresh had made.

Mr. Qureshi finally smiled.

Mr. Qureshi: "Then all the best, son."

Veeresh looked at him.

Mr. Qureshi: "And be ready for everything."

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "I will."

Mr. Qureshi walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he turned around one last time.

Mr. Qureshi: "Remember what I told you. Love is not politics."

Veeresh gave a small nod.

Veeresh: "I remember."

Mr. Qureshi smiled and walked out of the study.

The door closed behind him.

Veeresh remained alone.

For several seconds, he sat silently.

Then his eyes moved toward the staircase.

Poornima was still upstairs.

She hated him.

She had told him she would never forgive him.

And now there were secrets between them that could change everything.

Veeresh slowly stood up.

For years, he had known how to play the political game.

But this time, he had to learn something completely different.

He had to wait.

He had to be patient.

And most importantly, he had to give Poornima the one thing he had failed to give her from the beginning.

A choice.