Chapter 21 — His Askim and Cennat

The party office of Yuva Sena was busy as usual.

People were moving in and out of Veeresh's office, carrying files, discussing political matters, and waiting for his instructions.

But Veeresh wasn't paying much attention.

His mind was still upstairs.

With Poornima.

With her little secret.

One day, I'm going to run away from the Qureshi house.

He leaned back in his chair and gave a faint smile.

Veeresh: "You won't be able to, Poornima."

He looked out through the glass window of his office.

Veeresh: "Wherever you go, you will have to come back."

His expression softened.

Veeresh: "Because you're my askim."

He paused, remembering the way Poornima had smiled while holding Noor.

Veeresh: "And my cennat."

Those words were spoken quietly, meant only for himself.

For years, he had kept his feelings hidden.

Five years of watching her from a distance.

Five years of wanting her.

Five years of convincing himself that one day she would become part of his life.

And now she was.

Even if she was angry with him.

Even if she called him an asshole every few minutes.

Even if she had told him she would never forgive him.

She was still there.

Veeresh smiled when he remembered the name she had given Noor.

Veeresh: "Bubba."

He repeated the name softly.

He actually liked it.

The way Poornima had said it.

The way Noor had smiled when she heard it.

It had made something inside him feel strangely warm.

Veeresh: "You really like Bubba, don't you?"

He shook his head with a small smile.

Then his expression became serious again.

He knew he couldn't force Poornima to stay.

His father had made that clear.

So he would do something different.

He would give her reasons to stay.

Reasons she could choose for herself.

Veeresh: "I will give you every reason to stay with me."

He leaned back in his chair.

Veeresh: "Not because I force you."

He paused.

Veeresh: "Because one day, you'll want to."

His phone vibrated on the desk.

Veeresh glanced at it, but his thoughts remained with Poornima.

For the first time, the ruthless politician wasn't thinking about elections, opponents, or power.

He was thinking about a twenty-year-old woman who had entered his life angry, hurt, and unwillingly.

And about a little baby who had somehow become the bridge between them.

Veeresh smiled again.

Veeresh: "My askim. My cennat."

He picked up the file in front of him.

But before returning to work, he whispered one last thing.

Veeresh: "Run if you want, Poornima."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Veeresh: "I'll spend every day giving you a reason to come back."