Chapter 24 — Just Stay

The night at the Qureshi residence was unusually quiet.

Poornima lay awake in bed, feeling uncomfortable and emotionally drained.

She was having her period, and the familiar need for comfort had made her restless.

Back at the Rathore mansion, whenever she felt like this, Rukmini had always been there.

She would cuddle her, let her complain, and stay beside her until she fell asleep.

But now Rukmini was gone.

Poornima slowly turned toward the other side of the bed.

Veeresh was sleeping peacefully.

She stared at him for a few moments.

Poornima: "Why not him?"

She immediately frowned at herself.

Poornima: "He's my political husband anyway."

She hesitated.

Then she gently shook his shoulder.

Veeresh opened his eyes.

Veeresh: "What happened, Poons?"

Poornima looked at him.

For a moment, she didn't say anything.

Then she spoke quietly.

Poornima: "I want you to cuddle me."

Veeresh stared at her.

He was completely caught off guard.

Veeresh: "What?"

Poornima rolled her eyes.

Poornima: "You heard me."

Veeresh sat up slightly.

Veeresh: "You want me to cuddle you?"

Poornima: "Yes, asshole."

She looked embarrassed but tried to hide it behind irritation.

Poornima: "Just cuddle me."

Before Veeresh could say anything else, Poornima reached for him and pulled him closer.

Veeresh froze for a second.

He had spent months keeping his distance, waiting for her to decide what she was comfortable with.

Now she was the one asking him to stay close.

He carefully wrapped his arms around her.

Poornima immediately settled against his chest.

The tension in her body slowly disappeared.

Veeresh remained still, afraid that even the slightest movement might disturb her.

Poornima closed her eyes.

Poornima: "Don't move, asshole husband."

Veeresh looked down at her.

Veeresh: "I won't."

She became quiet.

After a few minutes, her breathing slowed.

She had fallen asleep in his arms.

Veeresh looked at her peaceful face.

For months, Poornima had kept an emotional distance from him.

She would speak to him when she wanted.

She would ignore him when she was angry.

She would call him an asshole whenever he irritated her.

And he had accepted all of it.

But tonight, she had chosen him for comfort.

He gently adjusted the blanket around her without waking her.

Poornima stirred slightly and tightened her hold on him.

Poornima: "Don't move..."

Veeresh smiled faintly.

Veeresh: "I'm not going anywhere."

He remained exactly where she had asked him to stay.

For that night, there were no arguments.

No politics.

No secrets.

No questions about their marriage.

Just Poornima sleeping peacefully in his arms...

and Veeresh quietly keeping his promise to stay.