Chapter 28 — The Answer She Gave

The party continued around them, with political leaders speaking in small groups and guests moving between the tables.

Veeresh stood slightly away from the crowd, holding Noor comfortably in his arms.

Poornima stood beside him.

She was smiling at Noor, who was happily playing with the edge of Veeresh's jacket.

Veeresh took out his phone.

Veeresh: "Bubba, look here."

Noor looked toward the camera.

Veeresh clicked a picture.

Then he looked at Poornima.

Veeresh: "And now you."

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "Again?"

Veeresh: "Yes."

He clicked several pictures of Poornima and Noor together.

Poornima looked at the pictures afterward.

Poornima: "These are good."

Veeresh: "I know."

She gave him an annoyed look.

Before she could reply, a man approached them.

It was Raghav, one of Veeresh's political opponents.

Raghav smiled politely.

Raghav: "Veeresh."

Veeresh: "Raghav."

Raghav looked toward Poornima.

Raghav: "I heard your wife stopped studying."

Poornima's expression immediately became serious.

She looked at him respectfully.

Poornima: "No, sir. I haven't dropped my studies."

Raghav raised his eyebrows.

Poornima: "I'm only taking a break."

She smiled politely.

Poornima: "I will continue my education."

Raghav nodded approvingly.

Raghav: "Good. You should."

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "Thank you, sir."

Raghav smiled once more before excusing himself and walking away.

Veeresh looked at Poornima with quiet pride.

She noticed his expression.

Poornima: "What?"

Veeresh: "Nothing."

Poornima looked down at Noor.

She gently touched the baby's cheek.

Poornima: "Bubba, your appa is bad, okay?"

Veeresh heard her and shook his head.

Veeresh: "What did I do now?"

Poornima looked at him innocently.

Poornima: "Nothing."

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "Then why am I bad?"

Poornima shrugged.

Poornima: "Because you're you."

Veeresh laughed softly.

Noor smiled between them.

For the first time that evening, Poornima realized something.

She had answered Raghav without hesitation.

She hadn't said she was giving up on her dream.

She had said she would continue.

And somewhere inside, she knew she meant it.