Chapter 29 — Her Decision

The party continued late into the evening.

After meeting several guests and political leaders, Veeresh and Poornima finally sat down for dinner.

Noor was with them, happily playing while Poornima occasionally fed her.

Once dinner was finished, they said their goodbyes and left the Taj Residency.

Veeresh drove them back to the Qureshi mansion.

The car was quiet for a while.

Poornima looked out of the window, gathering her thoughts.

Veeresh remembered what she had told him earlier.

After a few minutes, he glanced at her.

Veeresh: "Poons, you wanted to speak about something."

Poornima looked at him.

Poornima: "Yes."

Veeresh waited.

Poornima: "I have decided something."

Veeresh: "What?"

She took a small breath.

Poornima: "I will continue my studies."

Veeresh looked at her with a small smile.

Veeresh: "Good."

Poornima nodded.

Poornima: "I want to continue B.Com."

She paused before adding,

Poornima: "I'm in my second year."

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "Good."

Poornima looked at him.

Poornima: "That's all you're going to say?"

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "What else should I say?"

Poornima: "I don't know. Maybe something useful for once."

Veeresh chuckled.

Veeresh: "Alright. Go ahead."

Poornima smiled faintly.

Poornima: "I want to finish my degree."

Veeresh: "Then finish it."

She looked at him, slightly surprised by how easily he accepted her decision.

Veeresh: "And after that, if you still want to become a chef and open your own restaurant, go ahead with that too."

Poornima's eyes softened.

Poornima: "You remember?"

Veeresh: "Of course I remember."

She looked away, trying to hide the small smile on her face.

Poornima: "Thank you."

Veeresh continued driving.

Veeresh: "You don't need my permission to have dreams, Poons."

Poornima looked at him.

For a moment, she didn't know what to say.

Then she smiled softly.

Poornima: "Good."

Veeresh glanced at her.

Veeresh: "Good?"

Poornima: "Yes. Because I was going to do it anyway."

Veeresh laughed quietly.

Veeresh: "I know."

The car continued toward the Qureshi mansion.

For Poornima, it was a small decision.

But for Veeresh, it meant something much bigger.

She was slowly beginning to reclaim the life she thought she had lost.

And this time, he wanted to stand beside her rather than stand in her way.