Chapter 74 — The Oath

The day of the oath ceremony finally arrived.

The entire venue was filled with dignitaries, party members, supporters and their families.

Poornima sat among the guests, watching everything with pride.

She was pregnant now, and Veeresh had been extra careful about her throughout the campaign. But today, she insisted on being there.

She wanted to see him take the oath.

Bubba sat beside her, dressed beautifully for the occasion.

Noor: "Mumma, Papa is going there?"

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "Yes, Bubba. Papa is taking his oath today."

Noor looked toward the stage excitedly.

A moment later, Veeresh's name was announced.

He walked toward the stage in his formal attire.

The crowd applauded.

Veeresh looked across the gathering.

His eyes immediately found Poornima.

She was sitting there with one hand resting gently over her stomach.

Their eyes met.

Poornima smiled proudly.

Veeresh smiled back.

The official stepped forward and began the ceremony.

Veeresh raised his hand and took the oath of office.

Veeresh: "I, Veeresh Qureshi, do solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India, and that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties..."

He continued with the oath, promising to uphold the Constitution and faithfully perform the responsibilities entrusted to him.

Poornima listened to every word.

Her eyes became moist.

She wasn't just watching a politician take an oath.

She was watching the man she loved reach one of the biggest moments of his life.

The man who had once been nothing but her unwanted political husband was now standing before the entire state, taking responsibility for millions of people.

And she was there beside him.

When the oath was completed, the hall erupted into applause.

Noor clapped excitedly.

Noor: "Papa!"

Poornima laughed through her tears.

Poornima: "Yes, Bubba. Papa did it."

Veeresh stepped down from the stage and looked toward them.

His eyes immediately softened when he saw Poornima.

She stood carefully.

When he reached her, she smiled proudly.

Poornima: "Congratulations, Chief Minister."

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "Thank you, Poons."

She placed her hand in his.

Poornima: "I'm so proud of you."

Veeresh looked at her hand resting over her stomach.

Then he looked at Noor.

His family.

His wife.

His daughter.

And the baby they were waiting to welcome.

He gently held Poornima's hand.

Veeresh: "I wouldn't want to celebrate this moment without you."

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "I'm your wife. Where else would I be?"

Veeresh smiled warmly.

For Poornima, it was one of the happiest days of her life.

She had watched her husband take his oath.

She was carrying their child.

Their daughter was proudly calling him Papa.

And standing beside him, Poornima knew that whatever the future brought, she would always remember this day.

The day Veeresh Qureshi took his oath.

And the day she sat there as his happiest wife, watching the man she loved begin a new chapter of his life.