Chapter 20 – A New Beginning

It was sometime after midnight.

The mansion was completely silent.

Poornima was sleeping peacefully when Veeresh, still asleep, slowly moved closer to her.

His arm naturally came around her waist.

Poornima stirred slightly.

She opened her eyes for a moment and realized that Veeresh's hand was resting around her waist.

She could have moved away.

But she didn't.

She simply looked at him for a few seconds.

His face looked completely different while sleeping. There was no coldness, no seriousness, no distance.

Just peace.

Poornima quietly placed her hand over his arm and closed her eyes again.

Soon, both of them fell asleep.

The next morning, Poornima woke up early.

She freshened up and went downstairs.

She prepared tea for Veeresh and made a simple breakfast of idlis and chutney.

After arranging everything, she went upstairs and kept his suit ready.

Veeresh was already in the gym.

A while later, he finished his workout and went to freshen up.

He changed into the suit Poornima had kept out for him and came downstairs.

He noticed the tea and breakfast waiting on the table.

He sat down and drank his tea.

Then he ate the idlis and chutney.

After finishing, he looked toward Poornima.

Veeresh: "Poons, come here."

Poornima walked toward him.

Veeresh picked up his tablet and gestured for her to sit beside him.

Veeresh: "These are my penthouses."

He opened several options on the screen.

Veeresh: "Look through them and choose whichever you like."

Poornima looked at the screen.

Poornima: "Okay."

She started going through the properties.

There were beautiful apartments in different parts of Germany.

Some had huge balconies.

Some had city views.

Some were completely modern.

Poornima thought to herself,

Oh God, this guy.

She continued scrolling.

Finally, she stopped at one.

It was elegant but comfortable, with a beautiful private garden and plenty of natural light.

Poornima: "This one."

Veeresh looked at the property.

Veeresh: "The one with the garden?"

Poornima nodded.

Poornima: "Yes. I like this one."

Veeresh immediately selected it.

Veeresh: "Done."

Poornima looked at him.

Poornima: "That's it?"

Veeresh: "You chose it."

She smiled slightly.

Then Veeresh opened another document.

Veeresh: "This is your class."

Poornima looked confused.

Poornima: "My class?"

Veeresh: "German language."

Poornima looked at him.

Veeresh: "You should know German."

Poornima: "Why?"

Veeresh: "You're living here now."

He continued calmly.

Veeresh: "Locals generally prefer speaking German rather than English. It will be easier for you if you know the language."

Poornima nodded slowly.

Poornima: "Okay."

Veeresh: "From tomorrow, your classes will start."

Poornima: "Tomorrow?"

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "Be ready."

He picked up his coffee.

Veeresh: "In the afternoon, I'll take you around Germany. I'll show you a few places."

Poornima looked at him.

Poornima: "You're taking me?"

Veeresh: "Yes."

He looked back at the tablet.

Veeresh: "We'll shift to the penthouse after that."

Poornima smiled softly.

For the first time since arriving in Germany, she felt that perhaps this strange new life wouldn't be as frightening as she had imagined.

Veeresh hadn't said much.

But in his own quiet way, he was making space for her.

And perhaps that was his way of saying—

Welcome home.