Chapter 21 – Their Penthouse

That afternoon, Veeresh returned home exactly as he had promised.

He was ready to take Poornima around Germany.

Poornima quickly got ready and came downstairs.

Veeresh looked at her.

Veeresh: "Ready?"

Poornima: "Yes."

They left together.

Veeresh showed her some of the important places around the city.

He took her through the busy markets, shopping streets, supermarkets, restaurants, parks, and several important areas she would need to know.

He also showed her the places where she could shop for groceries and other things she might need.

Poornima carefully looked at everything.

She wanted to remember the roads and understand the city instead of always depending on someone else.

After spending several hours outside, Veeresh finally drove her to the penthouse she had selected.

The moment Poornima entered, she stopped.

Everything had already been arranged.

Her clothes had been brought over.

Their belongings had been unpacked.

The rooms were furnished exactly as she had seen in the photographs.

And outside, the beautiful garden she had chosen was visible through the large glass doors.

Poornima smiled.

Veeresh looked at her.

Veeresh: "If you want to change anything, you can."

Poornima turned toward him.

Poornima: "Anything?"

Veeresh: "Yes."

He pointed toward the rooms.

Veeresh: "It's your home too."

Poornima nodded.

Veeresh: "I'll be in the study."

He walked away.

Poornima remained in the living room.

She slowly walked through every room.

She opened cupboards, looked at the balcony, checked the garden, and arranged a few small things according to her preference.

The penthouse felt much more comfortable than the huge mansion.

It felt like a home.

After some time, Poornima went into the kitchen.

She decided to prepare dinner herself.

For Veeresh, she made roti and paneer masala.

For herself, she prepared simple khichdi.

Once everything was ready, she placed the dishes on the dining table.

Then she walked toward the study.

Poornima: "Veer."

Veeresh looked up from his laptop.

Poornima: "Come. Let's have dinner."

He checked the time.

Veeresh: "Yes."

He closed his laptop and came to the dining table.

Poornima served him the food and then served herself.

Veeresh began eating.

Poornima watched him quietly.

He didn't say anything.

No compliment.

No criticism.

Nothing.

He simply ate.

Poornima continued eating her khichdi.

After finishing, Veeresh emptied his plate completely.

He stood up, carried his plate to the kitchen, and placed it in the sink.

Then he walked back toward the study.

Poornima looked after him.

Poornima: "He didn't say anything..."

She shrugged.

Perhaps this was simply how Veeresh was.

She finished her dinner and cleared the table.

After cleaning everything, she went to the bedroom.

She began arranging their belongings.

Her clothes were placed neatly in one section of the wardrobe.

Veeresh's clothes were arranged separately.

She organized the drawers, folded a few clothes, and placed everything where she thought it belonged.

When she finished, she looked around the room.

For the first time, the penthouse truly felt like theirs.

Not just Veeresh's.

Theirs.

Poornima smiled softly and continued arranging the room.