Chapter 22 – The Thoughts He Couldn't Explain

After arranging the room, Poornima changed into a comfortable cotton saree.

She tied her hair loosely and walked toward the balcony to get some fresh air.

As she stepped outside, she noticed Veeresh was already there.

He was standing near the railing, smoking quietly.

The city lights stretched across the horizon.

Poornima stopped for a moment but didn't disturb him.

Veeresh was lost in his thoughts.

Since their wedding, he had been thinking about Poornima more than he expected.

He had married her believing it would simply be a practical arrangement.

A marriage.

A move to Germany.

A wife who would continue her career.

Nothing complicated.

But things weren't going exactly as he had planned.

He remembered the way she had looked at the mansion when she first arrived.

The way she had asked for a smaller home because she wanted something comfortable.

The way she had prepared his tea even after knowing he didn't drink tea.

The simple meals she had made.

The way she had arranged the penthouse without making demands.

And the way she had quietly accepted his decision to move to Germany.

He took another drag from his cigarette.

Why am I noticing all these things?

He had always believed that relationships complicated life.

He had spent years building his company and keeping his personal life separate from it.

Yet Poornima had somehow entered his routine without forcing herself into it.

She was simply there.

And he had started getting used to her presence.

Veeresh looked toward the living room.

He could see her reflection through the glass doors.

She was standing quietly, looking at the city.

He immediately looked away.

He didn't want her to know he had been watching her.

Poornima eventually stepped closer.

Poornima: "It's late."

Veeresh looked at her.

Veeresh: "Yes."

She glanced at the cigarette in his hand.

Poornima: "You smoke a lot?"

Veeresh: "Sometimes."

She nodded.

Poornima: "You should sleep."

Veeresh gave a faint, almost amused look.

Veeresh: "You sound like my mother."

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "Maybe she trained me well."

Veeresh shook his head and looked back at the city.

Neither spoke for a while.

But this silence wasn't uncomfortable.

Veeresh quietly put out his cigarette.

Then he looked at her.

Veeresh: "Come inside."

Poornima nodded.

They walked back into the bedroom together.

Veeresh still didn't understand what was happening to him.

But one thing was becoming increasingly clear.

Poornima was no longer simply the woman he had married.

She was slowly becoming a part of his life.