Chapter 26 – A Moment Between Them

Poornima spent the morning at her German class.

She carefully wrote down new words and phrases in her notebook, repeating them until she could pronounce them properly.

After class, she stopped at a supermarket and bought several groceries for the dinner party.

She picked up vegetables, spices, paneer, meat, and everything else she thought they might need.

When she returned to the penthouse, she stocked everything neatly in the refrigerator.

She then prepared dinner for herself and Veeresh.

By evening, she had finished most of the preparations and was waiting for him.

It was already late when the door finally opened.

Veeresh entered, looking tired after a long day at Singh Industries.

Poornima: "You're back."

Veeresh: "Yes."

He went upstairs, freshened up, and changed into comfortable clothes.

When he came down, Poornima had already served dinner.

Veeresh sat at the table.

Poornima: "Have your dinner."

He began eating.

After a few moments, he looked at her.

Veeresh: "How was your class?"

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "Good. I'm learning slowly."

Veeresh smiled faintly.

Veeresh: "Good."

He continued eating.

After dinner, Veeresh went into his study and answered a few emails.

Later, he stepped out onto the balcony.

Poornima was already there, looking at the city lights.

Veeresh stood beside her for a while before taking out a cigarette.

He smoked quietly.

After a few moments, he dropped the cigarette into the ashtray and looked at her.

Poornima spoke softly.

Poornima: "I don't want you to quit smoking because of me."

Veeresh looked at her.

Poornima: "If you ever quit, I want you to do it because you want to. Not because I asked you to."

He stared at her for a moment.

Something in her words touched him.

Without saying anything, he stepped closer and gently pulled her toward him.

Before she could react, he kissed her.

Poornima was surprised for a moment.

Then she responded to the kiss.

When they pulled apart, Veeresh looked at her.

Veeresh: "Sorry."

Poornima blinked.

Veeresh: "I just... felt like kissing you."

A shy smile appeared on her face.

Poornima: "That's okay."

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "Let's sleep."

He took her hand and led her toward the bedroom.

They lay down together.

Veeresh moved closer and wrapped his arm around her, resting comfortably against her.

Poornima smiled quietly.

She closed her eyes, still thinking about what had just happened.

Before falling asleep, she touched her lips lightly.

A small smile appeared on her face.

For the first time, the kiss didn't feel like something forced by their marriage.

It felt like something Veeresh had chosen himself.

And that thought stayed with her as she slowly drifted to sleep beside him.