Chapter 24

The final day of the annual function was here, and my nerves were at an all-time high.

I stood in front of the mirror, fixing my hair for what felt like the hundredth time, my mind racing with last-minute worries. What if the students forgot their lines? What if the props fell apart? What if the sound system failed again?

"Relax," Veer's calm voice cut through my anxious thoughts.

I turned to see him standing in the doorway, dressed in his usual sharp attire, his arms crossed as he leaned against the frame. His presence, as always, brought a strange sense of stability to my otherwise chaotic mind.

"I can't help it," I admitted, fidgeting with my dupatta. "It's the final day, Veer. Everything has to go perfectly."

"It will," he said simply, stepping closer. "You've worked hard, and so have your students. Trust that."

I sighed, his words settling over me like a balm. "Thank you," I said softly.

He gave me a small smile, his hand brushing against mine briefly. "Go. Knock them out."

The school was abuzz with excitement when I arrived. Parents, students, and teachers were bustling around, making last-minute preparations for the event.

I barely had a moment to catch my breath before the principal pulled me aside. "Tara, is everything ready for the play?" she asked, her tone urgent.

"Yes, ma'am," I said, nodding. "The students are prepared, and the props are set."

"Good," she said, giving me an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

As the hours went by, the function unfolded beautifully. Speeches, dances, and performances filled the day, each segment met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Finally, it was time for the play—the event I had been working tirelessly on for weeks. I stood backstage, watching as the students took their positions, my heart pounding in anticipation.

When the curtains rose and the first scene began, I held my breath. But as the play progressed, my anxiety slowly melted away. The students were brilliant—confident, expressive, and completely immersed in their roles. The audience laughed and clapped at all the right moments, and by the time the final scene ended, they erupted into a standing ovation.

I felt a wave of pride and relief wash over me as I joined the students on stage to take a bow. The months of hard work had paid off, and I couldn't have been prouder.

By the time I got home, the sky was dark, and I was utterly exhausted. My feet ached from standing all day, and my voice was hoarse from giving directions and cheering for the students.

As I pushed open the door, I was greeted by the soft glow of candles and the sight of Veer standing in the living room, holding a bouquet of my favorite flowers.

"Welcome home," he said, his voice warm.

I stared at him, momentarily stunned. "Veer... what is all this?"

He shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I thought you might need a nice dinner after such a long day."

My heart swelled at the thoughtfulness of his gesture. "You didn't have to do all this," I said, stepping closer to take the flowers.

"I wanted to," he replied simply.

The dining table was set beautifully, with a spread of my favorite dishes. As we sat down to eat, I couldn't stop talking about the day.

"The play was such a hit," I said between bites, my excitement bubbling over. "The students were incredible. They remembered all their lines, and the audience loved it!"

Veer listened attentively, his gaze never leaving mine. "I told you it would go well," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through the videos I had taken. "Here, look," I said, passing it to him.

He watched the clips carefully, nodding in approval. "They did a great job," he said, handing the phone back. "But so did you."

I felt my cheeks warm at his words, a quiet pride settling in my chest.

After dinner, I sank into the couch, my body finally giving in to the exhaustion. Veer disappeared for a moment and returned with a small bottle of oil.

"What's that for?" I asked, eyeing it suspiciously.

"Your shoulders," he said, kneeling beside me. "And your feet. You've been on them all day, haven't you?"

I tried to protest, but he was already pouring the oil into his hands, warming it before gently pressing his fingers into my shoulders.

"Veer, you don't have to—"

"Just relax," he said, his voice soft but firm.

I sighed, leaning back as his hands worked magic on my sore muscles. The tension in my shoulders melted away, and a content sigh escaped my lips.

When he moved to my feet, I couldn't help but laugh softly. "You really don't have to do this."

"I know," he said, glancing up at me with a small smile. "But I want to."

The combination of the massage and the day's events soon became too much for me to fight. My eyes grew heavy, and I barely registered the feeling of Veer's hands moving gently over my feet before sleep claimed me , but I want to spend more time with him , I can't sleep so I tried to fight  it ''don't fight it Tara'' I barely registered his words my mind hazy ''hmm what'' I said before admitting defeat and closing my already half closed eyes

I woke faintly to the sensation of being lifted, my body cradled against Veer's chest.

"Veer?" I murmured sleepily, my head resting against his shoulder.

"Shh," he said softly. "Go back to sleep."

I felt him carry me up the stairs, his arms steady and strong. When we reached the bedroom, he placed me gently on the bed, removing my saree pins , removing my claw clip and bobby pins and tucking the blanket around me with care.

As he leaned down, I felt the faintest brush of his lips against my forehead.

"Goodnight, Tara," he whispered.

And before I could respond he went around on his side of the bed and hugged me from behind his one hand under my head acting like a pillow and the other one wrapped around my waist keeping me close to him and his head resting above mine because of this bitch of a height difference which I totally love , I mean come on it's the dream of all the book girlies sleep pulled me under once again, a small smile lingering on my lips.