Chapter 25

It was a slow morning, the kind I had started to enjoy. The soft hum of the news filled the living room as I sat on the couch, a cup of tea in my hands. I wasn't paying much attention to the anchor until I heard a familiar name.

"...Veeranshu Mehra, the man behind one of the most successful business ventures in recent years..."

I glanced up at the screen, my heart skipping a beat as I saw Veer's image. He stood tall and composed, answering questions about his latest project with the calm confidence I had come to admire. The panel of interviewers seemed almost in awe of him, praising his vision and leadership.

A wave of pride washed over me.

As I watched Veer on the screen, I couldn't help but think about everything that had brought us to this point. Our marriage had started as an arrangement, a practical solution to a complex problem. But somewhere along the way, things had changed.

I had started to see the quiet ways Veer cared for me. The way he listened when I talked about my day, even if it was filled with mundane details. The way he noticed the small things—like making sure my favorite snacks were always stocked, or ordering vegetarian meals without me having to ask always knowing what I need  . The way he held me close when I was worried or tired, as if his presence alone could shield me from the world.

And slowly, without realizing it, I had started falling in love with him.

It wasn't one grand gesture or a single moment that had made me realize my feelings. It was the accumulation of countless little things.

Veer had been there for me in his own way, showing me that love didn't always need to be loud or dramatic. Sometimes, it was quiet and steady, like the way he looked at me when he thought I wasn't paying attention, or the way he made me feel safe without needing to say a word.

As the news segment ended, I turned off the television, a small smile playing on my lips. I couldn't wait to tell him how proud I was.

That night, we sat together on the swing in the garden. The cool evening breeze rustled the leaves around us, and the scent of roses lingered in the air.

Veer was relaxed, his arm resting on the back of the swing, but I could feel his quiet attentiveness, the way he always made space for me to speak.

"Veer," I began, my voice soft. "Can I tell you something?"

"Always," he said, turning to look at me.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "I've never really talked about my childhood, have I?"

He shook his head, waiting patiently.

"It wasn't... easy," I admitted, my gaze fixed on the roses. "After my parents passed away, Dadaji was the only one who showed me love. My uncle and aunt—they were there, but they didn't care. Not really. And Kiara... she was the golden child, the one they always put first."

Veer's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt.

"When I was younger, I had dreams of becoming an archaeologist," I continued, my voice growing quieter. "I was supposed to study in Italy, and everything was set. But then Kiara decided she wanted to study fashion, and the funds my parents left behind were only enough for one of us. Guess who got to follow her dreams?"

His jaw tightened, the anger in his eyes unmistakable.

"I told myself it didn't matter," I said, shrugging slightly. "But it did. Losing that opportunity... it hurt."

I paused for a moment, the weight of my memories making it harder to speak. "And then there was Sameer. He's always been... unsettling. The way he looks at me, the things he says—it gives me chills. My uncle and aunt wanted me to marry him, not because they thought he was a good match, but because it benefited them."

Veer's hand tightened slightly on the swing, his knuckles white.

"When we got married," I said, turning to meet his gaze, "I was relieved to be away from all of that. But at the same time, I felt so lonely. This house, this life—it was all so new, and I didn't know where I fit in. There were moments when I wanted to run away."

His eyes widened slightly, his breath hitching. "Run away?" he asked, his voice laced with panic ''you can't do that , you can't do that please don't think like that  , I am here you can tell me anything is it something about me that you don't like I will change it but please--'' I stopped him by placing a soft kiss on his lips , his words shattered me how can I be so foolish to talk about running away the one thing that scares him the most , he still looked panicked

"I'm sorry," I said  placing my hand over his. "I didn't mean it that way. I was just... overwhelmed. But I'm not going anywhere, Veer. I promise."

He studied my face for a long moment, as if searching for reassurance. Slowly, he nodded, his shoulders relaxing.

"You scared me," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

I gave him a small smile, squeezing his hand. "I didn't mean to. I just... I wanted to be honest with you."

He leaned back slightly, his gaze softening. "Thank you. For trusting me with all of this."

"And thank you," I replied, my voice steady. "For being there for me, even when I didn't realize I needed it."

For a while, we sat in comfortable silence, the swing swaying gently beneath us. The moonlight cast a soft glow over the garden, and I felt a sense of peace I hadn't known in a long time.

"I don't know how you do it," Veer said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Do what?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Stay so strong," he said, his gaze thoughtful. "After everything you've been through, you still find a way to smile. To care. To trust."

"Because of you," I said simply.

His brow furrowed slightly, as if he didn't believe me.

"You make it easier," I explained. "To be strong, to trust, to believe in this marriage. It's because of you, Veer."

As I rested my head on his shoulder, I felt his arm wrap around me, holding me close. In that moment, I realized something important: no matter what challenges we faced, we had each other.

And that was enough.