"I don't know about it but my daughter definitely cannot afford to get mad at you", Shaurya answered and she sighed, shaking her head... He is always like this... Sacrificing everything without expecting anything in return for his loved ones... He did a lot of these things for her as well, she didn't forget anything... Akansha never doubted his love for her, it's always visible in his actions but his betrayal broke her heart leaving it irreparable overshadowing all the things he did for her. She never knew love and betrayal could co-exist, even the thought sounded absurd to her, but seeing him it seemed a reality.
"Like the hell you don't know, it's been 3 days since you have eaten, look at yourself... Is this the right way to tackle issues? You can't be such a sensitive father Shaurya, if you can't take your daughter's momentary anger, I don't think you will be a good parent to her, sometimes, you have to be strict with her, refuse to give things that could be bad for her, she may get angry but you have to be stubborn, it's for her own good, how will you handle all those things when you get so weak at such a silly thing as this?", Akansha said worrying for him as well as her daughter, she can't have a weak father.
"Hearing you talk about future, and all those things of my Siya's parenting involving me already filled me with hope...", he replied with a gentle smile... "You are right, I need to become a stronger father, but for now I'm like this, a weak man with a fragile heart when it came to his daughter, please make me stronger, Akansha... Hold me until I become that strong...", he said holding her palm... He laid his vulnerabilities bare in front of her, her resolve softened in front of him... She could definitely support him, at least to become a better father, right? It's for her daughter.
"I will... I know you are rigid than a mountain when it comes to protecting your daughter, but make yourself that rigid from the hurt she causes you too...", Akansha said and he nodded but she knew he was as rigid as his daughter's unicorn fluffy cushion...
"By the way, won't you ask me what work do I have at 5 that I pre-poned my appointment?", Akansha asked
"I won't bother you with questions Akansha... You can go anywhere... I know my interference causes you discomfort", he answered and his answer should satisfy her, but it didn't, it looked like he didn't care about her and it definitely hurt her but she masked it with a glare. She hated her flippy heart which keeps wanting two contrasting things at a time...
"You are such a useless person... Today is your daughter's vaccination, idiot", Akansha said, she wanted to bang his head but controlled herself.
"Vaccination? She is 4 years old, isn't she?", he asked and she nodded, understanding his question.
"Yes... MMR... Second dose", she said
"Huh?", he asked looking confused...
"Measles, Mumps, and Rubella", Akansha clarified
"Oh! If you don't mind, can we have it at my residence?", Shaurya asked, his heart already beating wildly at his daughter in pain...
"Your residence? Shaurya no one knew...", she trailed but he quickly clarified.
"I have a personal doctor, I trust him completely, his daughter is a pediatrician, if you are okay, I'll ask her to come today, I want to be there for my daughter... from here on... always... Pl...Please Akansha...", he pleaded and Akansha nodded after much thinking... It would be better for Siya too, to resolve the issues with her dad. "Thank you so much... I'll have Suraj pick you and Siya", Shaurya said and Akansha nodded again...
"If it's at your residence, then let's plan it at night, I know 5 PM doesn't work for you, also it would be difficult for Suraj to plan for it, at such a short notice", Akansha suggested and Shaurya nodded, obliging.
"Shaurya...", she called
"Hm...?", he answered looking at her curiously, especially when her eyes held gentle emotions for him which weren't there till then...
"I never told you this, I know your guilt of not being there for your daughter would never leave you... but... You may not be there physically but unknowingly you helped a lot...", Akansha said, he frowned in confusion...
"Help? Me? If you are trying to make me feel better so that I could start eating then don't... after talking to you, I feel a bit better, and I'll start from lite dinner tonight", he said and she glared at him...
"Shut up, I don't care for you that much to lie to you for your sake, you are not that important... When Siya was born, I didn't have enough money, and there were a lot of vaccines, I was so scared and helpless, then got to know the policies you implemented, how you provided high-quality vaccines for all the children at low cost, even in private hospitals. You did a great job at that, you made sure that the vaccines are of quality, and I got Siya vaccinated through the same scheme till she turned 3", Akansha said and his eyes welled up... This didn't make him feel better, instead crushed him even more... He should have been there with them...
"I hate myself for your sufferings, I'll always do...", he said holding her palm...
"I hated you too, I was hesitant to even use any kind of help from you, even if it came indirectly, but then I looked at our daughter and changed my mind, she deserved it, she deserved everything her father provided, it's her right and I'm just getting her, her right", Akansha said and he nodded with a small smile...
"I know a single sorry is not sufficient for all your sufferings, but I'll keep apologizing to you all our life, I'm sorry", Shaurya said
"As Siya's father, you have done no mistake, Shaurya, so you don't have to apologize", Akansha said, once again making it clear that she sees him just as her daughter's father and he tried to be okay with that for now.
"Have lunch Shaurya... As I said, you need to be strong to handle your daughter's tantrums, how long will you run on Vitamins?", Akansha asked him softly...
"I will...", he said, a smile on his face, he would do anything she said... her word is what that matters... "I threw up, whatever I had intaken... So, thought to avoid it for a few days", he told her
"It doesn't work like that, eat now, start with lite food, and you'll get better", she said
"Will you be sitting here, until I finish?", he asked and she nodded without thinking for a second. She knew her presence would make it better for him, so why not? She has already set her boundaries, but if her daughter's father needed help from her, then she would definitely do it, for her daughter's sake. Well, that's what she explained her heart and brain.
"Shweta, get my lunch inside", he told his secretary on the phone, and in the next 5 minutes, Shweta walked in with his lunch. "Leave it here...", he told her, Shweta nodded and giving a polite smile to Akansha, she walked away, her earlier questions disappeared.
With Akansha's presence and her assurance, Shaurya's brain cooled down a bit and he had little food.
"I'll leave now... Take care", she said, and walked out picking her file.
After obtaining vaccine details from Akansha, Shaurya arranged for the vaccination dose at his residence for his daughter. His doctor, Rajeev Chauhan was surprised to hear about his daughter, he knew Shaurya's issues as he was treating him for the past 5 years, he knew about Akansha, Shaurya wasn't willing to talk about it at the beginning, but since his physical issues were primarily because of his mental pressure and stress, he had to open up after a certain time, as he couldn't afford staying sick for a long.
They took his daughter, one of the best pediatricians in the state, Dr. Rathi in loop and after sending Siya's reports and her first vaccine details, Rathi promised to be there with her team for Siya's vaccination.
-----------------------------
"Mumma... Where are we going?", Siya asked when she saw Akansha packing her basic stuff and a few clothes.
"Somewhere we were supposed to go in the evening", Akansha said, she knew his daughter would throw tantrums if she talked about vaccination.
"Where mumma?", Siya asked, impatient... Akansha can't even say they were going to their father's place.
"Siya bear, help mama bear na please", Akansha asked, that's the only way to keep her from asking questions. Siya with her little palms, handed the clothes and things to her mother helping her.
Siya and Akansha got into the car which Suraj parked at a secluded alley. Getting in and looking at Suraj and the driver, Siya understood where they were going.
"Mumma... Are we going to Dadda?", Siya asked angrily...
Suraj turned to look at Siya hearing her call Shaurya 'Dadda'. He now understood Siya knew about her father, and Suraj hid a smile that threatened to form on his face at how cutely the little girl addressed his boss 'Dadda'.
"Yes...", Akansha said with a nod.
"Mumma no... I am angly(angry) with him...", Siya said, folding her hands just like her mother in anger.
"Siya... Papa has been calling you continuously for 4 days... You didn't talk to him even once... Papa wants to say 'Sorry' baby... You should have at least heard him", Akansha tried.
"No... Dadda bad", Siya said adamantly...
"So stubborn, just like your dadda", Akansha muttered to herself.
"Acha okay... Let's go there... We'll get the work done, then we'll come back if you don't want to stay there... You don't have to talk to him if you don't want to... But be a good girl... Do not misbehave with Papa in front of his staff, my baby is a good girl, right?", Akansha asked and Siya nodded slowly.
She is excited to meet Shaurya, but she is also angry with him. All these days, she heard him talk about her with Akansha, who kept the phone in speaker so that Shaurya could talk to Siya though she wouldn't respond. Siya is too stubborn for her age sometimes and Akansha finds Shaurya's genes dominating hers at those particular times.
They reached Shaurya's residence and Akansha walked in carrying Siya in her arms. She saw a woman of her age, a couple of years older maybe, and two attendants beside her talking to Shaurya, probably explaining the procedure, need and after effects of the vaccine.
Seeing Akansha and Siya, Shaurya walked towards them, taking Siya in his arms from hers, he walked back to the lady and her attendants with Akansha following behind. Siya didn't say a thing to Shaurya which is a first, she never stayed silent when she saw him, she always jumped on him greeting him with kisses. He smiled at his daughter's stubbornness, kissing her hair.
"This is Dr. Rathi, one of the best pediatricians in the country... Rathi, this is Akansha and this... is my little unicorn, my daughter Siyakriti", he introduced, he saw his daughter's grin as soon as he introduced her, mirroring his own expressions, Akansha so wanted to click a picture of these cutest father-daughter duo, they looked so adorable with those stupid grins on their faces as if they achieved the whole world.
Shaurya already told Dr. Rathi that Akansha is his wife, as he couldn't introduce her as his wife in front of her. She would have his head then, neither could he let anyone think wrongly about his pure relationship with his wife. She deserved all the respect and dignity, earlier he couldn't give her that as he was scared for her life, at that time the monsters threatening her life were bigger, but now he had the power to safeguard her, he didn't have to fear for her life that someone would harm her if he introduces her as his wife. 'Don't think about it Shaurya, not now' he mentally warned himself, remembering those incidents brought a different side out of him which he didn't want his wife and daughter to witness now.
The women greeted each other with a smile... Rathi asked some basic questions about Siya to know her better, before looking at all her reports.
"Everything is fine... Just one thing... I wanted to suggest one more vaccine for Siya... Varicella", Dr. Rathi said, hearing the name 'vaccine', Siya clutched Shaurya's arms tightly, snuggling into his neck, he ruffled her hair hiding her in his arms, his protective arms shielding her, making the little girl feel a lot better.
"Oh yeah... I got the first dose, but didn't go for booster", Akansha said...
"I advise you to get her that as well", Rathi said politely to which Akansha nodded. Shaurya gave confused glares to both the women... Now what is Varicella... How many vaccines should his little girl get, why is no one thinking about her pain? Can't there be a single shot for all the vaccines combined? Why does his little girl had to take injections multiple times?
"What? Didn't your research tell you what is Varicella?", Dr. Rathi teased.
"Not funny Rathi", Shaurya glared at her...
"Vaccine for chicken pox, Shaurya... I thought your reading and research from this morning about vaccines has given some useful information to you", Rathi teased him again...
"Whose fault is that? You didn't suggest good books and sites", Shaurya blamed her. Rathi shook her head at him with a teasing smirk.
"Yeah my fault it is", she accepted with a smile.
Akansha looked surprised knowing he has been reading vaccine related stuff from morning... How cute can he get more... This man in front of her is reminding the Shaurya she loved, the man she imagined when he would be a father but no... the reality is quite far and Akansha didn't let herself forget it. She us not lowering her guards down, not for this man ever.
"Okay let's get started", Dr. Rathi said signalling her assistants.
"No... Dadda... Pwease no vachine(please no vaccine)", Siya said hugging Shaurya more tightly...
"Siya... It's for your own good baby, we have to scare away the monsters na?", Shaurya said, and settled on the sofa with Siya on his lap.
"No... No... No", Siya cried, Shaurya's heart filled with anguish...
"O... Okay... Some other day... Rathi... Some other day", Shaurya said shocking Akansha and Rathi as well. This wasn't the Shaurya they knew, he would value everyone's efforts and here Dr. Rathi cancelled her appointments to come there...
"Shaurya... Stop it... You became a child along with your daughter instead of making her understand?", Akansha reprimanded him.
"Mama bear... Bad...", Siya said but Akansha isn't having any of it.
"Please do your work", Akansha politely told the doctor's assistants who moved towards Shaurya who is more scared and anxious than his daughter but he hid it inside.
"Dadda... Dadda no.... No...", Siya said scared of the pain...
"Okay", Shaurya said glaring at the individual who was about to give a shot to Siya, he got scared of Shaurya's anger and stepped back.
Akansha looked at Shaurya with open mouth. Is he serious right now?
"Shaurya, let him do his job", Akansha said
"No... My baby is scared... Can't you see? She wouldn't get the shot if she doesn't want it", Shaurya said hugging his daughter tightly, he suddenly got scared looking at the needle and it piercing his daughter's baby skin.
"Dadda... Dadda...", Siya said kissing her father's cheek, she felt safe in her father's arms... His warmth gave her the comfort she needed.
Akansha understood his fear and feelings but she can't let them behave like this, Dr. Rathi and her team are here specially for Siya, she can't let their time go in waste, also Siya should get vaccinated today, it's already late.
"Shaurya...", Akansha called softly...
"No... No vaccine for my baby", He said adamantly
"Shaurya Singh Shekhawat", Akansha called him sternly, folding her hands, one glare from her and Shaurya changed his stance.
"Siya... I... I think your mumma is right", Shaurya said afraid of his wife's anger...
"No... Dadda no", Siya started crying again, his heart clenched at his daughter's tears.
"If my magic unicorn ð¦ doesn't want it, then no... But I thought you would want it, Actually this vaccine helps you in keeping your magical powers...", Shaurya started, and Siya turned all her attention to him when she heard him speak about unicorns and magical powers, he weaved a story around it and how this dose helps her develop more magical powers, silently signaling them to carry on with the work...
Akansha looked at the hands-on dad in front of her. He indulged Siya in such interesting talks that even she lost her thoughts for a while. The vaccine was done, and Siya started crying, suddenly feeling the pain.
"Hogya... Hogya meri jaan(it's done... It's done my baby... It's done)", Shaurya consoled his daughter who is crying hysterically...
He stood up and started walking to and fro in the room, rubbing his daughter's hair, consoling her. He took her to different places, showing her the showpieces, artifacts, whatever comes to his eye to divert her from the pain, while Akansha sighed at the father-daughter duo, before turning to the doctor who explained her about the side effects and needed medicines. Akansha thanked her and Rathi got up to leave along with her team...
"Please wait! I'll let Shaurya know", Akansha said... Rathi nodded though she has an idea Shaurya wouldn't come there for anything in this world.
"Shaurya.... Dr. Rathi is leaving", Akansha called, as she saw a glimpse of Shaurya and Siya looking at something on the wall not so far from them.
"Bye Rathi...", Shaurya mouthed from there waving his palm for a micro second before concentrating on his daughter again, who now stopped crying but little sniffing here and there is still present.
"Shau...", Akansha started but Rathi interrupted her...
"It's okay... Let's not disturb them... By the way, this is my number, call me if Siya experiences fever or her temperature doesn't come down despite the syrup I prescribed", Rathi said
"Thank you so much... But I don't have this syrup, I have another one, Siya's pediatric prescribed... ****** can I give her instead?", Akansha asked
"Yes, but the medicine I prescribed is more effective in this case and don't worry, Shaurya already got all the medicines, tonics, syrups that are required for your daughter till the next few years, for once I thought he was opening a pharmacy at his residence", Rathi joked, Akansha chuckled but internally her heart warmed up at Shaurya's love and protectiveness for his daughter.
Rathi and her team left, and Akansha walked in to see one of the best sights of her life. Shaurya lifted his daughter high, tucking his head in her stomach making her burst into giggles...
"Dadda... Hehehe stop.... Stop...", Siya said in between her giggles, trying to push her father's face away with her little palms...
"Okay, my unicorn... Your orders are taken", Shaurya said, taking her in his arms properly.
Akansha walked in, kissing her daughter's head.
"Is it still paining Siya?", Akansha asked ruffling her daughter's hair...
"No mumma... Dadda gave magical kissie and pain gaab(gayab/disappeared)", Siya said making her parents laugh.
"Good and by the way it's 'Gayab'", Akansha corrected, kissing her daughter's head.
Shaurya knew his daughter was hurting a bit; he could feel it by the redness and swelling the spot caused, so to make her forget it, he spread all her favorite toys and games on the bed and started playing with her.
After some time, Siya fell asleep, Shaurya asked Akansha for dinner but she told she already had it, but she offered to sit with him, which came as a pleasant surprise for him.
He had his dinner in his room as he didn't want to leave his daughter even for a minute, and like that afternoon, he had lite food but more in quantity than before. He hated himself more seeing his wife's kindness whose presence made everything easier and bearable.
Akansha laid beside Siya on the bed and checking her if she is fine.
"You look tired, go to sleep, I'll look after her", Shaurya offered.
"That's okay... I am fine, I'll look after her", Akansha said
"Akansha, I insist... Go to sleep, I'll look after her, trust me I'll wake you up if I can't handle", he said and she went into deep thinking, she has no doubt in his abilities and sincerity, he would look after his daughter very well but he didn't know about Siya much to check for symptoms, moreover even he wasn't too well to stay awake the whole night.
"Anyway... I won't sleep tonight... I became kind of insomniac... So don't worry, my sleep cycle won't be affected. And regarding Siya... I don't know much, so yeah need your inputs there", he said as if he could read her mind. She is left surprised at how aptly he deduced her thoughts just by looking at her face.
"Just keep checking for her fever... Even if the thermometer doesn't show any rise in temperature, check the top of her head, the crown, if you feel it hot, then give her the medicine... Before her body temperature rises, her head gets heavy and heated, it's a symptom", Akansha said and Shaurya nodded listening carefully. She checked Siya's head... "For now it's normal, but might rise at midnight", Akansha added
"I'll keep checking, don't worry, I'll take care of her", Shaurya said and Akansha nodded and shut her eyes to welcome sleep, with her one palm resting on her daughter's left palm. She didn't want to sleep but for the first time, she had someone who could look after her daughter, who she could trust blindly, someone to whom Siya is as important and lovable as she is to her. She finally could give in to her exhaustion instead of pushing her physical and mental health to the back seat, while her daughter's responsibilities took the front seat.
Very surprisingly, she didn't feel uncomfortable in Shaurya's presence. Technically, she should; in fact, she shouldn't have been so at peace with his presence in the same room, let alone the same bed, but all she felt was comfort and calm as if she still thought he was her husband.
Akansha pushed all her thoughts away and soon sleep took over her due to exhaustion. Shaurya kept checking Siya and when he found her top of the head hot, he quickly gave her the medicine, Siya who is a light sleeper just like him woke up with little movement.
"Mumma...", she whined...
"Sorry, sorry... Just have this and you can sleep, baby...", Shaurya softly said
"Dadda... no..." she whined, but Shaurya convinced her to have the medicine. However, she didn't fall asleep again as her head started aching due to the rising temperature.
"Dadda... daddd(Dard/Pain)", Siya said holding her head with her little palms...
"No worries... Dadda will press it, you will be fine soon... Okay?", Shaurya said softly, ruffling Siya's hair and gently pressing her head, and her little arms and legs... Siya felt better with her father's assurance and his attempts to make her feel better.
"Dadda...", Siya called after an hour...
"Yes bacha...", Shaurya responded instantly...
"I'm fine... Your hands paining na?(Your hands must be paining right?)", she asked holding his palms which were pressing her head, arms, and legs... He smiled at his little one's concern...
"No Siya... I'm completely alright... It's my Siya who is unwell... No problem, Dadda will make his Siya fine by his magic", Shaurya said kissing her forehead... "Try sleeping now... You'll be fine till the morning", he added... He applied baby vicks to make her feel better and it helped her to sleep for some time. Shaurya continued his gentle massage the whole night...
And his attempts worked, Siya felt a lot better in the morning.
"How is my unicorn feeling now?", Shaurya asked after she woke up properly...
"Dadda's magic worked... Yayyy", Siya jumped on Shaurya excitedly, kissing his cheek...
"Sh... Mumma is tired, so she is sleeping, let me help you freshen up", he said, Siya palmed her mouth, went to Akansha, kissed her cheeks and kept rubbing them until Shaurya pulled her gently to him. He couldn't stop his fluttering heart seeing how his daughter is a carbon copy of him. He took her to the bathroom and helped her with the morning chores.
"Dadda...how do you know magic, it worked, I am fine", Siya asked excitedly.
"how would dadda's magic not work, he learnt from his little Siya", Shaurya answered making his daughter grin...
After freshing her up, he made her breakfast and helped her get on the high chair he got for her, and started feeding her.
"Good Morning sir...", Mr. Sharma walked in and started discussing things with Shaurya, he listened carefully, responding when needed all the while feeding his daughter. He knew Akansha would be sleeping still, as he wrapped her up with an extra blanket as she would feel colder in the mornings and due to the warmth she might be sleeping in...
Shweta too arrived and Shaurya offered breakfast to them which they politely declined.
"Dadda... Ough(enough)", Siya said with mouth full of cereal.
"Siya... I have made the exact quantity your mumma showed me, so this is your regular quantity you eat, so you have to", Shaurya said softly, pushing the spoon towards her but she is his daughter, as stubborn as him if not more.
"Dadda no... Pet full(my stomach is full)", Siya said, holding her stomach, pushing it out to show her father that she is really full.
Mr. Sharma and Shweta adored the cutie pie, her antics and she herself is so cute that no one can be without a smile on their face in her presence.
"Siya... Bacha... Please don't do this... Mumma won't like it, so come on, have this, just 3 spoons more", Shaurya said, forgetting all his other tasks, as feeding his daughter is the most important task for him.
"Mumma won't like it, so we won't tell her... Sh... Dadda it's a secret", Siya said, his staff stared at the little girl in amusement.
"Siya you have to drink medicine as well, baby make it fast", Shaurya said softly...
"Yuck... No medicine, dadda... I am fine, dadda's magic worked", She told him, he sighed.
"By the way, I heard they hid some magical powers in these last 3 spoons, but since you don't want to eat, it's okay, I'll ask someone to eat it", Shaurya said and Siya looked alarmed but didn't get ready to eat yet. "Shweta, and Mr. Sharma, both of you can have it, this has some special powers for unicorns but since my little unicorn didn't want it, you can have those powers, my siya won't mind", Shaurya added forwarding the cereal bowl to them but Siya snatched it.
"Dadda... Uncle and aunty ale(are) so big, cherial(cereal) is for small kids... I am small... Not them...", saying this, she tried to hold her spoon and eat, Shaurya quickly fed her hiding his grin.
"Sit here, I'll go and get your medicines", Shaurya said getting up...
"Dadda no... Yuck... Tonic", Siya whined...
"Yeah, say that to mumma", Shaurya said and Siya stopped whining, he had to try hard not to smirk, at the similar fear he and his daughter had of his wife. "I'll go get it, Shweta... Please see, she often tries to jump off the seat", Shaurya politely requested and walked ahead but his steps halted looking at his wife, who is walking downstairs wearing a crisp white shirt, trousers, and matching blazer with her hair let loose, file, laptop in her one hand, Siya's medicines in another, and her bag hanging from her arm... Shaurya stood awestruck at his wife's elegance, she looked absolutely stunning and damn professional in the outfit, he knew she could ace any outfit, western or traditional, but she looked the most attractive when she displayed that unwavering confidence.
(Akansha's outfit reference)
Shweta coughed seeing Shaurya drooling over his wife who has descended the stairs and now walking towards them, bringing him out of his reverie and reminding him that there are people around them, not just him and his wife, his ears turned red at the embarrassment. He quickly walked to Akansha and took her bag, files, and Siya's medicines, he was about to take her laptop as well but she said she could manage... Shweta, Mr. Sharma, and other staff are awestruck seeing Shaurya's attention towards his wife, his sweet gesture impressed everyone, well unfortunately, 'everyone' didn't include his wife or maybe she is immune to all this. She loved all these gestures but she was more scared of the after-effects that follow this love of his.
"Mama bear... You look pwetty(pretty)", Siya said giving a flying kiss to her mother, Akansha laughed at her daughter, while others found the little girl too cute.
"Have this, bacha", Shaurya held the syrup in front of Siya and she made a face but didn't say a word because of the fear of her mother, but the little girl glared at her father who made her drink it with a 'sorry' face.
"Done", Shaurya said, making Siya drink water from her sipper to remove the taste of the medicine.
"Okay... We'll leave now", Akansha said, and Shaurya nodded... "I'm leaving Siya's bag here, as I'll be going to our school directly", Akansha told him
"What about the demo?", he asked her
"Don't worry, I'll be there on time, the rest of the team will be there earlier along with Mrs. Arora. Mr. Khanna and I will reach the venue at exactly that time", Akansha said and Shaurya nodded.
"Suraj will drop you till the signal, I had a cab arranged for you from there, he'll drop you wherever you wanna go", Shaurya said, Akansha is about to refuse but Mrs. Sudha came there with the packed tiffin.
"I packed breakfast and lunch for you, Shaurya already told me, you wouldn't have time for breakfast", Sudha told Akansha...
"Aunty... it wasn't needed", Akansha said and Mrs. Sudha shook her head...
"You can never go hungry in Shaurya's presence, it has never happened and he would never let it happen ever", Sudha said and Akansha looked at Shaurya, for a second there were numerous complaints in her eyes but the next second all of them disappeared. Yes, it's true, he never let her stay hungry, despite his busy schedule, he always took care of her meals, even if he displayed as if he hated her, he never forgot to take care of her, but what would she do with that care, when he broke her heart brutally, where was he when she was hungry being pregnant with her child.
"Thanks aunty... Siya, let's go", Akansha said and Siya nodded hugging her father.
"Dadda, I'll miss you...", Siya told her father
"Dadda will miss you more my bacha...", Shaurya said kissing his daughter's crown.
"I know...", Siya started and Shaurya stared at his daughter with confusion while Akansha smiled, looking at her daughter's demeanor and behavior with Shaurya, she already realized. "Siya know Dadda loves her a lot... this much", Siya said extending her arms widely... "Siya loves Dadda, this... this much", she added kissing Shaurya's cheeks...
Shaurya's eyes welled up hearing his daughter, he understood his daughter isn't upset or angry with him anymore, he genuinely didn't expect her to forgive him so soon, but maybe she was too young to realize how wrong Shaurya was, but he is glad his daughter forgave him, and didn't have any complaints against him, but he can't say the same for his wife or he himself. He would keep blaming himself for missing his daughter's initial years always.
"I love you Siyakriti... A lot", Shaurya said hugging his daughter tightly.
"Siya... Say bye to Dadda... Mumma is getting late baby", Akansha said, she could have waited for some more time for the father-daughter to have their moment but its getting hard for Shaurya to control his feelings and she didn't want him to show his vulnerability in front of his staff, she knew he wouldn't want that as well.
"Bye Dadda... you come home night? (will you come home tonight?)", Siya asked, for her, home is where she stays with her mother and Shaurya understood his daughter's question, he looked at Akansha, if she didn't have a problem, he would love to go there every night, though he had to trouble Suraj every night to make a new route map to keep people from noticing.
"Mumma will answer that. Now go, mumma is getting late, bye baby... See you soon", Shaurya said kissing her cheeks and carried her to the entrance of his place. From there Suraj took Siya in his arms though Akansha asked him to let her walk. Looks like not just Shaurya, but his staff too were determined to pamper Siya.
They left and Shaurya, with a heavy heart walked back inside, and continued with his work, and after a while, he left for his office and handled all the meetings he cancelled or postponed the previous day.
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It's in the evening when everyone in the curriculum review committee reached the government venue where the presentation for the phase 1 of the CR is gonna be presented, many government officials, even from other states, some of the best educational ministers in the country, all District Education Officers in the state, many famous academicians, some business people from the field, doctors and many prominent leaders made their presence. Why wouldn't they, the invite was in the name of Shaurya Singh Shekhawat, the most popular chief minister in the country.
Mrs. Arora and the team looked after the arrangements to make the demo a grand success like Shaurya has dreamt, and considering their efforts, especially the time, investment, and fights Shaurya put on to make this happen, they believed they would ace the event.
"Where is Akansha and Mr. Khanna? Why haven't they reached yet?", Mrs. Arora asked Mr. Khan.
"They will reach soon, Mr. Khanna has already picked up Dr. Dixit from her school", Mr. Khan answered.
Shaurya's specially appointed team is looking after the guests and after half an hour, Shaurya too arrived. Akansha was supposed to give the presentation after Mrs. Arora's introduction, that's why everyone was worried about her absence, but she soon made her way with Mr. Khanna, by Mrs. Arora's glares she understood she was in for a big lecture post the event, but for now she remained calm and concentrated on her upcoming presentation.
After the event head's introduction, who introduced the dignitaries, then thanked them for being there, and then Shaurya informed Suraj something, and he passed on the information to the host who then announced that even the governor was participating in the event virtually.
"Now, I request our Honourable Chief Minister to address us", the host announced.
Shaurya walked towards the podium. He looked at his wife for a second before starting his speech.
"I would like to thank everyone present here for gracing us with your presence, I'm deeply attached to this project, years ago, when I was an MLA, a wonderful person approached me with this idea, I was so intrigued by the concept and the passion they explained it with, but unfortunately couldn't take any initiative regarding this as the then education minister thought the curriculum is fine the way it is... I respect his opinion, but I personally feel the curriculum needs to be tweaked according to the changing requirements of the job market, we need to make our future generation skilled, not educated, that's what I feel... The curriculum revision team has been working on this for a few years now, and with the new additions to the team, the process has fastened a bit, I'm glad to implement the great thoughts of the person who gave birth to this idea... I request all the scholars present here to take a careful look at the developments and suggest any changes, the team and I are always open to suggestions, this is the foremost reason I arranged this demo session, I wanted to consider all your opinions before moving to the next phase of the project. With this I conclude my speech", Shaurya said and the hall emerged with cheers and claps for his always composed demeanor and tone.
If he wanted, he could have used the stage for his political benefit, by throwing dirt on the previous government and the former education minister who was also one of the famous leaders in the opposition party but he chose not to shift the focus from the topic. Akansha admired the way he handled it, especially the way he gave her the credit at the same time keeping her identity safe. She was surprised to know that Shaurya approached the then education minister with her idea, she thought he didn't, she even thought he was just bluffing with the idea, in real, he didn't have any thought to take this forward, but she was proven wrong, then why didn't he let her know that he had put efforts to bring her dream to reality? Why did he let her misunderstand him? Is this about just this one thing or there are many more things? Thoughts occupied her mind but Mrs. Arora calling her name brought her out of her reverie.
She calmed her breath before walking to the stage and taking over the presentation from Mrs. Arora. Akansha started the presentation and explained every point carefully, in a detailed manner, but sticking to the time frame, Shaurya stared at his wife with pride, the kind of confidence and aura she carried kept not just his but everyone's eyes glued to her and he hated it.
She thanked her stars as the host announced that questions if any would be taken at the end of the presentation. She knew it was Shaurya's doing, he's the only one who knew she didn't like being interrupted during the presentation.
She completed her presentation, and Mr. Khan who handled a part of the statistics helped her complete the last part of the presentation where he took over the numericals. Shaurya helped them correct a lot of numbers, it's Akansha who suggested they show this 'stat' part to Shaurya, and they all looked confused at her suggestion, that's when she understood not many knew Shaurya's love for numbers and he is a genius at it. But, they all thanked her later, as Shaurya's input greatly helped them. She is now even prouder of him, that he didn't use his academics or his previous highly successful corporate career to prove himself worthy of the position he currently held, he completely kept his previous career details hidden, despite knowing they could help boost his image.
But soon, she shook her thoughts away... Who is she to feel proud of him? Did any relationship left between them that she could feel that way about him? They are just Siya's parents, nothing else, she thought to herself. Though that thought pinched her, she had accepted this long ago, so it didn't hurt her as much as it used to do earlier, but what she didn't know was that she still held the same relationship she had with him years ago. The relationship of a wife and husband.
Precap - The past... Vs Current
Note - Parts 32 - 39 are available in stck.me. Links are in my message board as well as my Instagram profile.
Give a try to my new story 'Amidst Chaos'