"Akansha... Please come here... I need to talk to you", Sharya called...
"I don't want your involvement in my life, if you are gonna ask about the call with Neil, then don't... If you do, I'm not responsible for what I'm gonna do to your face", she warned from the kitchen making him take a pause. Yes, his wife is capable of breaking his bones, he knew it very well, but he couldn't control the anxiety, he could take a few physical injuries though.
"Akansha... I just...", Shaurya started, walking towards the kitchen when he saw his wife heating the spoon glaring at him... He took a step back as he knew Akansha would throw the hot spoon at him without hesitation if he dared to utter a single word.
"I... I got my childhood albums, Siya wanted to see them, show her when I'll be gone for a week", Shaurya said, receiving a nod from her he walked back to the hall, giving one final look to the spoon. After he left, Akansha shook her head stifling her laugh seeing his fear, she mixed the slightly heated jeera and other stuff in water, before drinking it.
"It would be better if both of you take a look at it together, she would enjoy it more", Akansha said
"We'll do that too... But for now, show it to her so that she doesn't miss me too much", Shaurya said
"Okay...", She responded... After a few minutes of awkward silence, Shaurya got up to leave.
"Okay, I'll leave now... You'll be coming to my place this Sunday right?", He asked politely and getting a nod, he sighed in relief, gave her a smile and took a step to leave.
"Shaurya... One minute", his steps halted when Akansha called him.
"I forgot to ask you before... When can I expect the documents regarding our divorce?", she asked freezing him to his spot.
"Why do you suddenly remember that now?", he asked trying hard not to fumble, otherwise Akansha would know something is wrong.
"What do you mean why? You should have handed me the copy by yourself, but you didn't, so I am asking... I need divorce decree till this Sunday", Akansha said sternly worrying Shaurya.
"Akansha... I am currently very busy, I can't search for all those documents now, give me some time", He said, fueling her anger.
"Search? That's our divorces decree Shaurya, not your grocery bill that you misplaced somewhere and had to 'search' for it, as far as I know you are very organized, how can you misplace something as important as this?", she asked
"It's not that...", he trailed but she cut him off...
"I need the document in my hand till next Sunday", she said sternly, he was about to say something but she shook her head showing him the door. He took a deep sigh and left from there. He hardly has 10 days to tell the truth to his wife that she is still his wife they weren't divorced yet.
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On Sunday, Akansha and Siya arrived at Shaurya's. She had to try harder to stop Siya from informing Shaurya about father's Day celebrations at her school. Only when Akansha told Siya that she would inform her father about it did Siya agree to keep calm. Akansha felt so guilty about lying to her daughter but she is left with no option. Its better Shaurya stays uninformed about it, if he knows, he would make his presence and it would get tough to stop Siya from claiming her father. Shaurya sure would search for some solution but either way Siya would be hurt if she doesn't get to claim her 'dadda' in front of everyone, but what she doesn't know is Shaurya was even ready to let his daughter claim in front of everyone, any issues could be taken care later. His daughter's right comes first.
Akansha, Siya and Shaurya spent the day having lots of fun, Shaurya finished his works while his daughter is asleep. Akansha reminded him again that she would be requiring the document in her hand till next Sunday pushing Shaurya into worry and guilt zone again. At night, Akansha and Siya went back home, Siya was asleep so taking her away was a bit easy, otherwise she wasn't ready to leave her 'dadda' the whole day knowing she wouldn't be meeting her father the whole next week.
Shaurya left for his campaigning the next morning with a heavy heart. The thought that he couldn't see his daughter and wife for a week filled him with uncertainty. His PR team and advisors have already started their work, that is dropping subtle hints and the public response has got him worried, most of his supporters bashed the admin of the account for spreading dirt on their leader. They weren't ready to accept that he could have loved a girl and even got married to her. Before leaving he advised his team to start with the next phase which included the selected Instagram and Facebook pages would clearly claim that he was married and is still married instead of playing on speculations as they did till now.
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He was on his 3rd day of campaigning when he received a call from Akansha, he walked back to his car to call her back. He knew his daughter must be missing him and hence troubling her mother. He kind of expected this, as his daughter got used to his presence, if he didn't visit her for 2 days straight, he would receive a call from her and now it's been 3 days, he knew it might be tough to handle her for Akansha as she had work and also the CR project to handle.
"Hello...", Shaurya said, picking up the call...
"Shaurya... Siya is missing you a lot... If you're alone, talk to her once...", Akansha said
"Yeah... I'm video calling you", Shaurya said immediately.
Luckily now no one is there in the staff room... She took Siya to a corner though and made her talk so that even if someone enters they couldn't be able to see who is on the call otherside.
"Okay, keep observing my hand, if I ask you to stop talking then you will stop", Akansha said
"Yes ma'am...", He said making her take a deep breath in frustration... "Sorry... Are you in the staff room again?", he asked
"Yes", she said
"Don't worry, I'll take care...", Shaurya assured and then hung up to video call in the next minute.
"Dadda...", Siya squealed as soon as she saw her father in the call.
"How is my Siya doing?", Shaurya asked his daughter...
"Dadda... I missh you... When will you come?", Siya asked pouting...
"Bacha... I'll come soon... Just a few more days... Please don't trouble mumma... Mumma's Siya bear is a very good girl right?", Shaurya said
"Yech... Dadda's princhess(princess) is (also) good girl", Siya said and he smiled at his daughter's cute reference... Akansha looked at the father-daughter and smiled, but she failed to notice Rashi and Bharti entering inside the Staff room.
"Yes... I know my Siya bear...", Shaurya started but seeing Akansha's hand sign which came a bit late, he stopped talking...
"Okay Siya... Say bye to Dadda...", Akansha said and Siya was about to say something but Akansha hung up immediately and left from there ignoring the two people that entered.
"That tone... It seemed too familiar", Bharti said
"Um... Yeah... But voices can be similar", Rashi dismissed
"I have never seen Akansha Dixit panicking like this", Bharti commented but Rashi ignored her as she knew Bharti didn't like Akansha and had only negative things to say about her.
"Mama bear... I was talking to Dadda...", Siya complained, on their way to her classroom.
"I know baby... But this isn't the right place, we'll go home and then you can talk to Dadda as much time as you want okay?", Akansha said and Siya nodded to her mother as they reached the classroom. Akansha left her daughter and walked back to finish her back-to-back classes as the next day, she had to go to secretariat to work on the CR project. She already requested Richa's parents to babysit Siya the next two days as she would get busy as they have started with phase 2 of the CR project.
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After Akansha suddenly hung up, Shaurya understood the reason. He stuffed his personal mobile in his pant pocket before getting down from his car but Suraj came rushing to him asking him to sit inside. Soon his other commandos took their place and his convoy moved away from the crowd.
"Sir... There is an attack planned on you... We have received intelligence report. The team captured one of them", Suraj informed.
"Attack? During elections? Definitely not opposition's doing, then who?", Shaurya wondered.
"We're working on that... Right now, your safety is most important for us", Suraj said and Shaurya nodded. He trusted his efficient team.
"Make sure this news doesn't reach media", Shaurya said, he doesn't want his wife to get worried.
"Sure sir... We were asked to keep this news as low as possible. It's adviced you return to the capital city with immediate effect cutting short your campaigning", Suraj said.
"Suraj... Is it that important? Can't you handle?", Shaurya asked
"Sir... Please... We need to return right away, please sir", Suraj requested and Shaurya gave in, understanding the urgency in Suraj's tone.
"Okay", Shaurya said picking his phone to inform Akansha about his journey back home but Suraj's cautioned words stopped him.
"Sir... Though we are returning back, we need to pretend you are still in campaigning, until we crack down at least some details about the attack", Suraj said and Shaurya nodded. He too didn't want to drag Akansha Or his daughter into his problems which could even threaten their lives.
"I won't be meeting my wife or daughter for a few days Suraj, I'm handing you the responsibility of their security, I can't trust anyone else", Shaurya said.
"Of course sir... I have already alerted my team there to look after ma'am and your daughter", Suraj said
"Thank you Suraj", Shaurya said, with gratitude.
His wife and daughter are his priority, even more than his own life.
Shaurya reached his guest house in the outskirts, after sending a text message to Akansha that he won't be able to contact her or talk to Siya for a few days due to his hectic schedule, he switched off his personal phone as per Suraj's advice.
It took 30 hours for Suraj's team, intelligence and police department to finally crackdown on the attackers. Shaurya was partially right, it wasn't someone from opposition but someone who wants to see the opposition in power.
Since he already paused his campaigning and returned to the state capital, he thought to go back to work.
Dev who got to know about the attack called Shaurya.
"We can resume after 15 minutes... Also let's finish this fast and then I'll leave for my office", Shaurya said the latter statement looking at Suraj who nodded and called his team to do the necessary arrangements for Shaurya to go back to the CM office.
Everyone walked out leaving Shaurya alone.
"Shaurya... Thank god you are fine yaar... I was damn scared", Dev said making his friend smile.
"Sir... It's your fan's doing...", Shaurya taunted making Dev sigh.
"Don't dismiss this so easily, you know there are many dangerous people involved in this... They are not in favor of me, but against you, ask Suraj to take quick action", Dev said
"Relax Dev... Till elections it's better to stay calm, not just for public sanity, but also for Siya and Akansha's safety", Shaurya said and Dev sighed hearing his friend, Shaurya is right but there should be a way right? "Don't worry, Suraj will bring the situation under control, in fact we are discussing just that", Shaurya said
"Great... But dare you ignore your safety in your madness to protect Akansha and Siya... This time, I won't forgive you Shaurya, also I'll tell the whole truth to Akansha if you do so, trust me I would, this isn't just a false threat", Dev warned.
"I won't, now stop with your stupid threatening, speak if you have anything important, or else I'll resume my meeting", Shaurya said
"Actually, I do have something to tell you", Dev started piquing Shaurya's interest at his tone.
"I have got an invitation from my second one's school...", Dev trailed
"Really Dev? You are in a mood to test my patience but trust me I am not... I have to double check Akansha and siya's security arrangements, so spare me from your stupid pranks", Shaurya said
"Idiot, listen to me first... I have got his school changed and got his admission in Siya's school, so that I could keep an eye on Siya as well, My driver and guards stay just outside the school the whole day", Dev started
"What? You changed his school just for Siya, that too in the mid year? Rachna must be upset, you disturbed his study cycle, it must be so tough on him... Dev, you shouldn't have done that... I told you I am taking care of my daughter and her security", Shaurya started but Dev cut him off...
"And yet you didn't receive the invitation from your daughter's school huh? And listen to me, my second child is as naughty as any child could get, he is least interested in school and studies, it's like a picnic for him, he is enjoying his new picnic it seems, his words not mine, and why would Rachna be upset? My son is in U. K. G Shaurya, not board or preboard that she would be upset about disturbing his study cycle", Dev assured Shaurya...
"Hmm.... If you say so... By the way, what were you saying? What invitation?", Shaurya asked
"I got an invitation for father's day celebration from the school... They were also conducting some activities to build the bond between father-child", Dev said shocking Shaurya... "Didn't Akansha tell you?", He asked and Shaurya realized why she wouldn't have told him... Damn her! She was ready to let their daughter get hurt to let the truth stay hidden...
"No... And I know why", Shaurya said and Dev too understood the reason... "But I wouldn't let my daughter suffer this time, she would have her father participating along with her, just like any other classmate of hers would", Shaurya said with determination.
"Shaurya... Akansha is right, don't take any impulsive decisions that could hurt Siya or Akansha in a long run, momentary hurt is better than long term one", Dev said
"You think it would be momentary? My daughter would remember this hurt forever... Her father wasn't there for her despite being available, no reason of mine would justify my little one's pain", Shaurya said and Dev understood his point.
"Okay then, first talk to Akansha before taking any decision", Dev adviced
"I will", Shaurya affirmed... "By the way, were you following the latest updates on my personal life?", Shaurya asked with a tinge of humour, Dev instantly caught what he was asking about. Dev was also following those pages which were talking about Shaurya's personal life, in fact Dev asked his media friends to help make them viral, everyone including Richa thought Dev wanted to use this piece of news to defame Shaurya but in actual, Dev was helping Shaurya in making the news reach maximum population.
"Yeah... That was a fantastic move Shaurya, this would have shown great results if we have more time, nonetheless it's going good, don't take people's negative reactions to heart, that was like a sudden shock, eventually they will have to accept", Dev said and after talking for a few more minutes, Dev hung up and Shaurya resumed his meeting with the advisors and intelligence team.
After that, on his way to office, he called Akansha who picked his call sighing deeply.
"I'm busy, talk only if it's urgent", Akansha said working on her laptop. Mr. Khanna and Samuel who are working just beside Akansha gave a look to her, Mr. Khanna in appreciation at her no nonsense tone while Samuel in annoyance at her arrogance, common factor being both didn't know who she is speaking with, which is gonna change soon.
"It's not urgent but definitely important, will call you at night", he said, his stern tone made her suspicious.
"You said you would be busy for a few days and won't be available to talk, what changed?", she asked in the same cold tone.
"The importance of the issue made me change my priorities... I won't disturb you now, get back to work", he said and hung up.
"Mumma... Is it dadda?", Siya who rushed to her mother seeing her on phone. She was desperate to talk to her father.
Siya has been difficult to handle in the past 36 hours, Akansha told her she could talk to her dad at night but with Shaurya's message, Akansha understood he couldn't be able to call for a few days so Akansha tried to prepare her daughter for the same but the little stubborn daughter of hers wasn't ready to accept it, and since Richa's father wasn't feeling too well, the elderly couple couldn't be able to take care of a cranky and stubborn Siya, so Akansha had to bring her daughter with her to work. She didn't worry much as Shaurya wouldn't be there for a few days. She already warned her daughter not to react or squeal if she sees her dadda's photos in the workplace as the whole office is her dadda's and there are chances his boss could hear and send her father away again. Siya understood for the time being but children can control anything except for their excitement.
"Yes...", Akansha answered, "he said he would call at night to talk to you, right now he is at work, so let's not disturb him, okay?", Akansha said before her daughter could throw tantrums for not letting her talk to him.
"Then why you dis... Distub him(then why did you disturb him?)", Siya asked making Akansha sigh and her colleagues chuckle at the cute girl.
"I didn't... It was he who called, to tell me he would talk to you at night", Akansha patiently explained.
"Oh... Mumma... Bhuki(mumma... I'm hungry)", Siya asked suddenly remembering that she is hungry.
"Mumma is busy... Take your green micky mouse box from the bag and go to the room I showed... The aunty there would help you", Akansha said and Siya nodded walking away. "Will you go or you want me to come?", Akansha asked again.
"I go(I'll go)", Siya answered without turning, making everyone chuckle.
"Such a cute daughter you have Dr. Dixit", Samuel said surprising Akansha, this man for the first time has something good to say about her, though it's about her daughter technically.
"Thank you", Akansha said with a nod.
"Looks like she completely went on her dad, though I don't know him, I know you", Samuel said making Akansha glare at him.
"Yeah, just like your son went completely on you", Akansha taunted, Mr. Samuel's son was recently caught attending a rave party, luckily he didn't consume any drugs that day, so he got bail easily but Samuel and his family was defamed enough. Akansha didn't want to taunt him about it as the man was ashamed enough but he didn't leave her a choice, neither she was that kind to tolerate sh*t from people and still say silent.
"Dr. Dixit... You are crossing your limits...", Samuel said, agitated.
"You did so I had to...", Akansha said shrugging her shoulders before getting back to work.
After the collaborative work is done, Samuel left from there giving one final glare to Akansha.
"So... You are in touch with Siya's father?", Mr. Khanna asked, Akansha looked at Mr. Khanna, before softening her tone, if it was someone else her sharp tongue has given the answer by now... 'None of your business' but he has been a great support to her and always been kind to her despite the situation, so Akansha didn't snap at him.
"Yes... He is a good father to Siya", Akansha said, without revealing much details.
"But he wasn't a good husband huh?", Mr. Khanna asked, this time Akansha didn't control her frown. "I mean of course he wasn't a good husband, that's why the divorce, I guess. You got divorce from Siya's father right?", he added which deepened Akansha's frown.
"Mr. Khanna, I know what made you take this interest in my personal life but trust me Neil and I aren't right for each other, and moreover I'm not looking for a relationship right now... Hope you understand", Akansha came straight to the point.
The old man didn't expect her direct answer but that's Akansha, always daring, not at all hesitant and very straightforward. He was taken aback by her answer but nonetheless understood her.
----------------------------
Richa got worried seeing the Instagram and Facebook pages that are talking about Shaurya's personal life becoming more and more viral everyday. It's time she talked to Akansha about it. Maybe Shaurya could do something to stop this.
If not for her best friend and her daughter, Richa would have wanted this news to get more viral so that it could destroy Shaurya's credibility and image but that's not the case, both Akansha and Siya are involved in it so though unwillingly, she had to help Shaurya.
Richa called Akansha to discuss this on immediate basis.
"Ansha... I have something very important to discuss, tell me you are free", Richa said and by her tone, Akansha understood that's really important.
"What is it? I'm currently at work, can it wait till tonight?", Akansha asked.
"No, I know you are at the secretariat, this is the best time, you should immediately inform Shaurya about it so that he could take some action", Richa said
"But he isn't here, he was out of town, camp...", Akansha suddenly stopped realizing she was talking in her normal tone. "Campaigning", she whispered into the phone.
"But as far as I knew, the campaigning was suspended due to some reasons, because it's not possible for no media channel not to cover if the CM is campaigning, but there's no news on that, so definitely he must be busy with something else, and I think he would come there, if not... You can always call him and talk about it, but at least listen to what I'm saying", Richa said making Akansha worry.
"What is it?", Akansha asked walking to a side requesting Mr. Khanna to keep an eye on Siya who is taking a nap in the day care centre Shaurya got arranged. After getting a nod from Mr. Khanna, Akansha walked away.
"There are a few Instagram and Facebook pages that recently started digging into CM's personal life... And they were writing everything as if they knew about your marriage... Initially these started with only speculations but now they turned into absolute news, and main problem is at the beginning, they weren't getting any attention but now these are going viral, if not stopped now, there's a chance they might soon reveal about your marriage with the CM and also about Siya", Richa said shocking Akansha.
"WHAT? Richa... How the hell can this happen? Shau.. He made sure no outsider knew about our marriage, so there's no chance of leakage", Akansha said
"Are you sure Ansha? Because there's a chance that anyone might have leaked this news for money, it might be the servants in CM's house then, or his close associates or friends, it could be anyone for that matter", Richa said and Akansha held her head, Richa is right, it could be anyone...
"Talk to him Ansha... He has the power to stop all this... My hands are tied too as Dev sir and my own boss are too interested in making these viral, I understand about my boss and the company heads because they were always interested in defaming the chief minister but Dev sir? He is always against such practices, but now his actions surprised me", Richa said shocking Akansha.
"Dev was encouraging all this?", Akansha asked but instantly held her head at the slip of tongue.
"Yes... But you were saying as if you knew Dev Bisht personally", Richa asked
"I do... He and Shau...", Akansha trailed and Richa completed the statement by herself.
"Oh yes, they were rivals from a long time", Richa filled in, Akansha rolled her eyes at her over-talking friend, because of this nature, she misses on a lot of information but Akansha didn't complain this time as it worked in her favour.
There is not a single percent chance of Dev going against Shaurya, that leaves with only one option. All this is done by Shaurya himself, this knowledge fumed Akansha. He mentioned that he would soon reveal about Siya but she thought he would do it after elections, and moreover she specifically told him to inform her in prior if he is planning something about her daughter... How dare he not take her words seriously? Akansha fisted her palm to control her fury.
"I'll talk to him regarding this, send me the links of these pages", Akansha said, Richa responded in affirmation and the friends hung up. Akansha's controlled approach surprised Richa, it's as if she knew the culprit and how to bring the situation under control.
When Akansha finished her call and walked back, the scene froze her from within.
-------------------------
Shaurya reached his office and asked Mr. Sharma to only schedule highly confidential meetings, while Suraj and his team detailed Shaurya's immediate staff to keep his presence low. But one news disrupted all Shaurya's plans to stay buried in his cabin.
"Sir... Ex-education minister and opposition party member have reached the secretariat with his supporters, protesting against the CR committee. Situation has to be brought under control before the protesters take violence", Mr. Sharma told Shaurya...
Shaurya's immediate instincts are to protect Akansha who is a member of the CR committee...
"Let's go Mr. Sharma... Call DGP Pathak here, alert the team as well", Shaurya passed instructions before rushing out.
Suraj tried to stop Shaurya but he couldn't win against his boss's stubbornness, so he took measures increasing the security, following Shaurya to the education department wing in the secretariat.
Shaurya reached there with his officers before the opposition leaders and their party activists could enter the wing.
As soon as they spotted Shaurya, they started their protesting screams against him. The police were about to take charge but Shaurya decided to handle this in a peaceful manner.
He took the ex-education minister and his right-hand man inside, to have a quick discussion and soon things came under control for now which made Shaurya take a sigh of relief. It was the toughest time of his time in his years of service as a chief minister, though he had dealt with hundreds of situations worse than this, his wife wasn't a few minutes' distance in any of those, but now she is, for the first time he had to act both as a chief minister of the state and a husband, the fact that he would fail to protect his wife created terror in his head and heart.
This was the shortest deal he had ever made in his career as a chief minister, he was ruling the state, he was the government, he held that power and he could use it to get the protestors in jail within minutes, and several other threats, moreover the previous government has several scams in their kitty which Shaurya used to shut the minister. The protests weren't stopped completely, but now they were getting carried away from the secretariat.
Shaurya without announcing anything, left to the education department wing, Suraj and his team followed him, while Mr. Sharma left back to the CM office to take care of Shaurya's further schedule accordingly, now that everyone knew he is back.
Shaurya walked inside. Siya who just woke up and walked to her mother's workstation in a cranky mood saw everyone in alert mode. Mr. Khanna held Siya's palm to quickly get her to Akansha's desk but Siya squealed in anger which made Shaurya who is just entering the CR department wing froze on his spot. Damn! His daughter is here! Akansha might have brought her here thinking he would be out of town campaigning.
He was about to turn and leave but he heard his daughter's cranky sob. He immediately understood she just woke up from her afternoon nap and for some reason she is very cranky today and on not spotting his wife anywhere he understood the reason behind his daughter's sour mood. Before he could decide on anything, Siya saw him and immediately her face brightened. She is in her sleep and forgot all the promises she made to her father and mother about not revealing about her father.
"DADDA...", Siya squealed in happiness running towards Shaurya shocking everyone around.
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After he went home to meet Akriti, who got highly excited to know that Shaurya has seen her favorite professor.
"You are right... She is interesting, this woman is something", Shaurya said
"I know right! Akansha ma'am is not only a pretty woman, her grace, her intelligence, everything about her is interesting, more than anything, her no nonsense attitude is so attractive, if she is a guy, I would have married her Shaurya", Akriti once again expressed her profound liking towards Akansha.
After a few days, when Dev was scolding Akriti of her low performance in the recent semester, as usual, Shaurya came to her rescue.
"Stop pampering her, ask her what does she want more to do well in her studies? She didn't even get pass marks Shaurya... If this continues, dad will throw me out of the house along with her", Dev said
"Calm down, I'm sure she will do better in the next semester", Shaurya said
"Yes, she had to clear the next semester as well this semester's papers, Akriti, tell me what do you want to score well in your papers?", Dev asked frustrated at his sister's academic performance.
"I want Akansha ma'am as my home tutor, she is the best, if she teaches me, I'm sure I'll pass with flying colors", Akriti said
"Done... I'll get her as your tutor", Shaurya promised.
"It's not easy, I have been trying for the past one year, that woman is so stubborn", Dev said
"You haven't personally requested her, if you send your stupid men to her, that's how she would respond", Akriti argued.
"Stupid men? I have even sent Chachu to ask her but she just doesn't want to home tutor, she made it very clear, she is pursuing her Ph. D, so she doesn't have enough time", Dev said
"Shaurya please... I want her as my tutor, please convince her, I know you can", Akriti requested
"Of course bacha, have I ever said No to you? I'll convince her", Shaurya promised
And from the day, Shaurya started observing her before asking her about home tutoring his sister, but after a few days, his sister's version changed, when he asked her about getting Akansha as her tutor, she straight away refused, it took him almost a month to realize why she didn't want Akansha Dikshit as her tutor now...
Precap - Major stand off, couple fight... Past...