Akansha opened the lock and Shaurya walked in with Siya in his arms, his hoodie covering his face completely making it unable to notice. But unfortunately the neighbors got to know that a man is frequently visiting Akansha.
"Akansha... One minute beta...", a man in his early fifties, who lives in the neighborhood called.
"You go inside with Siya...", Akansha said and Shaurya walked inside, he made Siya sit inside and indulged her with the toys before making his way near the now shut door to hear what's going on outside.
Akansha lived in a decent neighborhood where there are individual houses everywhere and surrounded by families.
"Akansha... We have known you from the past 4 years... And despite being a single parent, the society offered you the house because of Mr. Upadhyay's(Richa's father) reference, and we never regretted it. But these days...", he trailed looking at her house main door which is shut. Akansha understood he was talking about the frequent visits of Shaurya.
"Don't hesitate uncle, tell me clearly what's the problem?", She asked her neighbor who is also the society president.
"Calm down and don't come out no matter what", She quickly texted Shaurya as she knew his impulsiveness when it came to Siya or her. She was tensed he would rush out to defend her if they cross a line.
"These days, some man is visiting your place at night frequently, we haven't seen his face so don't know some man or different men", his wife said
"Shut up, you don't even know how to talk despite your age and having 2 daughters your self", the society president scolded his wife. Akansha was about to give her a strong answer but looking at the old man who already snapped at his wife, she shut up.
"You have nothing to worry uncle, he is Siya's father", Akansha said
"Please tell them I am your husband too, otherwise these people don't shut up, and that lady... I'll see her later or maybe I could show her place right now", he texted her and she sighed fisting her palms. This man and his impulsiveness. People who call him the calmest and coolest politician and leader should see his this version, she thought.
"Siya's father?", the woman asked raising her brows and is about to say something more which could force the rat out... Oops she meant Shaurya out...
"Yes and my husband", Akansha corrected her.
"Oh! We thought he is dead, and where did he come from so suddenly? Introduce him to us", the lady questioned again
"I never said he is dead, aunty", Akansha said fed up of the lady's constant comments
"But you neither denied our assumptions... Call him out, we want to meet him, and why is he always in hoodies as if he is hiding his face from everyone", she asked... Damn! The lady has eagle eyes...
"Aunty... I can't introduce him to you now, and he is in hoodies because he likes wearing them, he is not a criminal to hide his face, he didn't want people to know about his personal life, that's all", Akansha said but immediately regretted her last sentence, she spoke as if he is a celebrity.
"Huh... You were saying as if he is the prime minister of India", the lady taunted
"Now will you just shut up and go inside...", the lady's husband finally shut her up. "Akansha beta, I trust you, don't take her words seriously", he said and his wife stomped away. "I just wanted to confirm who is that guy visiting your place, that's all. Now that you told me, I don't need any proofs, I am sorry for her crude comments... It's your personal life, I won't bother you asking about it, it's just that some families in the society have noticed him coming, so they were skeptical, you know that only families live here and they thought...", he trailed apologetically.
"It's okay uncle, but please ask aunty to keep her words in check, I didn't reply her because of you, otherwise you know me... And don't worry, I will introduce him soon", Akansha said.
She hated accepting Shaurya as her husband, but now that's the truth. Well, most of her hated it but there is a tiny part of herself that was content but she didn't bother about it as no matter the amount of pain he gave, there's always a small part of her that loved him but she successfully overpowered it with her rational self. She will not become an emotional fool and commit any stupidities in his love anymore.
"No problem beta... I trust you, don't worry, I'll handle the society people", The society president said
"And also ask them, where was this social consciousness when kavita was getting abused by her husband? It's not like no one knew it, if they can spot a man who visits my house at night and worry about what's happening inside my house, then they definitely can hear kavita and her daughter's screams but no one wanted to help her, everyone was silent and locked inside their houses fearing police, if you all would have collectively raised your voice, police wouldn't have taken us in the custody that night", Akansha said and the elderly man, Mr. Bansal looked away ashamed.
Akansha remembered that was the night she met Shaurya. She didn't exactly regret it now as her daughter got her father and is very happy but yes, she definitely didn't want that night to pass that way.
"I am sorry Akansha, I didn't come to help you, giving in to my wife's stupid threats... I should have come there... We are all your culprits beta, but I promise, you won't be alone from here on", he said and walked away.
Akansha took a deep breath before walking in.
"I'm sorry, just a few days and I'll clear this mess", Shaurya apologized as soon as she came in. She didn't care to respond.
"Yayyy... Dadda losht(lost) I win...", Siya came from her hiding spot.
Akansha understood they were playing hide & seek, little siya thought her father failed to catch her while he hasn't gotten free from eavesdropping his wife's conversation with the society President. He tried to indulge his daughter with toys but she wanted to play with him, not toys so he asked her to go and hide while he would try to search for her.
"Hide & seek at this time?", Akansha looked sternly at the father-daughter.
"Siya... It's past your bed time... Chalo go to sleep", she told
"Mamabear... Not sleepy", Siya whined
"Siya...", Akansha told sternly
"I want to play with dadda... Pwease mumma...", Siya whined, wobbling her lips, about to cry...
"10 minutes won't hurt...", Shaurya slowly started but shut up earning a glare from her.
"Go to bed", Akansha said pointing her finger to the room and Siya started crying and as soon as Shaurya heard his daughter cry, he took her in his arms, calming her... Walking to and fro consoling her. His heart bled seeing tears in his little one's eyes.
"No... Siya... My brave unicorn, you shouldn't cry... Mumma will let you play... Don't cry... Sh... Calm down my bacha... Mumma loves you a lot, she will let you play, in fact she will play with us... Hai na mumma(right mumma)", Shaurya said, calling Akansha 'mumma' purposely.
"Dadda... My mumma", Siya said possessively making her mother smile at the little one's love.
"Okay, only 15 minutes? Deal?", Akansha asked making his daughter and her father grin widely.
Two looked so similar with those child like grins on their faces.
Now Akansha was selected as the seeker and Shaurya and Siya hid. Shaurya helped his daughter hide and then he chose a spot for himself.
Akansha found Siya through the giggles she is making but she didn't catch Siya first, as that would make the little girl cry again, so she searched for Shaurya and found him, which made the little girl slap her forehead. Later after acting a lot, Akansha found Siya.
"Uffoooo dadda... You don't know playing... I will teach you", the little one said and Shaurya keenly listened acting upset to be caught so easily.
After playing 3 more times, the trio moved towards the bedroom and like Siya wanted, she laid on her father's chest, she made her mother lie down which Akansha reluctantly did. She wouldn't have accompanied Shaurya if there's no bond called marriage but with the truth about her divorce out, she didn't find it scandalous to lay beside Shaurya, it did feel uncomfortable and she would quickly kick him out once Siya sleeps.
Soon Siya fell asleep and Shaurya made Siya lay comfortably on the bed and after covering her with duvet, he quickly got up and took the couch in the hall.
Akansha shut the door after he left.
The next day, when Shaurya was leaving, Akansha warned him not to show up at her place for few days. She didn't want to become a feed for her neighbors' doubts. She didn't care about their opinion but worried about how they treat Siya.
After Shaurya left, Akansha and Siya went to school and since Akansha got some work in the Secretariat, she left with her daughter to finish it.
Siya became the favorite of the staff at CR committee too. As soon as Akansha stepped, one by one started pampering Siya while Akansha left to her desk to work. Now that they knew she is their beloved CM's daughter, they found many similarities between them. After some time, they dropped Siya in the day care and got back to their works.
Akash visited Shaurya to discuss some developments in the problem they are tackling, and after the professional talks, Akash asked about Siya and how she adapted to Shaurya, he was initially jealous of Siya's bonding with Shaurya but now he understood, despite all the love he had for his niece he couldn't become her father, that love can only be given by Shaurya, so for Siya he had to digest this fact and accept him in Siya's life.
Shaurya detailed him about it and also told him that Akansha and Siya are currently there and he can visit them if he wanted.
Akash was skeptical as he didn't want people to get cautious with his presence but Shaurya tells him how CR staff knew about Siya being his daughter & Akansha, his wife.
Akash was so furious at how things are going and how he stayed unaware due to his hectic work. The project is extremely crucial and the secrecy should be maintained so he lost contact with his sister and family whenever he was there.
"We are wrapping this up in a few months until your elections, so after that I need a proper leave sir... It's been a long time I have peacefully spent some time with my di or Siya", Akash said and Shaurya nodded with a small smile.
"Meantime You can visit them now on your way...", Shaurya suggested
"I will, thank you", Akash said and after some more discussion, he left.
Akash walked to the Education Department wing in the secretariat and everyone wondered what Akash Dikshit IAS is doing in the ED wing, as far as they knew he does closely work with the Chief Minister and rumoured as one of the closest aid to him, but he doesn't involve in Education Ministry, he mostly handles the law and order, other various wings but not even relatively close to education, so they didn't find his visit relevant, but none dared to ask this question.
Akash Dikshit is not a calm and composed man like Shaurya, his lack of patience is visible on his face always, so people do get careful around him.
"I want to meet Dr. Akansha Dixit from CR committee... Could you guide me to her desk", he asked entering the wing.
"Yes sir... CR committee sits in the first floor, right side of the building... Just give me a minute... I'll ask someone to take you to Dr. Akansha's workstation", the lady politely said
"That's okay, I'll find it myself, thank you", he said rigidly, walking away. He is very upset with his sister for not telling him of any developments, she is always like this, never sharing her problems, issues or her feelings. He tried a lot to bring her self-reliance to rest at least a few times but his sister is always on alert mode. He knew the situations she faced from childhood made her like this but he wanted to take care of her now. She was the biggest reason he worked so hard to crack UPSC in his first attempt. He wanted to end his sister's miseries but by the time he started working, she disappeared.
Sometimes the thought of struggles his sister had to face shatters his heart causing immense pain. He feels useless at times.
Akash entered CR committee workstations asking about Akansha's desk which a member of the team showed. He walked in to see his sister seriously working.
"Rashid ji(Mr. Rashid) Please compile these, I am done with the stats...", Akansha said passing the file to Mr. Rashid over the cubicle which he received.
"Sir...", Mr. Khan raised seeing Akash. Akansha noticed her brother with a frown, she realized he is here for her and sighed internally. Looking at his face, she understood he got to know about the recent developments regarding her colleagues knowing about Siya being the CM's daughter. He is angry, upset and a lot more with her but she knew he wouldn't dare to snap at her. No one has that courage to raise their voice against her, not her husband, or her father or her brother.
"Thank you, I'll take it from here on, you can go", Akash told the employee who guided him till there.
"Is everything fine sir?", It's Mrs. Arora this time, who rushed there knowing Akash's presence there in the ED wing for maybe the first time.
"Yes Mrs. Arora, I am here for personal work, you all can relax", he said, hardly holding his patience before turning to his sister and his stern tone lowered a bit. "I have something to talk to you...", he said and she sighed before giving a nod. She hated creating a scene there, they already lost their mind when Shaurya announced her his wife, now Akash is here...
They already knew Akash is Shaurya's one of the closest aid, she heard many gossiping about it herself and now if the relationship between her and Akash is revealed, they would think Shaurya is favoring Akash because he is his brother-in-law though it wasn't the case. God! Things are so messed up! And her brother is here to mess it up more.
"I want to meet Siya as well, Di", he said and she glared at him before giving a look to others, who are acting to mind their own business but their ears are all around them.
"First, let me hear what you are hear for, I am sure it must be very important that you couldn't wait for me to be home?", Akansha said, he understood she is pissed off by his presence.
"I didn't have time to come home and meet you di, I am going outstation again in a few hours, I just came to personally deliver a few official documents to Sir (Shaurya) and thought I would see you and Siya before leaving", Akash said
Akansha fumed understanding it's Shaurya who told him about Siya's presence. She fisted her palms controlling herself from knocking her brother's head as well as that idiot father of her child.
Akansha and Akash reached a secluded corner and their bickering started.
"Why didn't you tell me, di?", he asked
"I never did, Akash and don't question me, I am your elder sister, why did you come here, your visit will spark unnecessary rumours now.", Akansha snapped
"Doesn't matter di, they will know eventually, many in the CM's office already knew that you are my elder sister, they think it's me who requested Sir to give you the position in CR committee, we can't stop rumors, just ignore", Akash preached earning a glare.
"I know what to do, now shut up, you and your bl**dy Sir are getting on my nerves now, anyway... I have some important work, that's the daycare, go see Siya and ask her about the lunch box, she will show you, eat it and then leave, if you have time feed her, her fruit box, I am quite busy", Akansha said
"I'll feed her but won't be having lunch that you packed for yourself, take out some time and eat it, I am used to outside food, anyway you are not that great at cooking", Akash said
"Thappad khana hai(Want a slap)?", She said glaring at him...
"Nai, Tiffin khalunga (no, will have your lunch box)", he said without a word because he knew his sister would really slap him if he said a word more. She nodded and got back to her work while Akash went to the daycare.
"Mamuuuuu....", Siya squealed in excitement seeing her uncle, running to him, he lifted his little niece in air, catching her back making her giggle loudly.
"How is my little siyuuu", Akash asked kissing her cheeks...
"Hehe good", Siya answered kissing her uncle's cheek.
Akash played with his niece taking her to a side while the staff took care of the few other children there.
He played with Siya for sometime before deciding to feed her fruits. Normally she would eat without any tantrums but she wasn't in the mood today, Akash didn't understand what to do. His sister would definitely scold him saying he couldn't do a single task.
"Siyu, please have this bache...", Akash pleaded for the nth time.
"No... No mamu... Pwease...", Siya whined
"You wanna hear a story?", Akash asked running his head
"Yes... Uniconnn", Siya said excitedly
"But mamu didn't know any unicorn stories baby", Akash said
"Ophooo... Dadda knows so many unicon stories... Lean(learn) flom him... I will tell dadda to theach(teach) you", Siya said and Akash thought to call Shaurya but what if he is busy?
"Siyu... Wanna talk to Dadda?", Akash asked and Siya nodded excitedly.
Akash dialed Shaurya praying he shouldn't be busy. Shaurya was in a cabinet meeting viewing files related to amendments they are proposing in a few bills in the next assembly sessions.
Since Akash called his work phone as he didn't have his personal number, Shaurya picked up.
"Yes...", Shaurya responded while verifying the papers.
"I'm so sorry to call you but Siya wasn't having her fruits, di tasked me to feed her, she wanted to hear unicorn story from you, looks like only then will she have it, are you busy?", Akash finished
"Are we playing jumbled paragraph? If so, your last sentence should be the first... Yes I am busy, in a cabinet meeting", Shaurya answered his brother-in-law making him chuckle at his way of saying.
It's been a long time Shaurya teased him that way, they were best of friends when Shaurya used to date his sister but after that things took a drastic turn.
"Oh! I am sor....", Akash started but Siya snatched the phone and squealed 'Dadda'
"Bacha... Abhi(right now) Dadda is busy... Quickly have your fruits, I will tell you Unicorn story at night", Shaurya said softly...
The ministers looked on knowing who he is talking to. Since the party meeting, the party MLAs and important members knew Shaurya is married and also has a daughter.
"No Dadda... Tell me stoly, abbhhi(now)", Siya was adamant and Shaurya at that moment realized how difficult it was to say 'No' to his daughter.
"Yes bacha...", Shaurya gave in. But he definitely can't dismiss the cabinet ministers, their time is valuable as well and moreover, his schedule is tight too, he can't reschedule this meeting. So he started checking the files simultaneously.
"So... Last time I told you a horse named Phony's story, how it turned into a magical unicorn and how it acquired it's powers, now I will tell you Phony's best friend's story, his name is...", Shaurya said, continuing with his work. Everyone looked at the efficient chief minister and an equally hands on dad with awe.
Whenever he had to speak or hear the minister's words, he muted the call. Despite concentrating on two places, Shaurya hasn't missed a single detail in the file or in their words, he grilled them to no extent until he got a satisfactory answer. Finally he finished narrating the story and his daughter simultaneously finished her fruits. Akash quickly hung up apologizing to Shaurya once again.
He concluded the cabinet meeting an hour later, after successfully closing the files and the ministers decided to ask about his announcement plans related to his wife and daughter. They were also terribly worried for their political careers. Their positions and their safety are solely in Shaurya's hands.
"CM saab... What have you decided regarding the announcement of...", the Urban Development Minister started but Shaurya quickly cut him off.
"I have already given enough clarity in the last party meeting... Rest all your questions would be answered when I address the media. If you have any questions and needed answers before my announcement, then gather all our MLAs and party people, call for an official party meeting, I can address your issues there...", Shaurya said getting up. He can see the questions on some of their faces. "This place isn't right for addressing all those things, we are here to work for the people, let's just do that here", he said and walked away with Mr. Sharma and some other staff tailing behind.
After Shaurya left, the same minister mocked that this isn't the place for discussing the things but he can tell bed time stories to his daughter there.
"Oh that's still better than discussing how to save your a** from CBI when you got almost arrested", Pankaj, a minister who is loyal to Shaurya replied
"Pankaj ji, you are crossing your limits", The urban Development minister fought.
"You say all the sh*t about our leader and you think we'll stay quiet? You didn't even have a bit of gratefulness, if not for him, you would have been in jail, when the central government was moving CBI against you, it's Shaurya ji who protected you, if he had sacked you at that time from the cabinet and withdrew his support, CBI might have locked you immediately, but he did nothing of that sort, he saved you, be grateful, but instead you dislike him because he made it impossible for you now to be the corrupted politician you once were, huh?", Pankaj taunted.
They started fighting there, some for Shaurya and some against him but soon Mr. Sharma reached there and informed how Shaurya wanted them to leave to their respective offices or home whatever they preferred.
-------------------------------
A few days passed and Shaurya stuck to Akansha's words, if she didn't want him to visit her home he wouldn't. He already suffered her a lot, he wouldn't do more. But he did make calls to her to talk to Siya, but whenever he tried to ask about her or how she is doing, she always cut him reminding him that she would answer his questions only if it's about Siya.
He missed his daughter terribly so one day, he went to the ED wing to see his daughter, but got to know that Akansha and Siya went to meet a friend. He frowned but kept quiet. And through Suraj he got to know that Akansha and Siya were out for lunch in a cafe near Secretariat.
"Suraj, can you tell me with whom?", Shaurya asked
"Yes sir... There is a guy um... I guess ma'am's age", Suraj said... "Shall I click a picture of him sir? Maybe you know him?", Suraj asked hearing his boss's rapid breaths.
"Hm...", Shaurya hummed, his jealousy kicked in... No matter his calm personality, his wife can bring his possessive, impulsive and angry self out any time.
He received the picture in the next few seconds but he didn't recognize him. He forwarded the picture to Ashwini, his and Dev's PI asking him to get all the details. Even Suraj could get all the details but it won't be good to make a respected commando to spy for his personal purpose. Well, he could ask Suraj for help on a personal level but when he has Ashwini at his disposal he didn't want to trouble Suraj for personal works.
"He is Jay Upadhyay... Richa Upadhyay's first cousin, he is a neuro surgeon in Banglore's Ap***lo hospitals and has a good bonding with Ma'am and your daughter. If you want, I can hack the cafe's CCTV footage and send you the access", Ashwini said in the next 5 minutes.
"Yes do that", Shaurya said and hung up, fuming in jealousy.
Ashwini sent the link and Shaurya started watching them. He saw his wife laughing hard with that man. For a second his heart beat paused, only to beat at a higher pace. It's been years he saw her laughing like that, she laughs when Siya says or does something naughty but as soon as she realizes he was there, she restricts herself indicating he didn't deserve to see her laughter anymore.
Shaurya wanted to hug that man for a second, for his wife's carefree laughter.
Siya was sitting between them and they were having food. Looks like that Jay guy said something and Akansha gave him a hi-fi and shakehand that made Siya clutch her mother possessively making the two of them laugh again.
Shaurya fumed as they were laughing at his baby.
------------------------
"So... You are getting a promotion and also the city you dreamt of working for years", Akansha said
"My city", he corrected
"Your City", she corrected at the same time knowing how much Jay is possessive about his native city and state.
Both hi-fi at the coincidence of words, and then Akansha congratulates him, Siya clutches her mother not understanding what they both are talking. They laugh at Siya's possessiveness.
"Looks like Siyabear is getting bored hm?", Jay questioned...
"Yes...", Siya nodded and Jay started talking to her more and Siya responded getting active again.
"So when will you be joining here?", Akansha asked
"I'll have to see, promotion isn't announced officially neither my transfer, it would take a couple of months but I am happy, finally I'll be able to serve my people", Jay said with a smile and Akansha smiled.
The reason she got connected to him was his dire need and madness to serve his people, the same madness but hundred times more was found in Shaurya, despite her many complaints against him, the similarities between Jay and Shaurya made her loosen up a bit with him.
Jay was Richa's paternal uncle's son. He was the one who talked to his doctor friends here and helped Akansha with her delivery, it was chaos then but with Jay's contacts, she got treated on time and for that she is forever grateful to him.
Jay and Richa are very close and Richa stayed mostly at Akansha's house, so whenever he came there from banglore he spend most of the time at Akansha's place. They are very good friends now though it took a lot of time for Akansha to behave normal with him coming out of her rigid self.
Shaurya couldn't see it anymore so he called Akansha, which she picked up after releasing a sigh. The expressions on her face did hurt him but he swallowed his pain and talked to her.
"Where are you?", he asked, by his tone she understood he was upset or maybe jealous... And she understood he knew where she is.
"I already told you, you can only ask me about Siya", Akansha said walking to a side as she didn't want to talk to him rudely in front of Siya or Jay for that matter, and also she didn't want to tell Jay about Shaurya so she decided to keep it low and Shaurya who was watching her didn't like it a bit.
"My bad! Where is Siya?", he asked
"With me, we came outside to have lunch", Akansha answered
"With whom?", he asked
"I know you know everything, and don't you dare ask any questions or spy on me, I am not answerable to you, better remember this", She said and hung up, before shutting her eyes to control herself.
Shaurya was the one who was at the receiving end to her rudeness, anger and fury the most, yet he does things to receive more as if he wanted anything she has to offer. Deep inside, she knew it's the truth.
After she hung up, Shaurya asked Ashwini to deactivate the link as he didn't want to spy anymore after his wife asked him not to.
But he would know about Jay from her. He would ask her. She asked him to call her only for Siya otherwise she would block him, but he can directly visit her right? If not from the front side, maybe from behind? That way no one would spot him.
Akansha and Siya returned to her office and in the evening, Jay picked her up and they three went out, Richa joined them, Richa and Akansha didn't show their differences in front of him. Though he felt the tension between the two best friends, he didn't comment.
After dinner, Jay and Richa dropped Akansha and Siya home and left to Richa's.
It's midnight when Shaurya decided to enter Akansha's home from back side, climbing the wall.
"Sir... What if someone notices and thinks you to be a thief?", Suraj asked, getting afraid for his boss.
He never imagined his boss, the chief minister of the state would climb a wall to enter his own wife's house like a thief.
"It's 2:30 in the night, who would notice Suraj... Stop putting all these doubts in my head, I am already nervous", Shaurya said
"Nervous of getting caught?", Suraj asked
"No, nervous of the after effects of getting caught", Shaurya said and Suraj looked on with a horrified expression.
"Not by others Suraj... By my wife, I am nervous how she would react after catching me", Shaurya completed and Suraj nodded being skeptical, though he made a full proof plan.
"Stay here... I'll ping you when we have to leave", Shaurya said
"Sir... I'll come with you inside", Suraj proposed for the nth time.
"No stay here, this is not a terrorist's house that you are so scared, it's my wife's", Shaurya said
"That's why I am even more scared", Suraj muttered and Shaurya glared at him...
"Waise (by the way) you are right! Even a terrorist may think twice before attacking me but she won't", Shaurya told himself.
"Sorry sir?", Suraj asked not hearing his boss correctly.
"Nothing! Wait for my message and pray for me", Shaurya said climbing the wall with the help of Suraj.
Shaurya was worried how to wake his wife up if she slept, but with meeting Jay and the truth she learnt about her still being in marriage with Shaurya, Akansha's sleep was evaded.
Shaurya struggled to climb the wall as it's higher, despite Suraj's unwavering support and techniques, he got a few scratches but thanks to all the trainings he took to get physically stronger after he got stabbed by his father's men, he did well.
Akansha heard the mild sound of someone jumping down, in the back side of her home and froze. Seeing the lights inside, Shaurya realized she is awake and must be in fear right now, so he quickly texted her.
"It's me... Don't freak out, open the back door and let me in, please. I need to talk", Shaurya sent.
"Are you freaking kidding me... You jumped my f**king compund wall, trespassing my home?", she texted back.
"Please open the door, we can talk", he sent
"Leave, I am not opening the door", She typed back
"I'm not leaving until I know about Jay Upadhyay", he sent back.
"THEN DIE THERE", she sent angrily.
She is already upset thinking what happened in the past between her and Jay and now the truth that she was still married to Shaurya has shaken her. And now Shaurya's stubborn act has pissed her to no bounds.
Shaurya waited for half hour to open the door, he just hoped it shouldn't rain now as there's no shelter for him and he can't afford to fall sick neither could he go back without talking to her but to his bad luck, it started raining cats & dogs.
Suraj called him to come back but he was stubborn.
"Jaan please open the door... I am getting wet, I have a state to run, can't afford to get sick", he sent
She would have opened the door if not for his 'Jaan' which pissed her to no extent but after an hour more, she received his another text.
" I am shivering, day after tomorrow, UN delegation will be here and I have to host them, open the door please", he sent and she quickly opened the door...
That 'I'm shivering' caught her head. She couldn't stop herself from getting worried for that man despite all the pain and hurt.
"Go and change, first, I have shifted the heater to hall... Change and come there", she said taking him to the bedroom. He changed his clothes, thankfully he had his spare clothes there. Akansha brought blankets and wrapped around him as he is shivering.
It took him a few minutes to recover, the heater and the blankets helping his state. She made khada and gave him, all the while glaring at him, he quickly took it and started having when his phone dinged with a voice message from Suraj and it got clicked unintentionally.
"Sir... I am responsible for your safety but now I feel like I made strategies and sent you into lion's den alone...", Suraj's voice message read.
Shaurya was about to pause but his phone slipped due to lots of blankets and Akansha took hold of his phone, glaring at Shaurya.
Before he could say something, his phone dinged again.
"Entered the den or still in rain? Sir... Please confirm... At least collect your umbrella and rain coat, you can't stay in rain the whole night", Suraj's another voice message read and Akansha glared at him.
"Kaisa Chief Security officer hai (What kind of a Chief Security officer he is), planning my own murder", Shaurya whispered to himself.
"So, your CSO thinks I am some devil?", Akansha asked typing a response to Suraj that Shaurya entered.
"No... Lioness... That's what he said too...", Shaurya fumbled.
"Shut up... Don't say a word, I feel like killing you, but I don't want to dirty my hands", she said and he looked here and there.... "Now why the hell are you here Shaurya? Can't you just call?", she said and he opened his mouth widely.
"You said...", he started but shut up immediately seeing her glare at him.
"I would prefer your phone call anytime, rather your presence", she said and damn it stung and he looked away.
"Who is Jay Upadhyay?", he came directly to the point.
"None of your business", her tone suddenly turned icy and he definitely knew there's something she is hiding.
"Akansha, you know my stubbornness, I won't leave from here before knowing the truth", he said and she held his collar, her eyes red.
"You remember what I said when I got to know I was still married to you all these years?", she questioned and his heartbeat fastened recollecting her words.
"I mean... I am still married to you and I have no idea... You ba**a*d... You said we'll be divorced by the end of that week and I left after signing papers... Shaurya... How could you do this? What if I have dated someone else in these 5 years because I thought we are divorced? That would make me a disloyal wife, it would be cheating on you as well as the other person... It's disgusting Shaurya... It's a black mark on my dignity", remembering her words brought back the shivers that stopped before.
"You mean... You dated Jay?", he asked, trying hard not to fumble.
"Jay is a doctor, Richa's cousin, he helped me at that time when you broke my heart badly, I disgusted you Shaurya. He helped a lot when I got admitted in the hospital during Siya's delivery, I don't want to discuss that day in detail but Jay spoke to his doctor friends here and got me treated at the right time, he was kind to me, despite my rigid and cold self he was patient, every time he came from banglore, he spent most of his time here with Richa, Siya and me.
Despite everything he did, what made me loosen up a bit was he resembled a lot like you, his kindness, his madness to serve people, only those qualities made me get comfortable with him and one day he proposed to me, he said he likes me and would want to marry me, and accept Siya as his daughter...", Akansha said and Shaurya's heart stopped at what she said.
Did she say yes? Were they ever in a relationship? Is that why she reacted that badly when he told her she is still married to him?
No, but she is his Akansha, just like no other woman can enter his heart except for her, no other man can enter her heart. He is sure...
"And?", Shaurya asked, he prayed her next words wouldn't break him... No matter what she says he wouldn't stop pursuing her, she is his life but if she says she was in relationship with Jay, he would know his love wasn't strong and deep enough and now he had to love deeper.
"And I considered... I was fed up of living a life like that, I wanted the best for Siya, I didn't want her to grow up fatherless...", she said and a tear escaped his eye but he soon held his emotions.
"I asked him to give me some time to give my answer, I tried a lot to accept him, say yes to his proposal but unfortunately I couldn't, I realized I liked Jay, and saw him as a friend, that too only because he was like you, I pulled my guard down just because I was searching you in him and I hated myself for even thinking about it, I denied him after few days but when you told me I was still married to you, I felt disgusted of myself, what if I accepted Jay? What if I came into a relationship with him? That would make me a... Even the thought is so disturbing Shaurya... Do you realiz...", she ranted but stopped seeing him grinning.
"You refused him? You were never in a relationship with him? I knew it... You could never accept any other man in your life", he said with a grin and she so wanted to slap him. This is what he heard among everything she spoke but his next words melted a tiny piece of her heart.
"But I am sadder than happy, the possessive lover inside me is happy, but the responsible and caring husband I wanted to become for you but could never become was sad, I feel like a failure that I ruined you so badly that despite meeting a good man who wanted to accept you with your child and love you wholeheartedly, you couldn't give him a chance... This explains how badly I wounded you... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry", he said holding her palm and kissing the back of it apologizing continuously.
"You were right! I was in ruins but despite it, I could never imagine myself with any other man, well not even you, your past self, the Shaurya I was in love with, ruined me for any other man, including you", she said again and he nodded knowing it.
Precap - The announcement!
The truth of that day in the hospital.
Father's day
Note - Parts 40-49 are available in stck.me. Links are on my message board.