Shaurya left Akansha's place after a while, he wanted to wait till his daughter wakes up but that would be in the morning and he can't take the risk. If Akansha's neighbors notice him, she would kill him without any hesitation, so he left with a heavy heart. Sleep was far away from him, so he started preparing for the press meet instead of making futile attempts to have a nap.
He prepared everything regarding the Press meet. Like planned the social media penetration is intensified and media too started concentrating on this news making it reach the population that was away from social media and internet.
Shaurya prepared his tweet for platform 'X' regarding this and sent it to his PR team to refine if needed. The day he would be making this announcement in his X handle, the same evening he would be holding a press meet regarding the assembly session and the recent refinements of a few bills. He knew the media would definitely question about his wife and daughter in the same meet and he would just answer that.
He didn't want to hold a press meet separately for this, that would make the issue seem too big and the concentration would shift to his daughter and wife causing inconvenience to them. He wanted to remain casual about the whole ordeal and keep this as simple as possible.
The next morning his PR team requested to meet him urgently and he gave them an appointment for 15 minutes since he is quite busy.
"Sir... You really want to announce like this?", his PR manager was in shock, his face gave away his feelings.
"Yes, carry on with the procedure", Shaurya said
"Sir this would get people outrageous, especially women... And opposition wouldn't leave this chance to defame you", The PR manager said and Mr. Sharma quickly took the tab from his hand and saw why he was stressing so much and it got him shocked.
"Sir? This... You can't put this statement... This can end your career", Mr. Sharma said, sweat drops formed on his face thinking of the consequences, he didn't understand how Shaurya sat so calmly after planning self destruction.
"No it won't Mr. Sharma, the state knows what it means to have me as their CM. They aren't fools to take a decision based on my one flaw", Shaurya said but deep inside he knew this could end his career but the chances are very low, so he took the risk. He can't let anyone hurt Akansha Or blame her, so he took the whole blame creating sympathy for her in public, he knew his wife is strong enough and didn't need anyone's sympathy but that's the only way to keep her away from the chaos.
"It's decided Mr. Sharma...", Shaurya said sternly before turning to his PR Manager.
"I want this to be posted on my 'X' handle at 9 AM tomorrow", Shaurya ordered dismissing them, they left having no option.
He thought the issue is resolved but that evening he was called for an urgent party meeting. He attended and what he saw on the screen shocked him. It was his tweet he will be posting the following day.
"CM saab? Are you trying to end yours as well as our careers?", Suresh, an MLA and cabinet Minister questioned.
"Sir, what were you thinking while writing this? You were clearly saying that you were married but left your pregnant wife because you wanted to devote your life to people?", another one questioned
"We won't be able to take the public outrage, though your tweet is very refined, people would take out the same meaning, we seriously don't understand what would you get by destroying yours as well as our career", another one questioned
"He was protecting his wife, by making her gain sympathy", Virendar opened his mouth smirking at his son. That moment he understood his father bought his PR team to obtain this statement.
Shaurya tried to make them understand but no one is ready to hear him except for some of his party MLAs who trusted him blindly. The party meeting continued for 5 hours straight but nothing concrete was decided, Shaurya was adamant on his stance while the MLAs were adamant too.
"If you go with the same statement, we all would resign calling for immediate elections, we are not going down with you CM saab", Suresh announced on behalf of most of them and left the party hall.
Dev who was hearing to everything was shocked. And just when he was about to call Shaurya and give him a piece of brain, his media head called him.
"Sir, received an interesting story... This could even make you the next chief minister... I have sent you the details... Please check your mail", the media head said
"I'll check and get back to you, but remember do not take any action until you receive direct orders from me, do not take orders from anyone, if you fail to follow, you will be fired", Dev threatened and hung up.
Dev opened the mail and was shocked to see the contents. It also included an action plan to carry this forward. He knew Shaurya was behind all this, he might have sent this to the media channel directly because Shaurya knew he wouldn't agree to do something like this.
Dev immediately called Shaurya and screamed at him.
"What the hell is all this sh*t? Were you high on drugs you ba**a*d, a**h*le", Dev blasted
"Relax Dev, this is the only way to protect Akansha... Didn't you see how people are blaming her hearing about this news as a rumor, and if I announce it casually, they will definitely believe that she did something because of which I left her... Once they believe something, it's hard to change their opinion. I didn't want anyone to malign her name", Shaurya said
"I agree, but you have another option, to show how you and Akansha collectively took this decision, but you are still together...", Dev said
"For that, Akansha had to stay beside me which will hurt her Dev, she doesn't want to be anywhere near me and I cannot force her", Shaurya said
"But this will be the best way Shaurya... If you are together, Akansha, Siya and you, everyone can stay in peace, tell her that, convince her", Dev said
"I don't want to... She has suffered a lot because of me, not anymore", Shaurya was stubborn and Dev knew it very well.
"Now that you know... Make sure everything is carried the way I planned", he added before hanging up.
Dev cursed his best friend. He took a deep breath before calling his security head. It's high time Akansha knew a few truths.
----------------------------
"Ansha... I have a great news for you", Richa screamed storming inside Akansha's home.
"What's with you and that tone?", Akansha snapped at Richa which she ignored like always.
"Look at this... We got a major story on Shaurya Singh Shekhawat. This is enough to destroy him... And the cherry on the cake is he chose this path...", Richa said showing what she got.
Akansha quickly realized what Shaurya was planning all these days and why. She knew he was taking all this blame to increase sympathy for her among the public. He is playing the devil to make her the damsel in distress, she didn't like it a bit, but she knew no matter how strong she is, handling public backlash is very difficult and she couldn't do it, that's why Shaurya chose this path.
She didn't want his downfall but if he chose this path, then she knew he didn't have any other option to protect Siya and her. Akansha's heart clenched at the aftermath of Shaurya's step. What would happen to his political career? Shaurya is the best chief minister the state has witnessed in its history. Is it right to jeopardize crores of people's future just for herself and her daughter? Shaurya has prioritised their safety but how is his act justified from people's point of view. He would be remembered as a man who left his pregnant wife to concentrate on his political career. The national and international media houses that called him an inspiration leader would call him with contrast names from the following day.
Everything he did for the welfare of women will be wiped off. Where the hell is he bringing all the courage from to handle all this? Isn't it hurting him? His hardwork of more than a decade to reach where he is today would be lost within a blink. How is he gonna tolerate all this? Akansha's head started bursting with ache thinking all the scenarios. The state would be on fire in the coming 12 hours.
"Richa... Please get me a coffee", Akansha said massaging her head with her fingers.
"Ansha... You okay?", Richa asked
"Yeah... I'm fine, just get me coffee please", Akansha said
"Yes of course... Be right back with your coffee", Richa said and went to kitchen.
The calling bell rang, Richa was walking out of the kitchen but Akansha stopped her.
"I'll check...", she said walking to open the door. Her eyes widened seeing Dev at her door step.
"What the hell are you doing here? Leave Dev", Akansha whisper yelled but Dev walked in from beside her.
"Dev... Richa...", Akansha started, tailing behind him but he already reached the Hall, Richa who thought it was Akash came to the Hall holding coffee mug...
"Akansha... Your coffee...", Richa's words stuck in her throat seeing Dev Bisht at her best friend's place. She thought he came for her, before she could ask him, he surprised her.
"Thank you Ms. Upadhyay... Much needed at this time", Dev said taking the coffee mug and having a sip before walking to the sofa and making himself comfortable.
Richa was shocked at Dev's behaviour, as far she knew, he was a very dignified man and never spoke more than required with anyone, especially with women. It's so shocking to believe such a man is trespassing into a woman's home at odd hours. Poor Lady didn't know she is going to receive more such shocks in the coming few hours.
"Sir... You", Richa started but Dev wasn't paying any attention, he was busy in putting the hot coffee mug over his forehead trying to relax his headache.
"Dev... Abhi ke abhi niklo yaha se(Dev... Get out of here right away)", Akansha said angrily.
"I'm here to talk to you about something very important, and I won't be leaving without that", Dev said, by his demeanor she is sure he is hell frustrated.
Richa looked on shocked at her best friend and the leader of opposition, also the chairman of the media house she is working in.
"At least look at your surroundings before acting, Dev", Akansha told him, subtly hinting at Richa. She knew now her best friend understood that she knew Dev personally, but she still didn't know Dev and Shaurya are best friends and she shouldn't know.
"Yeah right...", Dev said and dialed someone, in the next 2 minutes, a lady and a gent came in, Richa instantly recognized them to be part of Dev's security team.
"Check Ms. Upadhyay thoroughly and yeah seize all her electronic devices and gadgets for a few hours", Dev passed orders shocking Richa and Akansha sighed knowing why he is doing so.
His staff finished the work and left from there.
"Dev... This is ridiculous", Akansha said, trying to stop him. She can't let Richa know the biggest secret of Shaurya and Dev's life, if this came out, both of them would be destroyed.
"You think I care about Richa Upadhyay knowing all this when so much is at stake already?", Dev said, Richa frowned at the both of them.
"Dev...", Akansha whispered, she is left with no energy.
"Stop that idiot who is putting everything at stake for you and Siya... There are other ways to announce, to protect you and his daughter", Dev said finishing his coffee.
"Ms. Upadhyay... Can I get another cup of coffee please...", Dev asked... "By the way, you make wonderful coffee unlike this woman who is the world's worst coffee maker", Dev said pointing at Akansha earning a glare from her.
"Shut up Dev... You have gone crazy", Akansha shouted at him, she is so angry at his antics that she just wanted to blast his head. "And my best friend is not your maid that you are demanding for coffee", she added.
"I didn't know you developed hearing problem... I said Please, Akansha", Dev argued... "And what should I do, your husband is giving me such headaches, no amount of coffee or medicine could treat it", Dev added and Akansha held her head at Dev and his best friend.
Richa walked to the kitchen to get two, no three coffees as hearing Dev's words, even her head started pounding. By his words, she understood that Akansha and Dev were close and Dev wasn't against Shaurya but for him. So, this was the reason Dev stopped her from maligning Shaurya's name many times. She felt like a fool but if they are together, then what's the purpose of sitting in the opposite sides in Assembly?
----------------------
"He had no other way Dev, if he did, he would have chosen it, I couldn't do anything", Akansha said
"There are other ways Akansha, in fact better ways than this but he was thinking about your comfort", Dev said
"What is it?", Akansha asked already having an idea of it.
"You just have to show that it's your mutual decision, and you guys didn't part ways, you are still together...", Dev started
"That's impossible, Dev... I will not do anything like that", Akansha said glaring at him.
"Listen to me completely, this is a full proof plan, this way no one would be hurt, Akansha please think beyond your pain, I beg you, it's about millions of lives. Even if Shaurya takes all the blame, there are chances his career would collapse, you might get momentary sympathy, and you'll be saved from backlash, but eventually it will come to you. Also there are some crazy followers of Shaurya, no matter what he says, they would always blame you and Siya for their favorite leader's downfall. People don't think rationally like you and me Akansha. Even with the self-destructive path Shaurya chose, there are chances you people could get hurt, but if you chose to stand with Shaurya, all this could be avoided", Dev said and Akansha sighed.
What Dev said sounded sensible but for that she cannot sacrifice her self-respect and go live with Shaurya. That would mean death to her.
"I... I really can't, Dev", Akansha said and Dev clenched his fists. He understood Akansha Or may be tried to understand her feelings but he knew both the sides, he saw his friend's crazy love for this woman, he almost died saving her but here she is thinking about saying a single sentence in his support to save his career, that too not for him, but for the people.
"Woman see this", Dev said showing her the video of how party people threatened to resign if Shaurya carried with his plan, "Party MLAs warned, they would resign making the government collapse, this would be a black mark in Shaurya's life, all his good deeds, self-less service would be wiped away, Please save his career", Dev pleaded
Richa came back with coffee. She was shocked to see Dev pleading with Akansha to save Shaurya's career. She had never seen the powerful Dev Bisht so helpless. It was as if his career was being destroyed, not Shaurya's.
"Dev... I would have helped, if I could", Akansha tried
"If not for Shaurya, do it for yourself and Siya, Akansha... Once Shaurya loses power, his party activists wouldn't leave you both, they target you, blaming you for his loss, you won't know their aggressive nature... You have never experienced...", Dev started but cut off by Richa.
"Why do you think she hasn't experienced? She knew that pain all too well Sir", Richa started, Akansha's eyes widened, her best friend promised not to speak about her sufferings to anyone.
Akansha wanted to stop but Richa held her palm and pressed it tightly.
"You know how I met her?", Richa asked looking at Dev sternly...
After she left Shaurya's ancestral house, Akansha left to the capital city, she was in search of rented places when she spotted an ad outside a pharmacy, she walked in to join there, and seeing her knowledge in medicine, the pharmacist offered her the job as she lied him she already has experience in the field.
Working in the medical shop, she used to live in a small room with attached kitchen slab, she also tutored kids after her work hours and she managed to deal with her pregnancy period, all alone. That was one of the toughest periods of her life. She was scared of using her education background or skills to find a proper job. She was scared of finding a proper job which has PF and other benefits as she could be traced with the numbers.
She was in her 9th month and the pharmacy shop owner was kind enough to grant her leave in the last few weeks. It's been a few weeks since Shaurya's party came into power and he became the chief minister, she didn't want to watch any news regarding it but the shop owner seemed to be a fan of him, he always watched the news channel about Shaurya Singh Shekhawat.
Shaurya getting elected as a chief minister at such a young age, with only a few years of experience in politics was shocking to all the senior politicians in the state, especially the opposition party. It accused Shaurya and his party of rigging the election and approached the centre to nullify the elections. This gave rise to protests across the state, Shaurya's supporters and party activists clashed with the opposition party members and activists. Soon violence spread across the state, it was the biggest challenge Shaurya faced after only a few weeks into power.
He tried to bring law and order under control, but the violence couldn't be suppressed. Sometime later, the rest of the state was brought under control, but the capital city was a mess still.
Akansha ran out of medicines and she walked to the nearby pharmacy, she didn't have any idea of the situation outside as she had been indoors for the whole week as she was feeling too weak to even go for her mandatory walk and unfortunately, her room was to the inner side of the building which stopped the chaos or the sounds from reaching her.
She froze to her spot when she saw men running towards her, setting fire to the shops which weren't shut... She hid herself in a small corner, panting hard, she muffled her cries so that they won't spot her.
"Don't you people understand the meaning of bandh? No one will open the shops until the opposition party withdraws their petition to nullify the elections... We want Shaurya Saab as our CM...", one of them screamed
"Yes, only Shaurya is our Chief Minister, no one else..."
"We would set the whole state on fire if our demands weren't met"
They screamed storming towards the shops and setting fire everywhere. Akansha slipped to the connecting street, her whole body sweating, her BP dropping...
She sat down in the corner unable to breathe properly... Her eye lids were almost shut when she heard the screams of the mob near her...
"Oyyy Ladki... What are you doing on road? Don't you know today is State Bandh?", One man aggressively asked
"Ple..Please let me go... I didn't know... I am pregnant please...", She pleaded
"You shouldn't have come out in this condition then", another man screamed, she scooted back seeing the wooden fire logs in their hands.
"Please... I am pregnant... Let me go... Please... Don't do this, help me, please", she begged
"We don't care... Until and unless things go in our favor, we won't stop this", one of them screamed and others angrily nodded, screaming down down for the opposition party and support slogans for Shaurya. She didn't hate Shaurya all these days as much as hated that moment. Her anxiety kicked in and suddenly her water broke.
"Ah... Please... Please admit me to the hospital... My water broke... P..Please", she screamed in pain, one of them was about to help her but seeing the shop owner of the shop beside peeking from the corner, the angry mob threw the wooden logs at the shop, which hit the shutter and fell on Akansha making her scream in pain.
The angry mob left for other places leaving Akansha to suffer... Richa who was covering all these acts saw Akansha's helpless state, she helped her after the angry mob left and admitted her in the hospital, with her cousin Jay's contacts, she got Akansha treated inside a shut hospital.
After utmost painful labor, Siya was born but due to a lot of blood loss, Akansha fell unconscious as soon as she took Siya in her arms... Richa clicked the first picture of the mother-daughter just before Akansha lost consciousness, Akansha's forehead, arms are bandaged in that but despite all the injuries, there's a smile on her face on holding her daughter in her arms.
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"If you think Akansha didn't experience their violence then you are so wrong, Dev sir", Richa said finishing telling the past.
Dev's eyes teared up hearing it.
"Not just that... She...", Richa started but Akansha held her hand in denial.
Dev just got up and hugged Akansha to his chest kissing her hair...
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't there for you... I'm so sorry...", Dev apologized sniffing, She understood he is holding up his emotions.
"Leave me, idiot... I don't like these hugs and all", Akansha said pushing him but he hugged her again...
"I don't care... I'm sorry", Dev said making Richa chuckle and Akansha push him in irritation.
"I didn't value your inputs when the first time you wanted to help me... so not your fault...", Akansha said... "Don't tell Shaurya...", Akansha said
"I can't promise you, but yeah, I won't tell him at this moment, that man is already dying with guilt, I can't even imagine what would happen to him when he knows this", Dev said, worried for his friend.
Akansha's sufferings clenched his heart, he so wanted to kill those inhumane animals who caused so much pain to her. If this is the amount of pain he is feeling, he can't even imagine what Shaurya would go through... He is already blaming himself for all Akansha's sufferings and to some extent he was the reason but Dev never agreed to it as he knew both sides.
"That's enough for now, I know it's hard for you to hide anything from Shaurya, you will eventually tell him", Akansha said and Dev chuckled
"Akansha... Please think about what I said, this is the best way", Dev started
Before Akansha could respond, Richa started speaking...
"I can't believe you... Even after knowing what all she has gone through, you dare ask her to stand with him? She almost lost her daughter, her own life and much more because of that man. No, she won't come. He deserves the destruction he is about to cause tomorrow and much more, till today, I took your orders out of respect for you but from tomorrow, my only focus will be on destroying Shaurya Singh Shekhawat", Richa said making Dev fume in anger...
"Don't speak about things you weren't aware of, Ms. Upadhyay", Dev warned subtly... "Shuarya didn't cause those riots, he shed his sweat and blood to stop those, he got injured when he was visiting a chaotic place which finally made his party activists and followers to stop the violence. You might have that information, I'm sure", Dev said
"Oh! he might have faked his injuries to stop those incidents, I'm sure", Richa said and Dev turned to hear if Akansha would shut up Richa but she stood there sighing.
"Don't tell me, you too think Shaurya could stoop so low to fake his injuries and fool everyone?", Dev said
"What's so wrong in it? he might have done it for a good cause...", Akansha said
"But he didn't fake his injuries, Akansha, You don't believe him?", Dev asked in astonishment.
"Why will I believe him Dev when I know him so well. Shaurya was always so conscious about his health, because he knew he can't afford to fall sick, he took care of himself very well, and not even a scratch on his skin was tolerable to him, you want me to believe such a man got injured trying to stop the unrest? Anyways, I don't want to argue about this topic anymore, we have discussed this more than enough, My answer is No, I don't care if Shaurya Singh Shekhawat destroys himself or his career... I can't help", Akansha said, her eyes turning cold. Dev gets heartbroken at how much Akansha is misunderstanding his friend.
'Yes, such a man got almost killed but didn't even let a scratch on you', Dev wanted to say but didn't because he knew she wouldn't trust him.
"I can only request you Akansha, but trust me... Whoever is trying to destroy my best friend, I'll fight all of them alone, and let alone thinking about maligning his character. They should pass through me even to reach the air he breathes", Dev says and storms out of there...
Akansha sits down holding her head.
"Ansha... Don't worry... I won't leave Shaurya, I'll ruin his career", Richa said
"Shut up... Did I ask you for that? And why are you so determined to ruin him? He didn't cause that riots, he wasn't the kind of man you are trying to portray him to be... and before plotting against him, do you realize he is Siya's father? Siya loves him so much... What would happen to her if you publish all the sh*t against her father?", Akansha shouted at her best friend's determination to destroy Shaurya.
"Akansha... Inspite of what he did to you, you want me to stay calm?", Richa asked
"Don't push this on me. You have always wanted to defame Shaurya, right from the start of your career. I understand your concern for me now but you didn't know about Shaurya being Siya's father before, even then you want to bring him down... I never understood why? Shaurya always did good for people, he was a better leader, better than everyone, including Dev, he was the best chief minister a state has ever witnessed, yet your stubbornness to bring Dev Bisht to power didn't let you see it. Now that you know what he did to me, your professional obstinacy turned to a personal grudge huh?", Akansha questioned and Richa sighed, having no defense. Her best friend is right...
"Akansha... You and Siya are my family... Shaurya maybe a good leader but he isn't a good husband, and you suffered so much because of him, though I don't know things exactly, the bits and pieces you told me about your ex-husband was enough to hate him and now that the chance is presented, I want to avenge your pain", Richa said
"Shaurya is Siya's father, Richa, and he isn't my ex-husband, he is my husband, we were never divorced", Akansha broke the news shocking Richa... "And I don't want you to avenge, you are like my family too, I never want you to take a wrong step because of me... Shaurya is too powerful, if you think he could be destroyed by just one tweet he's gonna make tomorrow or one announcement about how he left his pregnant wife, then you are wrong... Shaurya won't accept defeat that easily, he would continue with his campaigning and despite all this, there are high chances he returns to power, so stop this madness", Akansha advised. "And yes, more importantly, Shaurya can be anything but vile... He is a very good leader and this state and it's people need him, he is much better than Dev, even Dev agrees to it", she added and Richa sighed deeply.
"Okay, it's late, let's go and sleep, tomorrow is a big day", Richa said as she knew she and Akansha would never be on the same page in this topic.
"You go, I'll come in a bit", Akansha said, Richa hugged her and left for the bed room.
Akansha kept thinking about Dev's proposition, he was right, the damage is minimal when she and Shaurya will be on the same side. It would be the safest option for Siya as well. Should she consider this? Maybe she can start living with Siya separately after the elections? But no, her heart didn't agree to this... She still couldn't forget the black days after her marriage with him. He broke her heart brutally and she can't live with him under the same roof... Not even once did he show his love to her after marriage, she tried to save their marriage but he never gave in to her efforts. He had hurt her badly with his betrayal, no, she couldn't return to him though for a short period, she decided.
She kept thinking for hours and in the wee hours, her phone dinged with a text.
"open the door", it read and its from Dev. She sighed before opening the door.
"What now?", she asked, but paused seeing several files in his hands.
He entered her house and she locked the door again before following him.
"What are all these Dev?", she asked
"Shaurya's medical reports... of the incident when he got hurt trying to stop the riots... and also of the time when he was almost killed", Dev said, Akansha stood frozen hearing Dev.
"What the hell are you barking? Are you drunk?", Akansha asked shocked
"Oh! I really want to, with the kind of tension you and your husband give me, I wanted to just drink and pass out somewhere, but unfortunately, I can't...", Dev said with frustration.
"Dev...", Akansha started but got interrupted by Dev.
"Please hear me out, Akansha... After that, I won't force you to change your decision... You and Shaurya are mature adults, I'm sure you'll take the right decision", he said and Akansha nodded reluctantly.
"When Meera Pathak visited Shaurya's ancestral house, Shaurya's father, Virendar Shekhawat referred you as a care taker and you were hurt because Shaurya stood there silent and I completely agree with you, he was wrong but he had no other choice, he so wanted to strangle Meera's throat for speaking to you in that tone but he couldn't. That very evening, Shaurya walked to his father's study, confronted him about what he called you, despite knowing confronting Virendar could be dangerous, he couldn't stop himself, Shaurya couldn't take your disrespect, he acted impulsive when it came to you and that proved to be life threatening", Dev said
"Virendar Shekhawat wasn't a human, he was mad seeing Shaurya taking a stand for you... From that day, Shaurya doubled security around you to be cautious, we together handled your security as for any reason if he wasn't available, I could take over your responsibility", Dev added
"I had security around me?", Akansha asked with surprise and Dev chuckled dryly
"You did, you were protected always, more than Shaurya himself was, he was so scared for your safety... Because he knew that angle of his parents which you couldn't even imagine", Dev said shocking Akansha. "If you remember, those were the days when he restricted you to his house, that's because you are the safest there, he had his people watching and protecting you 24/7 there", Dev said
"He... He said he cut my wings and house arrested me as a part of his retribution", Akansha said
"Because he didn't have any other reason to give you, for asking you to stay home", Dev answered "I told him to tell you the truth many times, but he was scared, his mother was also a threat to you, you were safe there only till his mother sees the differences between you both, he thought if the differences end, it could be dangerous to you, and unfortunately he couldn't be home much, so he decided to tell you after resolving everything, but things went south when you rebelled against him and went out to meet Akash", Dev said and told her everything what all happened during that time, including how Shaurya tried to shift her somewhere else but the numerous attacks and the blasts made it impossible.
"This is the video my men shot of an injured Shaurya, as an evidence", Dev said showing it, Akansha cupped her mouth, her heart started beating wildly with fear, her whole body shivering seeing the blood-filled body of Shaurya. Recollecting Dev's words on how he got hurt made her feet cold.
He was trying to stop them from hurting her... The Shaurya she knew would be so careful to not get even a scratch on his body but this man got almost killed to save her life. She didn't think her father-in-law posed a real threat to her life till the . Can someone be really that cruel? she knew people can be cruel to kill but she didn't think people around her also belonged to that category.
"He was bedridden for months, and he didn't want you to stay at his place with his parents in his absence, so he asked me to take you to my place, he suffered on that hospital bed for months with no one to look after him... He saw hell, we can only imagine his pain, Akansha... In fact, I didn't think he would be back on his feet any sooner but his determination to see you, and protect you made him stand on his feet in just a few months despite the fatal injuries he suffered", Dev said...
"I know what he did with you was very wrong, his betrayal was the worst thing you could have experienced but he wasn't happy either Akansha, he suffered too... Think about it, you are a doctor yourself, you can refer to the medical certificates, his reports and other stuff if you still don't believe me", Dev said and walked away, leaving Shaurya's reports there.
"Shaurya... what's this...", she asked, moving her hand to his abdomen, it felt like a cut but he held her wrists above her head making love to her getting her to forget her earlier question...
Akansha remembered touching it a couple of times but he never let her see or touch his scars, after he returned from those few months of so-called business trip, he never made love to her with lights on, and now she understood why... Damn! she never thought that something like this could have happened.
Akansha saw the reports, the X-rays, blood reports, surgery details, the post care, everything is included in those files, her blood turned cold reading all of it.
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Dev called Richa, who picked up in the first ring.
"If you think you could destroy my friend, you are very wrong Ms. Upadhyay... Sending a small gift for you, check it out...", Dev said
Richa's eyes widened in terror, the document involved how she cleverly covered up a story, following the orders of her boss, who bribed her with a major project which could boost her career.
"If you even think of defaming my best friend, I'll make this a huge scandal and post that, no one would believe in your story about anything, I'm a media giant's son before being a politician, I sure know better tricks than you", Dev said and hung up.
Richa so wanted to slap herself for leaving evidence for the only wrong act she committed. Now Dev got her hair in his fist.
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Akansha slipped to washroom as she couldn't control her tears and she didn't want her best friend to see her like that. The truth has shattered her. Is Shaurya too hiding many things just like her? She lost trust in him after the betrayal, she wouldn't lie but despite her hatred, his sufferings caused her heart to bleed.
The fact that he was almost killed just because she chose to rebel him, and come out of the house is making her blood cold. What if something might have happened to him? She was furious that he didn't even bother to tell her about it. He knew she loved him and she would be with him, supporting his recovery yet he didn't. He treated her as if she wasn't his wife but some outsider, her blood boiled at Shaurya's act, she so wanted to slap him, but also wanted to hug him tightly, just for once, to feel him alive. No, she wouldn't want to forgive him but just once wanted to feel him close to her heart.
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"Hello... Akansha... You called this early in the morning? Is everything alright? Is Siya Okay?", he asked, surprised as Akansha barely called him by herself.
"Send me the draft of your tweet in 'X', I have a few points to add and I'll post it, give me your ID and password", she said
"Akansha... My profile is handled by my PR team", he said, giving an excuse.
"The same PR team that your father bought, no? And I'm sure, you might have changed the password and secured it by now, so yes, give me", Akansha said and he was amused by his wife's strange demand.
"Akansha... I know what I'm doing, you don't have to worry about my career, I know Dev might have visited you yesterday and explained you the pros and cons of handling this situation in another way, but you don't have to come into his words and do something you don't want to... Don't worry, I won't let any harm your or Siya's way... Do what your heart says", Shaurya said, guessing the change in his wife's stance might be because of his idiot best friend who might have tried to manipulate her, but Akansha isn't someone to be manipulated. She is a strong and very clever woman, then what made her change her stance? Shaurya wondered
"I want us to do what is best for Siya... So yes, I have decided, You'll tweet exactly how I say, alright?", she said, the conviction and confidence in her tone told him she is doing it wholeheartedly.
"Alright! In fact, I'll give you the ID and password, do it yourself", he said and she smiled at the trust he showed.
"No, my devices are not that secured, people can hack them. I'll type and send it to you... put it exactly the same, no changes allowed", Akansha commanded
"Yes ma'am...", Shaurya said with a wide grin already understanding her unsaid words. She is ready to stand with him, at least for the time being, maybe only for their daughter but still it meant a lot to him. He would consider himself lucky even if he got to stand with her shadow. Akansha Dikshit is the woman he loves the most in this world, and his daughter too, ofcourse. How can he not love a part of him and Akansha? Siya is his dream, god's gift, the result of all his good deeds.
"Grow up Shaurya...", Akansha chided and hung up.
After a minute, she sent him the tweet and his eyes sparkled with her thoughtfulness. To the matter, her text to him was also attached.
"Simple and sober... No need to give any explanations to anyone, answer rest all their questions in the press meet", Akansha typed below the tweet she prepared for him.
"By the way, how is it? You are allowed to make a few changes if it's not according to the political tone you normally use", she sent another message.
"This is perfect, I'll post this as it is, thank you", he sent
"You're welcome", she replied making him grin widely, he thought she would reply with 'I'm doing this for Siya' or something like that but her simple 'welcome' made his heart do somersaults.
He reached his office at his usual time trying hard to mask his joyous mood. When it's time, he dropped the tweet created by his wife. Short and sweet. Akansha picked up a few lines from his previous tweet expressing his wife and daughter's support, she refined the statement and added to it.
"Leadership demands sacrifices, but family is the foundation of it all. Five years ago, I made a choice to protect what matters most. Today, it's time to reveal the two most important people in my life who've shaped my life in ways unseenâmy wife and daughter."
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Precap - Father's day in Siya's school.
A lot changed in today's chapter, but did it really change? What will happen when Shaurya will know about what Akansha faced on the day Siya was born? and will Richa comply to Dev's warning? or would she rebel now that she knew Dev and Shaurya being best friends.
Note - Parts 41-50 are now available in stck.me. Links are available in my message board and Instagram as well.