"MAMU... MAMUUUUU", Siya jumped hugging Akash's knees... Akash raised his eyes to look at his ex-brother-in-law who looked as cold as ice... Shaurya's hand which was on Siya's cereal bowl froze...
Dread was seen in Akash's eyes... By looking at Shaurya's form, Akash understood that he guessed the truth, and Akash knew it wasn't so difficult as Siya was the spitting image of Shaurya, and the only reason he failed to guess till now was his brain never worked in that direction, this was the biggest shock his sister's ex-husband could ever get.
Shaurya remembered the first time he saw Siya dancing, his eyes never moved away from her little form, something in her struck his heart strongly... And when she told him her name, he felt as if he met a piece of his wife, he thought if he hadn't messed up, he and Akansha would have had a daughter of her age... Whenever he noticed the striking similarities between them, he hoped he had a daughter like her but never imagined she would be his...
He remembered the recent incident, So it was Siya who called him from Akansha's mobile and Akansha lied to him as she didn't want him to find out about Siya. So, this was the reason Akash made the deal of 3 meetings though Akansha hated to even breathe in the same space as him. In return, Akash wanted him not to run a background check on her and he like a fool fell in their trap... He was scared his wife would again run away that he accepted those stupid terms... Anger coursed through his veins for himself for the stupidities he committed.
Then something struck him, Siya's school chairman, Mr. Goyal told Siya is fatherless, and he took it as her father was dead. He took it that way or Did Mr. Goyal actually mean it? Did Akansha tell everyone that Siya's father is dead? No, his wife can't be that cruel, but did he give her a choice? His heart broke into million pieces imagining the sufferings she might have gone through... God! what did he do?
He recollected the incidents right from the start, Akansha didn't want Siya to participate in the annual day celebrations, was it because of him? She didn't want even his sight to fall on her daughter... No... THEIR daughter... Yes, Siya is his daughter, She is his blood... How could he not see it? She is a spitting image of himself... She is like him in all senses... Her stubborn nature, her calmness, patience, her way of talking, how she develops psychosomatic symptoms when she misses someone terribly, just like him...
Why didn't Akansha tell him? She was pregnant when she left him... How could she have survived alone? Why couldn't she tell him... He missed his daughter's birth, he missed supporting his wife in pregnancy, he missed Siya's first word, first step, first everything. Leave about her first, Akansha wanted to never let him know about his daughter's existence. Yes, he had hurt his wife, played with her feelings, broken her heart, that's a husband's sin, why did she punish the father in him... How could she do this to him? HOW? and WHY? He never did anything to make her feel that he was a bad father or he never wanted children... In fact Akansha knew how much he loved children... Then WHY? WHY? He wanted to scream loudly in agony... If Siya hadn't participated in that dance performance on that school Annual day, or he hadn't attended that function, he would have never met his daughter, even the thought squeezed his heart in pain... His eyes reddened with fury, torment and at the same time overwhelming happiness... His Daughter, his Siya... Siyakriti...  His wife named her 'Siyakriti' despite everything she faced because of his sister? Damn that woman and her heart... He didn't understand whether to get upset with her which he obviously didn't have the right to or fall on her feet for all the suffering he caused her?
He was brought out of his frozen form by his little friend's screams, no, it's his daughter... Siya... He rushed to her taking her in his arms tightly... Tears flew from his eyes... She didn't understand anything... At one moment, she is complaining about how her uncle didn't visit her all these days when she was down with a fever, and the other moment she was in her favorite friend's arms... But, why is he hugging her so tightly...
Akash fisted his palms trying hard to hold himself from pulling his niece away from Shaurya's arms... The sufferings of his sister ran in front of his eyes, and how he met her and his niece and in what circumstances crossed his head... Shaurya Singh Shekhawat was the reason for it, he didn't deserve to be with Siya... let alone be addressed as her father... Akash wanted to pull away Siya and take her far away from him but his tears stopped him, Shaurya's hold on Siya kept tightening as if she would disappear if he loosened his hold... The terrible fear was seen in his eyes, body language and his wobbling throat. Akash didn't see the 'Heartless husband' who hurt his sister badly, in front of him was a 'Tormented father' who just got to know his daughter's existence almost 5 years after her birth.
Akash controlled his fury for now, he had to use his brain, he knew his sister is unwilling to interact with Shaurya, she was completely against the idea of even his shadow on her daughter, and Akash vowed to do everything to protect his sister now, even if he had to go against the man who is his idol, the man who he adored professionally, and is his boss, he would do it. He would even risk his job and everything to shift his sister and niece far away from this place. To plan all that, he needs to be calm, his ex-brother-in-law is extremely sharp, even if he whiffs about his plan of sending his sister and niece far away, he would dig a grave for him, he knew Shaurya Singh Shekhawat would stop at nothing before claiming his wife and daughter.
"Uncuul... What happened? Ale you clying?(Are you crying?)", Siya asked trying to get away from Shaurya's hug hearing the harsh breaths and occasional snif from him.
Hearing that 'Uncuul' from Siya cut through his heart...
'Uncle nahi, papa hu Jaan(not uncle, I'm your dad, baby)', Shaurya wanted to say but didn't, for obvious reasons.
He wiped his tears and broke the hug...
"No... I'm not, Siya bache...", Shaurya said with a smile... His eyes again teared up with affection for the little kid in front of him, his little one, but this time he held his emotions... He wanted to hide her in his arms forever so that she couldn't go away from him ever and her mother would too come to him then... The thought of living like a family with Akansha and Siya crossed his mind and just the thought filled his heart with bubbles of happiness and anticipation.
"Uncuul... This is my MAMU...", Siya started introducing the both of them but Shaurya interrupted her...
"Um... Siya bache... We are friends right?", Shaurya asked and Siya bobbled her head. "So, why don't you call me by my name, friends do that... if you call me uncle, it doesn't sound right, friends call each other by their names aur hum toh best friends hai na(and we are best friends right?)", Shaurya said and Siya snapped her finger on her head as if thinking and then smiled widely at him screaming an 'Okay' hugging Shaurya making him happy. She knew his name...
"Sholya...(Shaurya)", Siya called and Akash who is silent till now opened his mouth...
"Siyu... He is a lot older than you... You shouldn't call him by his name, it wouldn't be nice if someone heard it, Call him uncle like you used to do previously", Akash said, he knew why Shaurya asked Siya to call him by his name, he couldn't bear the thought of his own daughter calling him 'Uncle' like he was some outsider and Akash didn't like it... Shaurya deserved this pain for doing what he did to his sister.
Shaurya's eyes blazed with anger at Akash making him gulp in nervousness. Shaurya barely got angry but when he did, it was a disaster for the other person and unfortunately Akash was in that position now for not one but many reasons. He knew Shaurya wouldn't spare him for hiding about his daughter, for that matter he wouldn't even spare Akansha for this, or Akash thought so.
"But Mamu... Mumma says fliendchip(friendship) doesn't have age, and Sholya is my fliend...", Siya asked... "Opho... I folgot to in...intlo...", Siya started hitting her head struggling to form a word...
"Introduce", Shaurya and Akash helped her...
"Yech... Inloduch you...(Yes... Introduce you)", Siya completed with difficulty, Shaurya smiled at his daughter's cuteness... Damn! He missed to be part of her life all these years... The thought squeezed his heart with agony...
"Sholya... He is my MAMU...", Siya said
"Yes, I know him... Remember that Mr. Dikshit I was talking about", Shaurya said and Siya remembered how Shaurya told her an uncle would be here in some time to meet with him.
"Oh.... Thatchwhy(That's why) it's Dikchit(Dikshit) Mamu is Dikchit(Dikshit), I also Dikchit(Dikshit)... Siyakliti Dikchit(Siyakriti Dixit), My name", Siya announced proudly, hugging Akash's leg... A flicker of hurt passed through his eyes hearing his daughter's name...
'It's Siyakriti Akansha Shaurya Singh Shekhawat bache... I'll make sure this gets registered in your mind as well as everyone's mind soon' Shaurya thought, reminiscing his beautiful moments with his Akansha.
"So, You have already finalized our daughter's name... What if it's a son?", Akansha asked caressing his bare back, but he caught her palm and took it to his mouth placing a gentle kiss. They have talked about it before, he proposed the nane 'Siya' but she proposed 'Siyakriti' and from that moment, Shaurya loved that name for his daughter.
"You are tired so don't provoke me... and if it's a son, we'll name him 'Siyakriti ka bhai(Siyakriti's brother') and then move on with our process to produce 'Siya' ", Shaurya said earning a slap from Akansha on his chest.
"Shut up... I'm serious, What would you name if it's a son?", Akansha asked
"He doesn't need any other identity, he is his sister's brother...", Shaurya again teased but Akansha passed a glare to him which shut his mouth from throwing another lame joke.
"I haven't thought of it honestly, because my gut feeling is we'll have a daughter first...", Shaurya said and Akansha nodded
"Siyakriti Shaurya Singh Shekhawat", Akansha said with a wide smile...
"Uhu... Siyakriti Akansha Shaurya Singh Shekhawat", Shaurya said kissing Akansha's forehead... "Our daughter and I are lucky to have you in our lives, I can't change my official documents now and add your name to mine, but I won't let that mistake happen with our daughter... She will have your name just behind hers reminding her every second how lucky she is to have you as a mother", Shaurya said looking into her eyes, and Akansha didn't find anything except honesty and pure love in his eyes... He said it wholeheartedly, at that moment, his revenge, his plan, nothing existed, only love for Akansha Dikshit existed...
"And you as her father... You will be a wonderful father, Shaurya, Our Siya will be lucky to have you", Akansha said placing her lips on his...
"Are you upset that I didn't add your surname?", Shaurya asked when she broke the kiss quickly...
"What ?", she asked laughing at his assumptions... "Of course not, That surname is a burden on me Shaurya, I myself wanted to get rid of it, why would I want to pass it on to our daughter? Her father's surname is enough for her", Akansha said trying to hide the pain in her eyes but Shaurya found it, and his thought of freeing her from that surname and giving her his, strengthened even more... He kissed her forehead affectionately and like every time, his love made her forget her every pain...
The surname she hated to pass on to their daughter, today his daughter is known with the same name, Shaurya thought bitterly. But only if he knew... Akansha didn't use her father's surname 'Dikshit' anymore, she used her grandfather's surname 'Dixit' and she passed the same to her daughter. Her grandfather was the only man who treated her right but to her bad luck, he passed away early leaving her to face her miseries.
"Siyu... Now will you tell me who brought you here? Is it Richa aunty?", Akash asked but Siya didn't say anything afraid Akash would tell Akansha. "Siyu... Bache... I'm asking you from so long, but you went on complaining, earlier you were angry with mamu but now since you scolded him badly, please answer mamu's questions", Akash asked sweetly...
"No... I'm angly... vely angly...(angry... Very angry)", Siya folded her hands to her chest trying to act like her mother when in anger, Shaurya chuckled at her trying to imitate her mother, he knew Akansha too did the same...
"Siyu... I know what you are trying, answer mamu please, Mamu is Siya's superhero right?", Akash used the weapon, he could get the answers directly from Shaurya or call Richa but he wanted to hear from his niece, so he could assess if she knew her mother would be upset with her this move or not... and if it was proved to be Richa, Akash so wanted to strangle that woman to death... She has done a great damage to her best friend who wouldn't be a best friend to her anymore after her this move.
"Yech(Yes)... But Pwease(Please) don't tell Mumma", Siya said closing her eyes in fear... Akash gulped his anger...
"He won't... Now come, it's time for you to eat... then you have to take your medicine... Your fever isn't gone permanently... it will come again if you don't eat", Shaurya said, lifting Siya in his arms and taking her to the couch...
Shaurya fed her with utmost care and love, Akash fisted his palms to control his anguish looking at the sight in front of him, for a moment he felt good looking at his niece getting a father's love but the father being Shaurya and what he did to his sister isn't digestible to Akash.
After Siya finished her food, Shaurya made her take her syrups diverting her with different other things, Akash remained shocked at the sight in front of him. Siya threw a hell lot of tantrums to take her medicines, she hated drinking the syrups prescribed, it was a hard task for all of them, only Akansha did that task so effortlessly, that too because Siya was afraid of her mother's anger so she would get under control, but seeing Shaurya perform the task so effortlessly reminded Akash of the bitter fact again... 'Blood is thicker than water'
"Okay... Now go to your Richa aunty and stay there", Akash said, pulling Siya away from Shaurya gently, which didn't go well with Shaurya at all... Before he could say anything Siya started protesting but shut up with Akash's statement. "Siyu... Mamu has something to talk to your friend... Because your friend is my boss and I have work to do... After that We'll go home, if you don't want Mamu to tell Mamabear about this, you have to listen to Mamu", Akash said, Shaurya wanted to thrash Akash for threatening his daughter...
"No Mamu... Pwease(Please)... Mamabear gets angly(angry) with hel(her) babybear if you tell her", Siya said pouting, the fear on her face didn't go well with Shaurya, he took her in his arms...
"No one would get angry with you Siya bache... Your friend is with you right? Don't be scared okay? Go down and play with Mrs. Sudha and your Licha Aunty, We'll finish our work and then we can play", Shaurya said
"Yayyyyy.... Pay...Pay... Pay... (Play...Play...Play...) Hafaaa(Hi-Fi)", she screamed in delight, after giving a hi-fi to Shaurya and kissing her uncle, she walked out, Shaurya asked his trusted helper to make sure Siya reached downstairs safely, he didn't want to leave her even for a minute, but discussion with Akash was important, in fact very important.
"HOW DARE YOU HIDE MY DAUGHTER ALL THESE YEARS?", Shaurya held Akash's collar dragging him to the nearby wall as soon as Siya went out of sight... His eyes were bloodshot red, all the blood flew to his veins displaying his agony... His forehead nerve ticking, indicating the amount of anger that's coursed through him at the moment.
Akash stayed silent, if his brother-in-law sorry, ex-brother-in-law expected answers from him regarding Siya, then he is in for a big surprise. Akash knew this was a very big pain for a father, not knowing his child's existence, he could feel his ache, but in front of his sister's pain and suffering, Akash didn't see right or wrong. He didn't care about Shaurya's feelings.
"Sir... I don't know what you are talking about and I'm here as a part of my official duty, I won't be discussing personal things over here", Akash said fueling Shaurya's anger.
"AKASH... Don't play these games with me NOW", Shaurya said, trying to hold his anger but nothing seemed to work.
"I am not discussing my personal life or family sir, let alone my sister & her daughter, if you want, I can detail the purpose I'm here today", Akash said maintaining his strictly professional tone...
With his words, Shaurya clearly understood that Akash was deliberately dodging his questions, so that he didn't have to answer or confirm about him being Siya's father.
"Very well played Akash... But you know I am not going to back down too... Not before claiming my daughter and wife", Shaurya said with determination, taking a step back and loosening his grip on Akash's collar...
"Looks like you are in a bad mood Sir, we can discuss this later as well... Allow me to leave", Akash politely said and Shaurya's heartbeat quickened. If Akash leaves, his daughter too leaves with him, and Shaurya wasn't prepared to let go of his daughter yet... He was scared of not seeing her again if he let's her go now.
"This is a crucial matter, can't postpone it because of my terrible mood, so let's get over with it", Shaurya said and Akash mentally cursed him for this but soon started detailing.
------------------------------
As soon as Siya reached Richa, she excitedly informed about Akash's presence and that caused dread to Richa, now Akash Dikshit will definitely let his sister know about this little adventure, and Richa was hell scared of Akansha's reaction. What if she restricted her from meeting Siya alone from now on? And mostly how will Akansha manage alone without her help?
After playing for a while, Siya wanted to go back to Shaurya and play with him, and before Richa could hold her, she ran to Shaurya's office and jumped in his lap snuggling into his chest.
Akash was startled at the kind of bond Siya shared with Shaurya, despite his presence, that is his maternal uncle's presence who is closer to her in relation than her friend(Shaurya) who has no relationship with her(According to Siya), she chose to jump in Shaurya's arms and not him? This little gesture of Siya proved how attached she got to Shaurya and now Akash feared how would Siya cope up with going far away from Shaurya and not meeting him ever.
"Siyu... We are discussing something important, go downstairs to Richa Aunty or come to Mamu...", Akash said and Shaurya could easily feel the jealousy in Akash's eyes... Suits him right! He has stolen all the time he deserved to be with his daughter, now it's his turn.
"No... Sholya plomised me, I will chleep in lap, you do meeting (Shaurya promised me that I can sleep in his lap while he carries on with his meeting)", Siya said snuggling into Shaurya's chest, her broken sentences and vocab made Shaurya kiss her chubby cheeks at her cutenees.
"Of course, you can... Let me know if you feel any pain, yes bache?", Shaurya asked.
"Yech... Hele(yes... Here)", Siya said pointing at her head and Shaurya started gently ruffling her hair soothing her pain... Akash was fuming in jealousy but he understood his niece's behavior, when she is sick, she prefers to stay in her comfort zone and Akash always knew he wasn't in his niece's comfort zone category due to his not so frequent visits to them, only Akansha and a very few times Richa came under that, and Now Shaurya... The fact that he wasn't her comfort zone but Shaurya was brought the hidden jealousy out in Akash but unfortunately he could do nothing at the point of time.
Shaurya didn't deserve the attention and love he is getting from Siya, that's what Akash thought and the sight in front of him didn't help him.
Shaurya resumed his discussion while his hand kept gently massaging Siya's head, he even used his laptop with a single hand as Siya frowned whenever he stopped his massage. Soon she fell asleep and Shaurya and Akash are done with their discussion, and that's when Akash thought to play his game. He would protect his sister and niece no matter what.
He knew Shaurya would confront Akansha and he would soon make it difficult for her to leave the city. So Akash Dikshit decided to play his part.
"Don't confront my sister about this", Akash said
"About what?", Shaurya asked, he wanted to hear from Akash that Siya is his... Not that he needs any validation, he knew Siya is his, but Akash saying it will stop him(Akash) from playing any dirty games he would to separate his daughter from him.
"About whatever happened here", Akash was clear on not confirming what Shaurya wanted.
"And what happened here?", Shaurya asked, he wouldn't give up
"About whatever you have assumed about Siya", Akash said and Shaurya wanted to bang his head but instead banged the table harshly with his folded fists which broke Siya's sleep as she is lite sleeper just like him.
"Bacha... Sleep... Sleep... It's nothing... I am sorry... Sorry", Shaurya said patting her back to sleep and after she fell asleep he made her sleep on the couch at the other side of the room and covered her with his shawl which was larger enough to act as a duvet to her little self and then returned to Akash.
"I assumed right... Siya is mine. You knew it... Now don't try to play with this fact Akash, don't fall any lower than you already did by hiding a daughter from her father", Shaurya warned
"You were a terrible husband and what's the guarantee you wouldn't become an even terrible father? And till date my sister did not tell me what made her leave the house or how you treated her, I only know that you fooled her in the name of love and married her forcefully, after that she never told me what all she faced in that hell house of yours... I was preparing for my prelims and mains, and she didn't want to disturb me", Akash said, his ached tone threw daggers at Shaurya remembering all the pain he gave his wife.
Akansha hid her pain mostly from her brother so that he didn't worry or it affected his preparation. After he joined his work, his sister became more distant, she didn't want to disrupt his life in any way and after a few months she disappeared.
"I was a terrible husband but I wasn't a terrible father, I did everything in my power to create a safe environment for my children, I fought for my children's existence even before started to think on having one... I went against my own values, played all sort of games with my own family to keep them from becoming a potential risk to Akansha Or her capability to become a mother", Shaurya said remembering all that he had to do to stop his mother from harming Akansha...
His veins popped in fury at his mother's thoughts, that woman left no stone unturned in hurting Akansha, and though he tried to be there for her, his thirst for retribution and fear for Akansha's safety stopped him from openly expressing his distate for his mother's tactics.
There were many reasons behind his behavior, he didn't let her know a lot of things intentionally. And before he could clear all the problems and tell her, she disappeared. Now, guilt and rue filled his being.
"What do you mean by that?", Akash asked... Was someone from his family threatened her life? Is it the reason she flew from there?
"Now you are willing to talk about personal life Mr. Akash Dikshit?", Shaurya asked strongly... Akash understood Shaurya wouldn't tell him anything beyond this, so he thought of continuing with his own play... He could get to know the past from his sister too, right now his main motive is to divert Shaurya and shift Akansha and Siya to a far away place.
"Don't confront my di... She would go far away taking Siya with her if she gets to know you now knew about Siya. I don't want her to face anymore struggles... Let's keep this from my sister", Akash said and Shaurya understood Akash's fear, yes, Akansha could actually do that. And he can't even imagine losing his daughter and wife again... He nodded at Akash for now, he would think later about what to do. For now, Akansha and Siya are in the same city as him and that's what matters.
Shaurya now understood that Richa got Siya to him without Akansha's notice, that explains her panicky expressions when Akansha was supposed to visit him. Now he got a hang of what might have happened... Akansha might have spotted Siya and Richa that day, and she might have restricted Richa, that explains no calls and meets from Siya after that.
He didn't like what Richa did, as a friend she betrayed her best friend's trust, what if he was some dangerous man and Akansha knew this, and that's the reason she decided to keep her daughter away from him? Richa should have trusted her friend's judgment because it's about her child, she knows better, as a father he too didn't like Richa's act, his daughter was unsafe with such a careless woman but if all these thoughts kept aside, he couldn't thank Richa enough for getting Siya to him, only because of her did he get to know about his daughter's existence today, he would be forever grateful to her but that doesn't mean he would forget her irresponsible behavior towards his child.
"Let her wake up, I'll feed her dinner here and give her medicines, then you can leave", Shaurya said, Akash nodded as it would get late till they reach home and Siya needs to eat on time and take medicines.
Akash and Shaurya resumed their work when Akash received Akansha's call. Fear coursed his eyes, he knew why is his sister calling? Richa's phone must be unreachable... He picked up as he knew she might be extremely worried. He can't even get up and leave as he was showing Shaurya an important document and he was making the changes, it would be very disrespectful to leave his boss to do the work and he just walks away to pick the call.
"Pick it up, I know you can multi-task", Shaurya said and Akash nodded...
"Hello...", Akash answered his sister's call
"Akash... Akash... I can't connect with Richa, she took Siya to hospital in the afternoon it seems, she is not back till now, I'm trying her phone but she isn't picking up, this has never happened... I'm so scared... Siya's fever... She...", Akansha panicked and Akash rubbed his forehead not knowing what to say... "It's all my fault, I went to the research center and our phones were with the security, my daughter needed me and I wasn't there...", Akansha blabbered, this happened with her every time when she is worried for Siya, only when its about her daughter she panicked like this, rest all things she handled with composture... Shaurya looked at Akash, he could hear Akansha's voice as Akash was just beside him...
"Di... Siya is with me... and she is fine", Akash said to calm his sister... Shaurya looked at him and Akash had to continue his game that he is willing to hide this from his sister.
"She is with you? You and Richa together took her to hospital? and why weren't you people back till now? Is Siya fine? Was it serious like last time...", Akansha blabbered and Shaurya's eyes held concern...
"Di... We are not at the hospital anymore, the traffic is really bad here, we are stuck... Siya is absolutely fine and is sleeping, she will be fed her dinner and will take her medicines as well... Don't worry... We are coming, Her fever is gone, and she is absolutely fine, stop worrying", Akash said sternly as he knew Akansha's worry for her daughter often led to her own health issues...
"Okay... Come soon... stay safe three of you... Wait! if Richa is with you why is she not picking up her calls? and if by any chance she couldn't pick up my call, she should have called me from your mobile... that idiot...", Akansha started but Akash interrupted her...
"Di... She lost her phone... now please take some rest, we'll talk after reaching", Akash said and hung up...
"What happened in the past? Was Siya sick before?", Shaurya asked, his heart clenched imagining his baby's sufferings, and he wasn't there to ease them... How much his wife/ex-wife has suffered alone in managing their child...
"Siya is fine now, that's all matters", Akash answered diplomatically, being a bureaucrat, that came out naturally to him...
"I expect your diplomacy to be used on others Akash, benefitting me, but never on me", Shaurya replied but Akash didn't say a word, he couldn't as that was the most terrible moment he witnessed of his sister and niece, he didn't want to reminisce them at all.
"Was she always this panicky when it came to Siya?", Shaurya asked understanding he wouldn't be getting any response from Akash for his previous question.
"Yes, whenever Siya got sick, she always stayed in the worry zone, not a single moment of peace, she wouldn't even have her meals peacefully until Siya got fine again...", Akash answered huffing... His sister was a different woman altogether whenever Siya got sick, it's like the composed and strong woman in her goes for a vacation during that time.
"She has always handled sick people around her, whenever someone got sick, she used to take care of them, it started from dadu, then papa's frequent health issues, then mummy who frequently suffered from cold and headache... Di handled everyone, took care of then, she handled us siblings too, but never saw her panicking like this even when we were seriously sick... She always stayed composed as she was afraid of messing things up in worry but with Siya, she is a hurricane... I guess that's how a mother is supposed to be... Extremely worried and afraid of her child's pain and suffering", Akash shared...
'No your sister is like that, with me too' Shaurya wanted to say but with what right ?
"Shaurya... How will you get fine if you don't take medicines... And for that, you need to drink this soup, why the hell are you not listening to me?", Akansha shouted at Shaurya who is leaning on the bedrest covered in 3 layers of blankets.
"It's just cold and slight fever, why are you so worried? Relax! I am fine sweetheart...", Shaurya answered trying to pull of the blankets she wrapped him in...
"Don't... Just don't take them off... You were feeling cold na...", Akansha said adjusting the blankets on him...
"Akansha... I have to bear little bit of discomfort, that's how I will get fine baby... It's okay if I feel a bit cold", Shaurya tried to tell her but she is so sensitive for his pain that her brain stopped working and only panic existed in her...
"No... I'll take care of you, no need to bear any discomfort, you will get fine, I'll make sure of it... Now have this...", she said forwarding a spoon of soup and he drank calmly...
"I'm fine baby... It's nothing... Just stay calm... Look at your face, you look so worried", Shaurya tried to calm her but nothing worked.
"I handle everyone in my family calmly when they are sick, but don't know why seeing you sick is getting me afraid, I feel like I can't breathe, I'm panicking, I'm scared of your suffering, can't see you like this, it hurts me", Akansha said wiping a teardrop that fell from her eye... He took her in a tight hug...
"Don't love me so much... Please don't", he said, his heart clenched at the pain she would feel after knowing his intentions...
"Why shouldn't I? You love me more than that", she claimed
"How do you know? I might be faking it", Shaurya questioned her...
"You can't fake so much love Shaurya, definitely not the kind of love you shower upon me... I know you love me a lot...", Akansha said cupping his cheek...
"That I do... I really do...", He told her placing a tight kiss on her forehead...
Shaurya came out of his trance composing himself when Akash started talking business.
Siya woke up and Shaurya asked Mrs. Sudha who was ready with Siya's dinner, Shaurya fed her, gave her syrups and then he asked Akash to quickly take them home. Parting ways with his daughter seemed the most difficult thing to him at the moment but he was worried about Akansha, she would suffer herself till she sees their daughter fine. Siya seemed a lot fitter than she was when she arrived there, meeting Shaurya and spending hours with him definitely healed her from within.
"Bye Sholya(Shaurya)", Siya said hugging him tightly and kissing his cheeks...
"Bye my bacha... Please take care of yourself, do not throw any tantrums, eat everything mumma gives you, and take your medicines without fail, listen to everything mumma says... Hm?", Shaurya told her...
"Okay... All ale hald to do, but I will tly fol you(All are hard to do but I will try for you)", she said making him chuckle...
"I know you will do it for me", Shaurya said kissing her forehead, after clicking one more picture with his daughter, he let her go... Shaurya passed Siya to Akash's arms, after properly covering her up with her sweaters and caps. His heart bled when he was sending his daughter away... It was her home, this belonged to her, everything belonged to her and her mother, including himself. But all this time she came there as a visitor. Shaurya wanted to cry loudly, scream in agony but he composed himself, he had to, he had no other choice. For now, he didn't find any other way to solve the problem at hand... His head was numb while his heart became too soft like a puddle with all the rollercoaster of emotions it experienced from this afternoon.
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Throughout the journey, Akash didn't speak a word. He was terrified of his sister's reaction so was Richa. Siya was sleeping soundly oblivious to all their fears.
"I didn't want to do this, but her fever was on rise, even after injection it wasn't coming down... She continuously kept taking CM Sir's name, her health was deteriorating, and the doctor suspected it to be Phsycogenic fever and asked me to take her to him... I am so sorry... Please Akash... Help me, Akansha wouldn't forgive me so easily", Richa pleaded
"Or she wouldn't forgive you at all?", Akash said shocking Richa...
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They reached home and Akansha quickly checked Siya and knowing she is fine now she relaxed. She gave sponge bath to her baby, got her changed and covered her with multiple blankets to keep her warm and then walked out to thank her friend who took her daughter to hospital.
Akansha got home to see Richa's parents only, she tried calling Richa as soon as she noticed her missed calls but she didn't pick up, Akansha got to know how Siya's fever rose and Richa took her to the hospital.
After that she requested Richa's parents to go home and rest, they wanted to wait till Richa comes but Akansha insisted them they needed rest and they left.
"Richa...", Akansha was about to hug her friend for taking care of her daughter but stopped hearing her brother's harsh tone.
"Do you know from where are we coming?", Akash asked
"Huh?", Akansha was confused looking at her brother's form
"The Chief Minister's official residence...", Akash said and Akansha's eyes widened in shock.
"WHAT?", Akansha screamed looking at Richa who bowed her head and is in tears.
"And even hotter news is now he knew Siya is YOUR daughter", Akash finished.
Akansha trembled in fear and panic... She stormed to Richa delivering a hard slap on her face. She didn't stop with one slap, kept slapping until Akash pulled her back.
"HOW COULD YOU?", Akansha screamed at her best friend who just betrayed her trust bringing the worst destruction into her life again, destruction named Shaurya Singh Shekhawat...
Precap - Akash's plan... Dikshit siblings fool Shaurya, Akansha-Siya en route to another state, but was Shaurya actually fooled?
Note - Parts 20,21,22 are available in scrollstack. Below are the links, they are also available in my message board.
https://sammurty.stck.me/chapter/444223/CHAPTER-20
https://sammurty.stck.me/chapter/450220/CHAPTER-21
https://sammurty.stck.me/chapter/456536/CHAPTER-22