If it was someone else in the place of Akansha, revealed to be the CM's ex-wife, Richa would have made this a sensational news to increase her channel's TRP and inflating Dev's image... She would have made every single attempt to push Shaurya away from the CM chair, it would have been hard considering Shaurya's popularity but it wasn't impossible for media to tarnish anyone's image, they held the power to defame even the purest of the sages, and above all, when it came to public figures, especially politicians, people never used rationality or their own brains to judge them, they relied more on media and this alone generated a profound need for every politician to own a news channel, but Shaurya stayed away from it despite having more than necessary funds at his disposal to own it.
Richa stayed for the night as the friends had a lot to talk. The next morning, she cooked for all the three delighting Siya who was extremely excited to see Richa. Siya also shared how her mother took her to meet Shaurya and now she doesn't have any problem with him. Richa glanced at Akansha, her eyes apologetic, as she knew it was because of her that Shaurya got to know about Siya's existence.
"Okay... Now have your breakfast, today I will drop you and your mumma to the school", Richa told exciting the little kid more making her forget about Shaurya for the time being.
After breakfast, Richa dropped Siya and Akansha at their school before leaving for her work. Shaurya resumed his campaigning vigorously but never skipped his scheduled call with his daughter every day. Now that Akansha decided to tell Siya the truth, she didn't mind the frequent calls with Shaurya. She wanted them to bond so well that her daughter would love and get attached to him enough to forgive him. She knew Shaurya couldn't take Siya's anger, she saw how he stared at Siya as if his life depended on his little girl, she saw the conflicting emotions in his eyes, the fear in those orbs she had been admiring for years when the thought of oil spilled on the floor could hurt his daughter occurred, he asked her to take Siya away, though the probability of her getting hurt is close to nill. The terror she saw in his eyes was like never before. It's as if Siya is a miracle he never thought would happen in his life. Akansha's thoughts are absolutely on to the point but there's one more reason Shaurya so loved his daughter, that's his hope to reconcile with his wife through Siya, to win her back, no matter how hard it will be.
The first week went busy for Shaurya in campaigning and his calls with his daughter, whereas Akansha got indulged in her school work simultaneously managing the curriculum revision project she is handling for the state government. Shaurya was back to work on the next Monday, cutting short his trip, initially, he was supposed to be gone for two weeks but a lot of petty issues in the latest construction projects announced by his government brought him back. The sleazy contractors are crossing all the limits to push Pathak Constructions out of the race, Shaurya was taking so much interest in protecting them only because of the good reputation they held regarding their work, he wanted them to take care of these projects as he wanted to sincerely develop living standards and provide quality education and healthcare for his people.
The word spread like fire in Shaurya's close circle, though his involvement was hidden from the public, people around him knew he was backing Pathak constructions and many linked it to the impending marriage between him and Meera. And it reached Akansha's ears, as much as she tried to let the news not affect her, it did. She was worried this would affect Shaurya's announcement about his daughter whenever he would make it. If this news continued to spread, she would become the other woman in his life, not the other way around, as people would think she was coming between him and Meera, though she was the first one to be in his life. Also, people would find Meera Pathak more worthy of their beloved Chief Minister, not that she desired to be the person for him, but she was scared of her daughter facing the evil judgment of society.
Shaurya was unaware of this but soon he was made aware by Suraj, which left him aghast. He hoped Akansha wouldn't hear of this but his hope came a bit late.
"Make sure this news doesn't reach Akansha," he ordered Suraj, but the solemn regret on Suraj's face made Shaurya curse his fate.
"Arrange a meeting with the CR(Curriculum revisal) committee... Now", he asked Shweta, who obliged instantly, excusing herself. Suraj too excused himself, after briefing about the recent developments, keeping it short noticing his boss's foul mood.
Shaurya wanted to see his wife, as soon as possible, he wanted to know if she was fine and he knew she warned him not to approach her unless it's for professional things or something related to Siya and he wanted to oblige her every word... He hated causing her any distress but looks like that's what is happening. He didn't understand how something like this could spread. Some people in their circle knew about Pathaks approaching his family for the marriage, but that was years ago and the news died quickly, but now his relentless efforts to keep them in the race, fueled the almost-died fire or was there something more that spread it? He already asked his PIs to go in-depth regarding this. If Meera or Pathaks were involved in this, he wouldn't spare them...
Shweta arranged the meeting with the CR committee in the next hour as per Shaurya's order. As the meeting commenced, Shaurya asked for progress and Mrs. Arora responded that they would soon be finishing Phase 1, Mr. Khan, Mr. Khanna, Samuel... everyone spoke regarding the progress but Akansha was silent throughout... Her cold face didn't give away anything for him to presume but he definitely knew she was more than upset.
"After the completion of Phase 1, we would be demonstrating the model to the top school heads in the city, all the DEOs(District Education Officer) will be attending the demo, so prepare accordingly. Dr. Akansha, I want you to personally handle the demo, get the Presentation and all the files verified by me till the month end", Shaurya ordered.
"I'm sorry sir, but I don't have bandwidth... I can definitely help with the presentation and data related to my inputs, but can't handle everything related to the demonstration. I have a lot on my plate and that needs my immediate attention", Akansha said looking at Shaurya in the eye, her tone appeared confident to everyone but it cut through Shaurya's heart. Her sharp denial is proof of how much she is affected by all this, but he needs to know what's upsetting her, her worries so that he could clear them up and ease her worries, he couldn't see her in distress... It's hurting him too much...
"I understand. So, why don't you present me with a tracker of the responsibilities you are handling currently, with the time frame they are consuming, convince me that you don't have bandwidth...", Shaurya said getting up... "fix Dr. Akansha's appointment with me, tomorrow, at sharp 11AM", he ordered Shweta before walking away.
Shweta confirmed Akansha's appointment, her face slightly regrettable, as she could see Akansha's unwillingness to converse with Shaurya, before leaving the room.
"If you don't have bandwidth, we could have helped you, what's the need to directly confront Sir? I hope you understand what you have done?", Somya Arora blasted as soon as Shweta left.
"Akansha... You have landed yourself in trouble, you realize that, don't you?", Mr. Khanna like always, expressed concern for Akansha's well-being but she was least concerned about work or Shaurya cornering her about it. She knew the sole purpose of this appointment is to confront her and that thought itself fueled her anger.
"I'll handle Mr. Khanna, I appreciate your concern though", Akansha said with a polite smile towards the elder man.
After a series of exchange between her and Mrs. Arora, Akansha left to her office to resume her work.
The same night, when Siya was talking to Shaurya post dinner like every other day, he asked for her.
"Siya... What's your mumma doing?", he casually asked, not knowing she was in a hearing range and is hearing his eagerness to know about her.
"Mumma is eating... Hele(here)", Siya, his innocent daughter turned the phone in such a way he could see Akansha... She wanted to make her mumma and her Sholya friends by making them talk, little did the little girl know how much her mother despised talking to her father at the moment.
"Mumma... Talk to Sholya... Me sussu...(I need to go to toilet)", Siya said, shoving the phone into Akansha's palm before rushing inside.
Shaurya appeared confident though she could see his hidden nervousness.
"Um... Hi... How are you? What are you doing?", he asked, as if he didn't order her to meet him the next day just a few hours ago. She stared at him without responding and he got more nervous. And seeing him an unwanted memory appeared in her mind.
"Why are you staring at me like that?", Shaurya asked finally, after 15 minutes of nervously fiddling his legs... She is the only woman who could make him nervous, he is scared of losing his chance with her, so he was always extra cautious.
They were still dating, though he confessed he liked her, she hasn't expressed how she felt, but he was just happy she was meeting him and thinking of giving him a chance. Though his motive was to cause her the same pain she gave his sister, the thought of hurting Akansha never caused him peace, it only increased his distress and snatched the peace in him whenever he thought of implementing it.
"Now you know, how uncomfortable you made me feel when you used to stare at me sitting at the corner table in my college cafeteria?", Akansha said and he gave her a wide smile.
"So, you knew I came there frequently, only to have a glimpse at you", he asked holding her palm. She nodded with a smile. Yes she knew how he visited their college canteen despite his tight schedule, and stared at her for whatever time he was there. "Then why didn't you ever looked at me? You acted as if I never existed... You know even if you had glanced at me accidentally, it would have made my day, why did you act nonchalant?", he asked staring into her eyes. He wasn't lying, it's true, her single glance would have lit up his whole day but she used to ignore him completely.
"Because I didn't think of giving in to your efforts ever... Your constant stares used to create havoc within me... They used to make me nervous, I thought ignoring you would make you step back but they just increased your relentless efforts. I still don't get why are you so adamant in pursuing me... What did you see in me that you want to make me your girlfriend, Shaurya?", Akansha asked...
"Everything... Everything about you attracts me... It's as if your everything belongs to only me... Even these stares you are passing at me, that are now making me so nervous that my legs wouldn't stop shaking, I am scared of you not finding me suitable for you... I am scared of not being your choice... You, Akansha Dikshit are carving your path deep inside my heart, and I couldn't stop it, though I badly want to stop you from affecting me", he told her genuinely... His eyes spoke volumes, maybe she wouldn't have believed his words if not for them, considering her life experiences and how she believed she couldn't hold significance in anyone's life but surprisingly she felt herself believing his words, because of the honesty she saw in his beautiful orbs.
"Akansha... Please tell ne What's bothering you?", She was brought back by Shaurya's words...
Akansha quickly hung up his call, taking deep breaths to compose herself. That man didn't deserve to be even in her thoughts... Her brain advised and she agreed with it completely. She quickly finished her dinner and after making Siya sleep, she worked for a while preparing the stupid tracker Shaurya asked her. Though she knew his actual purpose to call her, she got ready with the tracker, as she wanted to avoid preparing demo and PPT. She wasn't afraid of working but she felt the frequent visits with Shaurya were disturbing her mental peace which she couldn't let happen anymore.
After quickly finishing her work, she too laid beside her daughter and after struggling for a while, sleep showed mercy and occupied her but that wasn't the case for the man who loved her immensely yet gave her unbearable pain.
Shaurya cursed himself for getting nervous around her, especially when she stared at him without saying a word. Her stare always made him fumble... The look on her face displaying the painful ache just before she hung up, as if the memory squeezed her heart was imprinted on Shaurya's soul, adding it to the several other hurtful expressions of her that tormented him for years. He knew sleep was far away from him and he was scared to even try as he knew his nightmares wouldn't leave him capable enough to go to work the next day if at all he slept, so he worked instead. The thought of confronting Akansha the next day increased his nervousness but for the time being, he pushed it to the back of his head trying to get some work done.
-----------------------
His cabin door opened with a force, not enough to break but enough to make him aware that it was none other than his wife. He looked at the watch, she was 5 minutes early and since he got free early from his previous appointment, Shweta might have sent Akansha in prior to the schedule.
"Here is the tracker and...", Akansha started...
"Relax... Please take a seat, have some water", he said softly, handing her a glass of water which she so wanted to thrash it to the floor but didn't, seeing her glare the water glass with fury, he simply put it down.
"When are you gonna stop your games, Shaurya?", she asked coming straight to the point.
"When you start sharing what's bothering you without me having to force it out of you... At least things related to Siya", Shaurya added before she taunted him about how he didn't deserve to know anything about her.
"Nothing you should know", she said and he sighed deeply...
"The news about Meera Pathak... It was a bit too much to digest, and I know it's concerning for you, but trust me, I'll handle this... I didn't expect this otherwise I would have taken enough measures to cover this up", he said and she looked at him with all the hate she had for him, that had his words pause, he swallowed a painful lump formed seeing her detest.
"Why did you stop? Say more... You could always claim to take care of things, you ask me to trust you but how can I when all you ever did was to shatter it? This time it wasn't about me, it was about my daughter... Do you know what would happen if this came out? People would think Meera Pathak was your first choice and I was the other woman, I don't care about me but my daughter... What would they call her? How much more pain should my daughter and I take because of you?", she asked and his Adam's apple bobbled with the continuous swallowing of his pain, the ache was drying his throat...
"I...I'm sorry... I...I'll try to sort this out", he said with confidence but nothing wavered her fury...
"You'll try? You think my daughter's life is a trial and error Shaurya Singh Shekhawat? If you want to help Meera Pathak, then you should have done it carefully... not in the open, especially when people knew about her father approaching yours for marriage alliance... All this wouldn't have taken place if you had taken care... How long are you planning to be a cause to my miseries... how long?", she asked, spitting fire...
Shaurya kept controlling his pain and the deep ache that formed in his throat... It was never his intention to hurt her... Maybe in the start, it was... He approached her to teach her a lesson, to satisfy his sister's fire for revenge, to save her life... To stop her tendency to end her life but he wasn't in for it wholeheartedly... To deceive a woman seemed very wrong, even if the woman destroyed his sister, but he was left with no option, when he saw Akansha, he felt all those strings in his heart pulled, where he wasn't even aware of their existence till then. Every day of his journey into her life got her closer to his heart whereas his plan was to enter her heart and break it. Without his interference, he started having deep feelings for her that he even thought of killing his father in a blink... 'No.... No Shaurya, don't think about it... Now wasn't the time...' he chanted in his head, but looks like it wasn't working.
"Shaurya... You are miserable..."
"You can do nothing"
"You actually thought of ending my life to protect that woman? So naive!"
"I would have done the same to you if you weren't my son or I hadn't loved you"
"Stop caring for her and she would live..."
No matter how much he tried to control, the voices of different individuals kept running like a reel in his head. Akansha's accusations have triggered the worst pain of his life but can he blame her? No, he deserved it, she suffered more than he did... He thought. His breathing labored and Akansha noticed it.
"What's happening Shaurya?", she asked, trying to hide her concern... Panic evoked in him at her question, she asked that question, that means she started noticing the changes in his body. He knew he couldn't hold himself for much time...
"Get Out", he said, his tone a bit harsh, but he had to, he can't let her know about his sufferings... No, he can't...
She got up from the chair in fury, he could say, by the screeching sound of the chair and stomped towards the door to his cabin, he sighed in relief but it soon turned out to anxiety, when she locked the door and rushed to his side.
"I'm fine...", he said, controlling his breaths...
"Have this...", she said bringing the water glass close to his lips... He had it silently... Tears pricked her eyes but she held them... No, she can't go weak now... It's clear something like panic attack stuck Shaurya, being a Psychologist, she could tell by his body language, no matter how hard he tried to control, if it was someone else in her place, he could have easily deceived by his calm demeanor or she should say facade but he couldn't hide it from her for two reasons, one she knew him like the back of her palm, two because of her knowledge in it.
He calmed after taking a few more sips, but mostly because of his wife rubbing his hair and back. As soon as his breathing normalized, Akansha stepped back, realizing the proximity.
"What has just happened to you?", she asked taking her previous position.
"Let's discuss something else...", he tried to divert but he knew Akansha was stubborn but he was more stubborn than her which he passed on to their daughter as well.
"Shaurya... You will answer me before we talk about something else", she said sternly...
"Why? Do you care for me? does it affect you if something were to happen to me?", he asked and she glared at him...
"It concerns my daughter Shaurya... Otherwise, I wouldn't be affected even if you die this minute", she said, slicing his heart. He saw her rudeness, arrogance, coldness, hatred, disgust, and indifference but never this ruthlessness, it sure killed him from within but he maintained his composure. He could take anything she offered, he loved her too much to ignore anything given by her just because it was causing him ache.
"Noted... You don't have to worry. The one you saw occurring to me just now was a panic attack. It wasn't anything major, and with the kind of stressful profession I'm into, all this is normal... You can relax, it wouldn't affect Siya in any way... If you are scared for Siya or my mental health would affect her, you can always monitor my time with her, I won't mind... and it's not something hereditary, so there's no worry for it to be passing on to Siya...", Shaurya told her softly, trying to dissipate her worries but they only intensified with his stubbornness to not disclose what he just went through.
The way he casually told her to monitor his time with his daughter if she thought he would hurt her had made her heart clench for him. She made him feel incapable of being Siya's father but all the bitter words she uttered came from the bitter experiences she faced. No, she didn't think so, she knew he would keep Siya safe always, she was concerned for him but couldn't let him know that. She is just protecting her heart from further pain which he is capable of causing always.
"Shaurya... I don't think you will hurt Siya, I know you can never hurt her intentionally...", she said, her tone still rigid but he could hear the sincerity in her tone which served as a balm on his wounds, her trust was something that gave him utmost confidence to achieve anything. "But, I would want you to take care of all the unintentional aspects as well, Clear this issue as soon as possible, I don't want this rumor to speculate any further...", she said and he nodded, he loved how she called it a rumor without even seeking any kind of clarification from him, she knew he could never even look at any other woman except for her... Despite their misunderstandings, her trust in him is what gave him hope for their future.
"I will...", he said with conviction and this time she just nodded, without prolonging the matter.
"Okay, so check the tracker, I have labeled all my tasks in this Excel sheet with their timelines, Please verify and approve", she said, shifting her tone to respectful.
"I don't need a tracker, I already knew the tasks assigned to you and your plate is already full, I'll assign the demonstration to Mr. Khanna and Mrs. Arora, just assist them and yes, they will prepare the PPT and data but you have to present it to the crowd along with them", he said and she nodded, grateful for the exemption, though he didn't do anything unconventional for her, she is happy to get some free time.
Akansha got up to leave but she was worried for him, but couldn't ask him. So, she turned to leave with a heavy heart but heard his tone.
"I'm absolutely fine...", he said, his tone filled with confidence but she knew there was something more to what he was showing. For now, she tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. She walked away without responding. He sighed, sputtering all kinds of curses at himself for losing his senses in front of Akansha. This had never happened all these years, despite the fear, the pain, and the troublesome memories, he never experienced a panic attack in front of someone, it was the first time, and maybe with how safe and secure Akansha made him feel, those emotions, his fears and insecurities spilled in the form of anxiety? Whatever the reason, he needs to be careful from here on, he knew his wife was already suspicious and one more hint, she would not stop before digging into the whole truth and he couldn't let that happen.
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The week passed by and it was Friday night and Akansha decided to tell the truth to her daughter. The following day is a second Saturday, so the mother-daughter decided to spend some time alone, and Akansha thought this could be the best time to make her understand so that Siya would be ready to see Shaurya on Sunday.
"Siyu... Shall we go out for dinner?", Akansha asked her daughter...
"Mumma... moll?", Siya asked
"Mall? You wanted to go to a mall? why baby? My Siyu wants ghumi ghumi? (You wanna roam around?)", Akansha asked but Siya shook her head making her confused.
"Game zone?", Akansha again guessed but wrongly...
"No mamabear... I want to buy a gipht(gift) for Sholya... He gave me cho many giphts(gifts) but I gave no gipht(gift)", Siya said, and Akansha laughed at her daughter's logic, basically she wanted to buy a gift for Shaurya, but she is afraid Akansha would deny that's why her little one is giving all these cute logics making Akansha kiss her chubby cheeks in amusement...
"We'll definitely buy a gift for Shaurya... Chalo... let's get ready, today mumma will take you to the game zone as well...", Akansha said suddenly getting an idea of how to reveal it to her child... She knew Siya liked solving little puzzles, which are easy for her, they made her feel confident and proud of herself, and since this is a huge thing for the little head, Akansha wanted to reveal it in an indirect way, making the little girl guess, before revealing the whole truth. That way, Siya wouldn't feel the blow, thought Akansha... Mostly she would be happy to know that she has a father like her best friend Ammu has, and above all that, Shaurya being her father would delight her, but again, it's Siya she is talking about, sometimes, she can be very unpredictable just like her father so Akansha is a bit worried.
Shaurya didn't know Akansha was gonna tell Siya, he proposed they tell her together, or at least when Shaurya was there, but Akansha didn't respond to him, she didn't want to do it as she knew Siya could react negatively in front of him, it's better to give some time to the little mind to digest the fact before overwhelming her with his presence. Also, Akansha didn't want Shaurya to face the hurt if Siya was supposed to react aversively. She knew how much Shaurya loved and adored his daughter, he couldn't handle Siya getting upset with him. So, Akansha wanted to handle it on her own.
The mother-daughter got ready for their outing, first they had some snacks, and then Siya insisted they shop for Shaurya, even when Akansha suggested they go to the game zone and play there first which surprised Akansha, as the little girl never denied the game zone. Akansha smiled at how much she adored Shaurya even before knowing he was her father, she just hoped Shaurya wouldn't mess up this time, if he did, she wouldn't ever forgive him.
"Mamabear... Will Sholya like it?", Siya asked showing the goggles she picked... Akansha knew he liked sunglasses, also he often wore sunglasses during his trips, mostly work-related, but he never wore them while interacting with people.
To help her daughter, Akansha picked a few sun glasses of Shaurya's taste, and then put it in front of her little one so she could choose.
"Well he is your friend, you should know better", Akansha said, and Siya grinned widely, she loved it when someone said that to her, usually, it was about only her mother and her Richa aunty till now, but now Shaurya was added to that list, Siya is so possessive about them that she wanted to be the only person to know them, especially when it's about her mother, but looks like Shaurya is competing for the spot now but yes, Akansha will win always and he wanted the same.
"Yes... Sholya will like this a lot", Siya said picking a pair of sunglasses from the lot and Akansha gave a smile... Looks like their daughter knew her father too well, Shaurya would have picked the same if he was here... It might be either coincidence or Siya's knowledge about Shaurya or maybe both, but finally, they are done with choosing a gift for Shaurya.
"Now... Let's go to the game zone, after that we'll shop a card to give with the gift, hm?", Akansha asked
"Card?", Siya's eyes gleamed with happiness for getting something else too for Shaurya...
"Yes, Shaurya loves you so much right? So you should give him 'thank you' card na? For loving you, for playing with you, for getting you so many gifts... right?", Akansha said and Siya bobbed her head up and down rapidly getting excited about it. Akansha sighed deeply thinking about what she is about to do...
They walked into the shop and both of them started looking for cards of their preference, Siya picked all the pinky stuff while Akansha picked somewhat sober ones.
"Mamabear... Will Sholya also get me a thanku(thank you) card?, I love him, I play with him and now I got him a gipht(gift) too", Siya suddenly asked and Akansha laughed at her daughter's questions...
"Yes baby, technically he should... let's see if he would", Akansha said, shooting Siya's video of searching for the perfect card for Shaurya and sending it to Shaurya. She didn't know what came to her that she did it but she wanted him to see how desperate his daughter is to get a perfect card and gift for him.
Shaurya was in a meeting so couldn't see the video immediately. When she didn't get a reply, she understood he must be busy.
'Come on Akansha... you can do it....' Akansha prep talked before walking towards her daughter with the card.
"Siyabear... maybe you should give this to Shaurya...", Akansha said, handing a pretty 'Thank you card to dad' to Siya.
Siya excitedly took it and she loved the card, but her smile slowly dimmed looking at the word 'Dad' written in huge font and glitters. It was unmistakably large and couldn't be missed. Siya is smart enough to know that she has no one called 'Dad' to give it to, then why is her mama bear asking her to buy it for Shaurya, the little head was filled with confusion... Siya kept guessing and Akansha understood her daughter's dilemma... She kneeled in front of her daughter and held her cheeks softly...
"Maybe my Siyabear is right... Shaurya loves you just like Ammu's dad loves her...", Akansha said and Siya's face bubbled with happiness thinking Akansha was asking her to address Shaurya as her 'father' not knowing he actually was.
"I can give this to Sholya?", Siya asked, and when Akansha nodded, she jumped in happiness hugging her mother... "Mamabear... can I call Sholya Papa?", Siya asked and Akansha sighed, understanding what her daughter might have thought and now it's the time to clear everything.
"You can Siyabear...", Akansha replied, picking the greeting card and her daughter, Akansha got it billed, paid, and walked out of the shop with Siya still in her arms. Siya got very happy yet confused at why her mother is allowing her to call a random man 'Papa' when earlier she talked highly of her father and asked her to never call anyone else with that word. The little head is confused with questions and Akansha searched for a peaceful spot to have this conversation with her daughter.
She finally found a secluded place at the corner of the food court and since it's not peak hours yet, the mall wasn't packed giving the mother-daughter ample privacy. She made her daughter sit on the table and Akansha sat in front of her in the chair. Siya licked the ice cream they just got, grinning widely despite her confusion.
"Siya bear... Shaurya... You like Shaurya a lot right?", Akansha asked, she felt extremely nervous, fearing her daughter's reaction to the news.
"I love Sholya, mumma... I love him thisss much...", Siya said spreading her arms widely.
"I know, he also loves you a lot baby... Shaurya loves you so much, you are just like him...", Akansha said kissing her daughter's forehead... Though Siya didn't have the maturity to question why she was just like Shaurya, she liked the sound of it so she didn't refute.
"Siyabear... Do you like your papa?", Akansha asked softly...
"I don't know him mamabear...", Siya answered as a matter of fact... Earlier Siya used to say she liked her papa, though she didn't meet him ever, with the little info Akansha gave her, she liked her father or the father's image she created in her little mind but from the time Shaurya came into her life, he crawled his path into her heart and slowly Siya's imaginary father in her head got a face, Shaurya's face and Siya started seeing Shaurya in her father's place, Akansha hoped this was for the best but still she is nervous.
"Siya... you know him... Shaurya... Shaurya is your Dadda baby...", Akansha said it, with a smile on her face but Siya's confused and excited face was now nowhere to be seen. Akansha could see the little gleam of happiness in her eyes but she didn't understand why isn't she excited? Akansha is afraid of what she must be thinking, by Siya's expressions and unusual calmness, she understood her smart child finally got what she was trying to convey but her lack of reaction worried her. "Won't you share with Mamabear what's bothering you?", Akansha tried one last time but when Siya didn't respond, instead she just hugged Akansha hiding her face in her neck... Akansha understood Siya needed some time to open up so she decided to give her that time.
"Okay, why don't we go to game zone?", Akansha asked and Siya just nodded, no more excited. "Okay, first let's eat something and then we can go", Akansha said and Siya nodded. Akansha brought the food and fed her daughter, her favorite french fries.
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Shaurya who was back from his meeting wanted to relax for a few minutes and he took his personal mobile to check on Siya when he saw Akansha's message, he quickly opened the video and the caption attached to it.
"Look at her... all alert while searching a greeting card for her father'
The video has his tiny daughter with her tiny legs roaming around the whole store finding a right greeting card for her 'Sholya' in between showing her mumma the ones she selected asking her if her Sholya would like it. Shaurya's heart bubbled with happiness at the sight. How her daughter meticulously considered everything while picking up a card, she was looking for more glitters, more pink things thinking he would like it. He smiled widely kissing his phone tightly. His daughter is extremely adorable and the way she turned to her mother and asked how the card is had her heart, since Akansha was holding the phone camera recording her antics, it looked like Siya was asking the person who was watching the video that is him.
He never thought he would be all smiles after the disastrous meeting he just had with all the officials and ministers who were involved in the construction project and the scam. They displayed unbelievable shamelessness while involving in corruption and when he confronted them, they tried all the dirty ways to escape it, initially his plan was to caution them gently but their audacious behavior had him give them an ultimatum and things got pretty nasty but given Shaurya's authority and power, he managed to get things under control for now but his mood got terribly sour, but all thanks to his daughter, he was smiling like a fresh flower, he thought and cringed at his own comparison.
He called Akansha, after seeing the video he couldn't stop himself from talking to his daughter as well as her mother. The caption Akansha put below the video had captured his heart, her thoughtfulness while sending the video deserved a genuine thanks.
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Akansha sighed seeing her phone buzzing with Shaurya's contact. She initially thought of ignoring his call but then thought otherwise, she could gauge Siya's thoughts by the way she would respond to Shaurya. So, she picked up the call.
"Hi... Um... I just saw the video... That's so adorable... can I talk to her once?", Shaurya's love for his daughter couldn't be hidden in his tone... Akansha didn't have the heart to disappoint him...
"Um... Yeah... Let me ask her", Akansha said and Shaurya's senses stood alert, with her cautious tone and her words... Why does she need to ask her, Siya would jump in talk to him anytime.
"Akansha... What's wrong?", he asked
"Nothing... Let me talk to Siya first...", Akansha said and turned to Siya who was eating her french fries silently... Akansha couldn't decipher her little one's thoughts.
"Siyabear... It's Shaurya... he wanted to talk to you", Akansha asked, Siya looked at Akansha with a small smile that relaxed Akansha, Okay her daughter is not hating Shaurya... Thank god. She forwarded her little palm and Akansha forwarded the phone.
She didn't say anything but waited for Shaurya to speak something.
"Why is my little jaan so silent? where are you baby? Are you out with mumma?", Shaurya asked softly...
"My mumma... Mall", Siya answered in two syllables surprising Shaurya... These days she never corrected him or got upset with him when he called Akansha 'Mumma' but her correction today again after a long time surprised him. By her words, he understood they were in a mall but why isn't Siya talking to him like every other time?
"Okay... I'm sorry... But tell me why are you in a mall?", Shaurya tried to crack a conversation but it was futile. "Is my Siya angry?", he asked again...
"No Sholya...", she answered and Akansha sighed hearing her daughter calling him 'Sholya' like before. Okay so that meant, she loved Shaurya like her best friend before, but she couldn't accept him in her father's role, though she had seen him in that role before. That only meant she was confused about all this and Akansha thought to give her some time but for that Shaurya needed to know about this too, so that he wouldn't force Siya to talk.
"Acha okay, tell me what are you doing in the mall? Are you enjoying it there? I heard you like playing in the game zone, so have you visited there yet?", Shaurya asked, noticing Siya's foul mood... But he thought to cheer her up instead of probing her about what's bothering her, he would know about it from Akansha later anyway.
"No, Mumma and I are eating... We will play later...", she answered, a small smile forming on her face, no matter what she couldn't stop responding to Shaurya...
"Okay... then I'll leave you two to enjoy.. bye Siya... take care...", Shaurya said
"Bye", Siya replied meekly and hung up.
Akansha didn't ask Siya anything, they quietly ate and then Akansha took Siya to the game zone.
Precap - Siya refuses to go to Shaurya's place. Akansha tells him the reason for Siya's aloof behavior and that leaves him upset.
Note - Parts 29-35 are available in stck.me
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