2. The Comfort of a Stranger #2
"Go inside first," he said quietly.
Shivika nodded and entered. The flat was neat, modern, but no bright colours.
She glanced around curiously, her eyes landing on the open kitchen with a dining table set before it, the living area furnished simply.
"That's your room," Rakshit said, pointing toward a closed door.
"Your clothes and everything you told her are already there. You can rest. I'll go get ready for office."
Shivika paused, a little shocked.
Already there? That fast? She hadn't expected things to be arranged so quickly. Something in her wanted to say thank you, but the words felt stuck in her throat.
Rakshit noticed her hesitation.
"You want to say something?" he asked.
She shifted on her feet.
"Umm… actually… I'm hungry," she admitted, her eyes darting everywhere but him.
"You freshen up first," Rakshit replied without missing a beat.
"Rashmi aunty will be here soon. She'll cook for us. You can tell her your preferences… and if there's anything you're allergic to."
He left before she could respond, his footsteps fading toward his room.
Shivika let out a long sigh and glanced around again. The place felt unfamiliar, yet safe.
She had barely taken a few steps when a wave of nausea hit her suddenly. She clutched her mouth and rushed into the room Rakshit had pointed out. Stumbling inside, she hurried to the washroom just in time to throw up.
Her body shivered with the effort, her eyes watering as she leaned against the sink for support.
After a few moments, she whispered to herself, "I should take a quick bath. It might make me feel better."
She noticed another door inside the washroom. Curious, she pushed it open and found herself standing in a spacious walk-in closet. Her eyes widened.
There, neatly arranged, were several pairs of suits exactly the kind she had told the woman on the phone. Only… far more than the two pairs she had requested.
Her hand brushed over the soft fabric. Each piece looked carefully chosen, not random at all. For a moment, her heart ached.
Anyone else would've just done the bare minimum. But he… he's giving me more than I even asked for.
Her fingers tightened on the dupatta of one suit. A lump formed in her throat.
She had walked into his life as a burden, yet he hadn't once made her feel like one.
After freshening up, Shivika stepped out in a soft pastel suit she had found neatly arranged in the closet.
As she walked into the living area, the smell of tempered spices reached her. In the kitchen, a woman in a cotton saree was busy cooking.
"Hello…" Shivika said softly, walking closer.
The woman turned, smiling warmly. "Oh, you must be Shivika. Namaste, beta."
"Namaste, aunty," Shivika replied.
"Rakshit told me about you,” Rashmi said kindly.
"You must be hungry. What will you eat?"
"Um… something light… maybe healthy," Shivika murmured.
"Then I'll make vegetable upma. It's simple and good for your health."
Shivika's eyes softened with relief. "That would be perfect, aunty. Thank you."
As Rashmi returned to stirring the pan, Shivika looked around the flat, her gaze lingering toward the hallway.
"Aunty… Rakshit didn't come out yet?"
Rashmi glanced back with a smile.
"He already left for office, beta. He told me to stay with you till evening. If you need anything, just tell me. Don't hesitate."
Shivika blinked in surprise.
He left quietly… but still made sure someone was here for me.
Lowering her gaze, she whispered more to herself than anyone else, "He thinks of everything… doesn't he?"
Rashmi heard the tremor in her tone but only said gently, "Haan, Rakshit may not talk much, but his heart is very big."
Shivika pressed her hands together on the table, her heart tightening with emotions she couldn't name.
"Beta, Rakshit told me your health is not fine. What happened? Is everything alright?" Rashmi asked while moving around the kitchen with practiced ease.
Shivika realized in that moment Rashmi still didn't know about her pregnancy.
Rakshit hadn't told her, because he respected that it was Shivika's life and her choice to share. That thought alone made her heart soften a little more towards him.
"Aunty, everything is fine… I'm well. Just a little weakness because… I'm pregnant," Shivika said calmly, her voice steady and confident.
She wasn't ashamed, she couldn't let her baby ever feel unwanted.
Rashmi froze for a second, then gasped, eyes widening.
"Really? Oh my god!" she exclaimed, quickly walking over to Shivika. She cupped her face and stroked her hair with trembling affection.
Shivika instinctively closed her eyes, melting into the touch. She was missing this warmth-a mother's warmth.
"Now I'll take double care of you, beta," Rashmi said firmly.
"You must maintain a proper diet. Look how thin you are. You have to gain strength it's not easy to bring a child into this world." With that, she hurried back into the kitchen.