5. Cant you make me your hope too?
Everything was quiet, only the faint sound of heartbeats filling Rakshit's room, a sound that stirred emotions deep within his heart.
He had asked the doctor to record the baby’s heartbeat and send it to him, and now, leaving every meeting and every responsibility aside, he was sitting on the floor with his phone pressed to his ear, listening.
Those tiny beats had a power over him he couldn’t explain.
If this baby, not even born yet, could change him this much, what would happen once it arrived?
Shivika knew nothing of this moment.
His phone had already rung thirty-five times in the last two hours, but Rakshit ignored it every single time.
His PA was calling again, but he declined it. He didn't want any disturbance.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Irritated, Rakshit stopped the recording and opened it, only to see Rashmi aunty standing there, holding the cordless landline in her hand.
"Rakshit beta, there's a call for you from the office," she said.
With a sigh, Rakshit took the phone and closed the door.
"Yes, Rahul," he said, already knowing it was his assistant.
"Sir, I already canceled the two meetings, but this one is important. I can't… please, you have to attend it," Rahul said in a panicked tone.
Rakshit rubbed his forehead with his forefinger.
"I'm coming to the office. I'll attend it," he said before cutting the call.
It wasn't Rahul's fault. Rakshit had never canceled meetings, not once.
Even when he couldn't attend offline, he always joined online. No wonder his assistant was shocked today.
Standing up, Rakshit picked up his phone and coat from the bed. He stopped by the mirror, fixed his collar and hair, and walked out.
Shivika was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, a book in her hand. She looked up at the sound of his footsteps.
"Aren't you going late for office?" she asked.
Normally, he left early, and since he hadn't gone after returning from the hospital, she thought he might be taking a holiday.
"It's our company, so I can go according to my time," Rakshit replied gently.
Shivika's heart skipped a beat. The way he said our company… they had only just started this new journey today, and yet he spoke as if everything that was his, was already hers, without a hint of doubt.
"Till when will you come?" she asked softly.
"I'll be back by six in the evening… might get late if the meeting extends," Rakshit said while putting on his coat.
"Okay," Shivika murmured, watching him as he turned to leave.
Rashmi aunty followed behind to close the door once he stepped out.
But suddenly, Rakshit came back in, making both Shivika and Rashmi aunty frown in surprise.
He walked straight to Shivika, bent down quickly, and kissed her head, not her forehead, but her hair, before leaving again in a hurry.
Shivika didn't even get time to register what had happened.
Rashmi aunty closed the door, a smile tugging at her lips, before heading back to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Shivika sat frozen, the book fallen in her lap, her hands still hanging in mid-air.
Did he just… kiss me?
Shivika questioned herself, but her subconscious mocked, That wasn't even a kiss.
"Shivika beta, phone baj raha hai!" Rashmi aunty's voice came from the kitchen, snapping her out of her trance.
(Shivika child, your phone is ringing.)
She hadn't even realized her phone was ringing.
Yes, the phone Rakshit had given her this morning. He had insisted she keep it so she could call him anytime or anyone she wished to.
She had refused, saying, "Whom will I even call? There's no one now."
But Rakshit had simply placed the phone in her hand and said, "Call me. I don't mind having your call."
Then he had walked away, as if his words hadn't stirred anything in her heart.
Shivika picked up the phone now, only to see Rakshit's incoming call flashing on the screen.
"Hello," she said, her voice cracking slightly. She quickly cleared her throat.
"Are you fine? What happened?" came Rakshit's immediate response, concern laced in his tone.
"No, I'm fine… what happened?" Shivika asked back, trying to sound normal.
"It's time for your medicine. Have your lunch and then take them," Rakshit reminded gently.
"Okay," Shivika replied softly.
Silence stretched on both ends. Neither of them knew what else to say, nor how to end the call.
Finally, Shivika spoke, just to fill the void.
"What about your lunch?"
"I'll eat after the meeting," Rakshit answered simply.
And then again, silence. Only the sound of their breathing lingered between them.
Shivika's fingers tightened around the phone.
She could hear the faint sound of vehicles on his side, maybe voices in the background, but still, he didn't cut the call.
She bit her lip.
Why isn't he disconnecting? Why am I not either?
"Umm… good luck for your meeting," Shivika blurted out finally.
On the other end, Rakshit closed his eyes for a second.
She wished me luck.
"Thank you," he replied, his voice softer than before.
Again silence. This time, it wasn't awkward, just strangely comforting.
Like both of them were reluctant to let go.
"Shivika…" Rakshit said after a long pause.
"Hm?" her voice came out barely above a whisper.
There was hesitation on his side, and then, "Eat properly. Don't skip even a bite."
His tone carried a firmness that disguised the care in it.
Shivika's heart gave a traitorous skip.
"I won't," she murmured.
Neither of them said goodbye. Rakshit finally ended the call when his car reached the office.
Shivika stared at the blank screen in her hand, her lips unconsciously curving into the smallest of smiles.
She closed her eyes, her fingers brushing over the phone's surface as if it still held his warmth.
Why does his voice linger even after the call ends?
Meanwhile, in his office cabin, Rakshit set his phone down and leaned back in his chair.
He should have been preparing for his meeting, yet his mind replayed the softness in her tone when she had asked about his lunch, and the way she had wished him luck.
Rakshit realized - a single phone call had given him more peace than all his victories in the boardroom.
It was evening when Shivika noticed a group of children laughing and playing in the society garden. She too wanted to go down, just for a little walk.
"Aunty… can we go down for a walk?" Shivika asked softly, turning towards Rashmi, who was busy arranging books on the shelf.
Rashmi looked up, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face. For a moment, she thought of refusing. But then she reminded herself, if anything happened, Rakshit would handle it. Like he did earlier.
"Let's go," Rashmi said finally, setting the books aside.
Shivika's lips curved into a small smile, the kind that made her face look lighter, younger.
She quickly adjusted her dupatta, making sure it sat neatly on her shoulder, before walking towards the door with Rashmi following behind.
As they both reached the garden, Shivika's eyes softened at the sight before her.
The children's smiling faces, their carefree laughter, their mischievous little games.
They sat on one of the benches, watching the children play. Just then, a man came running across the garden.
"Hey, princess! First eat your snacks, then you can play. Your mumma is waiting, come on," he said, scooping his little daughter into his arms.
The girl whined at first, kicking her legs, but when her father spoke again in that soft, patient tone, she stopped resisting and nestled against him.
Shivika smiled at the sight… but in the very next second, her heart clenched painfully.
"You can't win against me!" Shivika shouted, her eyes sparkling as she tightened her grip on the badminton racket.
"Didi, don't be overconfident!" her younger brother shouted back from the opposite side of the net.
His determination only fueled her teasing grin.
"We'll see who the loser is!" she called, swinging with full force.
The shuttlecock whizzed across the court, landing neatly on his side.
"Yes! I won!" Shivika jumped in excitement, her laughter echoing as she teased, "Better luck next time, little brother."
Before he could reply, she rushed over and ran her hand through his hair, ruffling it until he groaned in irritation.
"Didi!" he whined, stomping his foot.
Just then, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Shivi, what is this? You just came home and instead of eating something, you started playing with this idiot?"
Both of them turned to see their father walking towards them, his eyes crinkled in mock sternness.
"Papaaa!" her brother whined.
But their father didn't even glance at him. He went straight to Shivika, placing a firm yet affectionate hand on her shoulder.
"Come, let's feed your hungry tummy." he said, tugging her gently inside.
Before she could protest, he bent down and pulled her nose playfully, making her chuckle.
She leaned into his side, her heart warm in the comfort only a father could give.
"What happened, beta?" Rashmi aunty's worried voice broke into Shivika's thoughts, making her turn towards her.
She hadn't even realized when she started crying.
"Are you not feeling well? Should I call Rakshit?" Rashmi asked anxiously, wiping the tears from Shivika's cheeks with trembling fingers.
"No aunty… let's go back. I don't want to sit here anymore," Shivika said softly, getting up.
Rashmi didn't ask any more questions.
She simply took Shivika's hand in hers and walked her back. When she closed the gate of the flat behind them and turned around, she saw Shivika moving silently towards her room without a word.
Rashmi's heart clenched painfully.
"Hai bhagwan, itni masum bacchi ko itna dard kyun dete ho…" she whispered under her breath.
(Oh God, why do you give so much pain to such an innocent girl?)
Shivika closed the door of her room and walked to the bed.
She sank down onto the floor, her back leaning against the bed for support. Her eyes stared blankly ahead.