17. Almost Lost The Baby #3
Satyam looked at him, really looked at him. At the man sitting by the bed, fingers resting protectively near Shivika, shoulders still heavy with something unspoken.
"No, sir," Satyam replied gently.
"I'm fine here."
Rakshit finally glanced at him.
"If anything comes suddenly… if you needs help," Satyam continued, his voice steady but sincere, "I'll be here. You shouldn't be alone right now."
Rakshit didn't argue.
He didn't insist.
He simply hummed, a low, tired sound that carried more gratitude than words ever could.
Satyam nodded once, understanding that silence was all Rakshit had left to give.
He stepped back out of the room quietly and closed the door without a sound.
Then he sat down on the chair outside, leaning back against it, eyes fixed on the closed door.
Inside the room, Rakshit sat beside Shivika, watching her sleep.
Morning arrived quietly.
Rakshit was still awake.
He hadn't moved from his place beside her bed. Not once. His body ached, his eyes burned with sleeplessness, but he didn't care.
Every breath Shivika took, every slight movement of her fingers, had kept him anchored there.
Shivika stirred.
At first, it was just a small movement her brows knitting slightly, her fingers curling unconsciously. Then slowly, her eyes fluttered open.
Confusion crossed her face for a second. The unfamiliar ceiling. The faint smell of antiseptic.
Her gaze shifted.
And then she saw him.
Rakshit.
Right there.
Her eyes softened instantly.
"Aksh…" she whispered, her voice weak but clear.
He leaned forward at once, as if her voice had pulled him back to life.
"I'm here," he said softly. "Good morning."
Her eyes searched his face, taking him in his tired eyes, the slight redness, the way he looked like he hadn't slept at all.
She tried to move, but he was already there, adjusting the pillow, supporting her carefully.
"Easy," he murmured. "Doctor said no rush."
Her hand moved instinctively, reaching for him.
Rakshit placed his hand into hers immediately. She held it, not tightly, not desperately just enough to reassure herself.
Something flickered in her eyes.
Memory. Fear.
"The baby-" she started, panic creeping into her voice.
Rakshit leaned closer at once, his free hand resting gently over her stomach.
"Both of you are fine," he said firmly, softly. "Doctor checked. You're safe."
Her breath shuddered as relief washed over her. Her eyes filled but this time, the tears didn't fall.
"I scared you," she whispered.
He brought her hand closer, kissing her knuckles gently.
"You didn't scare me, Ika," he said, his eyes locked on hers.
Her eyes filled instantly.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Rakshit wiped it away immediately, almost instinctively.
Just then, there was a gentle knock.
Rakshit straightened slightly but didn't release her hand.
Dr. Pratibha entered first, her expression relieved the moment she saw Shivika awake. Satyam followed quietly behind her, stopping near the door.
"Good morning," the doctor said warmly. "I see our patient is finally awake."
Shivika smiled faintly.
"Good morning."
Dr. Pratibha stepped closer, checking the monitor briefly before looking at Rakshit.
"She's stable," she said reassuringly. "Blood pressure is normal now. Stress levels have come down."
Rakshit exhaled slowly, a breath he had been holding since last night.
Satyam watched silently from behind, his eyes soft as he took in the scene-the billionaire who ruled boardrooms standing helplessly in front of a hospital bed, holding his wife's hand like it was the most precious thing in the world.
Dr. Pratibha turned back to Shivika.
"You gave us a scare, young lady," she said gently, not scolding.
"You need rest. No emotional overload. Your body is doing double work now."
Shivika nodded obediently.
Rakshit leaned closer immediately. "She'll rest," he said firmly.
"I'll make sure of it."
The doctor smiled knowingly.
She wrote something in Shivika's file and then looked up.
"Sir, please come to my cabin. I want to discuss her medications," she said calmly before leaving the room.
Rakshit turned to Shivika and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Jau?" he asked.
(Should I go?)
Shivika looked at him, a faint teasing glint in her tired eyes.
"Mana karungi toh nahi jaoge?" she asked softly.
(If I stop you, won't you go?)
Rakshit didn't answer with words.
He stepped closer, gently cupping her face with one hand while the other still held hers. His thumb brushed her cheek as his gaze softened.
"If it wasn't about your medicines," he murmured, leaning in, "I wouldn't leave you even for a second."
Before she could react, he pressed a light kiss to her cheek.
Shivika froze, eyes widening, cheeks instantly turning a deep shade of red.
Satyam, who was still in the room, immediately looked up at the ceiling as if it was the most fascinating thing he had ever seen.
"Aksh…" Shivika whispered, pushing him lightly. "Satyam is here. Go."
Her face was burning now.
Rakshit chuckled softly, clearly amused, and shook his head.
"Okay," he said quietly.
He straightened up, gave Shivika one last fond look, and walked out of the room, still smiling.