18.I have found My Person. #2
"All done," he said simply, as if he had just packed a dupatta.
Shivika didn't reply immediately. She was still watching him, something warm and heavy settling in her heart.
She had always believed intimacy meant closeness of bodies.
But at that moment, she understood-it was also this.
The ease.
The normalcy.
The respect.
Rakshit picked up the suitcase handle and placed it near the door, completely unaware of the shift happening inside her.
"Ika, we'll leave early morning," Rakshit said, sitting beside her again. "There won't be much traffic then, and we'll reach earlier than usual. I don't want you getting tired or sick because of the travel."
Shivika nodded slowly.
"Hmm... that's fine."
He studied her face for a moment, as if checking whether she was truly comfortable or just agreeing for his sake.
"If at any point you feel uneasy, dizzy, or even slightly uncomfortable, you'll tell me immediately," he added, his tone gentle but firm.
"No 'I'm fine drama."
She smiled faintly.
"I promise."
Rakshit exhaled, relieved, and leaned back slightly, resting his palms on his thighs.
"Everything will be calm there," he continued. "No noise, no people. Just fresh air, greenery... and you resting properly."
Her eyes softened at the thought.
"It sounds peaceful."
"It is," he said. "And I want you to feel that peace too."
Shivika glanced at him and noticed how tired he looked, how the tension still lingered in his eyes despite his calm voice.
Rakshit's smile deepened, something warm spreading through his chest.
"Then I'll spend proper time with you," he said, sincerity clear in his voice.
"No work. No calls. Just you, me... and our baby."
Shivika smiled back at him. She could see it, he was genuinely happy about this trip.
Maybe because, for the first time, he wasn't going somewhere alone or for work. He was going with someone he now called his family.
"Aksh," Shivika said suddenly, as if remembering something important.
His expression changed instantly, concern flashing across his face.
"What is it?"
She hesitated for a second, then said lightly, "That... my husband is the most important person in my life."
He blinked.
"And especially," she added with a mischievous smile, "more important than that phone."
She giggled.
Rakshit chuckled, shaking his head. Even he couldn't believe he had been the one to complain about a phone earlier.
Maybe he was changing.
Or maybe this had always been him just waiting for the right person to open up to, to feel safe enough to show his emotions.
He looked at her, still smiling.
It was past midnight.
Rakshit was holding Shivika close, her head resting against his chest, his arm securely wrapped around her.
He was in a deep sleep. He hadn't slept at all the previous night, and the moment his body touched the bed, exhaustion had claimed him.
Shivika, however, was wide awake.
She wanted to sleep. Her eyelids felt heavy maybe because of the medicines, maybe because of the long day but the baby inside her just wouldn't stop moving.
"Sleep na, baby," Shivika murmured softly, eyes still closed. "Mumma wants to sleep."
She placed her hand gently over Rakshit's hand on her stomach, hoping the familiar touch would calm the baby.
But the movements continued.
A little frustrated, half-asleep, she suddenly tried to sit up and before she could even register it, her knee accidentally hit him 'there' in the process.
Rakshit groaned sharply, instantly waking up, turning onto his stomach and burying his face into the pillow, instinctively holding himself in pain.
Shivika's eyes flew open.
Realisation hit her like a shock.
Her hand rushed to her mouth, horror-struck.
"Oh God..." she whispered.
She sat frozen, staring at his back, not knowing what to say or do. Panic rose inside her chest.
She then looked down at her stomach, tears welling up.
"It's all your fault," she whispered, almost scolding the baby. "Because of you, Mumma hurt Papa... by mistake."
Rakshit, despite the pain, smiled faintly at her words.
After a few minutes, once the pain subsided a little, he quietly got up and went into the washroom without saying anything.
Shivika's worry doubled.
Her lips trembled as she bit them hard, trying to stop herself from crying but she failed.
When Rakshit came back, he frowned immediately.
Shivika was lying on the bed, her face buried into the pillow, shoulders shaking.
He rushed to her side at once and pulled her into his arms, gently turning her face up.
Seeing her red, teary eyes made his heart ache.
"I'm sorry," Shivika sobbed. "I'm really sorry..."
"Arey, mera baccha," he said softly, wiping her tears with his thumb.
"I'm fine. Nothing happened. It wasn't your fault."
He kissed her forehead tenderly.
"Shhh... please," he whispered, pulling her closer to his chest.
Slowly, her sobs softened into hiccups.
Rakshit reached for the glass of water kept nearby, removed the lid, and held it gently to her lips, making her drink a few sips.
After placing it back, he pulled her into his chest again, holding her protectively.
"Sleep now," he murmured.
He kissed her hair softly and with his free hand, gently stroked her stomach.
Shivika smiled faintly against his chest, feeling the baby finally calm down.
Rakshit felt that smile and smiled too.
Soon, wrapped in each other's warmth, both drifted into a peaceful sleep.
It was around 4 a.m. when Rakshit slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, he didn't move. Shivika was sleeping deeply in his arms, her face relaxed, breathing even. Seeing her like this, peaceful and unaware of the world, he knew waking her up wasn't an option.
If she slept through the journey, she wouldn't feel nausea or exhaustion.
Carefully, so carefully that even the bedsheet didn't rustle. He slid his arm out from under her head. She stirred a little, murmuring something in her sleep, and Rakshit froze instantly.
His hand hovered mid-air, his heart racing.
But she settled again.
Only then did he move.
He picked up his phone and quietly called the driver, asking him to arrive immediately. Earlier, Rakshit had planned to drive himself, but now-no.
His entire focus was her.
He went to get ready swiftly, his movements precise and silent. No unnecessary sounds. No rush. After changing, he picked up the packed suitcase and handed it to the driver outside, giving him brief instructions.
"Drive slowly," he said firmly.
"No sudden brakes."
The driver nodded, understanding the seriousness in his voice.
Rakshit went back inside.
Shivika was still sleeping in the same position, one hand curled near her stomach.
His chest softened at the sight. He bent down, slid one arm under her knees and the other behind her back, and lifted her gently into his arms.
She didn't wake up.
Her face instinctively turned into his chest, her fingers gripping his shirt lightly, as if even in sleep, she knew where she was safest.
Rakshit held his breath, adjusted his grip, and walked out carefully.
The driver locked the apartment door behind them while Rakshit stood waiting inside the elevator, holding Shivika close. The lift descended quietly. Shivika stirred once, her brows knitting faintly.
Rakshit immediately lowered his face, pressing a soft kiss to her hair.
"Shhh... I'm here," he whispered, barely audible.
She relaxed again.
Once outside, the driver opened the car door. Rakshit gently settled Shivika on the back seat, arranging her carefully so her head rested comfortably against the cushion.
He adjusted the seat slightly, placed a small pillow under her neck, and draped a light shawl over her.
Only when he was completely satisfied did he sit beside her, pulling her gently against his side so she wouldn't feel the motion of the car.
Her head rested against his chest once more.
She remained asleep.
Rakshit leaned back, one arm securely around her, the other protectively over her stomach.
"Chalo," he said softly to the driver.
The car moved forward, smoothly and silently while Shivika slept on, unaware that she had been carried, protected, and loved every step of the way.
He looked out of the window- the city slowly giving way to open roads, fewer buildings, more silence.
This is good, he thought. This is what she needs. And maybe... what I need too.
His hand absentmindedly moved to her stomach again, protective, grounding.