19. Facing Her Past #3
"I lied to my family for first time. Told them I was staying at a friend's place. That one night changed everything."
Tears streamed down her face.
"The next morning, everything seemed normal. I went back to my routine. Workshops, practice, friends. I thought everything was fine… until I found out I was pregnant. We did use protection that night but still...."
Rakshit wiped her tears gently, his thumb brushing her cheek, then kissed her forehead, trying to calm her shaking body.
"I was two months pregnant when I came to know," she said.
"I told him. I begged him. I fought with him to come to my house with a proposal."
Her lips trembled.
"But every time, he said the same thing. That it wasn't the right time. That I should abort."
She placed her hand over her baby bump unconsciously, feeling a soft movement beneath her palm.
"I don't know why," she whispered, "but I just couldn't take that step."
Rakshit turned his face away for a moment, wiping the tear that escaped his own eye before it could fall.
Then he placed his hand over hers, over the bump, holding both gently.
"My mother found out because of my symptoms," Shivika continued.
"I had just come back after talking to him."
Her breathing grew uneven.
"When I entered the house, Papa was furious. Mummy was crying. My brother didn't know how to react. My grandmother… she was crying too."
She closed her eyes tightly.
"I knew everyone already knew when I saw the reports in Papa's hand. I still don't know how he got them."
Her voice shook violently.
"Within half an hour, I was on the road. They told me I had no relation with the family anymore. That I should go to my boyfriend."
Rakshit pulled her closer instinctively, his arms wrapping around her protectively.
"They didn't even let me speak," Shivika cried. "They didn't let me tell them that he was asking me to abort."
She sniffed hard.
"Still, I gathered courage. I thought… when he hears that my family threw me out, he'll agree. For my sake."
She laughed bitterly through her tears.
"I went straight to his house. The moment he saw me, he understood everything."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"He didn't even let me enter. He told me again to abort. Said there was no relationship between us anymore."
Her shoulders shook as she cried.
"And then he closed the door on my face."
Rakshit immediately sat properly and pulled her into his lap. Shivika buried her face into his chest, her sobs soaking his shirt. He held her tightly, one hand cradling her head, the other pressing her close, as if shielding her from the world.
After a while, she pulled back slightly and looked at him with tear-filled eyes.
"You know what hurts the most?" she whispered. "I wasn't even shocked by his reaction. Somewhere, my heart already knew he would do this."
She broke again, clinging to him.
"But my family, Aksh," she cried.
"I was my father's princess. He always fulfilled my wishes. He always protected me."
Her voice cracked completely.
Rakshit held her tighter, resting his chin on her head, his heart breaking for the woman in his arms.
"I saw Kritaarth with another woman that night… at the mall," Shivika whispered, her words muffled against Rakshit's chest.
Rakshit stiffened for a second.
Somewhere deep inside, he already knew. He hadn't forgotten that man's face. Nor the woman standing beside him.
Shivika continued softly, pulling back just enough to look at him, "Aksh, now you know… it doesn't matter to me what he's doing anymore. Everything happens for a reason. And I believe in my Krishna so much."
She wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks and cupped Rakshit's face gently.
She leaned forward and kissed Rakshit's forehead, full of warmth and certainty.
Rakshit couldn't believe her. After everything she had endured, she still stood this strong.
Still grateful. Still full of faith.
"Ika," he said softly, holding her hands against his cheeks, "but I know… you miss your family a lot."
"Oh, I do," she replied honestly.
"Every day. Every moment."
Then she smiled, calm and accepting.
Rakshit's eyes brimmed with tears. He pulled her into a tight hug, holding her like she was the most precious thing he had ever been given.
"Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick.
"Thank you for coming into my life."
"Same to you," Shivika replied softly.
He chuckled lightly, brushing his thumb over her hand.
"Aksh… I want to ask you something," she said hesitantly, nervous about his reaction.
"Ask na," he smiled.
She smiled nervously and then said slowly, carefully, "How would you react… if our daughter were in my place?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Rakshit froze. Shock flashed across his face.
Slowly, very slowly, he lifted his hands and pulled her face closer, their foreheads touching, his eyes locked onto hers with a depth that made her breath hitch.
His thumb brushed her cheek gently.
Shivika's eyes filled with tears, but this time they were of relief.
She would always have a home in her father's arms.