24. Upset With Him
Rakshit was feeding Shivika rajma(kidney beans) and rice because she was craving for that, so he specially ordered it from his restaurant.
"Aksh it's amazing," Shivika said, enjoying the bites slowly, as if she wanted to memorize the taste.
Rakshit's lips curved into a smile seeing her happy. It wasn't just about food. It was about her smile. Her satisfaction. The way her eyes softened when she liked something. That look alone was worth a hundred board meetings.
"Do you want more?" Rakshit said, feeding her the last bite carefully, making sure not even a grain of rice fell.
"No no, I am full now… just want to eat ice cream," Shivika said, grinning like a little child who just finished her favorite meal.
Rakshit stood up to wash his hands. She wanted to eat from his hands and not spoon so he fed her like that. And he didn't mind. Not even a little. In fact, he loved it. The way she trusted him. The way she depended on him in the smallest things.
"Okay, wait I am coming," Rakshit said as he walked towards the washroom.
When he came back and sat beside her on the couch, the cushions dipped slightly under their combined weight. He took out his phone from his pocket and texted Rahul to bring the ice cream.
Shivika turned a little and sat with her back resting on his chest. She took his hand and placed it gently on her stomach. Then she looked at him and passed him his favorite smile.
He smiled too and leaning down kissed her forehead, letting his lips stay there for a second longer than usual.
"Are you having a back pain?" Rakshit asked gently, removing a hair strand from her face.
His fingers lingered on her cheek, soft and protective.
She just smiled because he knew everything even before she could say. She only hummed in response.
There was something magical about the way he understood her without words. As if her silence spoke directly to his heart.
So Rakshit adjusted a little so that she could keep her whole weight on his chest. He wrapped one arm around her securely while the other rested over her stomach.
"Now comfortable?" he asked softly, almost whispering near her ear.
"Yes," she said, closing her eyes.
He stroked her stomach slowly, lovingly, feeling the gentle curve beneath his palm. And then he felt it, a small kick.
His fingers froze for a second, and then a smile spread across his face, softer, deeper.
"Princess … already troubling mama?" he murmured under his breath.
His thumb moved in small circles as if calming both mother and baby.
Just then the door knocked.
Shivika stirred to sit properly, but Rakshit held her by her shoulder, making her sit back again in the same position. He turned her face on his chest protectively.
"No one will know you are awake. You just lay like this," Rakshit said.
There was authority in his voice, not harsh, but protective. Like the world outside didn't deserve to disturb her peace.
"Come in."
Rahul came inside.
"Sir, ice cream," he said slowly, thinking Shivika was asleep.
"Give it to me and don't disturb me for an hour. And no need to remind me, I will directly come to the boardroom," Rakshit said.
Rahul left after saying, "Sure sir."
The door clicked shut softly. Silence returned.
"Ika, your ice-cream is here," he said gently.
But Shivika didn't lift her face from his chest.
He slightly turned her face only to find her really asleep. Her lashes rested peacefully on her cheeks, her breathing slow and steady. One of her hands was still holding his shirt lightly, as if even in sleep she feared he might move away.
He let out a light chuckle, his eyes turning warm.
He kissed her head softly and put the ice cream on the side. It could wait.
He sat like that, gently stroking her belly, sometimes pressing a soft kiss on her hair, sometimes just watching her sleep.
His heart felt unbearably full.
He glanced at the clock on the wall.
Meeting.
Very slowly, very carefully, he adjusted himself. One hand slid from her stomach to her shoulder, the other moved to support her back. He tried to lift her just enough to place a cushion properly so she wouldn't feel discomfort when he stood up.
He slightly shifted, easing her weight from his chest to the couch while sliding a pillow behind her back. He adjusted another cushion under her arm so it wouldn't feel numb. His fingers brushed her cheek to move a strand of hair away again.
And in that tiny movement…
She stirred.
Her brows knitted faintly. Her lashes fluttered. Then slowly, sleep-heavy eyes opened.
"Aksh…" she whispered, her voice soft, vulnerable, still dipped in sleep.
He immediately froze.
"Sorry, Ika… you can sleep again. I was just going for a meeting," he said quickly, his voice low, almost guilty.
His hand instinctively cupped her face.
He was already regretting not cancelling it.
She blinked a few times, trying to focus on his face.
"No, Aksh… it's fine. Don't say sorry. And I don't even know how I slept," Shivika said, giving him a small sleepy smile.
Rakshit smiled but it wasn't real as he was not happy with himself for disturbing her.
"You can go for the meeting but before that where is my icecream." Shivika asked.
"Already melted because you slept. But I will tell Rahul to bring another one for you," he said, picking his phone from the side table.
"Aksh order two," Shivika said, lifting two fingers and grinning mischievously.
He didn't even look at her when he replied, already typing.
"One now and one at night. Two together can cause you cold. And today weather is also not good, it might rain. So sorry, but only one."
"Aksh…" she whined, stretching his name.
"Sorry, baccha," he said so sweetly that how could she get mad over him.
"Okay…" she said slowly, pouting, her lower lip slightly pushed out in protest.
Rakshit kept his phone back in his pocket and finally looked at her.
"Now what are you planning to do till I attend the meeting?" Rakshit asked gently, handing her a glass of water and waiting until she took a few proper sips.
"I don't know," Shivika said, shrugging her shoulders lightly.
"Do you want to read something? There are books in that shelf near the files," Rakshit suggested, nodding toward the tall wooden shelf in his cabin.
"No… I am not in reading mood right now," she replied, placing the glass back carefully.
He observed her for a second, trying to guess what would keep her occupied.
"Yes, Aksh send Satyam bhaiya here. I wanted to talk about something to him. And then after you come from the meeting, I have to talk about something serious with you," Shivika said, crossing her arms over her chest, trying to look stern.
Rakshit immediately pulled the chair in front of her and sat down.
"You can tell me now only. Meeting can wait. What is it?" His tone had already shifted, concern replacing everything else.
"No. You go attend the meeting. And till then I will talk to Satyam bhaiya," she said firmly.
"Are you sure?" he asked again, clearly reluctant to leave her alone.
"Yes, yes go. You are already 15 minutes late," she said, pointing at the clock dramatically.
Rakshit hummed softly. He stood up, went near her, and kissed her forehead.
"Take care. And if you want something, tell Satyam, okay?"
"Okay," Shivika said, passing him a reassuring smile.
He corrected his blazer, gave her one last lingering glance as if mentally noting that she was fine and left for the boardroom, informing Satyam on the way to go inside his cabin.
A few minutes later, Satyam knocked and entered after Shivika permitted.
It was after two hours that Rakshit returned.
He pushed open the cabin door casually, but the sight in front of him made him stop mid-step.
Shivika was sitting on his chair.
Rahul and Satyam were standing behind her like guards, hands clasped properly, trying very hard not to look amused.
"What is happening here?" Rakshit asked, raising his eyebrows slowly.
"That I should ask you, Mr. Mahajan," Shivika said in a firm, strict voice.
Rakshit blinked.
That tone.
"What happened, Ika?" he asked gently, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.
"Why did you cancel Rahul's leaves for Satyam bhaiya's wedding?" Shivika asked, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
Rakshit instinctively looked at Rahul.
Rahul gulped.
"Eyes here, Mr. Mahajan," Shivika said sharply.
Satyam almost choked holding his laugh.
Rakshit cleared his throat and looked back at her.
"I was just joking with him. I am not going to do anything like that."
She held his gaze steadily.
Shivika knew it was clearly a lie.
Behind her, Satyam and Rahul exchanged quick eye contact.
The Rakshit Mahajan--the man who made billion-rupee decisions without blinking-- was standing there making excuses today.
"Are you sure?" Shivika asked, narrowing her eyes slightly, her fingers still tapping rhythmically on the desk.
"Yes, yes, of course. He can enjoy the wedding properly," Rakshit said, letting out a nervous chuckle.
No one smiled.
The room remained silent.
He immediately stopped chuckling.
"Okay then," Shivika said calmly.
She turned toward Rahul.
"Your problem is solved. Now order pav bhaji for me."
Satyam let out a small chuckle this time, unable to control it.
Rakshit looked at her, shocked.
"Yeah yeah, already did," Rahul said, smiling widely, clearly enjoying this rare scene.
"Cancel it!" Rakshit's loud voice echoed in the cabin.
All three of them looked at him.
Shivika slowly raised her eyebrows.
Rakshit straightened instantly.
"I mean to say… I mean… that we are going home now. So I will order it once we reach home."
His voice had lost all its CEO authority.
Because right now, someone was boring holes into him with her gaze.
"Okay," Shivika said simply.
She tried to stand up, but before she could fully rise, Rakshit was already beside her, holding her arm gently and supporting her properly.
His hand stayed firm around her elbow until she balanced herself.