25. Outfits Finalisation #2
Shivika's smile turned gentle at his words.
"You know… you are too cute for my liking," she said suddenly, leaning forward and pulling his cheeks.
Rakshit immediately frowned while his ears turned completely red.
But he still got up and sat beside her again in the earlier position, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and gently placing her head back on his shoulder.
"You are cute," Shivika said stubbornly. "Just try seeing yourself from my eyes."
She paused before continuing softly.
The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Rakshit froze.
His eyes widened immediately.
Within seconds his neck, ears and even the tips of his cheeks turned deep red. Hairs on his neck stood up while his body felt the goosebumps.
He coughed awkwardly, trying to compose himself.
Meanwhile Shivika realized what she had just said.
Her eyes shut instantly.
Embarrassed beyond measure, she quickly wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest.
"Sorry…" she mumbled softly.
Rakshit looked down at her and smiled gently.
"You don't need to say sorry," he said, cupping her face softly and lifting it slightly.
She immediately hid her face back in his chest again while Rakshit chuckled quietly.
"It is just pregnancy hormones," she whined softly.
Rakshit smiled mischievously.
"I don't mind… even if it is not."
"Aksh!" Shivika whined again in embarrassment as he laughed softly and pulled her a little closer into his arms while the calm morning breeze surrounded them.
Soon, as the baby finally calmed down, Shivika's breathing slowly turned steady.
She had fallen asleep in his arms.
Rakshit looked down at her softly. A small smile appeared on his lips seeing how peacefully she was sleeping now.
Carefully, making sure not to disturb her, he gently lifted her in his arms.
She stirred.
"Sleep...just taking you to the bed," he whispered softly.
He carried her inside the room and slowly laid her down on the bed.
Adjusting the pillow beneath her head, he made sure she was comfortable before pulling the duvet over her properly so she wouldn't feel cold.
For a moment he just stood there, watching her.
After making sure she was comfortable, he quietly stood up and walked toward the bathroom to freshen up for the day, closing the door softly behind him so that her sleep wouldn’t be disturbed.
They were casually sitting in the living room after breakfast. Shivika leaned comfortably against the couch.
Rakshit was just about to say something when the doorbell rang.
"I'll check," he said, getting up.
Shivika nodded and instinctively straightened her dress, smoothing the fabric over her stomach.
Rakshit opened the door.
"Hello, sir," the woman outside greeted him politely.
"Hello, come in," Rakshit replied, stepping aside to let her enter.
As they walked toward the living room, he spoke, "Ika, she is Devyani Malhotra, the designer who will be planning our outfits and all."
Shivika immediately smiled warmly.
"Hello, Miss Malhotra," Shivika greeted politely and was about to get up out of courtesy.
But both Rakshit and Devyani spoke at the same time.
"Mam, it's fine. You don't need to get up," Devyani said quickly with a friendly smile.
Rakshit gently placed his hand on Shivika's shoulder, silently telling her to stay seated.
Shivika gave in with a small smile.
"Have a seat, Miss Malhotra," Rakshit said, gesturing toward the couch opposite them.
Devyani nodded and sat down.
Shivika quietly passed Rakshit a look--
the one that clearly meant guest ko paani toh do. (Offer her water)
Rakshit immediately understood.
Without a word he got up, went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water on a tray. He handed it to Devyani.
"Thank you," she said politely while taking the glass.
Rakshit just nodded lightly, placed the tray on the table and sat down beside Shivika again, close enough that their shoulders brushed slightly.
"Miss Malhotra," Rakshit began calmly, "it's the wedding of someone very close to us. We need outfits for both of us for each and every function."
Then his tone became slightly more serious.
"One thing you need to be careful about is that she is pregnant. So the outfits should be comfortable and not heavy."
Beside him, Shivika sighed softly hearing the familiar concern in his voice.
Before Devyani could reply, Shivika spoke.
"Can I call you Devyani? Miss Malhotra is too big to speak."
Devyani grinned instantly.
"You can call me anything you want."
Shivika smiled gratefully.
"Devyani," she continued excitedly, "Rakshit doesn't have any proper traditional outfits. So I want every one of his looks to be traditional in this wedding."
Rakshit turned his head slowly to look at her.
Here she was deciding his outfits even before thinking about hers.
"Ika, first finalize your things. Mine can be done later too," he said calmly.
Shivika leaned slightly closer to him.
"Aksh… you just sit quietly and let me talk to her, okay?" she whispered slowly so only he could hear.
"But-"
Shivika raised one eyebrow.
Rakshit immediately closed his mouth and nodded obediently, leaning back on the couch.
Devyani had to hide a smile seeing that silent interaction.
"So what I was saying… yes," Shivika continued happily, "first show me the options you have for him."
Devyani nodded and opened her tablet. After a few taps she handed it to Shivika.
"You can swipe. It's all the men's collection we have. And if you would like to do some changes or design an outfit according to your choice, that can be done as well."
Shivika took the tablet eagerly and began swiping through the designs.
Devyani's eyes slowly moved toward the couple.
Shivika was completely focused on the designs… while Rakshit wasn't looking at the tablet at all.
He was looking at her.
Not casually.
Not distractedly.
But with quiet admiration, as if watching her happiness itself was the most beautiful thing in the room.
Devyani smiled faintly at the sight.
God… bless me with a man who looks at me like that someday, she silently prayed.
Suddenly Shivika's face lit up.
"See! This one is amazing," she said excitedly, turning the tablet toward Rakshit.
Rakshit leaned slightly closer to see it.
But honestly, he barely registered the outfit.
Because her smile was brighter than anything on that screen.
He nodded anyway.
"It will be for the wedding. It's final," Shivika declared confidently.
Devyani smiled.
"Your choice is fabulous, ma'am."
Shivika grinned proudly.
"Thank you. And you can call me Shivika."
Devyani nodded warmly.
"Alright, Shivika."
Meanwhile Rakshit was still watching her quietly.
A soft smile resting on his lips.
She could make me wear a sack and I would still happily wear it… if it makes her smile like this.
"Okay so for haldi and mehendi I don't want something heavy for him, a normal kurta would do. And it shouldn't be like proper yellow and proper green. It is old now so suggest me something new," Shivika said, passing the tablet to Devyani.
"Yes, there are various options," Devyani replied with a smile.
She began scrolling through the designs and turned the tablet toward Shivika so she could see them properly.
Shivika leaned slightly forward, carefully looking through the pictures.
They continued going through the designs one by one, discussing colors, simplicity, and comfort.
Slowly, they finalized all the outfits for the different functions.
During the discussion Rakshit suddenly spoke.
"Would you like to have something?" he asked Devyani politely.
Devyani shook her head lightly.
"No sir, it's fine."
But Shivika immediately spoke.
"No, you must have something. Coffee would do? Or you will prefer juice… tea?"
Devyani chuckled at her insistence.
"Tea would be fine."
Rakshit nodded. "Okay."
He got up and walked toward the kitchen while Shivika and Devyani continued discussing the final details.
Devyani shifted from the couch and sat beside Shivika so she could show the designs more clearly and note the selected ones.
A few minutes later Rakshit returned carrying a tray.
He placed it on the table carefully.
There were one cup of tea, a glass of water, and two small bowl of freshly cut fruits.
He handed the tea to Devyani first.
"Thank you," she said with a smile.
Rakshit nodded lightly.
Then he passed a cup to Shivika and placed one bowl of fruits in front of devyani and another bowl of fruits and the glass of water closer to Shivika.
"Eat these," he said softly.
Shivika looked at the fruits and then at him.
"Aksh, I am not hungry."
"You didn't eat enough at breakfast," he replied calmly.
She opened her mouth to protest but his raised eyebrow stopped her.
Devyani watched the small moment with a quiet smile.
Shivika sighed dramatically but still picked up a piece of fruit.
"Happy?"
Rakshit gave a small satisfied nod before sitting down beside her again while they continued discussing the remaining outfit details.
"Okay, so now about my outfits… I want a saree for the wedding and anarkalis, normal suits or any different pattern but simple for the other functions. And the saree should be in contrast with his outfit," Shivika said, grinning excitedly.
Devyani chuckled softly at her enthusiasm.
"Of course. See--"
She began showing her a few saree options on the tablet.
Shivika leaned closer, studying each design carefully while Devyani explained the details.
Meanwhile, Rakshit sat quietly beside her.
But the moment he heard the word saree, his heart skipped.
For a second his mind wandered, unintentionally picturing Shivika draped in a saree… her hair softly falling over her shoulders, the delicate fabric flowing around her as she walked.
He swallowed lightly.
She would look beautiful.
But suddenly another thought crossed his mind.
His brows frowned slightly.
"Ika… no," he said gently.
Both Shivika and Devyani looked at him.