28. Eight Months Down #3
"Until she feels better," the doctor replied with a small smile.
He nodded.
Then after a second, he asked, "Can you… send me this video?"
The doctor's smile widened slightly.
"Of course," she said, forwarding it to his phone.
Rakshit checked it once, making sure it was saved properly almost like it was something important he couldn't afford to lose.
Beside him, Shivika just shook her head softly.
A small smile played on her lips but her eyes, they were filled with something much deeper.
Because the man standing beside her-
He wasn't just caring.
He wasn't just attentive.
He was different.
More caring.
More respectful.
More precious.
Her comfort was his priority.
Her pain was his concern.
Her happiness… his peace.
He wasn't just going to be a father.
He was becoming the best husband.
"Thank you, doctor… you made everything so easy to understand," Shivika said softly as the three of them stepped out of the cabin.
"It's my job, Shivika," the doctor replied with a warm smile. "Just relax… and enjoy this time."
Shivika nodded, her lips curving into a gentle smile, while Rakshit gave a respectful nod.
"Take care," the doctor added.
"You too," both of them said before turning to leave.
The doctor stood there for a moment, watching them walk away side by side, Rakshit slightly leaning toward Shivika, his hand wrapped around her shoulder.
A soft smile settled on her face.
Just then, a nurse approached her.
"What happened, doctor? Why are you looking at them like that?" she asked curiously.
The doctor glanced at her and smiled, her eyes still following the couple.
(He would give his life for his beloved.)
The nurse's lips curved into a knowing smile as she too looked at them.
"It is rare to find love like theirs in today's world," the doctor added softly before walking away with the nurse.
Inside the car, a calm silence settled for a moment.
Shivika adjusted herself comfortably and then turned her head toward him, her curiosity clearly not over yet.
"Aksh… you actually felt the difference between the heartbeat?" she asked, still a little amazed.
"Yes, Ika," Rakshit replied simply, his eyes on the road but his tone steady.
"But I couldn't," she said, a little pout forming on her lips.
Rakshit smiled faintly.
"No worries. I'll make you hear both… and I'll tell you the difference too."
Shivika smiled at that, her heart warming once again.
A few moments passed quietly.
Then suddenly...
"Wait a minute…" she said, narrowing her eyes slightly.
Rakshit glanced at her for a second before looking back at the road.
"What?"
"What were you telling the doctor? That I get angry a lot?" she asked, glaring at him.
Rakshit's lips twitched.
"You do… sometimes."
"Sometimes?" Shivika repeated, her voice rising slightly. "Are you serious? I haven't even shown my anger properly yet!"
Rakshit glanced at her again, this time with clear amusement in his eyes.
Then calmly, he looked back at the road and said,
"You're trying to fight right now."
Shivika huffed, crossing her arms slightly.
(Yes, I will fight, I will sulk, I will cry, I won't listen to you, and I won't even accept my mistake, tell me, what will you do then?)
Rakshit looked at her, properly this time.
His eyes softened, a small smile playing on his lips.
(I'll just love you… what else can I even do?)
Shivika froze.
Her glare disappeared instantly.
A soft blush crept up her cheeks, spreading slowly as his words sank in.
She quickly turned her face toward the window, pretending to look outside but she had no comeback this time.
None at all.
Rakshit smiled to himself.
Rakshit's phone rang, breaking the calm silence inside the car.
Shivika picked it up before he could and glanced at the screen.
"Rahul," she muttered, then answered the call and put it on speaker.
"Hello, sir!" Rahul's cheerful voice came through.
Rakshit just hummed in response, his eyes still fixed on the road.
Shivika rolled her eyes at him.
At least speak properly… she thought, shaking her head slightly.
"Sir, you are coming with Shivika to the sangeet, right?" Rahul asked, excitement clear in his tone.
Rakshit glanced at Shivika.
Her eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded eagerly like a child waiting for permission.
He let out a small sigh.
"Yes… we are," he replied.
"Okay sir! We'll be waiting!" Rahul said happily before cutting the call.
The moment the call ended, Shivika turned toward Rakshit, already sensing his gaze on her.
"I promise… I won't exert myself. I'll just sit at one place and enjoy," she said quickly, almost like she was defending herself before he could even say anything.
Rakshit didn't reply.
He just kept driving.
A few seconds passed.
"We have a lot of things to talk about," Rakshit said, his tone calm but firm.
Shivika blinked.
"Like?" she asked, though she already had a slight idea.
"About what the doctor said…" he started.
She nodded slowly.
"About why you cried yesterday evening…" he continued.
Her fingers tightened slightly over her dress.
"And the reason behind your apology…"
His voice softened a little, but the seriousness didn't leave.
"And many more."
Silence.
Shivika looked at him quietly.
"You still remember?" she murmured, almost surprised.
Somewhere deep inside, she had thought…
Maybe he forgot.
Maybe he chose not to ask.
Rakshit let out a faint breath.
"Of course I do," he said.
His grip on the steering wheel tightened just a little.
"Just because I'm giving you time to speak… doesn't mean I'll forget."
His words were simple.
But they carried weight.
Care.
Patience.
Understanding.
Shivika looked down for a moment, her heart feeling heavy yet warm at the same time.
She hummed softly.
"I'll tell you…" she said after a pause, her voice low.
"Let's just get free from the wedding first."
She leaned back into the seat, closing her eyes slightly.
Not to sleep but to gather herself.
Because she knew…
That conversation wouldn’t be easy.
AUTHOR'S NOTE :-