29. His First Dance #3
His lips curved slowly into a playful smirk.
Without warning, he dipped his finger lightly into the ice cream, scooped just a little and before Shivika could even realize he gently dabbed it on her nose.
Cold.
Unexpected.
"Akshh!" Shivika whined instantly, scrunching her nose as she looked at him with wide, offended eyes.
Rakshit burst out laughing.
A real, carefree laugh.
"Look at you," he said between his laughter, pointing at her nose. "You look like a little kid."
Shivika pouted, trying to see her nose, crossing her eyes slightly which only made her look even more adorable.
"Aksh! Remove it!" she complained, trying to act angry but failing miserably.
"No," Rakshit said, leaning back slightly, clearly enjoying this.
"Akshh..." she dragged his name, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Oh? Now you are getting angry?" he teased, raising his brows.
Without warning Shivika dipped her spoon deep into the ice cream and quickly leaned forward, smearing a bit on his cheek.
"Now you also look like a kid," she said proudly.
Rakshit froze for a second.
Then slowly turned to look at her.
"Ohhh... so this is how it is?" he said, narrowing his eyes playfully.
Shivika immediately giggled, trying to stood up.
But before she could Rakshit caught her wrist gently and pulled her closer making her fall on his lap.
"Aksh no--" she laughed, already knowing what was coming.
Rakshit suddenly leaned a little closer and playfully rubbed his cheek against hers, the coldness of the ice cream making her gasp.
"Aksh!" Shivika laughed out loud, her laughter echoing softly in the quiet room.
But Rakshit went silent.
Because in that moment he realized.
How close they were.
How naturally his arms had gone around her.
How she was almost in his embrace... sitting on his lap, so comfortably against him.
His smile faded into something softer.
Deeper.
He just sat there... looking at her... his arms still around her.
Shivika's laughter slowly faded as she noticed him staring.
"What happened?" she asked gently, cupping his face in her hands.
Rakshit looked into her eyes, unsure... confused about what he was feeling.
"Ika... this closeness--" he stopped, not knowing how to put it into words.
Shivika understood.
She realized their position.
How close they were.
What he was trying to say.
"Aksh... are you comfortable?" she asked softly, still holding his face.
Rakshit didn't break eye contact.
He just hummed lightly.
"Yes."
Shivika smiled faintly.
"So am I," she said gently. "And we are husband and wife... we both know that we are going to be together forever now. Life has tied us together."
Her voice was calm.
Reassuring.
Her thumbs brushed softly against his cheeks.
There was honesty in her words.
Trust.
Comfort.
She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
Rakshit closed his eyes for a second.
A small smile forming on his lips.
And then he pulled her closer.
Completely into his arms.
She settled in his lap, her body fitting so naturally against his, as if it was always meant to be like this.
He wrapped his arms tightly around her.
Holding her.
Feeling her.
"It feels good... to have you this close," Rakshit whispered near her neck, his voice low and warm.
Shivika smiled softly, tightening her arms around his neck.
"It does... no doubt," she replied quietly.
For a moment they just stayed like that.
Wrapped in each other.
Breathing each other in.
Peaceful.
Then Shivika's eyes shifted to the clock.
"Don't you want to sleep? It's already 4:30 in the morning," she whispered.
Rakshit shook his head slightly, holding her even closer.
"No... this is much better."
"Aksh, your legs will hurt," she said, gently running her fingers through his hair, trying to make him loosen his hold.
But he didn't.
Shivika's cheeks turned red instantly.
"Akshh..." she murmured, hiding her face in his shoulder.
Rakshit chuckled softly, feeling her warmth against him.
Holding her just a little tighter.
Just as Shivika hid her face in his shoulder, the baby kicked again.
Both of them paused for a second and then chuckled softly.
Rakshit's hand immediately moved to her bump, gently rubbing it with so much love.
"Princess... you aren't sleeping???" he said in a soft, playful tone, his lips curving into a smile.
Another tiny kick.
Shivika smiled, her hand resting over his.
"How can she... when her father is giving all his attention to me?" she said teasingly.
Rakshit laughed softly.
They stayed like that for a few more moments wrapped in each other, laughing softly, feeling those little kicks that somehow made everything feel even more real.
After a while, Rakshit gently pulled back a little, looking at her face.
There was a small trace of melted ice cream near her cheek.
He smiled.
Carefully, he picked up a tissue and leaned closer, softly wiping her face.
Shivika watched him quietly.
Then, without saying anything, she took another tissue and wiped his cheek where a little ice cream still remained.
"Done," she said softly.
Rakshit smiled.
"Done," he repeated.
For a second, they just looked at each other.
Then Rakshit adjusted his hold around her.
Without breaking the closeness, he slowly stood up lifting her in his arms.
Shivika instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head against him.
"Aksh..." she murmured softly.
"Hm?" he responded, looking at her.
"Careful," she whispered, though her tone carried trust more than worry.
"I always am," he said quietly.
He carried her towards the bedroom, his steps steady, his hold secure.
As he entered the room, he gently placed her on the bed, making sure she was comfortable.
He adjusted the pillows behind her again, just the way she liked.
Then he pulled the blanket over her.
Shivika looked at him, her eyes half sleepy now.
"You are not sleeping?" she asked softly.
Rakshit sat beside her, brushing her hair back.
"I will... after you sleep," he said.
Shivika smiled faintly.
Slowly, she reached for his hand and held it.
Rakshit intertwined his fingers with hers.
Her eyes closed.
Her breathing evened out.
Rakshit sat there, watching her quietly... his thumb gently brushing over her hand.
A soft smile stayed on his face.