31. Talking Anything & Everything #2
"First thing," he said softly, "Rashmi aunty is coming tomorrow. You can ask her everything you want."
Shivika looked at him, listening quietly.
"And second..." he continued, his voice deeper, steadier, "whatever happens, you will find me right beside you-holding your hand."
Her eyes filled again, but this time not just with fear.
His forehead rested against hers, his presence calm and unwavering.
Rakshit looked at her for a moment, then sighed softly.
"Okay... enough talks for today," he said, a small smile forming on his lips.
"Because my cry baby can't talk without crying."
Shivika's eyes widened instantly.
"Aksh!" she whined and lightly hit his arm.
Rakshit laughed, the sound warm and teasing as he caught her hand mid-air.
"Arre... see! Again getting angry," he chuckled.
Shivika tried to pull her hand back, still pouting, but he held it gently, pulling her closer.
"You are impossible," she muttered, hitting him again lightly.
"And you are adorable," he replied, laughing again as she hid her face against his chest, still complaining under her breath.
The evening settled in quietly.
Shivika was slowly walking around the room, one hand resting on her back as she took careful steps. The doctor had advised her to move as much as possible-it would help during delivery.
Meanwhile, Rakshit was sitting on the couch, his laptop open in front of him. His expression was serious, completely focused on the meeting he was attending.
"It needs to be finalized before tonight," he said, his tone firm and professional. "No delays."
Shivika paused mid-step and looked at him.
He was so engrossed... explaining things she couldn't understand even a little. Numbers, terms, discussions, everything just flew over her head.
She watched him for a moment.
She didn't want to disturb Aksh.
But what could she even do?
He was the one who had spoiled her by giving her all his attention every single day. And now, for the past one hour, he had been completely busy.
At first, she thought he would be free soon... maybe in a few minutes.
But now, looking at him still deeply engrossed in his meeting, it didn't seem like he was getting free anytime soon.
Her lips curved into a small pout.
If he wasn't coming to her... then she would have to do something to get his attention.
And then... a mischievous idea popped into her mind.
She glanced at him once more, still completely lost in his meeting.
Perfect.
Taking slow, deliberate steps, she walked towards him. Rakshit didn't notice at first, too busy explaining something on the call.
"...no, that won't work. We need a revised-"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Because Shivika had quietly come and stood right in front of him.
Rakshit looked up, confused for a second.
She just smiled innocently.
Before he could react, she gently closed his laptop halfway.
"Bacche," he whispered, trying to keep his voice low since the meeting was still on.
She shook her head slightly, her eyes filled with mischief.
Then, without saying a word, she carefully sat down on his lap.
Rakshit froze.
For a second, he forgot how to breathe.
On the other side, voices from the meeting were still going on-
"Sir? Are you there?"
Shivika bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.
Rakshit looked at her, completely caught off guard, his ears turning red.
"Ika..." he whispered pleading with his eyes.
But she only leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder like nothing had happened.
Rakshit closed his eyes for a brief second, trying to control himself.
"Yes... I'm here," he said, clearing his throat and trying to sound normal.
But his hand instinctively went around her waist, holding her securely.
Shivika looked up at him, clearly enjoying his situation.
She slightly tightened her hold around his neck.
Rakshit shot her a look, half admiring, half helpless.
She grinned.
Rakshit tried to concentrate on what the client was saying, but he couldn't.
How could he... when his wife was sitting in his lap, demanding his attention?
"Ika... close the laptop," Rakshit whispered in her ear.
Shivika blinked, completely caught off guard. This wasn't what she had imagined at all. She thought he would plead with her to get up and let him finish the meeting.
"Don't you want to do the meeting?" Shivika whispered back.
A blush instantly crept up her cheeks.
"Close it," he said again.
"No... you do your meeting. I'll go read my book," Shivika replied, trying to get up.
But Rakshit didn't let her.
"No, Aksh, let me go. I have to complete my steps count too," Shivika said, trying to get up.
Rakshit sighed, though a small smile tugged at his lips, and finally loosened his hold on her.
"Fine..." he muttered, letting her stand.
But before leaving, Shivika leaned down suddenly and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.
Rakshit froze.
A faint blush crept up his face as he cleared his throat, completely thrown off for a second.
Shivika smiled mischievously and walked away.
Rakshit adjusted his shirt, trying to compose himself, then picked up his laptop again and placed it back on his lap, though now, his focus was definitely not the same.
As the meeting ended, Rakshit closed his laptop and looked at Shivika, who was standing in the balcony, quietly admiring the view.
He walked up behind her and gently lifted her bump, just the way the doctor had shown him.
"Ahh... Aksh," Shivika gasped at the sudden action, leaning back against his chest.
"It feels good... light," she said, taking a deep breath.
Rakshit smiled, noticing how her body relaxed in his hold, and placed a soft kiss on her head.
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in a quiet comfort, talking about random things-small, meaningless conversations that somehow felt the most important.
After a few moments, Shivika grew a little quiet.
"Aksh..." she called hesitantly.
"Hm?" he responded, still holding her.
"Your birthday... when is it?" she asked softly.
Rakshit paused for a second, then answered in a normal tone, "I don't know the real date... but in my documemts, it's written 28th October."
He said it so casually, like it didn't even matter.
But Shivika noticed.
"It's just two weeks away," she said, a small smile forming on her lips.
Rakshit just hummed in response, as if it wasn't something worth thinking about.
Shivika turned slightly in his hold.
"You know my birthday is on--"
"15th March," Rakshit completed calmly.
Shivika's eyes widened in shock.
"I saw it on your documents," he said simply, answering her unasked question.
Her heart skipped at that, but she didn't say anything.
Instead, she turned fully towards him, resting her hands on his chest.
"So... you don't celebrate your birthday?" she asked carefully.
Rakshit's expression remained calm, almost unreadable.
"Not really," he replied. "It's just another day."
The simplicity in his tone made her chest tighten.
"Aksh..." she called gently.
"Hm?"
"This time... it won't be just another day," she said, her voice soft but certain.
Rakshit looked at her, slightly confused.
"Ika--"
"No," she cut him off, shaking her head.
"You don't know your real date? Fine. Then 28th October it is. And we are celebrating it."
He was about to say something when suddenly Shivika froze slightly, her brows knitting together.
"Aksh..." she whispered.
"Hm?"
"My due date..." she said slowly, her eyes widening, "it's also 28th October."
For a moment, silence filled the space between them.
"It can't be a coincidence," Shivika whispered.
Destiny was definitely playing it's game.
Rakshit stood still, completely shocked.
It hadn't even clicked in his mind before.
His gaze slowly dropped to her bump... then back to her.
Shivika gently placed his hand over her stomach again.
She looked straight into his eyes.
"A father's birthday."
Rakshit didn't say anything.
He couldn't.
Something deep inside him shifted at her words.
His hold on her tightened as he pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin over her head.
For the first time...
28th October didn't feel like just a random date written on a paper.
It felt... real.
"You really think... it can happen?" he asked quietly.
Shivika smiled faintly.
"I don't know... but I want it to."
His hand moved protectively over her stomach.
"A father's birthday..." he whispered, as if testing how it felt.
There was something different in his voice this time.
Something that held meaning.
Shivika noticed it and gently squeezed his hand.
"And even if it doesn't happen on the same day," she added softly, "it's still your birthday. The day you born for me to marry."
Rakshit closed his eyes for a second, taking that in.
When he opened them, there was a quiet warmth in them.
"You make everything sound so meaningful," he murmured.
Shivika smiled.
"Because it is."
He let out a small breath, then shook his head lightly, as if accepting something he never did before.
"Fine," he said quietly.
"This time... i will celebrate."
Shivika's face lit up instantly.
"Pakaa?"
(Promise?)
"Hmm," he nodded.
And for the first time in his life...
Rakshit wasn't indifferent to his birthday.
He was waiting for it.