33. Preparations #2
"But since Shivika doesn't have her in-laws, you will give her this thaal and ask her to wear all these things tomorrow."
Rakshit looked at the beautifully arranged thaal for a few moments.
Then his gaze unconsciously shifted towards the room where Shivika was sleeping.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Okay," he said quietly.
Rashmi aunty gently patted his shoulder before returning to arrange the remaining items in the thaal.
"Oh my God, how could I forget?"
Rashmi aunty suddenly exclaimed, placing a hand on her forehead.
Her reaction immediately made Rakshit look up.
"What happened, aunty?"
"Beta, I forgot to tell you. She might need someone's help to get ready tomorrow. Many women even call a makeup artist for occasions like this."
Rashmi aunty looked genuinely stressed. Getting an appointment just a day before the function wouldn't be easy.
Rakshit, however, let out a relieved sigh.
"Aunty, you scared me. I thought something important was left."
Rashmi aunty glared at him.
"This is important."
Rakshit chuckled.
"Ika doesn't need a makeup artist to get ready. And I'll help her with whatever she needs."
Rashmi aunty raised an eyebrow.
"You?"
"Yes, me."
"Rakshit, getting ready isn't as easy as buttoning a shirt."
"I know that," he said with a smile. "And if she says she wants a makeup artist, then she'll get one. Don't worry about it."
Satisfied with his answer, Rashmi aunty finally relaxed.
Rakshit sat down on the sofa with his laptop and resumed checking the remaining arrangements.
Just then, the bedroom door opened.
Both of them turned their heads.
Shivika stepped out, looking sleepy, her hair slightly messy from sleep.
Without saying a word, she walked straight towards Rakshit.
The moment she reached him, she sat down beside him and leaned against his shoulder.
Rakshit smiled instantly.
"Good evening, Sleeping Beauty."
Shivika simply hummed in response and snuggled closer.
Rashmi aunty watched the scene and shook her head with a fond smile.
"Beta, get up now, otherwise you won't be able to sleep at night. Then you'll be tired tomorrow," Rashmi aunty said to Shivika.
Shivika slowly opened her eyes and looked at her.
"I don't know, but I'm already feeling so tired and sleepy."
She said it so cutely that Rakshit couldn't stop himself from leaning down and pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Shivika immediately narrowed her eyes at him.
Rakshit simply smiled innocently in return.
Rashmi aunty cleared her throat dramatically.
Both of them looked at her.
"Beta, walk around a little. You'll feel better and become a bit active too," Rashmi aunty advised.
Shivika nodded.
"Hm."
"Aunty, I was thinking of taking Ika out for some time. You finish the remaining work here and then you can go home after locking the door. And after making dinner, just keep it on the table. We'll eat once we come back," Rakshit said.
A smile instantly appeared on Shivika's face upon hearing the idea.
"Okay, beta," Rashmi aunty replied.
Rakshit looked at Shivika.
"So, shall we go?"
"Shouldn't we change first?" Shivika asked, looking down at their clothes.
"I don't think I need to. And neither do you. Come, let's go."
Saying that, Rakshit threw an arm around her shoulders and started guiding her towards the door.
"Arre, but at least let me comb my hair," Shivika protested.
Rakshit didn't stop.
"I'll do that in the car. Don't worry so much."
He picked up the car keys from the table while Shivika stared at him in disbelief.
"Aksh!"
"What?"
"My hair is a mess."
"I know."
"And you're still taking me out like this?"
"Yes, you're cute like this."
Shivika gasped.
Rakshit laughed and quickly pulled her outside before she could argue further.
Behind them, Rashmi aunty watched the two leave and shook her head with a smile.
Some people needed plans to be happy.
These two only needed each other.
Once they both settled inside the car, Rakshit opened the dashboard compartment and took out a comb.
The moment Shivika saw it, her eyes widened.
"So this is where my comb was!"
Rakshit glanced at her.
"What?"
"I was looking for it in the room."
Rakshit chuckled.
"Well, now you know."
Before she could say anything else, he gently removed the scrunchie from her hair.
"Sit properly."
Shivika obediently sat still while Rakshit carefully combed through her hair, making sure not to pull on it even once.
A small smile appeared on her lips as he patiently untangled a few strands.
After neatly combing her hair, he gathered it back and tied it again with the scrunchie.
"There."
Rakshit put the comb away and looked at his work proudly.
"Done," he said with a grin.
Shivika smiled.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead before starting the car.
"So excited for tomorrow?" Rakshit asked, taking her hand in his while keeping the other on the steering wheel.
"Excited... but nervous," Shivika admitted softly.
"Why?" Rakshit asked, glancing at her for a moment before returning his attention to the road.
Shivika looked down at their intertwined hands.
"Aksh, it has been months since we've been together, and tomorrow is very special for us and the baby." She paused briefly. "No one will say anything about the baby, me, or our relationship, right?"
The insecurity in her voice made Rakshit let out a quiet sigh.
He tightened his hold on her hand.
"Bacche, tomorrow only our well-wishers will be there. People who are coming to bless you and our baby."
Shivika remained silent, listening carefully.
"And even if something negative happens," Rakshit continued gently, "don't worry. Your Aksh is here."
He brought her hand closer and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles.
"I won't let anyone hurt you."
His voice was calm but firm.
A small smile appeared on Shivika's face.
Rakshit smiled back.
"Tomorrow is not about explaining our life to anyone."
He squeezed her hand lightly.
"It's about celebrating you and our little one."
The smile on Shivika's face widened.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Hm."
"Good."
He kissed her knuckles once again before placing her hand back in her lap.
"And now no more overthinking."
"I wasn't overthinking."
"You were."
"I wasn't."
"Bacche, I know you."
Shivika looked away, trying to hide her smile.
Unfortunately for her, Rakshit saw it anyway.
"Aksh, is my saree and jewellery, everything ready for tomorrow?" Shivika asked, looking at him expectantly.
A smile immediately appeared on Rakshit's face.
"Yes, everything is done. It was delivered already."
The excitement on Shivika's face made his smile widen.
"And what about your clothes?" she asked.
Rakshit opened his mouth to answer but froze.
His smile slowly disappeared.
His clothes.
He had ordered her saree, jewellery, sandals, accessories, return gifts, puja items, decorations, flowers, sweets...
But not his own outfit.
"Oh."
"What?" Shivika asked, noticing his expression.
Rakshit blinked.
"Vo... vo... I forgot."
For a second, Shivika thought she had heard him wrong.
"You forgot?"
Rakshit nodded sheepishly.
"You planned an entire function, arranged literally everything, and forgot your own clothes?"
This time he didn't even try to defend himself.
"Yeah."
Shivika simply stared at him.
A strange ache filled her chest.
How much had he been thinking about her that he had completely forgotten himself?
Every small detail for tomorrow had been planned by him.
Her saree.
Her jewellery.
Her comfort.
Her food.
Even whether the embroidery would irritate her skin.
Yet somehow he hadn't spent two minutes thinking about what he himself would wear.
Seeing her quiet, Rakshit quickly spoke.
"Arre, don't worry, Ika. I'll just wear one of my old traditional outfits."
Then he grinned.
"Anyway, you're the main character tomorrow."
The grin disappeared instantly when he saw her glare.
A very dangerous glare.
"What happened?" he asked cautiously.
Shivika turned towards him fully.
Rakshit immediately realized he had said the wrong thing.
Before Rakshit could argue, she picked up his phone from the holder.
He watched silently.
The fact that she unlocked it without even looking made him smile internally.
Everytime her showing rights on his things makes him so happy.
"Hello, Devyani. It's me, Shivika."
Rakshit leaned back patiently while she explained everything.
"Actually, Rakshit forgot about his clothes. Do you have any ready-made pieces that he could wear tomorrow?"
A few moments passed.
Then Shivika's hopeful expression slowly fell.
"Oh."
Rakshit understood immediately.
"No problem. Thank you."
As soon as she disconnected the call, he spoke.
"It's fine, Ika-"
"No."
The single word was enough.
Rakshit sighed.
"Ika."
"No."
Her arms folded across her chest.
"Let's go to a traditional clothing showroom."
Rakshit rubbed his forehead.
He knew that tone.
There was absolutely no point arguing now.
Shivika turned her face towards the window.
The gesture alone was enough to tell him she was upset.
Not angry because he forgot the clothes.
Angry because he forgot himself.
A small smile tugged at his lips despite the situation.
A few minutes later, Rakshit stopped the car outside a large showroom.
Before he could even get out and walk around to her side, Shivika had already opened the door herself.
Still upset.
Still refusing to look at him.
Yet the moment she started walking, her hand automatically found his.
Rakshit looked down at their intertwined fingers.
His smile softened.
No matter how much she tried, she could never ignore him properly.
Not after that day.
Not after seeing him break down.
And honestly, Rakshit didn't want her to.
Without saying anything, he squeezed her hand lightly and led her inside.
The moment they entered, an employee approached them.
"Welcome, sir. Welcome, ma'am."
Rakshit nodded politely while Shivika offered a small smile.