33. Preparations #3
"Hello," she said. "Actually, we wanted a traditional outfit for him."
The employee looked towards Rakshit and nodded immediately.
"Certainly, ma'am. Please come this way."
"Sir, what exactly would you like to see?" the employee asked politely.
Before Rakshit could answer, he looked towards Shivika.
Shivika understood immediately.
"Show us kurta pajama sets," she said.
The employee nodded and was about to leave when Rakshit stopped her.
"And don't ask me for preferences. Just do as she says. I'll only pay."
For a second, the employee looked slightly taken aback before nodding.
"Certainly, sir."
The moment she left, Shivika turned her face away.
A smile was threatening to appear on her lips.
"You know you can smile," Rakshit whispered near her ear.
"I'm not smiling."
"Sure, sure."
The teasing in his voice only made it harder for her to maintain her serious expression.
A few minutes later, the employee returned carrying several kurta pajama sets in different colours and designs.
As Shivika started looking through them, Rakshit's attention shifted elsewhere.
Not towards the clothes.
Towards her.
He noticed her standing for too long.
Immediately, he signalled another employee nearby.
"Can we get a chair, please?"
"Of course, sir."
Within moments, a chair was brought over.
Rakshit gently placed a hand on Shivika's shoulder.
"Sit."
"I'm fine."
"Ika."
Knowing that tone, Shivika quietly sat down.
Only then did Rakshit relax.
A few minutes later, an employee walked past carrying a tray of water glasses for customers.
"Excuse me."
The employee stopped.
Rakshit took a glass from the tray and handed it to Shivika first.
"Drink."
Shivika accepted it without arguing this time.
Only after making sure she had taken a few sips did Rakshit take a glass for himself.
Meanwhile, kurta after kurta continued appearing before them.
Some were too bright.
Some too simple.
Some Shivika rejected instantly.
Finally, after what felt like forever to Rakshit, Shivika picked up an ivory kurta pajama set with elegant embroidery and held it against him.
A smile slowly appeared on her face.
"This one."
She looked at him expectantly.
"Do you like it?"
Rakshit looked at the outfit for exactly two seconds before looking at her.
The excitement in her eyes was answer enough.
Rakshit felt victorious immediately.
"Get me the QR," he said looking towards the employee.
The employee couldn't help but smile while taking the outfit for billing.
Meanwhile, Shivika looked down, trying to hide the warmth spreading through her chest.
Sometimes it wasn't the expensive gifts or grand gestures.
Sometimes it was simply being loved so completely that your happiness became someone else's choice too.
Once they were back inside the car, Rakshit started driving towards home.
Every few seconds, his eyes drifted towards Shivika.
Who was still not talking to him.
"Ika..." he called softly.
No response.
Rakshit sighed.
"Ika, I'm sorry na."
That finally earned him a reaction.
"You shouldn't have said that."
Rakshit knew exactly what she was referring to.
You're the main character tomorrow.
At that moment he had only wanted to make her feel special.
What he hadn't realized was that in doing so, he had unknowingly pushed himself aside again.
"Okay," he said sincerely. "I'm sorry. I'll remember it next time."
Shivika remained quiet for a few moments before suddenly saying,
"Stop the car."
Rakshit immediately pulled over to the side of the road.
Before he could ask what happened, Shivika leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him.
The sudden hug caught him off guard.
A smile immediately appeared on his face.
He wrapped his arms around her carefully, pressing a kiss to her hair before holding her closer.
"I don't like it," Shivika mumbled against his chest.
"Hm?"
Rakshit's smile softened.
Shivika pulled back slightly so she could look at him.
The sincerity in her eyes made something warm settle inside his chest.
"Just let me get free from this bump first," she continued. "Then I'll pamper you."
Rakshit couldn't help but chuckle.
The promise was so genuine, so purely Shivika.
He gently rubbed his nose against hers.
"Okay, mera baccha."
A small smile finally appeared on Shivika's face.
Satisfied that she wasn't upset anymore, Rakshit pulled her back into his arms and hugged her once again.
And for a few moments, neither of them spoke.
"Ika, aunty was saying that you might need a makeup artist to get ready tomorrow. Should I book one?" Rakshit asked, not loosening his hold around her.
Shivika immediately shook her head.
"No, no."
Rakshit smiled.
"No?"
"No. I don't want a makeup artist."
"Okay."
"I'll get ready myself."
Rakshit nodded as if he had expected that answer from the beginning.
"And you will help me with the saree and jewellery," Shivika added with a grin.
That made him chuckle.
"Of course I will."
Shivika smiled, satisfied with the answer.
After a few more moments, she finally pulled back and settled properly in her seat.
Rakshit leaned over and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Then he started the car again and pulled back onto the road.
This time, Shivika rested her hand over his, and neither of them felt the need to say anything.
The comfortable silence stayed between them all the way home.