34. Baby Shower
So finally, it was the baby shower of Shivika.
A day she never thought she would get to experience.
There was a time when she had stopped imagining moments like these. But today, standing at this point in her life, carrying her little miracle safely in her womb, she couldn't help but feel grateful for everything she had been blessed with.
Shivika and Rakshit's home looked absolutely beautiful.
The entire house was decorated with flowers, fairy lights, and balloons. Every corner reflected happiness and celebration. Fresh flowers were arranged elegantly around the entrance and throughout the house while warm fairy lights added a magical glow to the surroundings.
A small stage had been prepared in the center of the hall for the ceremony.
Instead of an extravagant chair, a comfortable couch had been placed there specially for Shivika so she could sit without feeling tired during the rituals.
The couch was surrounded by beautiful floral arrangements and decorations, making it look elegant yet comfortable.
Near the stage, a separate sitting area had been arranged on the floor for the puja that would take place before the ceremony. Soft cushions, flower petals, brass diyas, and traditional decorations gave the corner a peaceful and divine feeling.
Everything looked perfect.
Yet despite all the preparations being completed, one person was still nervous.
Rakshit.
Whole week he had personally supervised every little detail of the baby shower. He wanted everything to be special for his Ika. He wanted her to feel loved, celebrated, and cherished on this important day.
And most importantly-
He wanted her to like the surprise.
The theme of the baby shower had been kept completely secret from Shivika.
As guests entered the house, the theme slowly began revealing itself.
At first glance, the decorations looked beautiful in shades of blue, white, and pink. But upon closer observation, the meaning behind everything became clear.
Small peacock feathers had been incorporated into the decorations.
Delicate flute-shaped hangings were placed among the fairy lights.
Tiny matkis decorated with flowers were arranged around the venue.
The floral designs, the colors, the backdrop-everything carried a subtle connection.
A connection to Lord Krishna.
The main backdrop behind the stage was the most beautiful part of the entire decoration.
It was inspired by Vrindavan.
Beautiful flowers surrounded the setup while peacock feathers enhanced the elegance of the stage. At the center was a stunning design inspired by Lord Krishna, making the entire place look divine and peaceful.
The moment someone saw it, they could instantly understand the theme.
Lord Krishna.
Rakshit had chosen it because he knew there was nothing Shivika loved more.
She wasn't just a devotee of Lord Krishna.
She shared a deep bond with him.
In every difficult moment of her life, she had turned towards him. In every happy moment, she had thanked him. Her faith had remained constant through every phase of her journey.
So when Rakshit started planning the baby shower, choosing the theme had been easy.
He wanted the entire celebration to reflect something close to Shivika's heart.
Something that represented her.
And nothing represented her better than her devotion towards Kanha Ji.
Looking around the beautifully decorated house, Rakshit felt both excited and nervous.
Everything was exactly the way he had imagined it.
The decorations.
The flowers.
The stage.
The puja arrangements.
Everything.
Now only one thing remained.
Shivika's reaction.
A smile appeared on his face as he imagined her seeing the decorations for the first time.
He was almost certain she would love it.
Yet his heart continued beating nervously.
Because no matter how confident he felt, he still wanted everything to be perfect for her.
After all, this wasn't just a baby shower.
And for Rakshit, that alone made this day one of the most special days of his life.
Shivika was finally ready with Rakshit's help.
After helping her wear the saree and making sure she was comfortable, Rakshit had gone downstairs. Rashmi aunty had called him outside and he also wanted to check whether the guests had started arriving and if all the arrangements were perfect.
Standing in front of the mirror, Shivika looked at herself.
She was completely ready.
The saree, jewellery, makeup-everything was perfect.
Yet her heart was stuck on one thing.
Her eyes slowly fell on the small box of sindoor resting on the dressing table.
It had come in the shringar thaal that Rakshit had gifted her.
He had not said anything about it.
Maybe he didn't even know.
But her heart knew one thing.
She was married.
She is his wife.
Maybe she had always thought that she would start wearing sindoor only after they got married traditionally with all the rituals. Maybe that was what she had planned for herself.
But today...
Today her heart was telling her something else.
It was asking her to wear it.
She stood there silently for a few moments, looking at the box.
Her heart and mind were fighting their own battle.
Finally, she smiled softly.
For once, she decided to listen to her heart.
Walking towards the dressing table, she picked up the box and slowly opened it.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she took a small pinch of sindoor.
With her other hand, she carefully moved aside her maang tikka(forehead jewellery.)
Her heartbeat quickened.
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she slowly applied the sindoor in her hairline.
The moment she did, a strange warmth filled her heart.
A feeling of belonging.
A feeling of completeness.
A feeling she couldn't put into words.
After a few seconds, she adjusted her maang tikka back into place properly.
The sindoor was hidden beneath it.
No one would be able to see it.
But that didn't matter.
And that was enough for her.
A genuine smile finally appeared on her lips as she admired herself in the mirror.
Meanwhile, Rakshit was busy welcoming the guests.
One by one, people had started arriving.
"Rakshit, this is my son Harsh and his wife Haryali. And this is my daughter Shweta and her husband Shlok," Rashmi aunty said, introducing her family.
Rakshit smiled politely and shook hands with Harsh and Shlok before greeting everyone respectfully.
He had received their wedding cards, but since he hadn't attended any weddings during that phase of his life, he had never gotten the chance to meet them.
"It's nice to meet all of you. Please come inside," he said warmly.
Everyone smiled in return.
"Aunty, where is Uncle? Didn't he come?" Rakshit asked.
Rashmi aunty sighed lightly.
"No, beta. He is having viral fever, so I told him to take rest."
Rakshit nodded understandingly.
"Oh. I hope he gets well soon."
"He will," she replied with a smile.
"Please guys, make yourselves comfortable," Rakshit said politely.
The two couples nodded before moving inside the house while Rakshit turned his attention towards the entrance again, welcoming the rest of the arriving guests.
A smile appeared on Rakshit's face when he saw three familiar faces entering the house.
Satyam, Rahul, and Jhanvi.
But the smile was quickly replaced by shock.
"You both didn't go for your honeymoon?" Rakshit asked, looking at Satyam and Jhanvi in disbelief. Their flight had been scheduled for yesterday.
Satyam smiled.
"We postponed it."
Rakshit frowned.
"Why?"
"We'll go after Shivika's delivery. Right now, her health is more important."
For a moment, Rakshit simply stared at him.
His heart swelled with gratitude.
Without saying a word, he stepped forward and pulled Satyam into a hug.
Satyam smiled softly and patted his back.
He knew exactly what that hug meant.
Rakshit needed people around him today.
People he could trust.
People who would stand by him and Shivika without any conditions.
"Sir, I am also here."
Rahul's whining voice instantly broke the emotional moment.
Rakshit pulled away from the hug and looked at him.
"I know."
Rahul's face brightened.
"I only invited you."
The brightness immediately disappeared.
Jhanvi burst out laughing while Satyam shook his head.
Rahul looked genuinely offended.
"That's very rude."
Rakshit chuckled.
Then his expression softened.
"And don't call me sir when we're outside the office."
Rahul blinked.
"You can call me brother or anything you want."
For a second Rahul just stared at him.
The words clearly caught him off guard.
A wide grin slowly spread across his face.
"Really?"
Rakshit nodded.
The smile on Rahul's face widened even more.
"Now please come inside," Rakshit said.
The three nodded.
As Rakshit started walking away, Rahul leaned towards Satyam.
"He gave permission to me also."
His grin was so wide that it looked painful.
Unfortunately for him, he was loud enough for Rakshit to hear every single word.
Rakshit simply shook his head.
Some people would never change.
"Guys," Rakshit said, turning back towards them, "I'm going to check if Shivika is ready or not. Please look after the guests on my behalf. I have to be by her side."
All three immediately nodded.
"Don't worry."
"We'll handle everything."
"Just go."
Their assurance made him relax slightly.
Giving them a grateful smile, Rakshit headed towards the bedroom.
He quietly opened the door.
The sight in front of him made him stop.
Shivika was sitting on the bed, completely ready.
For a moment, he forgot to breathe.
His hand slowly left the doorknob as he closed the door behind him.
But he remained standing there.
Simply looking at her.
Taking in her appearance.
The saree.
The jewellery.
The glow on her face.
Everything.
She looked beautiful.
No.
Beautiful wasn't enough.
She looked breathtaking.
Shivika heard the sound of the door closing and lifted her gaze from the bangles she was adjusting.
The moment her eyes landed on Rakshit, she paused.