34. Baby Shower #2
He was standing there looking at her.
Not saying a word.
Just looking.
His eyes were filled with emotions she couldn't even begin to name.
Slowly, Rakshit started walking towards her.
Seeing him approach, Shivika stood up from the bed.
Neither of them spoke.
For a few seconds, they simply looked at each other.
As if the entire world outside that room had suddenly ceased to exist.
As if he was trying to memorize every detail.
As if he was afraid this moment would pass too quickly.
Shivika watched him quietly.
There was something different in his eyes today.
Something deeper.
Something heavier.
A smile slowly appeared on her lips.
"How am I looking?" she asked softly.
Rakshit opened his mouth to answer.
But no words came out.
Instead, his eyes became glassy.
His throat tightened unexpectedly.
He had planned every little detail.
Yet nothing had prepared him for actually seeing her.
Seeing the woman he loved carrying their child.
Seeing her dressed for her baby shower.
Seeing the happiness he had prayed for finally become reality.
The emotions became too much.
Before Shivika could notice, Rakshit turned his face away.
Blinking rapidly.
Trying to regain control.
Trying to hide the tears threatening to fall.
But he was too late.
Shivika had already caught a glimpse of them.
Her smile faded.
A softness filled her eyes.
Slowly she walked towards him.
"Aksh..."
The way she said it immediately broke whatever little control he had left.
Gently placing her hand on his arm, she turned him towards herself.
His eyes were slightly red.
His jaw was clenched.
As if he was desperately trying not to cry.
Shivika's heart squeezed painfully.
"Hey..." she whispered.
Rakshit looked at her.
And for a moment neither of them said anything.
Then a small, emotional laugh escaped him.
"I don't have words today."
His voice cracked.
"I really don't."
Shivika smiled softly through her own emotions.
"We have come a long way, Aksh."
She cupped his face gently, wiping the tears gathered in his eyes.
Rakshit closed his eyes for a second, leaning into her touch.
Shivika said quietly.
Rakshit immediately shook his head.
But she didn't let him interrupt.
Her voice was soft, but every word reached his heart.
Instantly, Rakshit's mind went back to that night.
The very first night.
The night that had changed everything.
The night he met her.
His eyes watered even more.
Not because he was sad.
But because she wasn't crying.
She was smiling.
Looking at him like he had given her everything.
When in reality, he felt like she was the blessing that had entered his life.
Rakshit said, his voice choking because of all the emotions.
A tear escaped his eye.
"Maybe we just didn't know it then."
For a few seconds they simply looked at each other.
Then Rakshit carefully held her hand.
"Sit."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Shivika let him guide her towards the bed.
Once she sat down comfortably, Rakshit slowly lowered himself onto his knees in front of her.
Rakshit picked up the anklet box that was already kept on the bed.
He had told Shivika before leaving the room that he would help her wear them, and he had no intention of forgetting that promise.
Shivika smiled softly and placed her feet on his thigh as he had instructed.
Rakshit carefully took one anklet out of the box and gently secured it around her ankle. Then he did the same with the other one.
The soft jingling sound immediately filled the room.
Once he was done, instead of moving away, he simply sat there.
Holding her foot lightly.
Admiring it.
As if he had accomplished some great task.
Shivika couldn't help but smile at him.
Slowly, she reached forward and held the back of his neck making him look up.
Before he could understand what she was doing, Shivika leaned down and softly pressed her lips against his forehead.
The kiss lasted few seconds.
Yet somehow it conveyed everything she couldn't put into words.
Her gratitude.
Her trust.
Her affection.
Her happiness.
Rakshit closed his eyes immediately.
A feeling of peace washed over him.
The closeness.
The warmth.
The love hidden inside that small gesture.
Everything became too much.
The words left his mouth before he could stop them.
The moment he realized what he had said, his eyes flew open.
His heart nearly stopped.
Shivika froze.
For a second, she simply stared at him.
She had always known.
She had seen it in his actions.
In his care.
In every little thing he did for her.
But hearing it from his mouth...
Hearing those words...
She wasn't prepared for it but somehwere her heart was craving to hear those words.
Meanwhile, Rakshit completely panicked.
"Ika..."
He immediately cupped her face.
"Ika, you don't have to say anything, okay?I'm not forcing you. I just... I don't know how it slipped out."
His voice became more nervous with every sentence.
"Ika, don't think about it, okay? I didn't mean that you have to reply or-"
Shivika finally let out a chuckle.
Placing her forefinger against his lips.
Instantly stopping his endless blabbering.
Rakshit fell silent.
She slowly lowered her forehead onto his.
A small smile spread across her lips.
The simple sentence instantly relaxed him.
All his panic disappeared.
A smile appeared on his face before he pulled her into a tight hug.
Very tight.
Too tight.
Shivika laughed.
"Aksh..."
He only hugged her harder.
"Aksh, you're squishing me."
That finally made him loosen his hold slightly.
She shook her head fondly.
"Everyone is waiting outside."
Shivika tried pulling away.
But Rakshit didn't let go immediately.
Instead, he looked at her carefully.
A tiny insecurity appeared in his eyes.
One he didn't bother hiding.
"Leave them. You tell me something first."
"Hmm?"
"You are comfortable after hearing it, right?"
His voice softened.
"We'll still be the same, right?"
Shivika's heart melted.
Sometimes she forgot how vulnerable he could be with her.
"Aksh."
She gently held his face.
"Everything is the same."
A smile appeared on her lips.
"Actually, even better."
Rakshit listened quietly.
"You didn't say anything wrong."
She rubbed her thumb across his cheek.
"I just wasn't prepared."
A nervous smile appeared on his face.
The words settled directly into his heart.
"We'll remember this forever."
Rakshit smiled.
The kind of smile that reached his eyes.
Shivika continued softly.
For a moment, Rakshit simply stared at her.
Then his heart completely gave up.
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
Unable to express what he was feeling.
"Okay."
The word came out as little more than a whisper.
A few moments later, Rakshit stood up and extended his hand towards her.
"Let's go."
Shivika placed her hand in his.
But before they could leave-
"Aksh."
He turned back.
Shivika dipped her pinky finger into her kajal.
Taking a small amount, she reached up and applied it behind his ear.
Rakshit blinked in surprise.
"What was that?"
Shivika smiled.
"You are looking very handsome today."
His ears instantly turned red.
"Evil eyes off."
The smile on her face widened when she noticed his reaction.
"Aww."
She giggled.
"Blushing..."
Rakshit groaned.
"I'm not blushing."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You are."
His face turned even redder.
Shivika laughed openly.
"Come."
That was all Rakshit said before quickly taking her outside.
The moment the bedroom door opened, Shivika stopped.
Her eyes widened.
The decorations.
The lights.
The flowers.
The beautiful Krishna-themed setup.
Everything looked breathtaking.
Before she could fully process it-
Everyone started clapping.
Cheering.
Whistling.
Hooting.
Flower petals rained down on them from every direction.
The entire house filled with happiness and celebration.
Shivika's eyes became moist instantly.
A bright smile spread across her face as she looked around.
Everywhere she looked, she found smiling faces.
People who genuinely cared for her.
People who were happy for her.
Rakshit gently held her hand and guided her forward.
The Ganesh puja was performed first.
With everyone's blessings surrounding them, the rituals were completed peacefully.
Once it was over, Rakshit carefully helped Shivika sit comfortably on the couch placed on the stage.
Making sure she was comfortable, he adjusted her saree slightly before stepping back.
He had barely taken a few steps when he felt a tug on his kurta.
"Aksh."
Rakshit immediately looked back.
Shivika was frowning.
Clearly unhappy about him leaving.
The sight made him smile.
Leaning down slightly, he lowered his voice.
"I'm right here, Ika."
His smile softened.
"But now these ladies need to perform some rituals."
Shivika looked around.
Then back at him.
"So I'll be standing there."
He pointed towards the side.
"Just give me one look and I'll come to you, okay?"
Shivika blinked.
Then nodded obediently.
"Okay."
Rakshit smiled.
Satisfied.
He gave her one last reassuring look before moving towards Rahul and Satyam.
The moment he left, Rashmi aunty walked towards Shivika.
Her eyes softened instantly.
Holding Shivika's chin lovingly, she smiled.
"Looking so beautiful, beta."
A shy smile appeared on Shivika's face.
"Thank you, aunty."
She sat beside Shivika and lovingly spread the pallu of her saree across her lap.
"This ritual is called lap filling," Rashmi aunty explained softly. "Today, all the women will fill your lap with gifts, fruits, sweets, and blessings."
She placed the first fruits in Shivika's lap.
Shivika nodded with a smile.
Rashmi aunty lovingly touched her cheek.
"Today everyone will pray that your life remains as full of happiness as your lap."
The photographer quickly captured the moment.
Soon the ritual began.
Rashmi aunty was the first one.
She placed fruits, sweets, flowers, and gifts into Shivika's lap before placing her hand on her head.