34. Baby Shower #4
Rahul immediately started explaining everything to everyone present, including the photographer.
The photographer nodded while adjusting his camera.
"Perfect."
Rakshit couldn't help smiling.
For once, Rahul's dramatic brain had actually produced a brilliant idea.
Meanwhile, Shivika simply sat there watching all of them.
A strange warmth settled in her heart.
Having people around her who genuinely cared felt like a blessing she never knew she needed.
"Positions everyone!"
Rahul announced dramatically.
He handed the plate full of flower petals to Rakshit.
Rakshit moved behind the couch where Shivika was sitting.
Rahul, Satyam, and Jhanvi took their positions beside her.
The photographer lifted his camera.
"Ready?"
Everyone nodded.
"One..."
"Two..."
"Three!"
On three, Rakshit tilted the plate.
Thousands of flower petals slowly fell over Shivika.
The petals landed in her hair, on her shoulders, and over her lap.
A beautiful giggle escaped her lips.
The photographer captured every second.
"Woooooo!"
Rahul started hooting immediately.
Satyam joined him.
Jhanvi clapped excitedly.
Shivika laughed even harder at their antics while Rakshit simply stood behind her, smiling.
After that, everyone spent some time taking group pictures and candid photos.
Soon the photographer suggested,
"Now let's do a special photoshoot for the parents-to-be."
Everyone immediately gave them space.
Most guests moved towards the dining area.
Meanwhile, Shivika and Rakshit spent the next half hour taking pictures.
Some romantic.
Some funny.
Some emotional.
And through every pose, every click, every smile-
Rakshit remained beside her.
For Shivika, that alone made everything perfect.
Finally, when the photoshoot ended, Rahul appeared beside them.
"So, photoshoot done?"
Shivika nodded.
"Done."
Rahul suddenly looked serious.
"Sorry, Shivika."
Shivika blinked.
"Sorry? For what?"
But Rakshit immediately understood.
A smirk appeared on his face.
"Actually..." Rahul rubbed the back of his neck. "You know that day when I told you things about BigB and Shraddha?"
Shivika narrowed her eyes.
"Yes?"
"I was just irritating you."
He quickly raised both hands.
"I didn't know you would get that angry."
"You deserved it."
Rahul sighed dramatically.
"I know."
"Good that you're apologizing."
Shivika nodded seriously.
"Because I was planning to mix lots of chilli powder in your food."
Rahul froze.
"You were seriously going to do that?"
"Do you have any doubts?"
Shivika asked with a dangerous smile.
Rahul immediately looked at Rakshit.
"You tried to stop her, right?"
"No."
Rakshit answered calmly.
Shivika burst out laughing.
Rahul looked betrayed.
"You husband and wife are really something else."
Just then Rashmi aunty called Shivika.
"Beta, come here for a minute."
Shivika stood up.
Before leaving, she looked at Rakshit.
Rakshit simply blinked at her reassuringly.
The moment she was out of hearing range, Rakshit looked at Rahul.
"So what was the actual reason for your apology?"
"You know."
Rahul rolled his eyes.
Rakshit smirked.
"Imagine if she ever finds out you ran a background check on her."
Rahul almost choked.
"Please."
"Just imagine."
Rakshit's smile widened.
"Considering today's reaction was only for a fake jealousy prank."
Rahul gulped.
"I would be dead."
Satyam joined them and they talked for sometime.
Most guests had left only Rashmi aunty, Rahul, Satyam, and Jhanvi remained behind.
Everyone started helping with wrapping up the decorations and clearing the space.
It was almost evening now.
The entire day had exhausted Shivika.
Noticing her tiredness, Rakshit made her sit comfortably while he sat beside her with a plate of food.
"Open your mouth."
Shivika obediently took a bite.
A few moments later, she tore off a piece of food from her own plate.
Immediately extending it towards him.
Rakshit groaned.
"I am feeding you."
Shivika laughed.
"And I want to feed you. I am not eating myself."
She pushed the bite closer.
Rakshit accepted it.
A grin appeared on his face.
For the next few minutes, the scene became almost comical.
Rakshit fed Shivika.
Shivika fed Rakshit.
Then Rakshit fed her again.
Then she fed him.
From a distance, Rahul watched the whole thing.
"I have never seen two people share one meal for this long."
"Don't lie because you also forget everything when you are with your girlfriend," Jhanvi said.
Satyam nodded.
"That's true yaar. I miss my girlfriend."
Rahul said dramatically while looking at Rakshit and Shivika.
Satyam and Jhanvi rolled their eyes.
Meanwhile, Rakshit turned towards Shivika.
"Ika, you change first and rest. I'll arrange the furniture back to its place with Rahul and Satyam."
Shivika nodded before immediately adding,
"You also change first."
Rakshit opened his mouth to argue but she didn't let him.
"And I'll need your help with the jewellery and saree pins."
She pointed towards herself.
"So help me remove them first. Then do the other work."
Rakshit smiled.
"Okay."
He stood up and looked towards the others.
"Go have your food first. None of you have eaten properly till now."
Rahul instantly looked interested.
"I'll be back after changing. Then we'll finish the remaining work."
The three agreed.
A few minutes later, Rakshit and Shivika entered their bedroom.
Shivika sat in front of the mirror while Rakshit stood behind her.
Carefully.
Patiently.
He started removing each piece of jewellery.
The necklace.
The earrings.
The bangles.
The rings.
One by one.
Neither of them spoke much.
The silence was comfortable.
The kind that only existed between two people who understood each other without words.
Finally, Rakshit reached for her maang tikka.
As soon as he removed it-
He froze.
His hand stopped moving.
His eyes remained fixed on her reflection.
On her hairline.
The glimpse of red was no longer hidden.
"Ika..."
His voice softened.
Shivika immediately understood what he had seen.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Actually..."
She held the hand resting on her cheek.
"It came with the shringar."
Her fingers intertwined with his.
"I wanted to."
She shrugged slightly.
"So I did."
For a moment, Rakshit simply looked at her.
There wasn't a single objection in his eyes.
Not a single question.
If it made her happy, then that was enough for him.
A soft smile appeared on his face.
He bent down and kissed her forehead.
After helping her remove the remaining jewellery and saree pins, both of them changed into comfortable clothes.
Soon Rakshit headed back outside while Shivika stayed behind to remove her makeup and freshen up.
By the time she was done, more than an hour had passed.
Everything was finally back to normal.
Or as normal as a house could be after such a memorable celebration.
Everyone looked exhausted.
Rahul had practically melted into the sofa.
"Now I'm just going to sleep after reaching home."
He announced dramatically.
"I don't even have the energy to scroll through my phone."
Rakshit looked around at three of them.
A genuine smile appeared on his face.
"Guys."
Everyone looked towards him.
"Thank you so much for today. It was a huge help."
He looked at each one of them.
"I genuinely wouldn't have been able to manage everything alone."
Satyam immediately shook his head.
"Bhai, you don't need to say thank you."
A smile appeared on his face.
"We are family."
For a moment, Rakshit didn't say anything.
He simply nodded.
Because he knew Satyam meant every word.
"But..."
Rahul suddenly straightened.
"You can thank me by increasing my salary."
A proud grin appeared on his face.
Clearly impressed by his own idea.
Silence.
Rakshit looked at him.
For one long second.
Then another.
Finally he spoke.
"You are already getting more than enough."
Rahul's smile started disappearing.
"If you want, I can definitely decrease it."
Rahul immediately sat up straight.
"No."
He shook his head rapidly.
"No need."
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure."
"Think again."
"I have thought enough."
Jhanvi burst out laughing.
Satyam wasn't any better.
Shivika and Rakshit bid everyone goodbye.
After seeing them off, Rakshit closed the door and finally let out a tired sigh.
The house had become completely quiet after the entire day's chaos and celebrations.