Chapter 8 #3
She had, in fact, requested the IT department multiple times to include her number, but the person handling it kept delaying it, saying it was not necessary. She mentally promised herself she would deal with him later.
"Akansha... you are reacting as if we took the children to some dangerous place. It is our State Chief Minister’s official residence," the principal said.
"Sir, I don’t care about all that. Why is my daughter not here when all her classmates have already returned and are heading home?
Bring my daughter back immediately, or you know me—I will not think twice before publicly shaming this school.
I don’t care about my job. My daughter is my priority," Akansha said sharply. Her fear was barely under control, and the principal’s resistance only intensified it.
"Akansha... think before you speak. I will speak to the chairman and ask him to bring the children back. But remember, your behavior will have consequences. Be prepared for disciplinary action," the principal warned.
Akansha did not respond. Her only concern was her daughter.
The principal stepped out and called the chairman, explaining the situation in detail. The chairman assured him that they would return soon and instructed him to inform Akansha that the children were already leaving the Chief Minister’s residence.
The principal relayed the message to Akansha, who finally exhaled in relief.
He again mentioned disciplinary action, but she was not concerned anymore. However, this time, she did not stay silent.
"I agree I was at fault for threatening to shame the school. But you cannot deny that the school was also at fault, sir. I will face disciplinary action, but before that, I will ensure I write to the board about this issue," Akansha said before turning and walking out.
The principal sighed as she left. She was not someone who backed down easily.
She was strong, stubborn—and it was exactly those traits that had made him hire her despite her being overqualified.
He had even offered her higher classes and better pay, but she had refused, saying she wanted to teach only primary sections and had requested that her qualifications be kept low-profile.
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"Wow... Siya... you finished the shake so fast..." Shaurya said, appreciating the little girl and clapping for her.
"Thank you, uncle. The choco shake is deli... deli..." she struggled, then finally smiled, "Yummy," she said, unable to pronounce it properly.
Shaurya laughed at her adorable attempt.
"Delicious," Shaurya corrected gently.
"Deli... delichious," she repeated after hearing him a couple more times.
"Yes... delichious," he echoed her pronunciation, deliberately mimicking her, making her giggle.
"So, Siya? You spent enough time with me to decide... can we be friends now?" he asked, forwarding his hand. His heart beat a little faster. He genuinely wanted this little girl to accept him. "Do you like me enough to make me your friend, bacha?" he asked again.
"Um..." Siya paused, acting a little thoughtful. Shaurya immediately understood she was teasing him, so he played along and put on a sad face.
"Yes..." she suddenly said, jumping onto him and shaking his hand with both her tiny palms.
Shaurya’s expression instantly changed from sad to happy as he caught her.
"Thank you, Siyu bacha," he said, kissing her hair and pulling her into a warm hug. He felt an overwhelming sense of peace with her close to him, as if he had found a missing piece of his own heart.
For a moment, he thought of Akansha again, and his chest tightened. But he pushed the thought aside and stayed in the moment with the little girl.
"I liked you even before making you my fliend, but I can’t ignole mumma’s words na... she says I shouldn’t make fleinds(friends) in h... ha..." Siya struggled to remember the word.
"Haste," Shaurya completed.
She nodded quickly, making him laugh again.
Shweta knocked on the door. Shaurya asked her to come in. She smiled seeing Siya in his arms, but her smile faded slightly when she noticed Shaurya’s expression. He frowned at her change in tone.
"Any problem, Shweta?" he asked.
"Um... actually, sir... Mr. Goel is here," she said, and Shaurya immediately understood something was up.
"Siyu bacha... continue your coloring. I'll be back in a minute," he said.
She nodded and returned to her drawing.
Mr. Goel explained the situation briefly to Shweta, who then came to inform Shaurya that the children’s visit had been shortened. The moment Shaurya heard that Siya would be leaving soon, an unfamiliar anxiety tightened in his chest.
"Okay, give me a minute... we'll be downstairs," Shaurya said with a forced smile.
But for the first time, he failed to maintain his usual calm expression.
"Yes, sir," Shweta said softly, noticing his shift in mood before leaving to inform Mr. Goel and arrange gifts and trophies for the children’s departure.
"Siyu bacha... it's time for you to leave," Shaurya said gently.
Siya’s smile slowly faded. She did not want to go.
"But you said I could stay with you till evening..." she complained.
"I did... but your mumma has already reached school to pick you up, and she is worried about you," Shaurya said.
Even though he did not want to let her go either, he understood a mother’s concern—especially a single mother raising her child alone.
"But I want to play more, uncle... I like you... I don’t want to leave you," Siya said, hugging him tightly.
She rarely behaved like this. Normally, she was always ready to go to her mother. Even now, she still was—but she had expected more time with him, and the sudden change disappointed her.
"I want to play with you too... but we can't keep your mumma waiting. She is worried for you," Shaurya said softly. "Don’t worry... we will meet again, and next time for longer."
"Plomise..." she said, extending her tiny palm.
"Promise," he repeated.
She giggled at him copying her.
"Call me whenever you want to meet me. You remember my number, right?" he asked.
She nodded enthusiastically, her two pigtails bouncing up and down.
Without fully understanding why, Shaurya had already made her memorize his personal number. He could not give her his official number—it was tied to sensitive contacts and constant official communication. His personal number, however, was reserved for a very small circle of trusted people.
"Okay... okay... you'll hurt yourself," he said, gently steadying her face as she excitedly moved around, making her giggle again.
After exchanging hugs and goodbyes, Shaurya carried Siya downstairs.
He distributed trophies to the children and took a group picture with them. The chairman apologized for the shortened visit, but Shaurya simply nodded in understanding.
The children left, waving at him. Siya waved too, her smile soft and reluctant.
He smiled back.
Neither of them wanted to let go.
Shaurya felt something unfamiliar tightening in his chest, but he ignored it, silently scolding himself for getting so attached to a child in such a short time.
With one final goodbye, he returned inside. After signing a few documents, he prepared to leave for his office.
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Akansha was relieved to see her daughter. Without waiting for the chairman or the principal to say anything, she took Siya and left from there immediately.