Chapter 15 #2
"Convince sir for this extension," Mrs. Arora ordered before walking away.
"Don’t worry. You have strong points. I’m sure you can do it," Mr. Khanna said with a reassuring smile.
Akansha responded with a small, polite smile.
"Don’t be too optimistic, Mr. Khanna. Instead of encouraging rebellious behavior, you should teach your subordinates discipline," Mr. Samuel said, giving a sideways glance.
"Subordinate? I think you are mistaken, Samuel. Mrs. Arora dismissed all subordinates. Those remaining in this room are colleagues," Mr. Khanna said.
"Colleagues? Are you kidding me?" Samuel snapped, clearly irritated.
"We all report to the Chief Minister of this state and belong to the same cadre. That makes us colleagues. It’s common sense. My mistake—I expected ‘common sense’ from you. True, it is very uncommon these days," Mr. Khanna said calmly.
Unable to tolerate it further, Mr. Samuel walked out.
Akansha felt uncomfortable witnessing the clash on her first day, especially when, unwillingly, she had become part of the trigger.
Mr. Khanna noticed the guilt on her face.
"Hey... it’s okay. This happens often. Don’t blame yourself—if you are," he said lightly.
"I don’t blame myself for things I’m not responsible for, sir... but yes, I did feel bad witnessing that. I shouldn’t have," Akansha said politely.
"No need to feel bad, Ms. Dixit. Some men, though extremely capable in their work, lack the ability to handle an empowered woman. I have no respect for such men," Mr. Khanna said with a small smile.
"Okay... see you in the next session. Hope you will be ready with the extension letter signed by the Chief Minister by then?" he added.
Akansha responded with a smile filled with uncertainty.
"No worries, Ms. Dixit. Let me know if you need any help. I’m always there to guide you. Here is my number," he said, handing her his card.
"Thank you so much, sir. If you have any suggestions on how to approach this, please let me know," Akansha said.
"Just one suggestion—try to convince CM sir in one meeting. Once he makes up his mind, he doesn’t change it easily. If he denies you the first time, it becomes difficult to convince him later. Not impossible—he will still listen—but why take a thorn-filled path when you can walk on roses?" he said.
Akansha nodded. She knew his stubbornness better than anyone else. She had been the most affected by it.
"So, make a good PPT—short and crisp, but covering everything, including possible impacts, both positive and negative, regarding the extension," Mr. Khanna guided her.
"Thanks a lot for the guidance, Mr. Khanna. That’s very kind of you, sir," Akansha said.
They exchanged polite acknowledgments before leaving.
Akansha called her brother to get Shweta’s number so she could schedule a meeting with the Chief Minister after preparing the PPT and research.
She returned to school, silently cursing Shaurya for re-entering her life and disturbing her peace once again.
She went straight to the washroom and washed her hands until she could no longer feel his touch. But instead of fading, the sensation only intensified with every passing second—just like her hatred for him.
She pushed it aside and went to the principal’s room to inform him about her selection so he could support her with paid leave whenever required.
As expected, Mr. Joshi was delighted. Akansha requested him to keep it confidential, especially her Ph.D in child psychology. He respected her decision and assured her of full support.
Akansha thanked him and left for home.
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"Congratulations...", Richa and her parents shouted as soon as Akansha made her way inside, blasting party poppers...
"MUMMA...", Siya screamed with excitement, ran towards her mother and hugged her legs... "Con...Congtch...", Siya struggled and Akansha laughed heartily at her daughter's cuteness...
"It's congratulations baby bear... and yes, thank you so much", Akansha said.
Though Akansha was not at all happy about getting selected for the review committee, she knew it was a major achievement and an equally big responsibility. It was a matter of pride, and she knew her best friend was proud of her and wanted to celebrate every achievement with full energy.
"Now, let Mamabear freshen up, and then she will hug her Siya bear and give her a tight kissie...", Akansha said and walked inside, passing smiles to Richa's parents who nodded warmly in return.
"This woman would never change", Richa commented, watching her best friend's urgency to freshen up before even holding her daughter properly.
"And I hope you become like her as well... She is a responsible mother. I highly doubt you would ever become even a fraction of her, even after becoming a mother", Richa's mother taunted.
Richa rolled her eyes, used to her mother's indirect pressure about marriage.
"My daughter is responsible, she is good as she is. Don't compare her with Akansha. Both my daughters are best in their own way", Richa's father stepped in, as always.
Akansha returned shortly after and pulled Siya into a tight hug, then hugged Richa and her parents in gratitude for the surprise.
"We're proud of you beta...", Richa's father said, ruffling her hair.
Akansha gave him a grateful smile. Unlike many others, he never judged her or questioned Siya's father.
He never asked whether she was married or what her story was.
He had opinions, yes, but he respected boundaries. And that earned him her respect.
"Mamabear, come, cut the cake... yummy...", Siya said.
Akansha laughed, carried her to the cake, and let her feed her the first bite.
The way Siya insisted her mother eat first, without even tasting her own favourite cake, softened something in Akansha every single time.
Even in her tiny world, Siya never failed to make Akansha feel like the centre of it.
Akansha gently licked her daughter's fingers, making the little girl giggle.
Then she fed Siya a small bite.
Akansha and Richa served cake and snacks onto five plates, including Siya’s, because the little girl always wanted whatever the adults had. It didn’t matter if her mother or Richa ended up eating from her plate later—she simply wanted equal share, equal space. And it always made Akansha smile.
"So, Akansha... how are you feeling ? It's a huge responsibility. You got a chance to work for the betterment of this generation's primary education, which is the foundation of their life. I'm so proud of you, and I'm sure you'll do your best", Richa's dad said.
"Thanks, uncle... I already started feeling the pressure... You're right, I'll give my best, but I'm worried about Siya. I can't neglect her in all this. She's my priority, and she will always be... I don't know how I'll manage everything...", Akansha trailed off, uncertainty slipping through.
"Don't think too much, beta. Everything will be managed. Your aunt and I are always here for Siya. Richa is here too... We'll take care of her. You focus on your work. Things will fall into place", he assured.
"He is right, Akansha... I know relying on Richa is a bit risky considering her impulsive and irresponsible nature, but you have us...", Richa's mother added, making Akansha laugh and Richa groan in protest.
The evening passed in laughter, Siya's antics filling the house with warmth. She had a way of dissolving tension without even trying. No wonder the Chief Minister found his solace in her presence, Richa thought.
After dinner, Richa's parents left. Akansha fed Siya and put her to sleep, who drifted off earlier than usual, exhausted from all the excitement.
Richa and Akansha sat in the hall once she was settled.
Richa knew her friend needed to speak—properly, fully—but she also knew Akansha rarely let things out easily.
"So, tell me... how was your first day ? and the team ?", Richa asked.
"Yeah... some were good...", Akansha said, deliberately avoiding anything about Shaurya. Mentioning him would only open a floodgate, and she had already reached her limit for the day. If she spoke about him now, she would either explode or shut down completely.
"Ansha... you know what I'm asking... I know how much you hate him... but you need to control it. Otherwise it will become difficult to handle everything. At the end of the day, he's the Chief Minister. If he even gets a hint of your hatred, it won't go in your favor", Richa said carefully.
"They already aren't, Richa... anyway, you're right. I need to control it... but it's hard", she admitted, recalling how her reaction had slipped when he held her hand. Even his secretary had misread the situation and thought low of him for a moment. "Let's talk about something else", she added.
Richa nodded, relieved.
They spoke for a while longer before finally retiring for the night.
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The next few days, Akansha got busy with her daughter, job responsibilities, and preparing for the meeting with Shaurya regarding the deadline extension for Phase 1.
On one such day, Richa was babysitting Siya.
Both of them were playing, but then Richa had to do some work, so she gave her phone to Siya, playing the little girl's favorite cartoons.
Siya got bored watching them. She so wanted to talk to Shaurya. It had been many days since she spoke to him, so she called him.
"Hello...", Shaurya responded, as he wasn't sure if it was Siya or Richa speaking.
"Uncuuull (uncle...)", Siya said excitedly, and Shaurya's heart filled with warmth hearing her voice. All his anxiety and fatigue vanished into thin air the moment he heard her.
"Hey, my little friend... how are you bache ?", Shaurya asked cheerfully.
"I am fine... how ale you ?", Siya asked in response.
"I'm very fine since my little friend called me... so what order do I have from my boss ?", Shaurya asked, imitating Siya, and she laughed.
"Why ale you talking like me ? and why ale you calling me boss ?", Siya asked giggling.