Chapter 16
Akansha's furious eyes met her friend's cautious ones. In her arms was Siya, who immediately hid her face in her aunt's neck the moment she saw her mother.
Akansha quickly scanned the surroundings. Lawmakers, bureaucrats, and cabinet members moved through the alley, making it clear she couldn't create a scene there. Controlling herself, she walked up to Richa, gently but firmly took her hand, and led her to a more secluded spot.
"What the hell are you doing here? That too with MY daughter?" Akansha whisper-yelled. Her tone carried a sharp possessiveness—strong enough to shake anyone—and Richa was no exception, especially when it came to Siya.
"I... I had an interview with the Chief Minister, and I couldn't leave her alone, so I brought her with me..." Richa replied, her voice unsteady. All this while, Siya clung tightly to her, clearly afraid of her mother.
"Who gave you the right to make that decision?" Akansha asked, her voice harsher now, taking Richa by complete surprise.
She had never needed permission before. Whenever she babysat Siya, she had taken her out—sometimes even to the hospital when needed. It had only happened a few times, but Akansha had never questioned her. She had always trusted her best friend completely when it came to Siya.
That was why this question shocked Richa more than it hurt her.
But Akansha wasn't thinking about trust.
She was thinking about risk.
How could Richa take Siya to him, despite knowing her hatred for him?
What if he figured out Siya's paternity?
Wait—
If Richa had mentioned that Akansha—the child psychologist in the newly formed curriculum committee—was Siya's mother, then Shaurya would know the truth.
Had she said anything?
Akansha's heartbeat shot up instantly, pounding so hard it felt suffocating. It was as if everything was slipping out of her control.
She would never forgive Richa if she had.
"D-Did you mention me? That I'm Siya's mother... or even your friend?" Akansha asked, her voice low, controlled—but laced with danger.
"No, I didn't. He doesn't know about you," Richa replied immediately, noticing how tense and shaken Akansha looked. She understood how upset she was. "Ansha... I'm sorry..."
"We'll talk at home. Go now and stay there till I come. Do not go anywhere with my daughter other than home," Akansha said firmly.
The tone felt unfamiliar to Richa.
Because Richa had always been like a second mother to Siya. She had taken care of her countless times in Akansha's absence, and Akansha had trusted her blindly.
And now, that same Akansha sounded as if Richa wasn't capable of taking care of her.
Richa understood her mistake—but this sudden distrust still stung.
At the same time, she also knew—no one except Akansha could truly understand a mother's fear.
Richa nodded silently and left for Akansha's place.
Siya kept apologizing on the way, and Richa reassured her it was okay. But the little girl noticed the pale expression and the slight tears in Richa's eyes, which only made her feel more guilty.
In her innocence, Siya assumed her aunt was hurt because her mother had scolded her.
She couldn't understand that it was the pain of being doubted.
Akansha remained standing there until Richa and Siya disappeared from her sight.
She tried to calm herself, but nothing worked.
Her best friend's one impulsive decision could have caused a disaster.
If Shaurya found even the slightest clue that Siya was his, he wouldn't stop at anything to claim her.
Even the thought was terrifying.
Taking a steady breath that did little to steady her, Akansha turned and walked toward the CM's office.
From a distance, Shweta noticed her—and frowned. Something was clearly wrong.
"Ms. Dixit, are you okay?" Shweta asked, bringing her out of her thoughts, but Akansha's mood didn't shift.
"Yes... yeah... sorry... I am late," Akansha said, realizing that amidst everything, she had gotten late for her appointment.
"Please be on time if you are to meet sir next time.
He is very punctual. For now, please go inside before I receive a call from him to cancel the appointment.
He often does that if someone is late," Shweta said politely.
There was a slight concern in her tone, which Akansha noticed. She gave a small smile and walked in.
But Akansha's earlier mood, combined with the fact that Shaurya had met Siya again, was boiling her blood.
She knew their blood connection was strong enough to pull father and daughter toward each other.
She had witnessed it the very first time.
She had decided never to let Siya meet or even see him again—but thanks to her Chairman Mr. Goyal and now her best friend Richa, Siya had already met him three times.
Akansha stood there, holding the doorknob, lost in these thoughts.
Shweta frowned at her behavior. Her discomfort and distress were hard to miss. She recalled Shaurya's unusual behavior with Akansha at the education ministry town hall a couple of weeks ago.
Was the CM harassing her? No... he wasn't that kind of man. But then why was this woman so apprehensive?
Akansha's visible anger only strengthened Shweta's doubts.
"Ms. Dixit... you are already late..." Shweta reminded her, as part of her duty. "Is something wrong? I can hel—"
"No, everything is alright... I'm just nervous, because he is the Chief Minister," Akansha cut her off, quickly defending herself.
"Don't worry, ma'am. Sir is a calm person. He is also a good listener. Don't be nervous," Shweta said, hoping to ease her anxiety—only if she knew.
Usually, Shweta escorted people into Shaurya's office, but since he was already expecting Akansha, she stayed back. She had a call scheduled with cabinet ministers who wanted individual discussions with him and needed his time blocked accordingly.
Meanwhile, Richa, along with Siya, left for Akansha's home, hoping Shaurya wouldn't mention anything to her. She believed he wouldn't—it didn't make sense for a Chief Minister to discuss his bonding with a four-year-old with a random employee. If only she knew Akansha wasn't just any employee.
Akansha entered his office after he permitted.
She walked toward his table, while he quickly stood up the moment the cabin door shut behind her. He had wanted to stand and welcome her the second she stepped in—but the door had been ajar, and his secretary could have noticed. So he waited until it closed completely.
"Akansha..." He took a step toward her, but she cut him off.
"Thank you for accepting my request to pre-pone the meeting, SIR. It's very kind of you. I won't take much of your time. I'll quickly brief you, followed by a short presentation. Will that be okay?" Akansha asked politely.
Her nonchalant tone hurt him, but he said nothing.
"Akansha... take a seat first," he said, pulling a chair for her.
Looking at her from this close after years made him forget everything—including the fact that he was the Chief Minister and they were in his office.
"SIR... thank you, but it wasn't needed," she replied politely, taking the seat. It was difficult for her to act so professionally, as if his presence didn't affect her at all—but she had to.
"If you had come a little earlier, you could have met my little friend... Siy—" Shaurya began, trying to ease the conversation.
"I'm here to work, SIR," she cut in, her tone firm yet controlled.
"Would you please stop addressing me like that? At least when we are alone?" Shaurya said calmly. Hearing "sir" from her felt wrong—almost like a sting.
"That is what you are to me—the Chief Minister of this state and my boss. I hope this review ends soon so I can get back to my life. I request you to maintain professionalism. It will make our job easier," she said, glancing at him as he remained standing.
He kept looking into her eyes.
He could see it clearly—the hatred, the disgust. She was trying to hide it, but he could read her too well.
And it hurt.
Because those same eyes once held love and warmth for him.
Now, they didn't.
She looked away the moment she noticed the pain in his expression. She hated herself for still being affected by it.
'He can go to hell. It doesn't affect me,' she repeated to herself mentally.
"You can look into my eyes. Seeing the disgust in them is much better than seeing them in just a lifeless photo," he said, his tone cracking.
Her neck snapped in his direction. She saw the truth in his face—but no, she wasn’t going to let him fool her again.
"Just behave as my boss, or I’ll make sure you’ll be my ex-boss," Akansha said in a cold tone. He caught the warning and the seriousness underlying it.
"Fine, if that’s what you want..." he said, his tone turning sharp—but not enough to hurt her. He knew his sharp tone had always affected her—no one else's, just his. He still remembered how his mother’s hours of taunts and harsh accusations hadn’t hurt her, but one word from him, spoken sharply, had bruised her heart beyond repair.
When he realized that, he stopped using that tone on her—but by then, his past had already done enough damage, and his silence afterward had only fueled it.
Shaurya walked to his chair and sat down, leaning over the table, looking straight at Akansha.
"So, Ms. Dixit... As I can see, in the request form you submitted to block my time, you mentioned your intention to seek an extension for Phase 1’s deadline, if I’m correct?" Shaurya asked.
Akansha was taken aback by this sudden shift—from a groveling ex-husband to a tough Chief Minister, and an even tougher boss.
"Yes, sir... That’s what I felt and discussed with the other heads. They feel the same. If you would allow me, I’d like to explain the reasons for requesting the extension, along with the pros and challenges if we proceed with it," Akansha said.
"Sure... go ahead," he said.
Akansha was about to connect her laptop when he stopped her.