Chapter 26 #3
“Shaurya... Stay where you are,” she commanded instantly into the phone.
The mere thought of him getting hurt made her heart pound in fear, all her hatred and resentment forgotten for the moment.
“I’m sorry... I didn’t realize you might be campaigning. Call me when you get free,” she said, about to disconnect the call.
“Is Si—” he began, but she cut him off immediately, already knowing what he wanted to ask.
“Siya is absolutely fine. I called so that you could talk to her... It’s been a while, and I know you must be missing her terribly,” she said softly.
Her tone made his heart flutter painfully.
For one fleeting moment, it felt as though everything between them was normal again. As though she had called him simply because she knew he would be missing their daughter.
But he knew that was not the truth.
Akansha disconnected the call quickly, realizing how soft her tone had become. Besides, she still did not want to interrupt his campaign or waste his time.
The moment Shaurya retreated into his campaign van for lunch, he immediately dialed Akansha.
“Hello...” Her emotionless voice greeted him.
The softness she had shown a few hours ago had vanished completely.
He let out a deep sigh at her withdrawal.
“How are you and Siya?” he asked softly, his voice filled with longing.
“Siya is fine. She was asking for you, so I called. Are you free to talk?” Akansha asked in her usual cold tone.
“Yes...” he replied quietly.
He wanted to ask about her again, but when she ignored the question the first time, he understood the silent message behind it.
He didn’t deserve to know anything about her.
“Siya... come here, baby...” Akansha called out to her daughter, who was busy playing with her toys in the hall while Akansha worked from the bedroom.
“Was she somewhere else? What is she doing? If you don’t mind... can I video call her?” Shaurya asked hesitantly.
“Yes, but make sure you use earphones and that nobody is present there except the people who already know about Siya,” Akansha stated clearly.
She did not want anyone learning about Siya—not until Shaurya figured out a proper way to announce her existence without anyone pointing fingers at her daughter.
“Of course, Akansha... I’m alone here, and my AirPods are already plugged in,” Shaurya replied calmly.
“Hm... Siya bear... Come here...” Akansha called again.
“You come here Mama Bear... I’m busy,” Siya shouted back lazily.
Shaurya chuckled hearing his daughter.
“Why are you laughing? At your daughter’s laziness?” Akansha taunted irritably.
“No... I was imagining my wife’s pissed-off face,” he answered casually.
“Shaurya...” she warned sharply for calling her his wife.
“Sorry,” he apologized immediately, knowing he had crossed the line again.
“Siya... It’s Shaurya... but I’ll tell him you’re busy.”
Akansha knew exactly how to trick her daughter.
Within seconds, Siya came running into the room and snatched the phone from her mother’s hand.
“Sholya...” Siya screamed excitedly into the phone.
“Yes, my doll... How are you?” Shaurya asked warmly.
“I’m good... I want to chee(see) you,” Siya expressed innocently.
“It’s see... Say it now... ‘see,’” Shaurya corrected patiently.
After several failed attempts, Siya finally managed to pronounce it properly.
He had seen Akansha patiently training Siya to pronounce words correctly despite her repeated mistakes, and slowly he had started doing the same. Their efforts were finally beginning to show results.
“Very good... Now accept my video call,” he said proudly.
He already knew his daughter was capable of answering calls and even making video calls herself.
The moment Siya picked up the video call, Akansha quickly moved away before Shaurya could catch a glimpse of her.
The next second, Siya began shouting in excitement, and Shaurya matched her enthusiasm and energy effortlessly.
It was truly a beautiful sight.
Despite the warmth blooming inside her heart watching them together, Akansha still asked Siya to go speak in the hall since she was getting disturbed while working.
Siya pouted but obeyed her mother reluctantly.
Shaurya, however, was disappointed.
He had desperately wanted even a small glimpse of his wife, but it seemed that would not happen until Sunday, when Akansha would bring Siya to his residence as they had agreed.
He was already looking forward to it.
After talking to Siya for some more time, he noticed her droopy eyes despite her continuous chatter.
“Go sleep now, hm?” he coaxed gently.
Though Siya hated the idea of hanging up on her best friend, Shaurya somehow convinced her and finally disconnected the call.
Siya walked back into the room, handed the phone to her mother, and dropped herself onto the bed.
Knowing her daughter wanted her mandatory afternoon nap, Akansha pulled Siya onto her lap and gently lulled her to sleep before covering her properly with the duvet.
Akansha sighed deeply looking at her sleeping daughter.
Even though she had sent Siya away to the hall, she had unconsciously strained her ears the entire time to listen to the father-daughter conversation.
And honestly, it had been one of the most beautiful moments she had ever witnessed.
Shaurya and Siya shared so many similarities.
Not just their physical features, but even their habits, sensitivities, allergies, and energies matched astonishingly well.
Watching them together filled her heart with warmth.
For a brief moment, she imagined how things would have been if they had remained a normal family.
How father and daughter would have teamed up against her over silly things just to annoy her.
But now, that kind of life was impossible.
Siya could never truly side against her because of how attached she was to her mother.
And honestly, Akansha was not insecure about that.
In fact, if Siya someday chose to give Shaurya equal importance in her life, she would accept it wholeheartedly.
But before that, she wanted her daughter to decide for herself whether Shaurya truly deserved that place.
After learning the truth behind his words, seeing the efforts he was putting in now, and witnessing the love he held for Siya, Akansha knew he deserved his daughter’s love.
But to what extent?
That decision depended solely on Siya and how she accepted the truth when the time finally came.
Pushing those thoughts aside for the moment, Akansha forced herself to focus on her work.
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The next few days passed with difficulty for Shaurya as he eagerly waited for Sunday.
But at least now, he no longer had to stop himself from talking to his daughter.
Every day after returning from school, Siya would call Shaurya, and the two would talk for a while. No matter how important his work was, Shaurya always made himself available for her.
Akansha slowly got used to this routine and even started using it to her advantage.
She told Siya that she would only allow the call if she finished her fruits and snacks properly, which the little girl obediently did.
Deep down, Akansha secretly loved the growing attachment between father and daughter, but her fears regarding the truth still remained.
How would Siya react after learning Shaurya was her father?
Would she accept him wholeheartedly or get upset with him for never being there till now?
And worse... what if Siya asked why she had hidden her existence from him?
Akansha knew her daughter was still too little to think so deeply, but those questions would eventually arise one day.
And knowing how intelligent Siya was, that day would probably come sooner rather than later.
Sunday finally arrived.
Akansha got herself and Siya ready before leaving.
As per Shaurya’s instructions, Suraj personally came to pick them up.
Though Suraj had suggested sending one of his best men instead, Shaurya insisted he handle it himself. He trusted no one more than Suraj.
Sure, the others were competent, but Suraj was exceptional.
He was experienced, sharp, and clever enough to handle situations if anything ever went wrong. His senses remained on high alert at all times. He would immediately notice if someone was following them or spying on them.
And right now, Shaurya trusted Suraj’s expertise with Akansha and Siya’s safety more than anything else.
He did not want anyone learning about them before he could reveal the truth in a controlled and less chaotic manner.
Akansha and Siya finally arrived at Shaurya’s residence.
After carefully scrutinizing the surroundings, Suraj stepped out and opened the car door for them.
Akansha thanked him politely, though she felt deeply uncomfortable about it.
This man was an NSG commando.
He deserved immense respect, and she disliked the fact that he was opening doors for her. Even though he was simply following orders, it made her feel awkward, almost as though she was disrespecting him unknowingly.
“This way, ma’am,” Suraj guided politely.
Though the car had stopped directly in the driveway near the entrance, they still had to walk a short distance to enter the mansion.
“Sir... you can call me Akansha,” she requested politely.
“Ma’am, you can call me Suraj, and I’m sorry, but I cannot address you as anything other than ‘ma’am,’” Suraj replied in his usual monotonous tone.
Had it been anyone else, he would not even have bothered explaining himself, but this woman was the Chief Minister’s wife.
He neither knew nor cared about the complications between the couple. His duty was simply to respect her, and he intended to do exactly that.
“Mumma... Where is Sholya?” Siya asked impatiently.
“We are walking inside, Siya. He’ll be in front of you in a minute. Have some patience, bacha,” Akansha said softly, lifting her daughter into her arms before walking inside.
The moment they entered, they found Shaurya pacing restlessly back and forth.
“SHOLYA...!”
The loud scream made him turn instantly.
Akansha had barely put Siya down before the little girl ran straight toward him.