Chapter 28
If it had been anyone else in Akansha’s place, revealed to be the Chief Minister’s ex-wife, Richa would have turned it into sensational breaking news to skyrocket her channel’s TRP and inflate Dev’s political image.
She would have used every possible opportunity to push Shaurya away from the CM chair.
It would have been difficult considering Shaurya’s unmatched popularity, but not impossible.
The media held enough power to tarnish even the image of the purest sage, let alone a politician. And when it came to public figures, especially politicians, people rarely relied on rationality or their own judgment. They trusted the media more than facts.
That alone created a desperate need for every politician to own a news channel.
Yet Shaurya stayed away from it despite having more than enough funds and influence to own several.
Richa stayed over that night as the friends had too much to talk about after weeks of distance.
The next morning, she cooked breakfast for all three of them, delighting Siya, who was overjoyed to see her favorite Richa aunty again.
The little girl excitedly narrated how her mother had taken her to meet Shaurya and how she no longer had any problem with him.
Richa instinctively glanced at Akansha, guilt flashing in her eyes because she knew it was ultimately because of her that Shaurya had learned about Siya’s existence.
“Okay, now finish your breakfast. Today I’ll drop both you and your mumma at school,” Richa announced, instantly exciting the little girl further and temporarily distracting her from thoughts about Shaurya.
After breakfast, Richa dropped Akansha and Siya at school before leaving for work.
Meanwhile, Shaurya resumed his campaigning vigorously but never once skipped his scheduled calls with his daughter.
Now that Akansha had decided to eventually tell Siya the truth, she no longer minded the frequent calls between father and daughter.
In fact, she wanted them to bond deeply enough that Siya would grow attached to him and eventually love him enough to forgive him.
Because Akansha knew one thing very clearly.
Shaurya would never be able to bear Siya’s anger.
She had seen the way he looked at his daughter, as though his entire existence revolved around that little girl.
She had seen the fear in the eyes she had admired for years when the thought of Siya slipping on the spilled oil crossed his mind. He had immediately asked Akansha to take Siya away even though the chances of the child getting hurt were almost negligible.
The terror in his eyes that moment had been unlike anything she had ever witnessed before.
As though Siya was a miracle he had never believed he deserved.
Akansha’s assumptions weren’t wrong.
But there was another reason behind Shaurya’s overwhelming attachment to his daughter.
Siya was also his hope. His hope to reconcile with his wife. His hope to somehow win Akansha back, no matter how impossible it seemed.
The first week passed quickly.
Shaurya remained occupied with campaigning and his daily calls with Siya, while Akansha immersed herself in both school responsibilities and the curriculum revision project she was handling for the state government.
By the following Monday, Shaurya had already returned to work, cutting short his campaign trip.
Initially, he was supposed to stay away for two weeks, but several suspicious issues surfacing in the newly announced construction projects forced him back.
Some sleazy contractors were crossing every limit trying to push Pathak Constructions out of the race.
Shaurya was personally invested in protecting the company only because of the excellent reputation it held regarding quality and ethics.
He genuinely wanted those projects to succeed because his goal wasn’t merely political gain.
He sincerely wanted to improve living standards and provide quality education and healthcare facilities for the people of his state.
Soon, word spread like wildfire within Shaurya’s close political and business circles.
Though his involvement remained hidden from the public, people around him knew he was backing Pathak Constructions.
And naturally, many linked it to the rumored impending marriage between him and Meera Pathak.
Unfortunately, the rumors eventually reached Akansha too.
No matter how hard she tried not to let it affect her, it did.
Because now she feared this could complicate Shaurya’s eventual public announcement about Siya.
If these rumors continued spreading, society would paint her as the “other woman” in Shaurya’s life instead of the actual truth.
People would assume she was coming between Shaurya and Meera, when in reality she had been the first woman in his life.
And worse, society would likely deem Meera Pathak more worthy of their beloved Chief Minister. Not that Akansha wanted that position anymore. But she was terrified of the cruel judgment her daughter might face because of it.
Shaurya remained completely unaware of these rumors initially. Until Suraj informed him. And the moment he heard it, horror gripped him. He only hoped Akansha hadn’t heard the rumors yet.
But that hope had arrived far too late.
“Make sure this news doesn’t reach Akansha,” Shaurya ordered Suraj sharply. But the solemn regret on Suraj’s face made Shaurya curse his fate instantly.
“Arrange a meeting with the CR(Curriculum Revisal) Committee. Now,” he instructed Shweta.
She immediately nodded and excused herself to make the arrangements.
Suraj too left after briefly updating him regarding the latest developments, deliberately keeping it short after noticing his boss’s dangerously foul mood.
Shaurya wanted to see his wife as soon as possible. He needed to know whether she was alright. And he knew very well that she had warned him not to approach her unless it was regarding professional matters or something related to Siya.
He wanted to honor every single word she said. The last thing he wanted was to distress her further. Yet somehow, that was exactly what kept happening. He couldn’t understand how rumors like this had spread so quickly.
Yes, a few people in their circles knew that the Pathaks had once approached his family with a marriage proposal years ago, but that news had died down long back.
Now, however, his relentless efforts to keep Pathak Constructions in the race had reignited that almost-dead speculation or perhaps someone was deliberately fueling it.
He had already ordered his private investigators to dig deep into the matter. And if Meera or the Pathaks were involved in spreading this narrative, he wouldn’t spare them.
Within the next hour, Shweta arranged the emergency meeting with the CR Committee as ordered.
As the meeting commenced, Shaurya asked for the project progress. Mrs. Arora explained that Phase 1 was nearing completion. Mr. Khan, Mr. Khanna, Samuel — everyone presented their updates regarding the project.
Everyone except Akansha.
She remained silent throughout the meeting. Her cold, expressionless face revealed nothing, but Shaurya knew she was deeply disturbed.
“After the completion of Phase 1, we will demonstrate the model before the top school heads in the city. All the DEOs(District Education Officers) will be attending the presentation, so prepare accordingly,” Shaurya stated professionally.
Then his eyes shifted toward Akansha.
“Dr. Akansha, I want you to personally handle the demonstration. Get every presentation and file verified by me before the end of this month.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t have the bandwidth for that,” Akansha replied calmly, holding his gaze directly.
“I can definitely assist with the presentation and the data related to my inputs, but I cannot handle everything related to the demonstration. I already have a lot on my plate that requires immediate attention.”
To everyone else, her tone sounded composed and professional. But Shaurya heard the underlying sharpness beneath it. And it sliced through him. Her direct refusal alone proved how badly these rumors had affected her. But more than anything, he needed to know what exactly was troubling her so much.
Because seeing her distressed was slowly destroying him too.
“I understand,” Shaurya replied smoothly, rising from his chair. “In that case, present me with a tracker of all your current responsibilities along with the timelines they consume. Convince me that you genuinely do not have the bandwidth.”
Then he turned toward Shweta.
“Fix Dr. Akansha’s appointment with me tomorrow at sharp 11 AM.”
Without waiting for anyone’s response, he walked out.
Shweta quietly confirmed Akansha’s appointment, her face carrying slight regret because even she could clearly sense Akansha’s unwillingness to interact with Shaurya.
Then she too exited the room.
The moment the door shut behind her, Somya Arora turned toward Akansha sharply.
“If you didn’t have bandwidth, we could have helped you. What was the need to confront Sir directly like that? I hope you understand what you’ve done.”
“Akansha... you’ve landed yourself in trouble. You do realize that, don’t you?” Mr. Khanna added worriedly, as always more concerned about her well-being than the project itself.
But Akansha was least bothered about the work implications.
She knew perfectly well that the sole purpose behind tomorrow’s appointment was not professional discussion.
Shaurya wanted to confront her. And that very thought fueled her anger further.
“I’ll handle it, Mr. Khanna. But I appreciate your concern,” Akansha replied politely, offering the older man a small smile.
After a brief exchange with Mrs. Arora, Akansha returned to her office and resumed working.
That same night, while Siya was talking to Shaurya after dinner like every other day, he cautiously asked about Akansha.
“Siya... what’s your mumma doing?” he asked casually, unaware that Akansha was within hearing range and could clearly sense the eagerness hidden behind his seemingly normal question.