Chapter 31
"But can you endure her anger until then?", Akansha asked while looking directly into his eyes.
Shaurya immediately looked away because he couldn't answer that question honestly while staring into her eyes.
"I don't know about that... but my daughter definitely cannot afford to stay angry with you", Shaurya answered softly.
Akansha sighed while shaking her head helplessly.
He was always like this. Sacrificing everything for the people he loved without expecting anything in return.
He had done countless things like that for her too, and she hadn't forgotten any of them.
Akansha never doubted his love for her because it was always visible through his actions.
But his betrayal had shattered her heart so deeply that it overshadowed everything else he ever did for her.
Before him, she never knew love and betrayal could co-exist together. Even the thought sounded absurd. But Shaurya somehow made it a painful reality.
"Like hell you don't know. It's been three days since you properly ate anything. Just look at yourself", Akansha scolded him worriedly.
"Is this how you handle problems? You cannot be such a sensitive father, Shaurya. If you can't handle your daughter's temporary anger, then I don't think you'll become a good parent to her."
Her words made him look up at her silently.
"Sometimes, you'll have to be strict with her.
You'll have to refuse things that might harm her.
She'll get angry at you, but you'll still have to stay stubborn because it'll be for her own good.
How are you going to handle all that if you become this weak over something as small as this?
", Akansha asked, genuinely worried for both him and Siya.
Because her daughter couldn't afford to have a weak father. But instead of feeling hurt by her harsh words, Shaurya smiled softly.
"Hearing you talk about Siya's future... and about parenting her together already fills me with hope", he admitted gently.
Then after a pause, he added quietly, "You're right. I need to become a stronger father. But right now... I'm just a weak man with a fragile heart when it comes to his daughter."
Slowly, he held her palm.
"Please make me stronger, Akansha... Hold me together until I become that strong", he whispered vulnerably.
The way he openly exposed all his vulnerabilities in front of her softened something inside Akansha. Maybe she could support him. At least enough to help him become a better father.
After all, it was for Siya.
"I will... I know you're more rigid than a mountain when it comes to protecting your daughter. But become equally rigid against the pain she causes you too", Akansha said softly.
Shaurya nodded obediently, though deep down she knew he was nowhere near rigid. In reality, he was as soft as Siya's fluffy unicorn cushion when it came to his daughter.
"By the way... won't you ask what work I have at five because of which I preponed my appointment?", Akansha asked suddenly.
"I won't trouble you with questions, Akansha. You can go wherever you want. I know my interference only makes you uncomfortable", Shaurya replied quietly.
His answer should have satisfied her. Instead, it unexpectedly hurt her. For a brief second, it almost felt as though he didn't care. And that feeling irritated her more than it should have.
She hated how her heart constantly wanted two completely contradictory things at the same time.
"You are such a useless person... Today is your daughter's vaccination, idiot", Akansha snapped, resisting the urge to smack his head.
"Vaccination? But she's already four years old, right?", Shaurya asked confusedly.
Akansha immediately understood what he meant.
"Yes... MMR second dose", she clarified.
"Huh?", he asked blankly again.
"Measles, Mumps, and Rubella", Akansha explained patiently.
"Oh...", Shaurya nodded before speaking again carefully.
"If you don't mind... can we do it at my residence?", he asked softly.
The very thought of his daughter being in pain had already made his heart restless.
"Your residence? Shaurya, no one knows-", Akansha started immediately, but he quickly interrupted her.
"I have a personal doctor whom I trust completely. His daughter is a pediatrician. If you're okay with it, I'll ask her to come today. I want to be there for my daughter... from now onwards... always."
His voice lowered into a plea.
"Pl... Please, Akansha..."
After thinking for a long moment, Akansha finally nodded. It would actually be better for Siya too. Maybe spending more time with her father would help resolve some of the distance between them.
"Thank you so much... I'll ask Suraj to pick you and Siya up", Shaurya said immediately.
Akansha nodded again.
"If it's at your residence, then let's plan it for night instead. I know 5 PM won't work for you, and it would also be difficult for Suraj to arrange everything at such short notice", Akansha suggested practically.
Shaurya nodded in agreement.
"Shaurya...", she called softly.
"Hm...?", he responded curiously.
For the first time since she entered his cabin, her eyes held warmth instead of coldness.
"I never told you this before. I know your guilt about not being there for your daughter will never leave you... but... even without realizing it, you helped us a lot", Akansha admitted quietly.
Shaurya frowned in confusion.
"Help? Me? If you're trying to make me feel better so I'll start eating again, then don't. Talking to you already made me feel slightly better, and I'll start with a light dinner tonight", he said softly.
Akansha immediately glared at him.
"Shut up. I don't care enough about you to lie for your sake. You're not that important", she snapped instantly.
Then after a brief pause, she continued.
"I'm telling the truth. When Siya was born, I didn't have enough money.
There were too many vaccines, and I was terrified and helpless.
That's when I got to know about the healthcare policies you implemented.
.. how you provided high-quality vaccines for children at affordable prices, even in private hospitals. "
Shaurya stared at her silently.
"You did a really good job there. You made sure the vaccines remained high quality. I got Siya vaccinated through the same scheme until she turned three", Akansha admitted softly.
But instead of making him feel better, her words crushed him further. Because he should have been there beside them through all of it.
"I hate myself for your sufferings... and I always will", Shaurya whispered painfully while holding her palm tightly.
"I hated you too. I was hesitant to even accept any help connected to you... even indirectly. But then I looked at our daughter and changed my mind."
Akansha's voice softened.
"She deserved it. She deserved every single thing her father provided. It was her right... and I was simply giving her what already belonged to her", she said quietly.
Shaurya nodded with a small emotional smile.
"I know a single sorry can never compensate for all your sufferings... but I'll still keep apologizing to you all my life. I'm sorry", Shaurya whispered.
"As Siya's father, you haven't done anything wrong, Shaurya. So you don't need to apologize for that", Akansha clarified once again.
Once again, she reminded him that she only saw him as her daughter's father now. And somehow, for the moment, he tried accepting even that.
"Have lunch, Shaurya... Like I said, you need to stay strong to handle your daughter's tantrums. How long are you planning to survive on vitamins?", Akansha asked softly.
"I will eat...", he promised immediately, a faint smile appearing on his face.
He would do anything she asked him to. Her words still mattered to him more than anything else.
"I threw up whatever I tried eating... So I thought it would be better to avoid food for a few days", he admitted quietly.
"It doesn't work like that. Eat now. Start with light food and you'll slowly get better", Akansha said firmly.
"Will you sit here until I finish?", he asked softly.
Without thinking even for a second, she nodded.
She knew her presence would help him calm down, so why not?
She had already established her boundaries clearly.
But if her daughter's father needed her support, then she would definitely help him... for her daughter's sake.
At least, that's what she kept telling both her heart and mind.
"Shweta, send my lunch inside", Shaurya instructed over the phone.
Within the next five minutes, Shweta walked into the cabin carrying his lunch.
"Leave it here", Shaurya told her softly.
Shweta nodded before giving Akansha a polite smile and quietly walking away.
All the earlier questions in her mind had disappeared by now.
With Akansha sitting beside him and reassuring him, Shaurya's mind calmed down slightly, and for the first time in days, he managed to eat a little.
"I'll leave now... Take care", Akansha said softly before picking up her files and walking out.
After obtaining Siya's vaccination details from Akansha, Shaurya immediately arranged for the vaccine dose to be administered at his residence.
His doctor, Rajeev Chauhan, was genuinely surprised upon hearing about Siya's existence. He knew about Shaurya's struggles because he had been treating him for the last five years.
And over time, he had also learned about Akansha.
Initially, Shaurya had refused to speak about anything related to her, but since most of his physical health issues were directly linked to stress, emotional pressure, and mental exhaustion, he eventually had no option but to open up gradually.
After all, he couldn't afford remaining sick for too long.
Rajeev immediately informed his daughter, Dr. Rathi Chauhan, one of the best pediatricians in the state.
After reviewing Siya's reports and vaccination records, Dr. Rathi assured Shaurya that she and her team would personally be present for Siya's vaccination that evening.
---------