Chapter 34 #2
Shaurya nodded. He trusted his team completely.
"Make sure this doesn't reach the media", Shaurya instructed immediately. He didn't want his wife getting worried unnecessarily.
"Sure, sir. We've already asked everyone to keep this matter as low-profile as possible. But it's advised that you return to the capital immediately and cut short your campaigning", Suraj said firmly.
"Suraj... is it really that serious? Can't your team handle it?", Shaurya asked.
"Sir... please. We need to leave right away", Suraj insisted, urgency evident in his tone.
Understanding the seriousness of the situation, Shaurya finally gave in.
"Okay."
He picked up his phone intending to inform Akansha that he was heading back, but Suraj's next words stopped him.
"Sir, even though we're returning, we still need to make it appear as if you're continuing the campaign until we uncover more details about the attack", Suraj explained.
Shaurya nodded slowly. He didn't want Akansha or Siya dragged into his problems, especially when those problems could potentially threaten their lives.
"I won't be meeting my wife or daughter for the next few days, Suraj. I'm handing their security responsibility to you. I can't trust anyone else with it", Shaurya said seriously.
"Of course, sir. I've already alerted the team there to keep an eye on ma'am and your daughter", Suraj assured him immediately.
"Thank you, Suraj", Shaurya replied with genuine gratitude.
For Shaurya, his wife and daughter mattered even more than his own life.
Shaurya eventually reached the guest house on the outskirts of the city. Before switching off his personal phone as advised by Suraj, he sent Akansha a message informing her that he wouldn't be able to contact her or talk to Siya for a few days due to his hectic schedule.
It took nearly thirty hours for Suraj's team, along with the intelligence and police departments, to finally crack down on the attackers.
And Shaurya had been partially right.
It wasn't the opposition behind the attack... but perhaps someone who desperately wanted the opposition in power.
Since his campaigning had already been paused and he had returned to the capital, Shaurya decided to resume work from the CM office.
Just then, Dev called him.
"We can resume the meeting after fifteen minutes. Also, let's finish this quickly because I'll leave for the office afterward", Shaurya said while glancing at Suraj, who immediately nodded and stepped aside to make the necessary arrangements for Shaurya's movement.
Soon, everyone walked out, leaving Shaurya alone in the room.
"Shaurya... thank God you're fine yaar. I was genuinely scared", Dev said the moment the call connected, making Shaurya smile faintly.
"Sir... seems like this is your fans' doing", Shaurya taunted dryly, making Dev sigh heavily.
"Don't dismiss this so casually. You know there are dangerous people involved here. They're not supporting me... they're against you. Ask Suraj to take strict action quickly", Dev said seriously.
"Relax, Dev. Until the elections are over, it's better to stay calm. Not just for public sanity, but also for Siya and Akansha's safety", Shaurya replied.
Dev sighed hearing that. Unfortunately, Shaurya was right.
"But don't worry. Suraj will handle the situation. In fact, that's exactly what we're discussing right now", Shaurya added.
"Great. But don't you dare ignore your own safety while trying to protect Akansha and Siya. This time, I won't forgive you, Shaurya. And trust me, if needed, I'll tell Akansha the entire truth myself. This isn't an empty threat", Dev warned seriously.
"I won't. Now stop with your stupid threats and say what you actually called for, or I'll resume my meeting", Shaurya replied.
"Actually... I do have something important to tell you", Dev said, immediately catching Shaurya's attention because of his tone.
"I received an invitation from my second one's school...", Dev trailed off dramatically.
"Really, Dev?" Shaurya groaned. "You're seriously in the mood to test my patience right now? Because trust me, I don't have any. I still need to personally double-check Akansha and Siya's security arrangements, so spare me your stupid pranks."
"Idiot, at least listen first", Dev snapped. "I got his school changed and shifted him to Siya's school so I could personally keep an eye on her too. My driver and guards stay outside the school the entire day."
"What?" Shaurya frowned in shock. "You changed his school just for Siya? That too in the middle of the academic year? Rachna must be upset. You disrupted his entire study cycle. Dev, you shouldn't have done that. I already told you I'm taking care of my daughter's security."
"And yet you still didn't receive the invitation from your daughter's school, huh?" Dev cut him off immediately.
"And listen to me properly. My second child is as naughty as any child can possibly get.
He's least interested in studies. For him, school is basically a picnic spot.
In fact, according to him, he's enjoying his 'new picnic.
' His words, not mine. And why would Rachna get upset?
My son is in UKG, Shaurya, not preparing to give boards, that changing schools would destroy his future", Dev explained patiently.
"Hmm... if you say so..." Shaurya muttered before suddenly pausing. "Wait... what invitation?"
"I received an invitation for the Father's Day celebration from the school. They're also conducting activities to strengthen the father-child bond", Dev explained, instantly shocking Shaurya.
"Didn't Akansha tell you?", Dev asked carefully.
And immediately, Shaurya understood why she hadn't.
Damn her.
She was willing to let their daughter get hurt just to keep the truth hidden.
"No... and I know exactly why", Shaurya replied grimly.
Dev understood too.
"But I won't let my daughter suffer this time. She'll have her father participating beside her just like every other child there", Shaurya said with quiet determination.
"Shaurya... Akansha isn't entirely wrong here. Don't make impulsive decisions that could hurt Siya or Akansha in the long run. Temporary pain is still better than permanent damage", Dev advised cautiously.
"You think this would be temporary?" Shaurya asked quietly. "My daughter will remember this forever. That her father wasn't there for her despite being available. No explanation of mine will ever justify that pain to her."
Dev fell silent because he understood exactly what Shaurya meant.
"Okay then... at least talk to Akansha before making any decision", Dev advised finally.
"I will", Shaurya assured him.
Then suddenly, a faint trace of amusement entered his tone.
"By the way... have you been following the latest updates about my personal life online?"
Dev instantly understood what he meant.
He had been closely following all those pages discussing Shaurya's personal life. In fact, Dev himself had quietly asked a few of his media contacts to help those posts gain traction. Everyone, including Richa, believed Dev was trying to use the rumors to defame Shaurya.
But in reality, he was helping Shaurya spread the news to the maximum audience possible.
"Yeah... honestly, it was a brilliant move, Shaurya. If we had more time, this strategy would've shown even stronger results. But even now, things are progressing well. And don't take the negative reactions to heart. It was a sudden shock for people. Eventually, they'll accept it", Dev assured him.
After talking for a few more minutes, Dev finally disconnected the call, and Shaurya resumed the meeting with his advisors and the intelligence team.
After that, while on his way to the office, Shaurya called Akansha. She picked up the call with a deep sigh.
"I'm busy, so talk only if it's urgent", Akansha said while continuing to work on her laptop.
Mr. Khanna and Samuel, who were working beside her, both glanced at her. Mr. Khanna looked impressed by her no-nonsense tone, while Samuel looked irritated by what he considered arrogance. The common factor between them was that neither of them knew who she was speaking to.
Though that was about to change soon.
"It's not urgent, but it's definitely important. I'll call you tonight", Shaurya replied.
The sternness in his tone immediately made her suspicious.
"You said you would be busy for a few days and wouldn't be available to talk. What changed?", she asked in the same cold tone.
"The importance of the issue changed my priorities. I won't disturb you now, get back to work", he said before disconnecting the call.
"Mumma... is it Dadda?", Siya asked excitedly as she rushed toward her mother after seeing her on the phone. The little girl had been desperate to talk to her father.
Siya had become extremely difficult to handle over the past thirty-six hours.
Akansha had initially told her daughter that she could speak to her father at night, but after receiving Shaurya's message, she understood he wouldn't be able to call for a few days. She tried preparing Siya for that reality, but her stubborn little daughter refused to accept it.
And since Richa's father wasn't keeping well, the elderly couple couldn't manage a cranky and stubborn Siya for long, forcing Akansha to bring her daughter to work.
Thankfully, she wasn't too worried because Shaurya wouldn't be there for the next few days.
Before coming, she had already warned Siya not to react excitedly if she saw her Dadda's photographs in the office because the entire workplace belonged to him, and there was always a chance that her excitement could reach the wrong ears and send her father away again.
For the time being, Siya had understood.
But children could control everything except excitement.
"Yes...", Akansha answered softly. "He said he would talk to you at night. Right now, he is working, so let's not disturb him, okay?"
She deliberately explained everything before Siya could start throwing tantrums for not being allowed to speak to him immediately.