Chapter 34 #4
He took the ex-Education Minister and his right-hand man aside for a quick discussion, and within minutes, the situation calmed down temporarily.
Only then did Shaurya finally breathe in relief. This was one of the toughest moments of his tenure as Chief Minister. Not because he hadn't handled worse situations before. He had. Far worse ones. But in none of those situations had his wife been just a few minutes away from danger.
For the first time in his life, he was forced to act both as the Chief Minister of the state and as a husband simultaneously. And the mere thought of failing to protect Akansha filled both his mind and heart with fear.
Ironically, this became the shortest political negotiation of his career.
After all, he was the ruling Chief Minister. He held the power. If he wanted, he could've had the protestors arrested within minutes. Moreover, the previous government's numerous scams gave him enough leverage to silence the former minister quickly.
Eventually, while the protests didn't stop completely, they were redirected away from the Secretariat premises.
Without making any formal announcement, Shaurya quietly headed toward the Education Department wing. Suraj and his team followed closely behind him while Mr. Sharma returned to the CM office to rearrange Shaurya's schedule accordingly, now that his return to the capital was no longer a secret.
The moment Shaurya entered the wing, fate decided to test him further.
Siya had just woken up from her afternoon nap and had walked toward her mother's workstation in an already cranky mood.
The moment Mr. Khanna noticed the heightened security and alert movement around the department, he quickly held Siya's hand, intending to take her to Akansha's desk before she noticed anything unusual.
But the sleepy little girl got irritated and let out an angry squeal. And hearing that familiar voice, Shaurya froze mid-step.
Damn.
His daughter was here. Akansha must have brought Siya along assuming he was still out of town campaigning. For a moment, Shaurya instinctively decided to turn back and leave immediately. But then he heard Siya's cranky little sob. And instantly, he understood.
She had just woken up from her nap, and judging by her mood, Akansha was probably busy somewhere nearby. The absence of both her mother and father together always made Siya extra cranky after sleep.
Before Shaurya could decide what to do next, Siya looked up. And the moment she spotted him, her entire face lit up with pure happiness.
Still sleepy and excited, the little girl forgot every promise she had made to both her parents about keeping her father's identity a secret.
"DADDA...", Siya squealed happily before running straight toward Shaurya, shocking everyone around them.
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That evening, after returning home, Shaurya visited Akriti, who became instantly excited after learning that he had finally met her favorite professor.
"You were absolutely right... she is interesting. That woman is truly something", Shaurya admitted thoughtfully.
"I know right!" Akriti grinned excitedly. "Akansha ma'am isn't just beautiful. Her grace, intelligence, personality... everything about her is interesting. But more than anything, her no-nonsense attitude is so attractive. Honestly, if she were a man, I would've married her myself, Shaurya."
Once again, Akriti openly expressed her admiration for Akansha.
A few days later, Dev was busy scolding Akriti over her terrible performance in the recent semester examinations when, as usual, Shaurya stepped in to rescue her.
"Stop pampering her and ask what exactly she needs to improve her grades. She didn't even get pass marks, Shaurya", Dev complained in frustration. "At this rate, Dad will throw both me and her out of the house together."
"Calm down. I'm sure she'll do better next semester", Shaurya said patiently.
"Yes, she will... because now she has to clear both the next semester and the backlog from this one." Dev turned toward his sister irritably. "Akriti, tell me clearly, what do you need to score properly in your exams?"
"I want Akansha ma'am as my home tutor. She is the best. If she teaches me, I'll definitely pass with flying colors", Akriti declared confidently.
"Done. I'll arrange it", Shaurya promised immediately.
"It's not that easy", Dev interrupted. "I've been trying for the past one year. That woman is unbelievably stubborn."
"Because you keep sending your stupid men to convince her. Obviously she'll refuse", Akriti argued.
"Stupid men?" Dev glared at her. "I even sent Chachu personally, but she still refused clearly. She has no interest in home tutoring anyone. She said she's pursuing her PhD and doesn't have enough time."
"Shaurya please... I really want her as my tutor. Please convince her. I know you can", Akriti pleaded dramatically.
"Of course, bacha. Have I ever said no to you?" Shaurya smiled. "I'll convince her."
And that was the day Shaurya truly began observing Akansha carefully before approaching her regarding tutoring his sister.
But strangely, after a few days, Akriti completely changed her stance.
The moment Shaurya asked her again about hiring Akansha Dixit as her tutor, she immediately refused.
And it took Shaurya several months to finally understand why Akriti no longer wanted Akansha Dixit as her tutor.