Chapter 39 #2
If not for the truth about their marriage coming out, she would have never laid beside Shaurya like this. But now that she knew she was still legally his wife, it no longer felt scandalous.
Just... uncomfortable. And she fully planned on throwing him out the moment Siya fell asleep.
Soon, Siya drifted into deep sleep.
Shaurya carefully shifted her onto the bed, tucked the duvet around her gently, and then quietly walked out to sleep on the couch in the hall. Akansha silently shut the bedroom door after he left.
The next morning, before leaving, Akansha warned Shaurya not to visit her house for a few days. She didn't care about the neighbors' opinions, but she worried about how their gossip might eventually affect Siya.
After Shaurya left, Akansha took Siya to school. Later, since she had some pending work at the Secretariat, she took Siya along with her there.
By now, Siya had unofficially become the favorite child of the CR committee staff.
The moment Akansha entered, one after another started pampering Siya while Akansha quietly settled at her desk and resumed work.
Now that everyone knew Siya was their beloved Chief Minister's daughter, they couldn't stop noticing similarities between father and daughter. After some time, Siya was dropped at the daycare while everyone returned to work.
Meanwhile, Akash visited Shaurya to discuss a few developments regarding the issue they were currently handling. After their professional discussion ended, Akash cautiously asked about Siya and how she was adjusting to Shaurya.
Initially, Akash used to feel jealous seeing Siya bond so easily with Shaurya. But eventually he accepted a painful truth — no matter how much he loved his niece, he could never become her father. That place belonged only to Shaurya. And for Siya's happiness, he had to accept that reality.
Shaurya told him everything in detail and also informed him that Akansha and Siya were currently at the Secretariat.
"You can visit them if you want", Shaurya suggested.
Akash looked hesitant.
He didn't want unnecessary attention on himself, especially considering the nature of the project they were secretly handling. But when Shaurya casually mentioned that the CR committee staff already knew Siya was his daughter and Akansha his wife, Akash instantly grew furious.
He hated how rapidly things were spiraling while he remained unaware because of work.
The project they were handling was extremely crucial and required complete secrecy, which often forced him to disconnect from his family entirely.
"We are wrapping everything up within a few months before your elections", Akash said seriously. "After that, I need a proper leave, sir. It's been too long since I peacefully spent time with my di or Siya."
Shaurya nodded with a faint smile.
"Then go meet them now itself on your way", he suggested again.
"I will. Thank you", Akash replied before leaving after a few more work-related discussions.
Akash walked toward the Education Department wing inside the Secretariat, instantly attracting attention. People were visibly confused.
As far as everyone knew, IAS officer Akash Dikshit worked closely with the Chief Minister and mostly handled law and order, administrative operations, and other critical departments.
The Education Department had nothing to do with him.
So naturally, his sudden appearance there sparked curiosity.
Still, nobody dared question him directly.
Unlike Shaurya's calm and composed personality, Akash's impatience and temper were permanently visible on his face, making people extra cautious around him.
"I want to meet Dr. Akansha Dixit from the CR committee. Could you guide me to her desk?" he asked the receptionist politely but rigidly.
"Yes, sir. The CR committee sits on the first floor, right side wing", the lady answered nervously. "Please give me one minute, I'll ask someone to escort you to Dr. Akansha's workstation."
"That's alright. I'll find it myself. Thank you", Akash replied before walking away.
He was already upset with his sister. She had once again hidden everything from him.
She was always like this — never sharing her problems, emotions, or struggles with anyone.
Akash had tried countless times to make her rely on others at least occasionally, but Akansha always remained emotionally guarded. He knew her difficult childhood shaped her into this person, but he desperately wanted to take care of her now.
In many ways, she was the biggest reason he worked day and night to crack UPSC in his very first attempt. He wanted to end his sister's suffering. But by the time he became capable enough to protect her... she disappeared from his life.
Sometimes, the mere thought of everything his sister endured shattered him internally and made him feel painfully useless.
Akash finally entered the CR committee workspace and asked for Akansha's desk. One of the employees guided him there. The moment he entered, he saw his sister deeply engrossed in work.
"Rashid ji, please compile these. I'm done with the stats", Akansha said while passing a file across the cubicle wall.
"Sir..." Mr. Khan suddenly stood up seeing Akash.
Akansha looked up too and immediately frowned. One glance at his face told her everything. He already knew about the recent developments regarding Siya and Shaurya.
And he was angry.
Very angry.
Still, she knew one thing clearly — despite all his anger, Akash would never raise his voice at her. Neither her father, nor her brother, nor even her husband possessed that courage.
"Thank you. I'll take it from here. You can leave", Akash told the employee who guided him.
"Sir... is everything alright?" Mrs. Arora rushed over nervously after hearing Akash Dikshit's sudden arrival in the Education Department.
"Everything is fine, Mrs. Arora", Akash assured calmly. "I'm here for personal work. You all can relax."
Then he turned toward Akansha, and despite the sternness on his face, his tone softened slightly.
"I need to talk to you."
Akansha sighed internally before nodding. She hated scenes like this.
First, people lost their minds after Shaurya publicly acknowledged her as his wife. And now Akash had arrived too.
Everyone already knew Akash was one of Shaurya's closest aides. If their relationship became public too, people would immediately assume Shaurya favored Akash because he was his brother-in-law, even though that wasn't true at all.
God... everything was becoming messier day by day. And her brother was here to worsen it further.
"I want to meet Siya too, Di", Akash added.
Akansha instantly glared at him before subtly looking around at her colleagues, who were all pretending to work while shamelessly listening to every word.
"First tell me why you are here", Akansha replied calmly, though irritation was evident in her voice. "I'm sure it must be extremely important if you couldn't wait until I got home?"
Akash immediately understood she was annoyed by his sudden appearance there.
"I didn't have time to come home and meet you, di", Akash explained quickly. "I have to leave outstation again in a few hours. I came to personally deliver some official documents to Sir... and thought I would meet you and Siya before leaving."
Akansha instantly understood it was Shaurya who informed him about Siya being there.
She clenched her fists tightly, controlling the urge to knock both her brother's and that idiot father of her child's heads together.
The moment they reached a secluded corner, their usual bickering started.
"Why didn't you tell me all this, di?" Akash questioned immediately.
"I never do, Akash", Akansha snapped. "And don't question me. I'm still your elder sister. Instead explain why you came here. Your visit alone is enough to spark unnecessary rumours now."
"It doesn't matter, di. People will know eventually anyway", Akash argued calmly. "Half the CM office already knows you are my sister. They think I was the one who requested Sir to get you into the CR committee. We can't stop rumours, so just ignore them."
That only earned him another glare.
"I know very well what to do, so stop preaching", Akansha hissed irritably. "Honestly, both you and your bl**dy Sir are getting on my nerves now."
Then she pointed toward the daycare section.
"Anyway, I have important work. Siya is in the daycare. Go meet her and ask about the lunch box. She'll show you. Eat it and leave."
Then her tone softened slightly.
"And if you have time, feed her the fruit box too. I'm busy."
"I'll feed her", Akash agreed instantly. "But I am not eating the lunch you packed for yourself. Take some time and eat it properly. Anyway, your cooking isn't even that great."
"Thappad khana hai(Want a slap)?" Akansha warned dangerously.
"Nai, tiffin khalunga(no, I'll eat the lunch box)", Akash surrendered immediately.
He knew very well his sister would actually slap him if he pushed further.
Akansha gave him one last glare before returning to work while Akash headed toward the daycare.
"Mamuuuuu!" Siya squealed excitedly the moment she saw him.
She ran straight into his arms, and Akash immediately lifted her high in the air before catching her again carefully, making her burst into loud giggles.
"How is my little Siyuuu?" Akash asked affectionately while kissing both her cheeks repeatedly.
"Hehe... good", Siya replied proudly before kissing her uncle's cheek back.
Akash sat down with her while the daycare staff handled the other children nearby. After playing with her for some time, he finally decided to feed her fruits.
Usually Siya ate fruits without much fuss, so Akash assumed she simply wasn't in the mood today.
Little did he know, Siya's fruit tantrums had always existed... and ever since her father entered her life, they had only worsened further.
And Akash had absolutely no idea how to handle her tantrums. His sister would definitely scold him later for failing at such a simple task.