Chapter 41 #5
Though the decision was difficult for her, she had always known this day might eventually come.
She had prepared herself mentally long ago, so it didn't shake her as badly as it once would have.
But before anything else, they needed to prepare Siya for the change, and Shaurya and Akansha decided they would talk to her properly after the Father's Day celebrations.
Siya would undoubtedly be happy to live with her father, but she also loved her tiny cozy house. She liked visiting her father's massive mansion, but to her, it never felt like home. Both her parents understood that very well.
That was why Shaurya had quietly asked Akansha to decorate parts of the house according to Siya's comfort.
Initially, Akansha hesitated, but knowing her daughter, she eventually agreed.
If Siya struggled to adjust there, she would do whatever was needed to make the place feel warm and familiar for her.
"First we'll go to the Secretariat. I have a few files to sign, and then we'll head to Siya's school," Shaurya told Suraj.
"Okay sir. Security arrangements are done. I've informed the school chairman about your visit and he cooperated fully, though he still doesn't know the actual purpose behind it. We've also advised them to keep your visit low profile," Suraj briefed.
Shaurya gave a nod.
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"Mamabear... when will Dadda come?" Siya asked again, making Akansha sigh softly.
"He said he'll be here before the function starts. I'll call him once more, okay? Don't worry, baby... he'll come soon," Akansha assured gently.
Siya nodded and ran back toward her friends.
Thankfully, the children and parents were seated separately, otherwise Siya would've already started crying seeing every other child sitting beside their fathers while hers still hadn't arrived.
Akansha, meanwhile, was busy helping the teachers with the arrangements.
"What happened, Akansha ma'am?" Rashi asked curiously. "Siya's father couldn't make it?"
"He's just stuck with work. He'll be here soon," Akansha replied calmly.
Bharti scoffed immediately.
"What's more important than his daughter? Or maybe he's subtly showing you the importance you and Siya hold in his life, but you're too slow to understand it, Akansha ma'am."
Akansha merely shook her head at the woman, not even bothering to respond.
"By the way," Rashi added in a lower voice, "I overheard Chairman Sir talking to the Principal. They were discussing CM sir and both looked really tense."
Bharti frowned at once, but Akansha didn't react. She already knew what the matter was.
The administration was tense because Shaurya's visit had been informed at the last minute, and they had specifically been instructed not to arrange any grand welcome for him.
It wasn't unusual for Shaurya to visit schools considering he was also the Education Minister, but visits from someone of his stature, especially on short notice, naturally created panic.
Just then, Akansha's phone rang.
Shaurya.
She immediately walked aside before answering.
"Where the hell are you?" she snapped the moment she picked up. "Siya has been waiting for you. If I see tears in my daughter's eyes because of you, Shaurya, I swear I won't spare you. Take that as my warning."
"I'm sorry," he apologized instantly. "I got stuck with something important. Don't worry, I'm already on my way. I'll reach there soon."
Then his tone softened anxiously.
"Did she cry?"
"Not yet," Akansha replied honestly. "But if you delay any longer, she definitely will."
"It's all your brother's fault," Shaurya complained immediately.
"Really?" Akansha taunted dryly. "Because he somehow managed to reach here on time."
"What?" Shaurya sounded personally offended. "That cruel brother-in-law of mine trapped me in work and is now happily spending time with my daughter there?"
Akansha chuckled despite herself.
"Your daughter is sitting peacefully with her friends. But yes, Akash is definitely having the time of his life sitting among grandparents and elderly people."
The school had combined Father's Day with Family Day celebrations, so grandparents had been invited too. Since Richa couldn't attend because of an assignment, poor Akash had ended up sitting among elderly couples alone who had already started looking at him like a prospective groom.
"Serves him right for doing this to me," Shaurya muttered smugly.
"Dev also reached here on time, Shaurya. You're the only one who's late," Akansha added casually.
"I can't believe even he betrayed me," Shaurya grumbled. "Half an hour ago he told me he hadn't even left yet. Fine, bye. I'll be there soon."
He disconnected after hearing her absentminded hum.
The truth was, Akash had no option but to get Shaurya's approvals and signatures on several urgent files.
Since the matter needed immediate processing, Shaurya had been forced to stay back and finish the work.
Under normal circumstances, he would've ignored anything else without hesitation, but this particular issue genuinely couldn't wait.
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Finally, Shaurya's convoy entered the school premises.
As instructed by him earlier, Suraj had reduced the number of escort vehicles considerably, but even then, the convoy attracted immediate attention. Heads turned instinctively.
Thankfully, the school had already blocked the road for outsiders, allowing only school vans, staff vehicles, parents, and grandparents to enter.
That helped maintain at least some level of privacy.
Even so, the school's photographer and videographer immediately started capturing the arriving convoy.
The moment the vehicles halted, Shaurya stepped out.
Mr. Goyal, the school chairman, his grandson Parth Goyal, Principal Mr. Joshi, and several staff members stood waiting to receive him formally.
As soon as someone approached with garlands, Shaurya politely accepted them only to hand them over to his staff. Folding his hands in a respectful namaste, he walked ahead while his security detail followed behind him.
"Now I understand what everyone was talking about," Rashi whispered under her breath.
Akansha glanced briefly at her before walking toward Shaurya, making her colleagues frown in confusion. They assumed she was simply going to receive her superior formally.
Before the chairman could escort him further, Shaurya spoke politely.
"You don't need to guide me personally. Today I'm here as a normal parent attending my child's event. My daughter studies in your school, so please continue with your work. My wife will guide me to the seating area. I'm sure she already knows the arrangements."
For a few moments, nobody understood what he had just said.
Then Akansha walked over and stopped beside him.
"Akansha... my wife," Shaurya introduced with a calm smile.
Well, he already knew she would probably break his teeth once they returned home because she absolutely hated public introductions like this, even if it was technically the truth now.
Standing there beside him, Akansha could clearly see the shock... and the faint sense of betrayal... in Mr. Joshi's eyes.
Despite all the support he had offered her over the years, she had never trusted him enough to tell him something this important.