Chapter 48
Days passed as Akansha and Shaurya prepared for their visit to Prayagraj.
It would be Shaurya's first trip with his wife and daughter together, and he wanted everything to be perfect for them. He repeatedly asked Akansha if she would be able to manage Siya while taking the holy dip so early in the morning, but Akansha assured him every single time that she would be fine.
Meanwhile, she tried finishing all her pending work before the trip. They were supposed to reach Prayagraj the night before Mahashivratri.
On the day of their journey, Akansha went to the Secretariat to hand over her work properly so her team could manage things in her absence for the next few days.
Shaurya had also planned a visit to the Ayodhya temple on their way, and Akansha agreed instantly. She had wanted to take Siya there for a long time but never got the opportunity because of her hectic schedule and responsibilities.
Maybe it was written in her daughter's fate to visit the temple with both her parents together, Akansha thought quietly.
She reached the Secretariat in the morning, planning to return home by evening since they would be leaving for Prayagraj later that night. She also intended to inform Mrs. Arora about her leave.
"This is the final draft. I've made all the necessary changes. I'd like everyone to go through it once", Akansha said while explaining the modifications she had incorporated into the model based on the team's suggestions.
Mrs. Arora nodded while reviewing the file.
"Okay, this looks fine. Sit with Mr. Khan and get this tested on the complete data available. We have two days. Sir is going out of station, so we'll block some time with him as soon as he returns and finalize everything. Mr. Khan, Dr. Dikshit... two days should be enough, right?", she asked.
Akansha opened her mouth to tell her she wouldn't be available for the next two days, but strangely, she hesitated. Saying she was travelling with her husband somehow felt awkward.
Seeing her hesitation, Mrs. Arora misunderstood completely.
"Take help from additional resources if needed. Mr. Samuel, please ask everyone to cooperate with Dr. Dikshit and Mr. Khan. Relieve them from all other work, this is our priority right now", Mrs. Arora instructed seriously.
Akansha mentally slapped herself. Why was she hesitating so much? Why should she feel guilty for taking a few days off from work? Or for travelling with her husband and daughter?
It wasn't her fault that her husband happened to be the Chief Minister.
"Actually, Mrs. Arora... I won't be available for the next two days. I'm travelling out of station with my family, so you'll have to get this done without me. Don't worry, I've already completed everything from my end and I'll be available on call if needed", Akansha clarified.
Mrs. Arora looked genuinely shocked.
"No... no... this is very important. We have to get this done before CM sir returns. Postpone your trip", she said instinctively.
The entire room fell silent. Everyone stared at her strangely.
If Akansha postponed her trip, Shaurya would obviously postpone his too, which meant they wouldn't even get those two days because he would immediately ask for the presentation once he stayed back.
Slowly, realization dawned upon Mrs. Arora as she noticed the expressions around her. She had forgotten once again that Akansha wasn't just Dr. Dikshit. She was also the Chief Minister's wife.
"Oh...", Somya muttered awkwardly, suddenly not knowing how to recover from the situation.
"Others, get back to work. If needed, take Dr. Akansha on call", she instructed quickly before leaving the room.
The moment she left, suppressed laughter broke out across the room.
"Lady Hitler forgets the world when it comes to work", Mr. Khan commented, making everyone laugh harder, including Akansha.
"The good thing is, even if she suffers memory loss someday, all work-related data will still remain protected. 'Data always available'", Mr. Goel joked dramatically while giving a hi-fi to Mr. Khanna.
The room burst into laughter again.
"Okay Dr. Akansha, you've worked very hard till now. It's time for you to enjoy with your family. You need this break", Mr. Khanna said warmly before adding teasingly, "Though for a workaholic couple like you two, even a spiritual trip counts as an outing."
Akansha resisted the urge to glare at him at the last line only because he was senior to her.
"At least she's normal most of the time. She only becomes a workaholic near deadlines. Can't say the same about CM Saab though", Mr. Goel added. "God knows how that man functions. Have you ever seen him tired? Even at three in the morning he looks active and energetic."
"Mr. Khanna, remember I told you about that flood incident?", he continued.
Mr. Khanna smiled knowingly and nodded.
"A few years ago, during the floods, we had to relocate tens of thousands of people. Arranging food, shelters, medicines, basic necessities... everything was complete chaos. We worked continuously for five days without even going home."
Even now, disbelief lingered in his voice while recalling it.
"Shaurya sir didn't go home either. During daytime he personally visited the affected areas and made sure every arrangement was handled properly. At night, he sat with us and worked on plans to stop the situation from worsening."
Everyone listened quietly.
"He didn't sleep even once during those five days. We at least took short naps in between, but he just kept going. Travelling between locations, handling meetings, supervising work... and not once did I see him complain or look exhausted."
Mr. Goel shook his head with a laugh.
"We genuinely thought he was some kind of robot. I've worked under many Chief Ministers in my career, but I've never seen anyone like him. He gets personally attached to people's pain. Even robots stop when their battery dies, but CM sir just keeps going."
A small smile appeared on Akansha's lips before she could stop it.
"He has always been like that. Even I don't understand where he gets so much energy from", she said absentmindedly.
The realization hit her a second later. For the first time, she had spoken about Shaurya like a normal wife speaking about her husband.
Until now, she usually only smiled whenever her colleagues discussed him. She never added anything herself. But this time... she did.
"Even you don't know? We thought you might reveal the secret behind his unlimited energy", Rashid joked, making everyone laugh again.
Akansha smiled too despite herself. And strangely... she liked this.
Sitting among people who casually spoke about Shaurya as her husband. Listening to them praise him. Adding her own little observations about him like any normal wife would. She liked all of it far more than she should have.
Immediately, she scolded herself internally. This was temporary. She couldn't allow herself to get comfortable like this again. Couldn't fall for him again. Couldn't love him again.
But then another thought hit her brutally. When exactly had she stopped loving him in the first place?
"Okay... I'll leave now", Akansha said finally.
Everyone nodded warmly.
"Yeah, enjoy your trip. Leave the rest to us, we'll handle everything here. We'll try not to disturb you much", Mr. Khanna assured her.
Akansha smiled thankfully and once again reminded them they could call her anytime if needed.
By the time she reached home, she found Siya completely ready and proudly sitting on top of her tiny unicorn travel suitcase while Shaurya held it tightly from behind to stop her from falling.
"Siya, baby, please get down. You'll fall and hurt yourself", Shaurya pleaded patiently while trying to make her climb down.
"No Dadda... this is so good", Siya squealed happily. "Dadda see... wheels... zummm..."
She pushed the trolley forward like a toy car while Shaurya carefully balanced both the suitcase and his daughter together.
"Siya... sit on your toy car and play with that. This is a travel suitcase, baby, not a toy", Shaurya explained patiently.
"Then why thich(this) has my favorite unicon(unicorn)?", Siya argued instantly.
Akansha pressed her lips together to stop herself from laughing.
"Siya... please bacha, I still have to pack mine and mumma's clothes too", Shaurya pleaded dramatically.
"Not in my bag. Thich(this) is mine Dadda", Siya declared possessively while hugging the suitcase tighter. "Thich(this) has unicons here. It's for kids." the little one added her logic.
Shaurya chuckled softly at his adorable daughter.
"Mumma and I will use another suitcase. But please get down now, baby. I'm scared you'll get hurt." His tone softened further. "I can't even go pack peacefully while you're doing all this. Listen to Dadda for once, bacha."
Finally, Siya showed mercy on him and climbed down. Akansha stood there silently watching her husband.
Had she been in his place, she would've already glared at Siya or sternly ordered her to get down. But where exactly did Shaurya bring so much patience from?
Sometimes she genuinely felt he was overpampering their daughter. Earlier, Siya listened after being told once, but nowadays she had become stubborn because her father always shielded her.
If Akansha tried disciplining her, Shaurya would immediately interfere and somehow save Siya every single time. He never openly opposed Akansha, but he cleverly diverted the situation and protected his daughter.
Honestly, she was fed up with both father and daughter now.
Shaurya asked Siya to go downstairs and play for some time. Siya nodded obediently, greeted her mother sweetly, and walked away with the helper.
"When should we leave?", Akansha asked while entering the room.
Shaurya looked up immediately.
"Hey... when did you come?", he asked.
Akansha huffed irritably at him. Understanding her mood instantly, Shaurya decided not to stretch the conversation unnecessarily.
"We'll leave in an hour. Is that enough time for you to freshen up?", he asked carefully.