Chapter 49
"Di... don't cry... please", Akash said softly, pulling his sister into a hug.
Akansha quickly composed herself and wiped her tears before they could properly fall.
Her chest ached unbearably. She wanted to break down loudly, wanted to let herself collapse for once, but she didn't know how to rely on anyone anymore.
She had always endured pain alone. No matter how badly life hurt her, she stood strong through it all until Shaurya entered her life.
The amount of love he showered on her, the understanding he carried for even her unspoken emotions... it had forced her to depend on him. For the first time in her life, she had felt secure enough to believe that no matter what happened, she could lean on someone completely.
That he would always stand beside her. But he had failed her too. He had chosen to marry her for revenge.
He had made her suffer through what should have been the most beautiful moments of a woman's life. Their wedding, the news of her pregnancy, the birth of their daughter... every precious memory carried pain because of him.
And for that, she could never forgive him.
"I am fine", Akansha said after forcing herself under control. "Now tell me... what's happening with these attacks on Shaurya? Who is behind all this?"
Akash's expression immediately turned serious.
"We've been working on a very crucial project for the past three years. Let's just say... if this succeeds, it can eliminate almost seventy-eight percent of black money circulation in the state and reduce the crime rate by more than fifty-eight percent."
Akansha stared at him.
"This entire mission is highly confidential.
Right now, those people only suspect that the government is planning something major, which is why the attacks started.
But the moment they get confirmation about what exactly we're doing, the attacks on him will intensify.
" Akash's jaw tightened. "I warned him this was a dangerous gamble, but he didn't listen. "
Akansha felt unease settle heavily inside her.
"What exactly is this mission about? And who all are involved in it? Is Shaurya the only target?"
Akash remained silent for a few seconds.
"I can't tell you more than this", he finally said.
"But yes... he's the primary target." His voice lowered further.
"We tried distributing the responsibility among everyone involved so that even if this ever leaked, the focus wouldn't fall entirely on one person.
But he took complete responsibility himself. "
Akansha frowned.
"He said if there had to be any loss of life because of this mission, it should begin and end with him only."
Akansha silently looked away.
Somewhere deep inside, she admired his accountability. But beneath that admiration, fear had already started tightening around her heart. What kind of mission was this?
If it truly had such a massive impact on black money and organized crime, then the people involved on the opposite side wouldn't be ordinary either.
And neither would the danger surrounding him.
"Shaurya is right in not risking your lives", Akansha said calmly despite the fear clawing inside her. "Since he's the mastermind behind all this, he should be the one taking responsibility."
Akash looked at her in surprise.
"Anyone else in his position would try protecting themselves first because technically a Chief Minister's life is considered more valuable than that of ordinary officers", Akash said. "But his thinking is completely different. For him, his officers' lives matter more than his own."
"And he's right", Akansha replied firmly.
Akash shook his head.
"I would've agreed with both of you if it were any other politician." His voice carried frustration now.
"Most of them are useless to the state and its people.
They come to power only to build enough wealth for the next seven generations.
They misuse officers like us, sacrifice us whenever needed, dump blame on us for their failed policies and play dirty politics.
" He paused briefly before continuing. "But Shaurya Singh Shekhawat isn't like them. "
There was undeniable respect in his voice now.
"There are a few honest leaders who genuinely want to help people, but most of them lack the courage and twisted intelligence required to survive among corrupt politicians who are ready to destroy any policy that benefits people instead of themselves. But he has both. The brain and the courage."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"He doesn't want to build a political empire for his future children. He wants to build a better society for them to live in. You'll barely find leaders like him in today's world. At this point, our country genuinely needs more people like him."
Akansha quietly listened to every word.
"It also needs sincere IAS officers like you", she replied softly. "People like you are equally rare, Akash." Then her voice hardened again. "And instead of discussing why Shaurya placed himself in front of danger, think about how you're going to protect him."
Akash narrowed his eyes at her.
"Why do I feel you're not as brave inside as you're pretending to be?"
Akansha looked at him coldly.
"And why do I feel you're more eager to get slapped than you're pretending not to be?"
Akash immediately stood up.
"Mai jaara hu study mein(I am going to the study). Can't keep my boss waiting."
And before his sister could actually hit him, he escaped calmly. Because he genuinely believed she would do it.
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"Sir, we've removed almost everything from the internet, but this particular clip of ma'am and your daughter has gone viral", one of Shaurya's PIs informed him while showing the video.
It was the clip of Shaurya, Akansha and Siya taking the holy dip together. Whoever had recorded it was definitely a professional. And honestly... Shaurya loved it.
He couldn't have introduced his wife and daughter to the world in a more beautiful way even if he had planned it himself. Somewhere, he took it as Mahadev's blessing.
"We can still track the original server and get it removed, sir", the PI added.
Shaurya looked at the clip once again before shaking his head.
"No. Let it be. It'll die down eventually."
Though internally, he knew he still had to discuss it with Akansha. If she wanted the videos removed, he would have no option except obeying her because ultimately, it was her choice.
Still... he hoped she wouldn't ask him to.
A few moments later, Akash entered the study, followed by Suraj.
Shaurya's core security and investigation team were already present there, discussing ways to prevent further attacks.
Suraj proposed eliminating the threats silently, but Shaurya immediately rejected the idea. Elections were approaching, and he didn't want to take unnecessary risks right now.
Meanwhile, his political strategist suggested using these attacks to gain public sympathy during elections.
Shaurya hated the idea instantly. He despised sympathy politics.
Yes, playing victim could make him wildly successful nationwide, but for some reason, he desperately wanted people to think beyond emotional manipulation.
He believed citizens should choose leaders based on capability and empathy towards people's pain... not because a leader publicly displayed his own suffering.
Neither Suraj nor Akash agreed with Shaurya's approach. He couldn't keep risking his life like this.
Election dates hadn't even been announced yet, meaning there were still months left. Campaigning would soon begin too, making him even more vulnerable. Protecting him would only get harder from here.
They genuinely couldn't understand why he was still refusing direct action.
"For now, focus on protecting me, Suraj", Shaurya said calmly. "If we take aggressive action right now, there's a possibility our entire cover will collapse, and all the effort we've invested over the years will go to waste." His tone turned firmer.
"This mission's success is extremely important for both the state and the country. I can't risk that."
"Sir, practically speaking... if they manage to seriously harm you or worse..." Akash paused unwillingly before continuing, "then everything we've built till now will collapse anyway. And you know how disastrous the consequences would be."
Shaurya knew he was right. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Fine. For now, lock up whoever your major suspects are. No official orders will be issued for this." He looked directly at Suraj. "You know how to handle it."
Then his expression hardened slightly.
"We'll deal with this properly after elections. Assuming we return to power again."
Shaurya had intentionally kept Dev away from this entire operation because he feared for his friend's life. But if he lost the elections and Dev came to power instead, he would eventually have to reveal everything and continue the mission through him.
Akash and Suraj were somewhat satisfied with his decision, though not entirely happy. Ideally, they wanted the threat eliminated completely. But for now, this was enough. After the lengthy discussion ended, Shaurya finally returned to his room for the night.
He had expected both his wife and daughter to be asleep, but instead found Akansha sitting beside their sleeping daughter, completely lost in thought.
"You didn't sleep yet?", Shaurya asked softly.
Akansha looked up abruptly, pulled out of her thoughts.
"I... I couldn't", she admitted quietly.
Thinking about her father was destroying her from inside. Imagining him spending years drowning in guilt and self-hatred hurt far more than she wanted to admit.
This was exactly why she avoided thinking about him all these years. Vasant Dikshit had always been her weakest point. Guilt slowly consumed her now. She had punished him too harshly despite knowing how emotionally fragile he was.