Chapter 54 #3
But just as everyone clapped, Siya picked up the very first piece and forwarded it toward Shaurya, leaving him stunned.
She always fed her Mama Bear first. And somewhere, he had expected the same today too.
Akansha recollected the conversation she had with her daughter while getting her ready earlier.
"Mama Bear... you know I love you more than Dadda, right?" little Siya asked innocently.
Akansha narrowed her eyes at her daughter knowingly.
"What do you want to do now?" she asked, already sensing that something was cooking inside that tiny head of hers.
"Dadda said I'll cut the cake again... now and in the evening too. Can I feed Dadda first now? I always feed you first because I love you thissss much more than Dadda..." Siya explained, stretching her tiny arms dramatically. "But Dadda will feel sad na if I always feed you fisht(first)..."
The lengthy explanation, the emotional reasoning, and the careful choice of words instantly reminded Akansha of Shaurya.
Even he always did the same. Before asking for anything, he would first make sure she wasn't hurt by it. Akansha smiled faintly at the striking similarities between the father and daughter.
"Okay, go ahead. Feed Dadda first," Akansha said softly.
Siya immediately kissed her cheek noisily.
"Thank you Mama Bear... but Siya Bear loves you the most," she clarified seriously, as though reassuring a child.
Akansha chuckled at her daughter's antics.
"I know, I know," she replied fondly.
"Dadda... eat," Siya ordered, forwarding the cake toward him.
Shaurya looked genuinely surprised by the gesture, but instead of taking the bite himself, he gently held Siya's tiny palm and redirected the cake toward Akansha.
"Mumma always comes first. Every single time," Shaurya told his daughter softly before kissing her cheek.
Together, the father-daughter duo fed the cake to Akansha.
For a second, she forgot about the crowd around them.
The only thing she noticed was Shaurya's unwavering instinct to place her above everything else.
He never cared about the audience. For him, the rule had always remained the same — Akansha came first.
Afterward, Siya fed the cake to Shaurya, then to Akash and Richa, followed by Suman and Harsh.
Soon, Ishaan and Ivaan came forward too and lovingly fed Siya cake, making Dev and Rachna smile emotionally from afar.
Perhaps they couldn't openly step forward because of the crowd and formal atmosphere, but moments like these still made them happy. At least their children could love Siya freely.
Once the cake-cutting ended, the guests began handing their gifts to the birthday girl one after another.
After some time, Akansha asked Suman to take the children inside. Suman immediately took Siya and Harsh with her while Ishaan and Ivaan eagerly followed behind them.
Dev and Rachna pretended to stop the boys and scold them for running around carelessly, but Shaurya simply told them it was fine and encouraged the kids to go play.
Akansha rolled her eyes at the unnecessary drama they were putting up.
Soon, she and Shaurya began requesting the guests to enjoy the feast while Akash helped the couple host everyone properly.
The arrangements were flawless, and mentally, Shaurya already noted to reward Drishti and her team generously for managing everything so beautifully. Well... only after consulting his wife first and taking her opinion.
Throughout the event, Shaurya proudly introduced Akansha to his ministers, MLAs, business associates, and other influential guests.
Curiosity was evident in everyone's eyes. It was the first time they were meeting the Chief Minister's wife.
Until a few months ago, most of them had viewed Shaurya Singh Shekhawat as the most eligible bachelor within their circles.
Many had even secretly considered him a potential groom for their daughters or nieces, calculating the political and social gains such an alliance could bring but now, with Akansha in the picture, they couldn't help their curiosity.
One question lingered in everyone's mind — what made Shaurya Singh Shekhawat choose her?
But now, standing beside Akansha, all their silent questions slowly found answers.
The confidence she carried, the quiet strength in her demeanor, the clarity in her words, and the grace with which she handled herself — it all spoke volumes.
Above everything else, she looked like a woman who balanced being an exceptional mother and a dependable partner effortlessly.
Slowly, the guests started leaving one by one.
Earlier, Akansha had instructed her father, Rajnath, and Aakriti to make the children sleep for a while after feeding them so they could wake up refreshed for the evening party.
"I'll go check on the kids," Akansha told Shaurya once most of the guests had left.
He nodded immediately.
"Ah, Mrs. Shekhawat, please ask Ishaan and Ivaan to come out too. We'll take our leave now," Dev said politely.
Akansha nodded with a small smile before walking upstairs. As soon as she entered the room, satisfaction washed over her seeing all four children sleeping peacefully.
Vasant and Rajnath were engaged in a quiet conversation. Jaya, and Suman were seated nearby silently.
Instantly, Akansha understood why Aakriti wasn't there.
Since Suman and Aakriti were still avoiding each other, Akansha had deliberately asked Aakriti to stay with the children instead. But seeing everyone else gathered there made her frown slightly.
"Where's Aakriti, Uncle?" Akansha asked Rajnath softly.
"She stepped into the other room for a work call," Rajnath replied.
"Oh... okay. Ask her to stay with the kids once she's done," Akansha said before glancing subtly toward Suman, who immediately understood the underlying message. She quietly prepared to leave once Aakriti returned. "I think all of you should rest for a while too," Akansha added gently.
"Nah, we're fine," both Rajnath and Vasant replied together.
However, Jaya visibly looked exhausted.
Without saying much, Akansha silently showed her mother one of the guest rooms and helped her settle comfortably inside.
Jaya opened her mouth as though wanting to say something, but Akansha walked away before she could.
Just then, one of the helpers approached her hurriedly.
"Ma'am, sir is asking for you. The Governor and his wife are here. If Siya isn't sleeping, sir asked you to bring her downstairs."
Akansha nodded before entering the kids' room and carefully lifting Siya into her arms.
"Let her sleep a little longer. She just slept," Vasant said softly.
"The Governor and his wife are here, Papa. They're very fond of Shaurya. I want them to bless Siya. I'll bring her back soon," Akansha explained gently before carrying Siya downstairs.
The little girl woke up briefly but remained drowsy, adjusting herself comfortably against her mother's shoulder before dozing off again.
Akansha respectfully greeted the Governor and his wife.
"Oh! So this is the birthday girl? Happy Birthday, Siyakriti," the Governor wished warmly.
Still sleepy, Siya only hummed softly in response.
"I'm sorry, sir. She had just fallen asleep, so she's a little cranky," Akansha apologized politely.
"That's perfectly alright, Dr. Akansha. I understand. Let her rest. We'll meet her another time," Mr. Swaminathan replied with an understanding smile.
"Here... a small gift for her," Mrs. Swaminathan said warmly while slightly patting Shaurya's shoulder. "We wanted to give it personally, but since she's sleepy, give it to her later. Tell her Daadu-Daadi gave it."
She had always been deeply fond of Shaurya. Though professionalism maintained boundaries between them, her affection for him occasionally surfaced naturally.
"Thank you, ma'am," Shaurya replied respectfully.
"Please bless her yourselves," Akansha requested softly before trying to wake Siya. "Siya Bear... wake up and take blessings," she coaxed gently.
But Siya only became crankier.
Immediately, Shaurya took his daughter into his arms and began patting her soothingly until she calmed down again.
"Looks like he pampers her more," Mrs. Swaminathan remarked knowingly while glancing at Akansha.
"Yeah... a lot," Akansha admitted with a helpless smile, watching the father-daughter duo.
"So you had to become the stricter parent. Knowing Shaurya, he could never be strict with his daughter," Mrs. Padma Swaminathan added amusedly.
"Yes. He gives in to all her demands. And honestly, he handles her tantrums with far more patience than I do," Akansha confessed.
"Daddaaa..." Siya mumbled sleepily before opening her eyes.
"Awe... my magic unicorn woke up?" Shaurya asked lovingly before tickling her lightly to wake her properly.
Siya burst into giggles immediately, making him smile.
After introducing the Governor and his wife to her, Shaurya encouraged Siya to take their blessings properly. The little girl obediently complied before thanking them sweetly for the gift.
Soon afterward, Shaurya sent her back upstairs with Mrs. Sudha so she could continue sleeping.
"You're raising her beautifully. Both of you. Keep it up," Mr. Swaminathan praised warmly.
"All the credit goes to her, sir," Shaurya replied instantly, pointing toward Akansha.
"Well... that's obvious," Mrs. Swaminathan teased playfully, making everyone laugh.
After they left, the remaining guests slowly departed too.
Dev and Rachna asked for their children, but both Shaurya and Akansha convinced them to let the boys stay back for the evening kids' party.
Acting unwilling at first, Dev and Rachna eventually agreed before leaving the place, finally dropping their public facade once they got inside the car.
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"Thank God this finally ended. My eyes nearly gave up after watching Dev's overacting," Akansha muttered tiredly after settling onto the couch, leaning her head back with a long sigh.