Chapter 64 #2
"Leave this kid for now and concentrate on the two kids at your place — one who is putting a tiger in your neighbor's house, and one who is demanding proof of its existence," Rajnath sent.
Yah! Will have to deal with those two before Shaurya comes up with another stupid story of his," Akansha typed and sent.
"Or he may actually put a tiger ?? in your neighbor's house," Dev said. Akansha rolled her eyes at his comment, unaware her husband had actually thought of that option to make his daughter believe.
Akansha walked back to the hall, announcing her presence.
"Siya bear, it's been 40 minutes since Dadda started feeding you. You're still not done?" she asked. Siya looked at her Dadda for help.
"I was feeding her slowly, my fault," Shaurya said.
Akansha, tired of Shaurya taking Siya's mistakes onto himself, decided to set the father-daughter pair straight.
"Why were you being slow? Don't you know it's her bedtime in 10 minutes?
Your daughter is a good girl, but you are at fault.
You're a bad boy, Shaurya," she scolded, glaring.
Shaurya was tongue-tied — he knew she was only scaring Siya through him, but he wouldn't lie if he said he wasn't a little afraid.
Siya waited a minute to see if Dadda would defend himself. Why is he afraid of her mumma? she wondered. He's bigger and stronger — if I were that big, I wouldn't be afraid of Mumma. Only, she didn't know that sometimes size doesn't matter.
"Dadda, no fault, mama bear. I am eating slowly, sorry. I will eat fast," Siya said, and Akansha smiled, hugging her daughter at her cuteness. Siya may have been young, but she fought hard for her parents and was brave that way - a trait Akansha appreciated.
"Okay, now, have your food and let Dadda work. I'll make you sleep," Akansha said.
"Okay, mama bear... Stolyyyy?" Siya asked.
"Okay, I'll read a story. Which one?" Akansha asked.
"Alludin it fluttered her heart.
"Okay, let's start..." Shaurya began, detailing the plan before she could scold him.
"I promise, we'll execute it exactly this way. No issues. Just trust me — if you don't want the puppies, we won't get them," he said.
She stifled a smile, putting on a serious face. Of course, she knew he'd never bring dogs against her wish, but she couldn't let him see that.
"Akansha... if there's a problem, we'll send them to Aakriti's," he added nervously.
"'Them'? For now, just one in the house," she said. He froze.
Did she just agree?
"Thank you... I was so scared I'd break my promise to our Siya," he said, pulling her into a tight hug.
She hugged back almost instantly, matching the intensity. Maybe it was the words our Siya that triggered the rush of affection.
Siya was proof — proof of their love, proof of their resilience.
Despite the countless dangers Shaurya had faced, his determination to protect Akansha had kept her safe even when she was carrying their daughter.
He might not have known about the pregnancy at the time, but he had fought every attempt by his father to harm her.
And Akansha, despite the pain and hatred she had harbored for him after leaving, had never let that bitterness touch their daughter.
Her own family had only grown the bitterness in her, yet she chose to nurture Siya with love and not hate.
That strength, that ability to love despite hardship, was something Shaurya had helped instill, and one she would always be grateful for.
Feeling her tight hold on him, Shaurya felt tears well up, but he held them back. Every step she had taken toward him felt like a miracle, and he cherished that miracle with all his heart.
She slowly broke the hug, and he saw her looking at him with a small, genuine smile. Not embarrassed or shy — just a quiet assurance, as if to say that what had just happened was proof they were starting to heal, and it was because of each other.
"Good night. Tell Siya tomorrow," Akansha said, standing up.
"Sit for a while," he asked — no, pleaded — but she shook her head, her gentle smile unwavering.