Chapter 66
Shaurya stepped back, leaving her with one last peck on her lips. He cupped her face and stared into her eyes.
"You fine?" he asked gently.
"More than fine," she replied with a smile.
"I'll try to finish this meeting soon," Shaurya said.
"There's no rush, Shaurya. Finish all your work.
I am right here, waiting for you," Akansha said.
From the look in her eyes, he knew she did not mean just this meeting.
She was asking him to put his work first, assuring him that she was going nowhere.
Though he would never take her presence for granted, that quiet assurance meant a lot to him.
"I love you," he said, pecking her forehead before leaving.
"Meet Siya and go," she said when he reached the doorway of their room. He turned and looked at her with an apologetic smile, and she immediately understood that he did not have much time.
"I know you won't come home tonight either, so just meet Siya for five minutes now. I'll manage her," she added softly. He chuckled, lowering his gaze at how easily she read his dilemma from just one look.
"I'll meet her now, but I'll try to come home at night as well," Shaurya said, but Akansha shook her head with a laugh.
"You can't. I know your schedule well enough to say you won't be home for the next two days," she replied.
"I really hope I can prove you wrong," he said, and she responded with a sarcastic "uhmm," making him laugh.
"I'll meet Siya and then go downstairs," he added. She nodded with a chuckle.
Akansha finished a bit of work and then walked to Siya's playroom, where Siya and Harsh were spending most of their time these days.
She wanted to see how Shaurya, who had come home after five days, would convince his daughter to let him go back to work without playing with her.
The thought of Shaurya struggling to say no to his little unicorn amused her, and she walked toward the playroom with a smile.
But what she saw there made her proud of her upbringing and once again reminded her of how good Shaurya was as a father.
"Dadda... did we win the war?" Siya asked eagerly. She remembered her mother telling her that her father was fighting a war for both of them and that they should not disturb him. So instead of being excited about seeing him after five days, this was the first question she asked.
"No, bacha, not yet. But we will certainly win this. Dadda will never let you and mumma lose," he promised, amused by his little one's maturity.
"It's our war, right?" she asked, and he nodded.
"Then let me and mamabear help you. We will win this war sooner," she added, and he chuckled at her words. She did not want him to struggle alone.
"Harsh bhai said people get hurt in a war. I don't want you hurt, Dadda," she said, hugging him tightly. Her concern warmed his heart.
"No, bacha. I won't get hurt. In this war, only bad people get hurt. But you, mumma, and Dadda are good people, right? We won't get hurt. I promise," Shaurya said, reassuring her, and she finally agreed.
"Will you come home to make me sleep?" she asked softly, the longing in her voice unmistakable.
"I'm so sorry, my little unicorn. Dadda is busy today, but I promise I'll finish all this soon and come to you," he said with regret. Siya kissed his cheek and gently wiped under his eyes as if brushing away tears, even though he was not crying. The gesture filled his eyes with affection.
"It's okay, Dadda. I'll wait for you. Don't worry, I'll take care of mamabear.
And you know, Nanu, Nani, Mausi, and Harsh bhai are so nice.
I enjoy with them," she said, trying to make sure he did not feel bad for not being able to spend time with her.
Her maturity at such a young age surprised him.
She was only five, yet her understanding was far beyond her years.
"Okay. Play with Harsh bhai, but don't trouble mumma, mausi, or nana-nani, alright?" Shaurya said, and Siya nodded.
He had expected convincing his daughter to be difficult, especially since he was home after five days.
Usually, she would never let him leave without spending enough time with her, and now it had been five days since he had done that.
Yet she let him go so easily, her quiet understanding leaving him both surprised and deeply moved.
After talking to her for a few more minutes and collecting a handful of her magic hugs, Shaurya stood up to leave.
His eyes, however, drifted to Harsh, who looked busy with his toys but was actually watching Siya and Shaurya with quiet focus.
The sight made Shaurya's heart ache for the little boy.
Harsh probably wanted the same bond with his own father, but Dilip Gandhi did not even deserve to be called a father.
For a brief moment, Shaurya wondered if his own daughter had longed for him the same way during the four years he was away.
Akansha had once told him that Siya did not even understand what a father was until she turned four and started going to school.
That truth never eased his guilt. And now, looking at Harsh, he made a silent promise to himself that this child would never feel the absence of a fatherly presence again.
"Harsh... come here, bacha," Shaurya called.
Harsh dropped the toy in his hands and ran toward him without hesitation.
He had liked Shaurya ever since the day Shaurya saved him and his mumma, Suman, from Dilip when he tried to take Harsh away from her outside his school.
Knowing later that Shaurya was Akansha mausi's husband only made him admire him more.
His mother often spoke about her sister and her husband, about how they were good people.
"Yes, mausa ji?" Harsh asked, stopping in front of him.
Shaurya cleared his throat and put on a serious expression. "Hmm... let me ask you something. Do I look old to you?"
Harsh immediately straightened, a little startled, while Siya, who knew her father too well, giggled softly.
"No," Harsh said quickly. "You look like a hero."
Shaurya laughed, and Harsh joined him, their laughter filling the room. Shaurya was undeniably handsome, and even children found him "beautiful" in their own innocent way.
"Then don't call me mausa ji," Shaurya said, smiling. "Doesn't that sound a little old?"
Harsh nodded, still smiling up at him. "Then what should I call you?"
"Anything you like," Shaurya replied thoughtfully. "Maybe you and Siya can come up with a creative name for me. What do you say?"
Both kids nodded so enthusiastically that Shaurya immediately placed a gentle hand on Siya's neck, worried she might hurt herself, and then rested his palm on Harsh's head to still him as well. He kissed Siya's head first, then Harsh's, both gestures equally warm.
Akansha, watching from a distance, smiled widely.
Shaurya never failed to surprise her. Despite what Suman had done to Aakriti, he held no grudge against Harsh, or even against Suman.
He was helping Suman through the divorce, and within a week there would be a final hearing.
Suman would finally be free, with Harsh's custody secured, since Dilip Gandhi would remain in jail forever.
"My little unicorn," Shaurya said softly, turning to Siya, "Harsh is your brother. Share your things with him and be nice to each other, okay?" The last part was meant for both of them.
"Yes, Dadda," Siya said proudly. "Harsh bhai is nice. I like him. I am sharing all my toys with him."
Shaurya smiled and praised her, but before he could speak further, Harsh shook his head.
"Uncle," Harsh said seriously, "Siya is my sister. She doesn't have to share her toys with me. She can play with all of them. I smile when she smiles." He paused, then added earnestly, "Mamu said I am the elder brother, and I should let Siya have everything."
Shaurya shook his head slowly, a faint frown forming.
Akansha had sacrificed far too much of her own happiness so her siblings could have everything they wanted.
And now Akash was teaching the same pattern to the next generation, but in reverse, ensuring that Siya always came first. Shaurya knew Akash would do the same with his own children someday.
In his mind, it was wrong to raise children with a sense of indebtedness for sacrifices they never asked for.
Kids deserved love, not silent burdens dressed up as lessons.
"That's good, bacha. I appreciate your love and care for your sister, but it's not wrong to play with her toys.
You can share each other's toys, it's completely okay.
Sharing is caring, and just like you're taking care of Siya, let Siya also take care of you.
It should go both ways, okay?" Shaurya told Harsh, and the kids nodded enthusiastically.
"Okay... I have some work now. I'll see you later, bye bye. And yes, come up with a better name than uncle. Siya, help bhai decide what he should call me," Shaurya said.
"Okay, Dadda," Siya said, hugging him. Shaurya hugged her back, kissing her cheeks like he always did, her little giggles bringing him peace like always.
He bid goodbye to the kids and walked towards the exit. Seeing Akansha there, he smiled.
"Did you tell Siya that I am fighting a war for both of you?" Shaurya asked her.
"Aren't you?" she asked, folding her arms. He nodded with a smile.
"Thank you," he said, for making his daughter understand his work.
"You're welcome. Next time, I won't be this kind," she said with a smirk.
He shook his head, kissed her forehead, and walked downstairs before she could blast his head for kissing her outside their room. He knew she would always be this kind and understanding, but he would never take it for granted.
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Shaurya sat at the head of the dining table while the staff served food to everyone under Mrs. Sudha's supervision.
"We'll take care from here on," Shaurya said, dismissing the staff.