Chapter 67 #2
But his presence was impossible to ignore.
Suraj, standing just behind him, politely requested the customers to continue enjoying their food.
He also asked a few people who were recording videos and taking pictures to stop, and they immediately obliged.
Suraj thanked them. However, one customer continued recording discreetly.
Suraj noticed it a bit late and was about to intervene when the bakery owner said something that made the otherwise composed Chief Minister blush.
"Here is your wife's favorite pastry, CM saab," the owner teased warmly, having known Shaurya for quite some time.
Shaurya gave an embarrassed smile, thanked him, paid for the order, and quickly left with Suraj.
Despite the precautions, the moment was captured and went viral within hours.
When Shaurya saw the video the next morning, he mentally slapped his forehead.
What he didn't realize was that this clip would become the first step toward strengthening his image as a family man, gradually earning back the trust of women's associations he had unintentionally distanced in the past due to revelations about his marriage.
While people didn't know the full truth of his relationship or what truly transpired, the popular narrative painted him as a man who had neglected his pregnant wife for politics.
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The next morning, Akansha woke up, freshened up, and headed downstairs for breakfast. That's when she noticed a small note near her seat at the dining table.
It was from Shaurya, letting her know about the dessert he had brought.
She smiled, retrieved the red velvet pastry from the refrigerator, and began relishing it.
"Mamabear..." she heard her daughter's voice calling from upstairs. In a panic, Akansha stuffed a piece of pastry into her mouth. If Siya discovered that her Dadda had brought a treat for her Mumma but not for her, chaos would surely follow.
"Eat slowly, I'll handle her," Akansha's father, Vasanth, chuckled, observing his daughter's child-like antics. It was the first time he'd seen this side of her, and he knew it was all because of Shaurya's affection.
"Yes, Papa... Cold food isn't good for her, she catches colds easily.
That's why Shaurya and I limit these treats for Siya.
No other reason," Akansha explained, embarrassed that her father might think she was selfishly devouring pastries.
She couldn't afford to appear anything less than composed, even in such small matters.
"Did I say anything?" Vasanth asked, grinning.
"You don't have to... That stupid expression on your face says it all. You were looking at me like I'm depriving your granddaughter of food," she shot back, and he laughed.
"I don't want to fight you this early in the morning, so I'm going," Vasanth said, heading upstairs to his granddaughter.
"You can't... you're too old for that, Vasant Dikshit," Akansha teased, shaking her head with a laugh. He felt elated, seeing his daughter's true self—the relief and lightness in her voice, free from the weight of responsibility.
'Pastry's delicious. Thank you,' Akansha texted Shaurya.
He replied instantly: 'I hope you had breakfast before having the pastry. Sugars first thing in the morning aren't good for health.'
'True... Once in a while is fine. But before you lecture me, shouldn't you walk the talk?' she shot back.
'Four days left. From coming Monday, you'll see a new Shaurya—starting with sleep,' he replied.
'I doubt it,' she texted, and he responded with a laughter emoji.
'Okay... continue with your work. I just wanted to tell you the pastry was delicious. Bora Uncle has some magic in his hands,' Akansha typed, praising the bakery owner.
'You should also recognize the magic in your man's hands—bringing it here was no small feat. You have no idea about the scandal that took place while getting it,' Shaurya replied.
'What did you do this time, Shaurya?' she demanded in the text. No emojis. Her anger was palpable, even digitally.
'Nothing you need to worry about. Have breakfast, and yes—I made a pancake mix for Siya. Ask Mrs. Sudha to make pancakes for her with it; she'll love them. Now I have to go, take care,' Shaurya replied, getting back to work.
He hoped Akansha would never come across the viral clip that had made statewide headlines. But he knew, sooner or later, she would—and when she did, he would witness her Kali avatar in full force.
Shaurya was in discussions with the senior party leadership about the next steps to distance the party from Virendar's misdeeds.
He was preparing to propose a restructuring plan, but for now, he focused on building the perception that he had explored all possible options to preserve the party's reputation and survival.
Only after exhausting other measures would he unveil the restructuring plan, ensuring that no one could oppose it.
Essentially, his approach remained the same as the one he had originally envisioned for founding a new party—the only difference was that now he planned to restructure the existing party instead.
Everything else, including the steps, remained unchanged.
The meeting with the leadership ended sooner than Shaurya anticipated. Back in his office, he finished pending work before his appointments began.
"Shweta, when is my next appointment?" he asked his assistant
"You don't have any appointments today, sir," she replied. Shaurya raised an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn't expected a free window before the restructuring announcement.
"I assumed your party meeting would take a long time, so I didn't schedule anything else for today, sir," she added. Shaurya nodded in acknowledgment.
"Okay, inform Suraj. I'll be leaving for home in half an hour," he said. Mrs. Shweta nodded and left.
By 9 PM, he started for home. Seeing him arrive so early, Akansha and Siya were visibly surprised. Siya leapt into her father's arms, planting kisses on his cheeks.
"Hmmm... looks like my little unicorn missed Dadda a lot?" Shaurya teased.
"Yes, Dadda... a lot!" Siya squealed, kissing him again.
"Okay, let Dadda freshen up and have his dinner. Then you both can play," Akansha said, her eyes silently asking if he had time to spend with their daughter. He nodded.
"Siya... bring the Lego set we got you last month..." Shaurya began, but Siya, excited, ran off. Hearing her father's cautionary tone, she slowed down.
"I don't have time to freshen up. Siya and I will go get the puppy.
It's been weeks since you gave your approval, but due to lack of time, we never managed it.
I don't want to make our daughter wait any longer.
The next few weeks are going to be hectic, and this is the only time I have," he explained, slightly ranting.
"Shaurya, I'm not going to say 'No,' so stop explaining. Go ahead, but finish your dinner first," Akansha said firmly. He nodded and settled at the dining table.
"Did you and Siya have dinner? What about the others?" he asked.
"I fed Siya and Harsh their dinner. Papa said he'll skip his and just have milk tonight.
Mummy is with Suman. After she comes, we'll have dinner together," Akansha replied.
Shaurya noticed her hesitation about having dinner with her mother and suggested she join him instead.
Akansha obliged, taking her seat beside him.
"Can I take Harsh along with me? He'll enjoy it if he likes dogs... but if he takes after his mausi, then he might hate them... Oh! Sorry, you don't hate them, you're just afraid of them," Shaurya teased.
"Do you want to eat bitter gourd for the next one week?" Akansha asked, and the teasing glint in his eyes vanished instantly.
"Sorry," he apologized, and she laughed at his quick surrender.
"Harsh loves dogs, just like Siya. So take him with you if he wants to come. He hasn't stepped out since morning," Akansha said.
"Why? Is everything okay?" Shaurya asked, concerned.
"Yeah. Suman isn't feeling well, so he's been sitting with her all day, taking care of her. Mom said she would stay with Suman, but Harsh insisted on staying back to make sure she's okay. Suman doesn't want him to leave either. She's anxious about the hearing next week," Akansha explained.
"I'll talk to her tonight. I'll assure her no one can take Harsh away from her," Shaurya said, and Akansha nodded.
"Did she take her medicines? Should I call the doctor?" he asked.
"No, I gave her medicines. It's just a normal fever. If she doesn't feel better by tomorrow, I'll call the doctor," Akansha replied.
Siya returned with the Lego set, and after Shaurya and Akansha finished dinner, Shaurya helped Siya wear her footwear, setting the Lego aside. Siya looked confused.
"Dadda, are we going somewhere? Why isn't Mumma wearing slippers?" Siya asked.
"Well, we are going somewhere, yes. Mumma said she'll stay home. So it's you, Dadda, and Harsh bhai," Shaurya said.
Just then, the servant he had sent upstairs returned, saying Harsh was unwilling to leave his mother's side.
Shaurya looked at Akansha, and she nodded before heading upstairs.
"Harsh... bacha, let Mumma rest. You come with me," Akansha said, gently holding the little boy's hand.
"No, Mausi, I'll take care of Mumma. She's not well," Harsh said, clutching his mother's hand.
"Mumma is fine, Harsh. Nani is here to take care of her," Akansha assured him, but the child still seemed reluctant.
"Okay, tell me something. Do you trust me?" she asked. The boy nodded.
"Then I'm telling you, Mumma will be okay. I'm here, and I'll make sure of it, alright?" she said softly. He nodded again.
"Your Shaurya uncle and Siya are going out. They want you to join them. It's a surprise place, and I'm sure you'll like it. Want to go?" she asked. A small smile appeared on his face as he nodded.
"That's my boy," Akansha said, kissing his cheek. "Come, I'll help you change. And guess what? Mausi got you new shoes. You can wear those."