Chapter 67 #3
His smile widened.
Akansha led him to the closet, helped him change, and then made him wear the new shoes she had bought for him.
"Wow! These are so nice, Mausi... thank you! Hehe, you hid them in our room, and I still didn't find them," he giggled.
"Yes, see? I hid them really well," Akansha replied with a proud smile.
"Yes... Mumma is right. You're the best. I love you," Harsh said, hugging her tightly.
Akansha hugged him back, her eyes turning teary.
This little boy was her sister's son. He was only a few months old when she last saw him, before she left Shaurya.
She had missed watching him grow, and the thought always pained her.
If she felt this much hurt for her nephew, she couldn't imagine how Shaurya must have felt missing four years of his own daughter's life. Yet, he never blamed her.
No matter the circumstances under which she left, she knew she was guilty of not telling him about his child, and she had come to accept that truth.
"You're the best, my little nephew. Come on, they're both waiting," Akansha said, leading him downstairs.
Suman and Jaya watched them with warm smiles, touched by Akansha's affection for Harsh.
But they weren't surprised. Akansha had always done a lot for her siblings, especially for the child.
She was the one who worked tirelessly to cover Suman's delivery expenses, hospital bills, and everything the baby needed when Dilip Gandhi was nearly bankrupt and had sent Suman to her parents' house.
Akansha took responsibility without ever treating it as a burden.
Suman would always remain grateful for everything her sister had done—and continued to do—for her. And now, not just Akansha but her husband too was supporting her and her child. Suman felt ashamed of her past actions toward Aakriti, and toward her own sister and brother-in-law.
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"Mausi, you come too, please," Harsh pleaded with Akansha.
"Bhai... Mumma doesn't want to come, and Dadda said Mumma didn't have dinner... She is hungly," Siya said. Just as Shaurya was smiling proudly that his daughter pronounced all her r's correctly, she missed one in hungry, and Akansha laughed at his expression.
"It's hungry, Siya bear," Akansha corrected her with a smile. "And yes, I am hungry. While your Nani and I have dinner, you guys go out and enjoy."
"Okay!" the kids said in unison.
Harsh and Siya kept asking Shaurya where they were going, but he kept it a surprise.
However, the moment they got into the car and Siya heard Suraj speaking to the pet shop owner to confirm if everything was ready, she figured it out.
She bounced excitedly in her seat, and when Shaurya unbuckled her, she jumped onto him, squealing with happiness.
"Yay! Yay! Thank you, Dadda, you're the best..
. Thank you!" Siya said, peppering his face with kisses.
Shaurya chuckled at his daughter's excitement while Harsh looked completely clueless.
Siya was about to spill the surprise, but Shaurya signaled her not to, and she sat quietly, though barely able to contain her excitement.
Harsh finally understood once they reached the pet shop. His face lit up, and he too jumped in excitement. Shaurya realized just how much the boy loved dogs.
After an hour of cuddling the puppies—and another hour of the kids refusing to leave—they were finally ready to head home with their new companion. However, they were stuck choosing between three names: Pogo, Tuffy, and Simba.
"Dadda, which name is better? Select one, pwease..." Siya asked.
"Yes, Uncle..." Harsh added.
"Uncle what? Didn't I ask you both to decide what Harsh should call me? Did you? Do that first, and then I'll help you pick a name for this little fellow," Shaurya said, gently caressing the puppy in his lap.
"Oho! Dadda, we already found a cool name but forgot to tell you..." Siya said excitedly. She looked at Harsh and winked. Together, they shouted, "Mojo!"
Shaurya smiled at the adorable nickname.
"Mojo... very nice. Smart kids, huh? Short form for Mausaji — good choice," he praised them, and they giggled proudly.
"Okay, now you choose a name," the kids insisted, putting him in a spot.
"Hmm... I like all three. Let's ask Akansha," Shaurya said.
"Yes! Mamabear will choose a good name..." Siya declared.
"Yes, Mausi has great taste. Mojo, look! Mausi got these for me... Aren't they nice?" Harsh proudly showed off his new shoes. Shaurya nodded with a warm smile.
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"Mamabear..." Siya ran toward Akansha, Harsh close behind. Both children threw their arms around her.
"You're back already? And where's your little friend, hmm?" she asked, hugging them back warmly.
"With Dadda," Siya said.
"With Mojo," Harsh added at the same time.
"Mojo?" Akansha raised a brow, smirking. "Is that your new nickname for Shaurya uncle?"
"Yes, Maasi! Shortcut for Mausaji. Isn't it cool?" Harsh asked proudly.
"It's very cool," Akansha replied, biting her cheek to suppress a laugh. "So where is your Mojo?"
"He's coming... he's arranging the doggie's house, Mamabear," Siya explained, and Akansha nodded.
"Mamabear, help us choose a co..." Siya paused, forgetting the word and looking at Harsh for help.
"Cool name," Harsh prompted.
"Yes! Help us select a cool name for the doggie," Siya finished eagerly.
Akansha smiled. "Sure. Do you already have options?"
"Yes, Mumma. Three!" Siya announced.
"Tuffy, Pogo, and Simba," Harsh listed.
Just then, Shaurya walked in carrying the puppy. His original plan had been to settle it into the little house he had prepared, but Akansha had texted him to bring it inside so Mrs. Sudha could formally welcome it.
Akansha shot Shaurya a smirk before turning back to the kids. "How about Pogo? It rhymes a little with Mojo."
The children burst into excited cheers.
Shaurya narrowed his eyes at his wife. So this was her way of getting back at him.
"Yayyy! Mamabear! Pogo! Pogo! Pogo!" Siya chanted, clapping.
The puppy suddenly wriggled free from Shaurya's arms and leaped forward as if it approved of the name.
Akansha's mischievous expression vanished, replaced instantly by panic.
Shaurya reacted without thinking. He pulled Akansha into his chest, wrapping both arms tightly around her, shielding her face as the puppy bounded closer.
"Siya, Harsh, hold Pogo!" Shaurya instructed, still protecting Akansha, who clutched his shirt tightly, her fingers trembling.
"What happened to your stupid promises, Shaurya Singh Shekhawat?" she snapped, her voice shaky but loud.
"Mamabear, don't be scared... I've got Pogo... calm down," Siya said quickly, trying to prevent her mother from scolding her father further.
Once Pogo settled in Harsh's arms, Shaurya loosened his hold, but Akansha still clung to him.
"Jaan, it's okay. Harsh is holding him now," he said softly, trying to soothe her.
That only worsened her reaction.
"Harsh is a child! If you couldn't control him, how can a kid manage? You idiot," she scolded, still shaken.
"I'm sorry," Shaurya admitted immediately. "I held him too lightly. I didn't expect him to jump. Maybe he just liked the name you chose too much."
He gently took Pogo from Harsh, this time holding him firmly.
Mrs. Sudha arrived with the aarti plate, and after the welcoming ritual, Shaurya asked Akansha to officially name the puppy.
Since she was still too afraid to touch him, she simply held Shaurya's hand while he performed the tilak and other rituals under her father Vasant's guidance, who had come down after hearing the children's excitement.
"Pogo! Yayyy Pogo! Mojo, Maasi chose Pogo!" Harsh exclaimed.
Shaurya closed his eyes briefly at the rhyme. Akansha laughed at his visible defeat.
"This is not fair, Jaan," he muttered.
"You deserve it," she replied calmly.
He sighed. He knew this was only the beginning of her anger.
He glanced at Pogo wagging his hips cheerfully and shook his head. Even his own pet seemed entertained by his suffering.
"Alright, it's late now. Go get ready for bed. I'll come in five minutes," Akansha told the kids.
"Maasi... Mumma..." Harsh hesitated, worried about his mother.
"Your mumma is fine, Harsh. She's resting. Don't disturb her, okay? Go sleep with Siya tonight," Akansha reassured him.
"But that's Siya's bed. She won't be comfortable if I sleep there," the boy said thoughtfully.
Siya's bed was large enough for both of them, but more than half of it was covered with stuffed unicorns Shaurya had lovingly gifted her over time.
"Dadda, can I move my toys aside so Harsh bhai can sleep?" Siya asked hesitantly, glancing at him. She worried he might mind since they were the toys he had brought for her.
Shaurya's heart melted at her thoughtfulness.
"My little unicorn," he said warmly, "Dadda would be even prouder if you did that for your brother."
"Yayyy! Harsh bhai is sleeping in my room!" Siya cheered, grabbing Harsh's hand and running off after kissing Pogo goodnight.
"Change your clothes before sleeping!" Akansha called out.
"Yes!" the kids shouted back in unison.
"I'll put him to sleep," Shaurya said, referring to Pogo.
Akansha nodded.
"Did your mother have dinner?" he asked quietly.
She nodded again. Satisfied, he gave a small approving nod and stepped into the lawn to settle the drowsy puppy into his new space.
"I'll be in the kids' room. Come back, take a bath, and then come to bed," Akansha instructed as he headed toward the backyard.
"Okay," Shaurya replied, more than willing to follow every word she said.
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Shaurya was walking back from the lawn after settling Pogo into his kennel when sudden commotion caught his attention.
His gaze snapped toward the security perimeter where Suraj, Jasmeet, and a few other officers were grappling with shadowy figures.
His instincts sharpened instantly—something was very wrong.
Just then, his phone rang. It was Suraj.