Chapter 67 #4
"Sir, there's been an assassination attempt on you. We've successfully neutralized the threat, but danger may still be around. Please don't move. I'll be there in a minute to escort you inside," Suraj said firmly.
Shaurya disconnected without a word.
His first instinct wasn't for himself—it was for his family. He immediately texted Akansha.
Where are you?
When she didn't reply, unease tightened in his chest. He called her immediately.
The moment she said she was in the kids' room, relief washed over him.
He instructed her to stay there with the children.
She sensed the strain in his voice but chose not to question him yet, deciding she would ask later.
Within ten minutes, Suraj and his team reached him and escorted him inside the house under heavy security.
As soon as they entered, Suraj began briefing him, but Shaurya stopped him midway.
"Study. Not here," he said quietly, ensuring no one else overheard.
The moment they stepped inside the study, Shaurya's first question came out sharp and direct.
"Was I the target, or my family too?"
"You were the target, sir," Suraj confirmed.
Shaurya nodded slowly. This wasn't entirely unexpected, especially after the failed attempt during the Maha Kumbh visit.
"This is the second major attempt in a few months, sir. And this one was worse. They were highly prepared, but our security held strong," Suraj added.
"How many?"
"Ten. Armed. They surrounded the house. Orders were clear—shoot on sight."
Shaurya pressed his fingers against his temple. The thought alone unsettled him. What if Siya had insisted on coming outside? What if Akansha had stepped into the lawn? This wasn't something he could ignore anymore.
"Take whatever action is necessary, Suraj. End this completely. Akash and I will handle the rest," Shaurya ordered.
He paused before adding, "And don't let Madam know. I'll tell her myself."
Suraj nodded and dispersed with his team.
Shaurya quietly stepped into the kids' room after his shower. Siya was fast asleep, curled up beside Harsh, her tiny arm draped protectively over him. What struck Shaurya wasn't just how peaceful they looked — it was the unfamiliarity of the sight.
At night, Siya always slept between him and Akansha in their bedroom.
It had become her comfort, her routine. But Akansha had slowly been training her to sleep independently during afternoon naps in her own room, wanting her daughter to grow emotionally secure without dependence.
Tonight was the first time that afternoon habit had stretched into the night.
"I don't want to leave Siya here..." Shaurya whispered, his voice carrying the hesitation of a father who wasn't ready for this shift yet.
"Harsh is with her. She'll be fine. You'll be fine too. Now move," Akansha whispered back, firm yet calm.
She wasn't being insensitive — she was being deliberate. She knew Siya needed to build independence, and tonight, without planning it, life had pushed them into testing that lesson.
Shaurya didn't want to leave his daughter to sleep alone, especially not tonight. He gave one last look at his daughter before stepping out, trusting Akansha's judgment even when his heart resisted.
They walked back to their bedroom, and that's when she asked about Suraj's call.
"Oh, it's nothing. Suraj found some suspicious people around the house, so he asked all of us not to leave until he is sure everything is fine.
Do not go to the lawn or porch. Inform your parents and Suman as well," Shaurya said.
It wasn't completely a lie but a softened truth, as he skipped the details and their motive of killing him.
"Oh my God! Then why the hell did you go outside?
" Akansha panicked. Ever since Shaurya got injured on his arm during their Kumbh visit to Prayagraj, she had been scared of something happening to him.
Also, the things he was doing these days were attracting more opposition.
The security had been beefed up too, and she knew things were bad.
"Jaan... I didn't know then. Suraj called me when I was walking back home after dropping Pogo," Shaurya said.
"Don't 'Jaan' me... This is not a joke, Shaurya. You need to be careful," Akansha said, and he nodded.
"Yes, I'll be careful, but I want you and the whole family to be cautious too. Inform Papa, Mummy, and Suman first thing in the morning. Don't let the kids play in the lawn. Make sure they stay indoors for a few days," Shaurya said, and Akansha nodded.
They talked for some time before getting into bed, when Akash called Shaurya's phone.
"Who is calling you at 3 in the morning, Shaurya?" Akansha asked in a sleepy voice. They had just fallen asleep half an hour ago.
"It's an important call. I'll be back," he said and got up, but she held his palm.
"At least tell me who it is?" Akansha asked.
"Akash..." Shaurya said, and her sleep vanished.
The pattern was strikingly similar. Before the assassination attempt on Shaurya in Prayagraj, Akash had called him to warn him, but since he didn't pick up, he called her.
Her brother's call at an unusual hour rang alarm bells in her head.
She got up and made Shaurya pick up the call while she sat there.
"Hello..." Shaurya answered, mentally praying Akash didn't spill anything about their secret operation in the border villages of their state.
"Jiju... I'm downstairs. I got to know what happened tonight and need to discuss something very important," Akash said. Akansha couldn't hear the entire conversation as the phone wasn't on speaker.
"Okay, I'm coming," Shaurya said, hanging up.
"Why is he here at this time?" Akansha asked, firmly staring at Shaurya. He knew there was no point in hiding; on the contrary, it was better to tell her, as she would be more careful.
So he narrated the attack, and she was shocked.
"No need to worry. Suraj and the team neutralized the forces. Things are under control. I'll make sure this doesn't happen again," he said.
"There was an assassination attempt on you, and you say no need to worry? What's happening, Shaurya? I want to know everything. And how can your father, who is in CBI custody, orchestrate such a level of attack?" Akansha fumed.
"It has nothing to do with my father. He doesn't have the caliber or audacity to pull such a stunt now," he said.
"Then who?" she asked, and Shaurya's silence frustrated her.
"Some secrets cannot be revealed, Akansha. It's good for our state as well as the nation," he said. "Get some rest. I'll come back after meeting Akash. Don't think too much. Things are under control." But she didn't let him go without answers—not this time.
"I need answers, Shaurya, and I will get them," Akansha said with rage. Shaurya sighed helplessly.
"You know why they want to kill me? Because I know too much, and I can do too much damage to them. They have no idea about Akash or any other officers involved in this, so they are safe. If I want to keep you safe, I shouldn't tell you about it," Shaurya said.
"You hid things from me. We both know how that ended," Akansha said, and Shaurya shut his eyes.
"Jaan, that was about us, and I should have told you.
But the reason I didn't was that you were too bad at acting, and I was scared my father would realize my fake hatred toward you and harm you.
.. Anyway, this isn't about you or us, so let's not involve you in this mess," he pleaded, but she didn't relent.
"But this is the reason people are trying to kill you, so I want to know, Shaurya," she said firmly.
"As a Chief Minister, I'm committed to this state, this country, and its people.
I refuse to tell you anything about it because it aligns with national interest, and no common citizen should be aware of this.
I'm bound to my duty. Please don't force me, but I can assure you—I'm shutting this down once and for all," he said softly.
Akansha sighed but let go of his palm. Shaurya tried to kiss her forehead, but she moved back.
"I'm not happy, Shaurya. Solve this issue ASAP, and then we'll talk," she said seriously.
"I'm sorry, Akansha," he said, but she shook her head and lay down, avoiding him. "Fine, I'll tell you once I get this over with," he said and left the room to talk to Akash.