Chapter 71 #3
Aakriti and everyone else were stunned to see Shaurya being so strict with Siya.
They had never witnessed this before. Every day, Mrs. Sudha prepared a fruit bowl for Siya on Shaurya's instructions, and Siya usually ate it quietly, knowing how strict her parents were about her diet.
But today, she didn't want to eat it. Ever since Aakriti had started staying with them, Siya had gained more leverage, and she decided to use it to skip the part of her breakfast she hated the most—fruits.
But her father proved to be even stricter than her mother.
Siya was as stubborn as her father—if not more.
Today, she had decided not to eat fruits, and Shaurya had decided that she would.
Everyone turned toward them, watching as if a high-voltage drama was unfolding.
Shaurya moved closer to his daughter, trying to convince her to eat the fruits.
He tried different approaches, but Siya remained adamant.
Akansha sighed at both of them—especially at Shaurya.
She could understand her five-year-old's stubbornness, but her husband's? That was beyond her understanding.
"Okay, both of you, shush..." Akansha reprimanded them.
"Mrs. Sudha... please take the kids upstairs and give them breakfast," she added, and Mrs. Sudha walked away with Siya and Harsh.
Akansha didn't want to openly contradict Shaurya in front of their daughter.
They might have disagreements, but to Siya, they were one team.
"Take these fruit bowls upstairs... to the kids," Shaurya told another helper, assuming Mrs. Sudha had forgotten them. But the elderly lady had deliberately left them behind, thinking to spare Siya from eating fruits for a day.
"Why are you being so stubborn, Shaurya? If she doesn't want to eat fruits today, let her be. It's just one day. You have to understand that Siya hates fruits, but she still finishes her bowl every day just because you ask her to," Akansha said.
"I didn't like fruits either, and it was very difficult for me in the beginning. Since I had to develop this habit in my teens, it was even harder. I don't want that for Siya. Any habit is easier to build during childhood," Shaurya replied.
"Agreed, but it's just one day. Let her be," Akansha said, signaling the helper not to take the fruit bowls upstairs. Shaurya sighed and nodded.
"Di... control slip ho raha lagta hai (I think control is slipping). Jiju has started arguing back instead of just accepting whatever you say," Suman teased Akansha.
"Hahaha, very funny," Shaurya mocked Suman.
"Suman is right... Shaurya, where are the values we gave you? Didn't you know you should always respect your wife's words and never argue with her or talk back? You think you know better than a woman?" Aakriti said, mocking the way men often look down on women.
Shaurya smiled faintly upon hearing this from his sister. Everyone laughed—until they noticed Shaurya's expression. His face reflected a quiet anguish, though he tried hard to contain his emotions.
"I was kidding, Shaurya," Aakriti said, and he shook his head with a small smile.
"I know, bacha... I was just thinking about how these words are still a reality for many women even today.
It's been around five years—I've managed to bring groundbreaking changes in many sectors, things that once seemed unimaginable.
But one thing I've failed to change is the mentality of men who belittle women and consider themselves superior," Shaurya said, saddened by his perceived failure.
"You're not a magician, Shaurya. These things take time.
You've given your hundred percent to every sector, including women's empowerment.
'She' Park is the biggest example of that.
The female workforce has increased by about 11% in the past four years—that's something you should be proud of.
And as for changing the mindset of men like your father.
.. those beliefs were ingrained over decades.
Undoing them will take time. Just don't lose hope," Aakriti said, and Shaurya nodded.
But when she said "your father," Shaurya and Akansha exchanged a glance.
They noticed the disdain on Aakriti's face—as if she hated the fact that Shaurya was the son of a man like Virendra Shekhawat.
"Okay, enough of this discussion. I have news to share," Akansha began.
"Oho! I expected this, especially when I saw you and Jiju sneaking to the terrace penthouse every now and then.
.." Suman teased, but immediately fell silent when Akansha glared at her.
"Sorry, Di," she muttered. Akansha rolled her eyes but secretly enjoyed the teasing—more than that, she loved this carefree side of her sister.
"What is it?" Shaurya asked, looking at Akansha.
"I've decided to quit my job at the school.
I'll apply for a permanent position in the CR Committee—but after the elections.
For now, my hands are full with the committee work and my role as your political advisor.
I don't have time to prepare for interviews, so I'll apply after the elections," Akansha said.
Shaurya looked extremely happy hearing this.
It would reduce a lot of burden from her shoulders.
Seeing her work so much always worried him.
She had been juggling her teaching responsibilities, her demanding work in the CR Committee, and taking care of Siya.
Though she managed everything well, he feared it was leading to burnout.
While he welcomed this decision, he didn't want her to feel upset about it.
"Are you sure?" Shaurya asked.
"You wanted this, didn't you?" Akansha asked.
"Yes, I did—I still do. But more than anything, I want you to be happy," Shaurya replied.
"Well, like you pointed out earlier, teaching isn't my passion, Shaurya. I used to do it for a living, but now I've found something I truly care about. I want to dedicate my experience, knowledge, and efforts to it. So yes, I've decided to quit teaching," Akansha said, and Shaurya nodded.
"Have you informed Mr. Joshi?" Shaurya asked.
"Not yet. I thought I'd tell you first. I'll inform him today. He won't be happy, but I don't think it will be too difficult for them to manage, as they've gotten used to it over the past couple of weeks," Akansha replied.
Since Shaurya had asked Akansha and Siya to stay at home due to security concerns, the school had brought in a temporary teacher to replace her.
"Yes, but you've been helping them with notes and lesson plans all this time.
Letting you go will be hard for them. Losing a competent employee is always a loss to an institution.
Anyway... good decision, Akansha... and thank you," Shaurya said, holding her hand.
His soft tone made her smile. She could see the joy in his eyes.
"I'm sure you'll achieve even more now that you'll have more time to dedicate to curriculum revision.
A visionary like you is a boon to future generations, Dr. Akansha," he added with pride, bringing tears to her eyes.
Her husband might be soft-spoken and calm, but he never praised anyone without meaning it. In fact, he only spoke such words when he truly believed them. Hearing him now made her emotional—especially because this was the first time he had said it since she had begun opening up to him again.
Vasant's eyes welled up as well. He knew the hard work his daughter had put in to reach where she was.
Her talent, effort, and resilience had never faltered, despite their family and financial struggles.
She not only succeeded herself but also helped her siblings become successful.
Akash was where he was because of her, and now she was helping Suman stand on her own feet.
Vasant silently thanked God for blessing him with a daughter like Akansha.
"Akansha... I never complained to God—despite my illness, my condition, or even the things your mother did.
Do you know why? Because He balanced all the hardships in my life with just one thing—you.
You proved that having a child like you is enough to solve every problem and keep a family strong.
Thank you for being my daughter, and for taking on responsibilities that were mine," Vasant said.
"Papa... stop it... you're embarrassing me.
.. and I did nothing special. Every child would do the same," Akansha said.
Vasant was about to object, but she cut him off.
"Not a word. Have breakfast and go take some rest," she added.
Suman and Shaurya exchanged a glance and chuckled at how awkward Akansha became when she heard such words.
When she glared at them, they quickly fell silent.
"God! You both are monsters—laughing at my bhabhi?" Aakriti said, deliberately fueling Akansha's irritation.
Shaurya shook his head, signaling Aakriti not to continue, but she was his sister—she never listened.
Let's just say, Akansha made sure Shaurya and Suman regretted laughing at her expense.
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Mr. Subramanian, Aakriti, and Akansha sat in a room, discussing the next steps.
"We don't have much time... The press meet is Shaurya's last chance to completely turn the tide, but that will only happen if he convinces people that every step he has taken so far was in their favor.
For that, he needs to disclose certain things—and he is unwilling to do so," Mr. Subramanian said.
"If Shaurya doesn't speak about it himself, we'll have to force his hand. We need to create a situation where he has no choice but to address it. Shaurya doesn't like playing victim politics, but it isn't wrong if he truly is the victim," Akansha said.
"How do we make him speak, then?" Aakriti asked.
"Time to let the genie out," Akansha said. Aakriti and Mr. Subramanian understood immediately—they had been discussing this strategy for days.
"There is a risk. This could backfire badly," Aakriti said.