12. Babys First Kick
Rakshit was cleaning the dishes after breakfast while Shivika sat on the sofa, weaving something.
Yes, she had started weaving for their child a few days ago. It helped her pass time, and it made her feel connected to the baby.
It had been 25 days since their last doctor visit. It wouldn't be wrong to say that Rakshit had been waiting every second to feel the baby's movements.
Almost every hour, he would ask her if the baby kicked, only to hear her gentle reply, "Rakshit, I'll tell you immediately the moment the baby kicks."
He would nod, even though he repeated the same question the next hour.
Some things had changed in these 25 days—they had become more comfortable around each other, more open, and able to talk clearly.
Rakshit wiped his hands with a cloth, picked up his keys and blazer, and walked out.
"Shivika, Rashmi aunty will come by afternoon. Lock the door, Satyam will also be here soon," he said.
"Yes, don't worry. I'll rest properly, take care of the baby, eat lunch on time, and take my vitamins on time too… since you've kept alarms for me. You can go without tension," Shivika smiled, already knowing what he would say next.
Rakshit sighed.
"Okay, take care. And call—"
Rakshit rubbed his neck. He had repeated those lines so many times that Shivika could recite them even in her sleep.
He had even said once that he should take a one-month leave because, "What if the baby kicks when I'm not home?"
But Shivika had convinced him that the baby loved him, and instinct told her the baby would kick only in his presence.
"Okay fine," he said, walking towards the door. Shivika followed to lock it. But he suddenly stopped, and she bumped into him.
He held her shoulders.
"Shivika," he said firmly.
"What, Shivika? Haan? It's your fault—you stopped suddenly! At least tell me if you're going to stop," she complained.
Rakshit raised his hands in surrender.
"It's my fault. Sorry."
"It's fine," she said like she was generously forgiving him.
That's how they behaved nowadays.
"But why did you stop?" she asked.
Rakshit didn't answer.
Instead, he stepped closer and gently cupped her face. She already knew what he would do.
He kissed her forehead every day before leaving—a ritual he probably didn't even realize he followed.
She closed her eyes, leaning into his warmth. But the moment his lips touched her forehead, she gasped.
Rakshit immediately pulled back. He kissed her every day, but this was the first time she reacted like this. Fear flickered in his eyes.
"What happened?" he asked, stepping back.
Shivika opened her eyes, and he saw tears brimming. His worry doubled.
"I am sorry if I did something wrong. What happened?" he asked quickly.
It was as if Rakshit's soul left his body for a second.
His eyes filled instantly.
She took his hand gently.
"Are you ready to finally feel it, Rakshit?" she asked, her voice soft and emotional.
He could only nod. She guided his palm to her stomach, and the baby kicked again—its second kick.
Rakshit let out a small giggle.
And as if the baby heard him, it kicked again.
He stood up and hugged her tightly, still laughing.
He knelt again, placed his hand on her stomach, and the baby kicked once more.
His laugh echoed in the room—pure, childlike, uncontrollable joy. He even put his ear near her stomach as if trying to hear something.
Shivika watched him in awe. She didn't know what made the moment more emotional—the baby kicking or seeing him laugh for the first time.
"Baby isn't kicking now…" he said, looking at her stomach with a small frown, though the smile still lingered on his face.
Shivika shook her head and held out her hand.
"First get up," she said, helping him stand.
As soon as he did, she hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her.
She could feel the happiness radiating from him.
Why wouldn't he be? He had waited day and night for this moment.
Rakshit frowned.
"How can that be possible?"
"It's true. I used to talk to the baby at night, ask the baby to kick, but nothing happened. And today, baby kicked the moment you kissed my forehead. Then again when you touched my stomach."
"It's just a coincidence, Shivika. Nothing like that," he said softly.
He didn't want to let himself hope too much. The idea of being loved that much scared him.
"I'm saying na… baby loves you more," Shivika insisted.
"We can't say anything before the baby is born," he replied.
"But I know baby will love you more," she pouted.
Rakshit looked at her and before he could stop himself, the words slipped out.
Shivika blinked.
Shivika didn't know what to reply, so she said the first thing that came to her mind.
"You… you called me IKA."
Rakshit blinked. He hadn't even realised when he said it in excitement.
"I… I…" he stuttered again, unable to form words.
Shivika raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms.
"Your name is too big," Rakshit blurted out quickly, "so I thought IKA is… much better. So ya… I'll call you that."
He spoke whatever came to his mind.
He didn't know why, but that was the first nickname that came to him when he thought of her.
"Then your name is also big. I shouldn't call you from your full name either," Shivika said.
"Then what will you call me?" Rakshit asked, confused.
Rakshit's mind and heart had already handled too much for one day.
He just fainted.
Shivika caught him at the right moment before he hit the floor. Slowly, she lowered him down, unable to hold his full weight while standing. She placed his head gently in her lap.
"He really fainted… just hearing his name?" she murmured, brushing his hair away from his forehead as she giggled.
She tapped his cheek lightly.
"Akshhhh," she sang softly, but he didn't wake up.
She sighed, placed his head carefully on the floor so he wouldn't get hurt, and stood up slowly. She went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water.
She looked at the glass… then at his unconscious face…
And poured the entire glass on him.
Rakshit woke up with a jerk and sat up straight.
Shivika burst into loud laughter, holding her stomach as she laughed freely.
Rakshit giggled too, watching her laugh like that.
She looked at him, and both of them started laughing together.
(Your author is laughing too.)
After a while, they both stopped, catching their breath. Rakshit stood up, wiping water from his face.
His cheeks turned red—the first time The Rakshit Mahajan was truly flustered.
"N-No… it's not like that. I'm not well, that's why," he tried to cover up.
"Ohhh? What happened to you, Akshhhhh?" Shivika teased again, stepping closer.
Rakshit looked everywhere except at her. He couldn't meet her eyes.
"I… I'll come back after changing," he said, and practically ran to his room.
Shivika giggled softly.
As soon as Rakshit closed the door of his room, he smiled. Then he giggled. And then he hit his forehead with his palm.
"Idiot," he muttered to himself.
"How could you say that? Where did that even come from?" he questioned himself, still shocked at how he had blurted out that he would love her more.
He ran a hand through his hair.
He walked into the closet and changed into a simple T-shirt and pants. When he came out and stood before the mirror, he paused.
He saw someone else.
The smile on his face wasn't the small, barely noticeable one he used to carry.
Today, it was bright.
His face almost glowed with happiness.
He picked up his phone, sat on the bed, and called Rahul to inform him he wasn't coming.
After how this beautiful day had started, he couldn't imagine going to his boring office.
"Hello," Rakshit said when the call connected.
"Yes sir," Rahul replied.
"Rahul, I'm not coming today due to something. Handle everything and call me only if it's urgent," Rakshit said and was about to cut the call when Rahul quickly spoke up.
"Sir, sir—sir! You have to sign the important deal papers today. We already delayed it once. It can't be delayed again. We have to send the signed copy to the investors today."
Rakshit sighed and rubbed his forehead. Rahul waited silently.
"Okay… then come to my home with the papers. I'll sign them here," Rakshit said and cut the call.
Rahul stared at his phone, shocked.
Rakshit Mahajan not only agreed to sign but also asked him to come to his home—something that had never happened before.
His phone pinged again; Rakshit had already sent him the list of additional papers he wanted brought along. Rahul sighed and began preparing.
Meanwhile, Rakshit came out of his room and saw Shivika sleeping, her head resting in an uncomfortable position, the needle and wool sitting in her lap.
He walked quietly to her, gently removed the needle and wool, and placed them on the table. Then he adjusted her head carefully.
She stirred slightly, but Rakshit leaned closer and whispered, "Sleep."
She relaxed immediately.
He moved her legs gently so she could lie comfortably. Then he went to her room and returned with the soft blanket he had ordered a few days ago.
The earlier one was soft too but who could argue with him except Shivika?
And even she had agreed this new one was wonderfully warm and cozy.
He unfolded the blanket around her, making sure she was covered properly.
He walked toward the balcony and closed the curtains slightly, making the room dim and perfect for her rest.
Rakshit looked around, wondering what to do now.
He wanted to spend time with Shivika, but she was asleep… and he was in absolutely no mood to start office work. Once Rahul arrived, he would have to deal with papers anyway.
So he went to the kitchen.
He stood there for a moment, thinking about making something special for lunch. But what?
Then an idea clicked.
He immediately started prepping.
An hour later, Shivika woke up from her nap. She rubbed her eyes and walked toward the kitchen.
The moment she reached the doorway, she froze.