20. Midnight Cravings and His Past #2
"Uncle, you can take the corner room, the one beside the open space," Rakshit said.
"There are only two rooms here."
"It's perfectly fine," Uncle replied.
"Don't worry. This is more than enough."
Rakshit nodded again.
Shivika soon walked into the living room, all ready. She was wearing a comfortable yellow dress that reached her ankles, looking fresh and calm. Her hair was neatly tied, and there was a soft glow on her face.
Rakshit stood up the moment he saw her.
"Uncle," he said, gesturing towards her, "this is Shivika-my wife."
Shivika smiled politely.
"Good morning, uncle."
"Good morning, beta," Uncle replied warmly, looking at her with kind eyes.
Rakshit then turned to Shivika.
"He is Sujit Mishra," he said.
"The head chef in the restaurant we went for dinner."
Shivika nodded respectfully.
"Nice to meet you, Uncle."
Sujit smiled, clearly pleased.
"You both make a very nice pair," he said genuinely.
Rakshit smiled lightly, and Shivika felt a quiet warmth settle in her heart as the morning continued peacefully.
Uncle Sujit looked at Shivika with a gentle smile.
"Beta, what would you like to eat for breakfast?" he asked warmly.
Shivika thought for a moment.
"Not craving for anything so whatever you make is fine," she replied softly.
"Alright," he nodded. "I'll make something healthy."
With that, he walked towards the kitchen.
As soon as he left, Shivika turned towards Rakshit. She tugged lightly at his sleeve.
"Lean down," she whispered.
Rakshit raised an eyebrow but bent down near her face.
She leaned closer and spoke softly into his ear, frowning a little.
"Why did you call him and disturb his schedule? You could've called a normal cook."
Rakshit stayed in the same position and replied calmly, his voice just as low.
"I would've called Rashmi aunty if she was available. But apart from her, I trust only him and this is about you and the baby. I can't take any risk with someone unknown."
Slowly, he straightened up.
"You're looking beautiful," Rakshit added simply.
"You say that every day," Shivika smiled, shaking her head.
But she knew, this man was careful about everything when it came to her. Since the day she had felt insecure about herself, he hadn't missed a single moment to make her feel loved. He complimented her even when she was in nightwear, hair messy, face tired and drained.
"Let's go," Rakshit said, gently guiding her towards the counter.
Rakshit and Shivika were in quiet comfort of their bedroom after breakfast. The room was calm, wrapped in silence and warmth. Shivika rested her head in his lap, eyes closed, while Rakshit gently caressed her face, his fingers moving slowly through her hair.
"Tell me na, Aksh," Shivika murmured softly, her voice sleepy but sincere.
Rakshit's hand stilled for a moment.
"Ika..." he said after a pause, conflicted. "Are you sure you want to hear about my past? It's not... good."
Shivika slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him.
"Aksh, you listened to everything I told you, right?" she asked quietly.
Rakshit hummed, nodding.
"Then how can you say I wouldn't want to listen to the bad parts of your life?" she said gently.
"If you're comfortable sharing, then please tell me. I want to know the struggles my Aksh faced."
Her words made something soften inside him.
A small, emotional smile appeared on Rakshit's lips. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, lingering there for a second longer than usual.
"Ika..." he whispered, gathering himself.
Shivika's breathing hitched, but she stayed silent, listening.
His fingers trembled slightly as they moved through her hair.
Shivika's hand slowly tightened around his wrist.
Her eyes filled with tears.
Shivika sat up slightly, fear flashing across her face.
"Oh my God..."
He took a deep breath.
"I hadn't eaten for two days, Ika. I was weak. But still... I ran."
His jaw clenched.
"I just kept running. I didn't know where. I just wanted to save myself."
Shivika's tears finally slipped out. She reached up and held his face, but he gently held her hand, continuing.
"I didn't see the car," he said.
"It hit me."
Her breath caught sharply.
"It was my fault. But the man was driving slowly, so I wasn't badly hurt. Just bruises... and my leg got fractured."
He paused.
"That man was Shashikant Mahajan."
Shivika froze.
"He took me to the hospital," Rakshit said, emotion thick in his voice.
"He stayed. He paid for everything. And then... he brought me to orphanage."
His eyes finally met hers.
"He gave me a roof. Food. Clothes. Education. "
"He gave me a name."
Rakshit's voice cracked for the first time.
Shivika couldn't hold it anymore. She sat up fully and hugged him tightly, burying her face into his chest, sobbing quietly.
"If he hadn't been there," Rakshit whispered, wrapping his arms around her, "there would be no empire... no Rakshit Mahajan."
He closed his eyes, holding her close.
Shivika pulled back just enough to look at him, her eyes red, voice shaking.
"You're so strong, Aksh," she whispered. "So strong."
Rakshit shook his head gently and kissed her forehead again.
She hugged him again, tighter this time, holding not the powerful man the world saw, but the little boy who once ran barefoot on empty streets.
Rakshit went quiet after that. His hand was still in her hair, but the movement had slowed, almost absent.
"I didn't belong anywhere, Ika," he said after a long pause.
Shivika's throat tightened. She didn't speak. She just listened.
"At the orphanage... I had a bed, food, clothes," he continued.
"But belonging?" He let out a soft, hollow breath. "That wasn't there."
She felt his fingers curl slightly, like he was holding onto something invisible.
"There were many children," he said. "But everyone was alone in their own way. No one waited for you. No one asked how your day was. You learn very early to stop expecting."
Shivika's eyes burned.
His lashes trembled. A tear slipped out and fell onto her hand.
Her heart aching.
"Even when Uncle saw potential in me," Rakshit said, voice steady but tired,
"I never felt chosen."
That one word broke her.
Chosen.
"I worked harder than everyone," he said.
Shivika covered her mouth, tears flowing freely now.
"There were nights," he admitted softly,
"when I wished someone would just sit beside me. Not say anything. Just... stay."
Her chest felt like it would collapse.
"I promised myself," Rakshit said, finally looking at her, "that if I ever had someone... I would never let them feel the way I did."
She leaned forward and hugged him tightly, her body shaking.
"I'm here," she whispered through her tears.
Rakshit closed his eyes and rested his forehead against her shoulder.
"I know," he said quietly.
Shivika held him like she was holding together something broken but precious, knowing this pain wasn't loud... it was deep.
And deep pains don't fade.
They change you.