22. A Homecoming Surprise #2
Shivika turned her attention back to the wall and gently caressed the new wallpaper with her fingertips. The texture was soft, elegant--exactly the kind she had once casually mentioned liking.
Rakshit stood near her, not saying anything for a moment. He wasn't looking at the wall.
He was looking at her.
The way her fingers traced the patterns.
The way her eyes softened.
Her hand froze on the wall.
"You remembered?" she asked softly.
"Of course," he replied simply. "You were watching some home décor video and said you liked these pastel textured ones. I noted it."
She slowly turned to look at him.
"Aksh… you are really something else," she whispered.
Her eyes shimmered with emotion.
Without thinking, she closed the distance between them and hugged him tightly.
But the next second, she let out a small whine.
Her bump came in between, stopping her from hugging him the way she wanted.
Rakshit couldn't help but smile at her adorable irritation.
Instead of pulling away, he gently moved behind her. Sliding his arms carefully around her, he pulled her back against his chest, his hands resting protectively over her stomach.
Now they fit perfectly.
Shivika relaxed instantly and sighed.
"It feels really good," she murmured softly.
He rested his chin lightly near her shoulder, his palms warm over her belly.
And just then--
A sudden kick.
Shivika's eyes widened slightly.
"There," she said.
Rakshit stilled.
"What?"
"Baby doesn't like when you come near me," Shivika said, pretending to complain.
Rakshit immediately broke the hug and stepped in front of her, his expression changing in a second.
"What? Why?" His voice carried real worry.
His eyes searched her face anxiously.
Even the thought of that disturbed him.
She blinked at his serious expression and almost laughed.
"I mean to say…" she corrected gently, turning back and pulling his hand to place it again on her stomach, returning them to their earlier position.
"Ohhh…"
The tension drained from his face instantly.
He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
For a split second, he had imagined something else, something that made his chest tighten painfully.
He placed both hands properly over her belly this time.
"Don't scare me like that," he murmured.
She looked up at him.
"You got scared?"
His jaw tightened slightly.
"I can't even bear the thought of our baby hating me," he admitted honestly.
Her heart softened at the vulnerability in his voice.
Shivika gently placed her hand over his.
He shook his head faintly.
"No. I just don't want to ever give him/her a reason to feel distant from me."
She turned in his hold slightly so she could see his face better.
"You won't," she said firmly. "Because you already love him/her before even seeing."
Another small kick.
This time, Rakshit felt it clearly under his palm.
"There…" he whispered.
A slow smile spread across his face.
He stayed like that for a moment longer.
Because he knew one thing with absolute certainty now--
He couldn't live without his IKA.
And he couldn't live without their baby.
His world, once filled with silence and shadows, now beat beneath his hands.
"Okay, now let's go. You need to sleep," Rakshit said softly, finally breaking the hug though he clearly didn't want to.
Shivika hummed in agreement, still emotionally overwhelmed, and together they walked toward their bedroom.
The moment she stepped inside, she stopped again.
"Aksh…" she said, almost in disbelief. "You changed here too?"
The bedsheet was replaced with a soft pastel shade. The duvet matched perfectly. The curtains were lighter, allowing morning light to pass through gently. Even the wall behind the bed had a subtle textured wallpaper now instead of the darker tone it once had.
It felt cozy.
"Yes," Rakshit replied simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
He helped her sit on the edge of the bed carefully before supporting her as she lay down properly against the pillows.
"You shouldn't have done so much," she murmured, still scanning the room.
"I wanted to," he replied.
"I will get water for you," Rakshit said, getting up from the bed.
"No, I don't want to drink," Shivika said immediately, catching his wrist to stop him.
"Ika, I am coming. Wait," he said gently but firmly, freeing himself and walking out anyway.
She sighed.
There was no winning against him when it came to her health.
Within a minute, he returned with a water bottle and a glass.
"Here. Drink," Rakshit said, pouring water into the glass and handing it to her.
She gave him a look that clearly said this is unnecessary.
But she knew arguing was useless.
So she took the glass and drank quietly.
"Good," he nodded in satisfaction once she finished.
She adjusted herself properly under the duvet while he switched off the main lights, leaving only the soft night lamp glowing.
Rakshit came to her side of the bed and carefully lay down behind her, pulling her gently into his arms from the back.
His hand instinctively rested over her belly.
He adjusted slightly to make sure she was comfortable first.
"Too tight?" he asked softly.
"No," she whispered. "Perfect."
He pressed a soft kiss on the top of her head.
"Good night, bacche," he whispered, his voice filled with warmth.
"Good night, Aksh," she whispered back, sliding her fingers over his hand that rested on her stomach and holding it there.