25. Outfits Finalisation
"Aksh… can you remove your arms?"
Shivika whispered softly, her voice barely above a breath as she shifted uncomfortably in his embrace.
"Yes, of course, bacche," Rakshit replied instantly, without even a second of hesitation.
His arms loosened around her gently, as if she were made of glass. He carefully moved away, making sure she didn't feel even the slightest jerk.
Shivika slowly turned to face him. The room was dim, only the soft night lamp glowing, but he could clearly see the restlessness in her eyes.
"What happened, Ika?" Rakshit asked, his voice filled with concern.
He brushed her hair away from her face and caressed it lovingly. He lifted himself slightly on one elbow. It had been more than an hour since they lay down, yet she was still awake. He could feel her discomfort even in the silence.
"I am feeling uncomfortable," she murmured, avoiding his eyes.
"From what, bacche?" he asked gently, his thumb softly tracing circles on her arm.
She hesitated. Her fingers fidgeted with the bedsheet. She didn’t know how to say it. Instead, she simply pointed toward her kurti.
Rakshit frowned slightly, confused at first.
"Is this kurti uncomfortable? I'll bring something softer. You can change here only. I'll wait in the bathroom till then," he said quickly, already ready to get up.
"Aksh, no… actually… I…" she stopped him, her fingers wrapping around his wrist.
He paused immediately.
"Bacche, please tell me clearly. There's no need to feel embarrassed or anything. You know, right? I would never say anything to make you uncomfortable," Rakshit said softly.
By now he understood that the problem was something else. He leaned a little closer to her, his eyes searching her face.
"Are you feeling uncomfortable because of my presence? Should I sleep in another room?" he asked gently.
There was no hurt in his tone. No ego. No complaint. Just pure concern for her comfort.
Shivika looked at him, her heart tightening. He wasn't even upset while suggesting to leave. He was only worried about her.
She sighed and held his hand tightly.
"Aksh, it's not the problem. I can never feel uncomfortable because of your presence," she said softly.
But Rakshit was still worried.
"Then what is the problem, bacche?" he asked, looking deep into her eyes.
She still hesitated.
"Ikaa… look at me," he said gently, lifting her chin so she would look at him.
His one hand was still in her hold, his thumb rubbing her knuckles soothingly.
"Bacche, what’s the problem? Please tell me. You're making me more worried with each passing second."
Taking a small breath, gathering courage, she finally whispered, "Aksh… I am feeling uncomfortable in this bra."
Her eyes immediately dropped to his hand, unable to meet his gaze.
Rakshit didn't react in shock or awkwardness. He simply sighed softly and leaned forward to kiss her forehead.
"Ika," he began tenderly, "I know these things will take time. And soon, you'll get comfortable talking about all this freely. But right now, you are pregnant. Our first and most important priority is your comfort. So that you are fine… and our baby is fine."
His hand rested gently on her stomach.
Shivika felt her heart melt at his understanding.
"Let me go, I'll bring my t-shirt for you to wear," he said gently.
She slowly released his hand. Rakshit got up, walked to the closet, and after a moment returned with his simple plain t-shirt. The soft cotton looked comforting even from a distance.
He helped her sit properly, supporting her back carefully before handing it to her.
"Remove your bra and kurti and wear this t-shirt. I'll bring a glass of milk for you, okay?" he said softly, cupping her face.
Shivika nodded.
He pressed a lingering kiss on her forehead, his eyes resting on her for a few seconds before stepping out of the room and closing the door gently behind him.
As she changed into his shirt, the soft fabric falling loosely over her, she whispered to herself, "How can he make everything so smooth and free for me to talk and do? I can see love in your eyes, Aksh… for me. And I don't even know if I will ever be able to return even one percent of it."
Her fingers tightened slightly on the fabric of his shirt.
A soft knock came on the door.
"Come in," she said quietly.
Rakshit entered only after she allowed him. He walked toward her and handed her the glass of milk.
"Drink it. It will help you sleep peacefully," he said gently.
She took the glass, her eyes never leaving his face.
He quietly took her kurti and bra from her hands without a word and placed them in the laundry basket.
She finished the milk slowly, her eyes still fixed on him-- not with hesitation anymore, but with a growing love she was slowly starting to feel.
He turned back to her and sat beside her again.
"Ika…" he called softly.
"Hmm?" she responded, lying down on her side.
He hesitated for a second, choosing his words carefully to not make it awkward for her.
"Now that you've removed it… are you comfortable sleeping with me like this? Or do you want some space? Tell me honestly."
There was no teasing in his voice.
No hidden intention.
Shivika looked at him, her eyes softening. The fact that he still asked, made her heart swell.
"Yes, Aksh," she said gently. "I am comfortable. Very much."
He searched her face for even the slightest doubt. Finding none, he gave her a small nod.
"Okay," he whispered.
He switched off the lamp and lay down beside her. This time, when he moved closer, it was slow and careful. He slid one arm gently around her waist and pulled her slightly toward him, maintaining enough space so she wouldn't feel trapped.
Then his hand slowly moved to her stomach.
His fingers softly stroked over the gentle curve, protective and loving.
"Sleep now, bacche," he murmured near her ear. "Both of you."
Shivika felt warmth spread through her chest. She placed her hand over his, the one resting on her stomach, and closed her eyes.
Within minutes, her breathing turned steady.
Rakshit pressed a soft kiss on her shoulder and rested his chin lightly near her head, his hand still gently stroking her stomach. No discomfort, no fear, no hesitation would ever come between them.
And slowly, holding his world in his arms, he drifted to sleep too.
It was 7:10 a.m. when Rakshit's eyes slowly fluttered open.
For a moment he stayed still, his mind still caught between sleep and reality. But the next second his brows frowned when his arms met nothing but the cold bedsheet.
"Ika…?" he called softly, sitting up quickly.
His eyes moved around the room and then his gaze fell toward the balcony.
"I am here, Aksh," Shivika's voice came from there.
The moment he heard her voice, he immediately threw the duvet aside and got up, walking toward the balcony without wasting another second.
Shivika was sitting on the balcony couch, one hand resting on her stomach while the cool morning breeze played with her loose hair.
"Ika, what happened?" Rakshit asked worriedly as he quickly sat beside her.
"Nothing," Shivika said, giving him a small tired smile.
"Baby was moving and kicking continuously… and sometimes so hard that I couldn’t sleep."
Rakshit immediately noticed the heaviness in her eyes, the clear sign that she hadn't slept properly.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" he asked softly, his fingers moving to caress her cheek.
"I knew you would wake up in some time," she replied gently. "And it has been just ten minutes since I came and sat here."
Then she rested her head against his shoulder, seeking his warmth.
"Is baby troubling you now also?" Rakshit asked, his voice full of concern.
Shivika hummed softly.
"You can feel baby moving," she said and slowly guided his hand to her stomach.
The moment his palm rested there, Rakshit's expression changed.
He could actually feel it.
A small kick.
Then another movement.
His face slowly lit up with the brightest smile as he moved his hand gently along with the baby's movements.
Shivika looked up at him, her heart melting at the pure happiness on his face.
"Baby… kick if you can feel papa," Shivika said playfully, knowing very well how happy it would make him.
As if the baby truly heard her, another sharp kick came immediately.
But this one was strong.
Shivika didn't hiss, but the slight discomfort clearly crossed her face.
Rakshit noticed instantly.
He gently moved her face away from his shoulder and without saying anything, he slid down to sit on the floor in front of her chair.
Placing both his hands carefully on her stomach, he spoke softly.
"Baby… I know you are very active and very happy to come to us soon," he said lovingly.
Another small kick came.
"But let mumma sleep na," he continued gently. "She slept late last night… and now because of you she woke up early also."
His hand rubbed her belly softly, like he was soothing the baby.
"Let her sleep for some time… and you too relax a little. I don't want my princess to get tired."
The moment he said that last sentence, Shivika chuckled softly.
"Hey! And if you are a prince… then don't get angry, okay?" Rakshit quickly added, grinning. "Still I will pamper you a lot. Just let mumma sleep for some time."
He continued gently rubbing her stomach as if he was truly having a conversation with their baby.
Shivika watched him with a soft smile, her heart filling with warmth.
"You were so sure it will be a princess," Shivika said, raising her eyebrow playfully. "Now why the doubt?"
Rakshit immediately straightened up slightly.
"There are two reasons," he said proudly.
Shivika folded her arms. "Tell."
"First," he said with a mischievous grin, "the way this baby is troubling you… my princess can't trouble you this much."
Shivika burst into laughter at his logic.
"And second," he continued softly, "I don't want baby to get angry with me. If it is a prince, he might think papa doesn't love him."
His voice softened even more.
"But I do."