25. Outfits Finalisation #3
"Saree would be uncomfortable for you. We will go for something else," Rakshit said carefully.
Shivika blinked.
"No, Aksh. I would be fine. Don't worry."
But Rakshit shook his head again.
"No, Ika. You would be uncomfortable. And what if your balance gets disturbed or something? No…"
Before he could continue, Shivika cut him off.
"Aksh," she said patiently.
"Don't worry. It's not like you would let me walk here and there."
She looked straight into his eyes.
Devyani quietly looked down at the tablet, trying not to smile.
"And also I have to sit most of the time," Shivika continued calmly.
"So there wouldn't be any problem."
Rakshit still looked unsure.
Shivika sighed dramatically and leaned slightly closer to him.
"Pleaseee…"
He looked at her.
"Please…"
She made the most perfect puppy eyes possible.
Rakshit immediately looked away for a second as if gathering strength.
"Don't say please," he finally said helplessly. "You can wear it."
Shivika's face lit up instantly.
"Thank you so much!" she said happily and pulled his cheek affectionately.
Rakshit froze in shock, his eyes widening.
Across from them, Devyani immediately looked down to hide her smile.
"Ika…" Rakshit said softly, glancing meaningfully toward Devyani.
Only then Shivika realized what she had just done.
She cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Ahem…"
Meanwhile Rakshit quickly stood up.
"I… I will come. I have to call Rahul," he said, almost too quickly.
Without waiting for a reply he walked toward their room.
The moment he disappeared, Shivika looked at Devyani with a sheepish expression.
"Sorry…"
Devyani smiled warmly.
"It's fine, Shivika."
Then she added gently,
"It actually feels great to see real love."
Shivika's smile softened at her words, though a slight hesitation still lingered in her eyes.
She glanced toward the room where Rakshit had gone for a moment… before looking back at the tablet to continue discussing the saree options.
One by one they finalized everything , Shivika's saree for the wedding, the anarkalis and suits for the other functions, the jewellery to match each outfit, the footwear, and even the small accessories.
Devyani carefully noted every detail while occasionally showing Shivika a few more options until everything was properly decided.
By the end of it, the table was filled with notes and the tablet screen was full of selected designs.
"Alright, everything is finalized," Devyani said with a satisfied smile as she organized her things back into her bag.
Shivika nodded with a small smile.
"I am really excited to see them."
"They will be ready on time. As i already have your and sir's measurements," Devyani assured her.
She stood up and looked at both of them.
"Thank you for trusting me."
Rakshit walked with her to the door.
"Thank you for coming," he said politely.
"Bye Shivika," Devyani said warmly.
"Bye Devyani," Shivika replied.
After that Devyani stepped outside and Rakshit closed the door behind her.
The moment he turned back, he noticed Shivika.
She was leaning slightly against the couch now, her earlier excitement replaced with clear tiredness. Her shoulders had relaxed and her eyes looked a little heavy after sitting and talking for so long.
Rakshit immediately walked back to her.
Without saying anything, he sat down beside her.
"You are tired," he said softly, his voice more of a statement than a question.
Shivika let out a small breath and leaned her head lightly on his shoulder.
"A little," she admitted quietly.
Rakshit sighed but gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer so she could rest comfortably against him.
His other hand moved to her stomach instinctively, rubbing it softly.
Shivika smiled faintly without opening her eyes.
Rakshit looked down at her for a moment and then gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"Come," he said softly after a few seconds. "Lie down for some time."
Shivika didn't argue this time.
She simply nodded slightly, letting him guide her as he carefully helped her get comfortable again.
Shivika had been resting quietly with her head placed on pillow in his lap.
For a few moments the room stayed peaceful.
"Aksh…"
"Hm?" he responded softly, his fingers still moving gently through her hair.
"What should we gift Satyam bhaiya and Jhanvi bhabhi for their wedding?"
Rakshit paused for a moment as if genuinely thinking about it. Then he shrugged lightly.
"I don't know."
Shivika frowned slightly.
"It wouldn't look good if we go empty-handed."
Rakshit looked down at her, a small smile appearing on his lips at how seriously she was thinking about it.
"You tell me what you want to give," he said calmly. "We'll give them that. No worries."
Shivika turned a little more on the pillow to face him properly.
"What's our budget?"
For a second Rakshit just stared at her.
Then he chuckled.
A soft, helpless chuckle that made Shivika instantly realize what she had just asked.
Her eyes widened.
She immediately lifted her hand and lightly hit her forehead.
"What am I even saying?"
Before she could hit herself again, Rakshit gently caught her hand.
"Bacche, no."
His fingers moved softly over the spot she had tapped as if soothing a child who had hurt themselves.
"Don't do that."
Shivika looked up at him sheepishly.
Rakshit shook his head slowly, amusement still dancing in his eyes.
His tone was playful, but there was affection hidden in it.
Shivika stared at him for a second… and then her lips slowly curved into a mischievous smile.
"Of course I forget."
Rakshit raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
"Yes," she said dramatically.
She lifted her hand and suddenly pulled his cheek again.
Rakshit closed his eyes for a second in surrender.
Her fingers were still holding his cheek when she finished speaking.
Rakshit looked down at her, half amused, half helpless.
After a few seconds she suddenly lifted her head slightly and looked up at him, her eyes bright with an idea.
"Aksh…"
"Hm?" he hummed softly, his fingers still playing with her hair.
"What if we give them their honeymoon tickets and plan everything for them?"
Rakshit looked down at her for a moment and then nodded.
"We can do that."
Shivika sat up slightly, becoming more animated as she explained.
"I talked to bhaiya yesterday. He told me he's not having a reception because he wants to save money so that he can fulfill her dream of going to Paris."
Rakshit listened quietly.
"So I was thinking…" she continued, "you have so much money… so you can sponsor the trip for them, right?"
Rakshit immediately looked at her and gently shook his head.
"First thing," he said calmly, correcting her, "our money."
Shivika blinked.
"And I already said," he continued in the same calm tone, "we will gift them whatever you say."