25. Outfits Finalisation #4
His fingers were still moving through her hair as he spoke.
"So just tell me what I need to do."
Shivika stared at him for a second.
Then a bright smile spread across her face.
"So we'll send them to Paris?"
Rakshit nodded.
"I'll make their hotel booked and also their flight tickets."
Her eyes widened with happiness.
"Really?"
"Of course."
"You are the best," she said happily and leaned forward, hugging his waist.
Rakshit chuckled softly.
Rakshit looked down at her quietly.
Sometimes he genuinely wondered how he had been blessed with a woman like her.
She didn't think twice before doing something for others. Her happiness somehow always came from seeing someone else smile.
And that was something Rakshit admired deeply.
After a moment Shivika lifted her head again and looked at him.
"Aksh…"
"Hm?"
"You must have gone to different countries, right?"
Rakshit nodded slightly.
"Yes."
Her curiosity instantly woke up.
"Where all have you been?"
He thought for a second before answering.
"London… Singapore… New York… Dubai… Paris."
Her eyes widened a little at the last name.
"You've been to Paris?"
Rakshit nodded again.
"Once. For a business conference."
Shivika looked thoughtful.
"Is it really that beautiful?"
Rakshit smiled faintly.
"It is."
She stared at him with quiet curiosity.
"I too want to go to Paris…" Shivika murmured slowly, almost like a quiet wish slipping out of her heart.
Rakshit looked down at her.
A soft smile appeared on his lips.
"We will," he said gently.
Then he leaned a little closer, his voice becoming even softer.
"With our baby."
Shivika's eyes lifted to meet his.
For a moment Shivika just blinked.
And suddenly… a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
Then another.
Rakshit noticed immediately.
The softness in his expression instantly turned into worry.
"Ika…" he said quickly, gently lifting her chin so he could see her face.
"What happened?"
Another tear rolled down her cheek.
She shook her head slightly, almost confused by her own emotions.
"I don't know…" she whispered.
Her voice trembled a little.
"I just… feel like crying."
Rakshit looked at her carefully, his thumb gently wiping away one of the tears.
For a moment he watched her silently.
Then suddenly he sighed in a dramatic way.
"You know…" he said thoughtfully.
Shivika sniffed lightly and looked at him.
She blinked.
For a second Shivika stared at him in disbelief.
Then a small laugh escaped through her tears.
"Aksh!"
She slapped his arm lightly.
Rakshit chuckled softly, satisfied that the heaviness in her expression had lifted a little.
The room slowly became quiet again.
His fingers returned to their gentle rhythm in her hair, slowly calming her.
After a few minutes of silence, Rakshit spoke again.
"Ika…"
"Hm?"
"I have one question."
She looked up at him.
"Ask."
Rakshit hesitated slightly.
His gaze moved over her face thoughtfully before he spoke.
"I've seen women wearing rings… bracelets… chains… different jewellery."
His eyes moved to her ears.
"But you never wear anything except these small earings."
His voice was gentle.
"Why?"
For a moment Shivika didn't answer.
Her eyes slowly drifted away from his face.
A distant memory quietly surfaced.
"I used to wear them," she said softly.
Rakshit remained silent, listening.
"Bracelets… rings… chains…"
Her fingers slowly curled together.
"But the last day… when I was home…"
She paused.
"I removed my chain because its hook was broken."
Her voice had become quieter now.
"The rings and bracelet were still in my hands."
Rakshit's jaw tightened slightly, though he said nothing.
"That same night…" she continued slowly, her eyes becoming glassy again, "when my parents threw me out… and Kritaarth closed the door on my face…"
Her voice trembled.
"I was so angry…"
Rakshit felt something twist painfully inside his chest.
"Angry at myself," she whispered.
"For trusting him."
Her fingers unconsciously tightened into a small fist.
"So I threw everything."
The room felt heavier with every word she spoke.
"One of the rings…" she said quietly, "was given by him."
Her voice almost broke.
"So…"
She couldn't continue.
Silence filled the room.
Rakshit didn't move for a few seconds.
But inside him… emotions were rising rapidly.
Anger at those people.
Pain for what she had gone through.
And a deep, fierce protectiveness.
He wanted to tell her she didn't deserve any of that.
He wanted to promise her that no one would ever hurt her again.
But he also knew… if he spoke now… she might break down completely.
So instead, he simply pulled her closer.
His arms wrapped around her firmly.
One hand came to the back of her head, gently pressing her against his chest.
Shivika didn't resist.
She slowly melted into his embrace.
Her hands held onto his shirt tightly, her face resting against his chest.
Rakshit lowered his chin and rested it lightly on her head.
His hand moved slowly over her hair.
No words.
Just warmth.
Just comfort.