29. His First Dance #2
"I will come tomorrow, okay? Don't worry. I have to make sure Shivika rests well. So we will be leaving now," Rakshit said, ignoring Rahul's drama.
He gave Satyam a side hug before walking away.
Rahul stood there.
Mouth open.
Processing.
Satyam hit his back playfully.
"Muh band kar, makhi ghus jayegi," Satyam said, laughing.
(Close your mouth or a fly will go inside.)
"What was even happening here, brooo?? I can't believe he let you hug him," Rahul said, still in shock, holding his head.
"Not only that... he said I can call him bhai now on," Satyam said, grinning widely.
Rahul froze.
"Really????" he shouted.
"Yesss!" Satyam shouted back.
And the next moment, they both hugged each other crazily.
Rahul knew.
He had always known.
How much Satyam wished for this.
How badly he wanted to call Rakshit his brother.
But couldn't.
Because Rakshit never allowed it.
He had always been distant.
Closed.
Emotionally guarded.
And now...
Everything had changed.
Satyam's eyes filled with tears again.
"Hey man, why are you crying now? Finally your wish came true. Don't cry now," Rahul said, teasing him but gently patting his back.
"I... I am so happy, Rahul... finally I got my brother back. He will not stop me from calling him bhai..." Satyam said, his voice trembling.
"Shh... I understand. Relax..." Rahul said softly, rubbing his back.
"Seenu..." Jhanvi's voice came, her eyes soft as she looked at Satyam hugging Rahul.
Satyam broke the hug and immediately went to her, pulling her into his arms.
"Handle your would-be husband. I will be back," Rahul said, walking away, giving them space.
As he turned, he quickly wiped the tear that had escaped his own eyes.
He didn't want anyone to see.
Meanwhile...
Rakshit opened the door of their house.
Shivika stepped inside and let out a tired sigh as she dropped onto the sofa.
"I enjoyed it fully... and now I am so tired," she said, leaning back, completely exhausted but smiling.
Rakshit chuckled softly.
He walked to her and handed her a glass of water.
After Shivika took a few small sips, she quietly handed the glass back to Rakshit. Without saying anything, he took it and finished the remaining water in one go.
He placed the glass on the table and sat beside her.
"Aksh... why was Satyam bhaiya hugging you?" Shivika asked, her curiosity clearly visible, her tired eyes still soft.
"It would be better if you ask that to him," Rakshit replied calmly, as his hands moved to her hair, gently removing the pins one by one.
He let her hair fall freely and began massaging her head slowly, his fingers soft yet comforting.
"Okay," Shivika agreed simply.
"Ika, change first and then I will give you your medicines."
A care hidden behind his insistence.
He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before standing up and helping her get up as well.
Slowly, he guided her towards the closet.
After changing, both of them sat on the bed.
Rakshit handed her the medicines along with a glass of water. Shivika quietly took them, swallowing them slowly while he watched her with a soft, attentive gaze.
After she was done, she handed the glass back.
Rakshit placed it aside and then, without a word, laid down beside her, his head resting gently near her stomach. His hand moved softly over her baby bump, caressing it with so much care, as if he was already holding their child.
He looked up at Shivika.
She was already looking at him.
Smiling.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"Can i drop a kiss here?" he asked, his eyes pointing toward her stomach like an excited child asking for something precious.
Shivika chuckled lightly and nodded, still playing with his hair.
Rakshit leaned forward and gently pressed a soft kiss on her stomach.
Almost instantly, A small kick.
Like always.
Rakshit's face lit up. He looked up at her with a wide grin, his eyes shining with pure happiness.
"Once more?" he asked, excitement evident in his voice.
Shivika nodded again, smiling at his childlike happiness.
No matter how many times it happened, this man would never get bored of it.
Rakshit leaned in again and pressed another kiss.
And again-A kick.
He couldn't stop smiling.
His heart felt full.
Completely full.
His voice held innocence.
Love.
Concern.
He pressed one more kiss, as if sealing his words with affection and again felt that tiny response from inside.
Shivika watched him silently.
Her eyes softened as she saw him like this.
He continued talking to the baby, lost in his own little world with his princess.
And Shivika...
She just kept looking at him.
Her heart swelling with emotions she couldn't even explain.
God... please just let the baby have his features, she prayed silently, her fingers still moving through his hair.
I know it is impossible... but people say na... that the face we see more during pregnancy impacts the baby's features...
Her gaze stayed fixed on Rakshit.
So please God... send my baby with his features. I want to see that happiness on his face...
Her eyes grew moist.
If not anything else... then please... eyes... please God... please give our baby the same blue eyes as him...
They both fell asleep soon, completely exhausted from the long day.
It was already 3:30 at night, and the silence of the room wrapped around them peacefully.
But Shivika's sleep broke suddenly.
Hunger.
A strong midnight craving.
She slowly sat up, her movements careful, and turned her head toward Rakshit.
"Aksh..." she called softly, her voice still heavy and hoarse from sleep.
Rakshit's eyes opened instantly.
"Ika," he said, sitting up immediately as he saw her awake. "What happened?"
His voice carried concern, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Nothing... I am craving for Maggi and ice cream," Shivika said innocently.
Rakshit paused for a second, thinking.
He knew... once in a while, it wasn't wrong.
"Okay, I will make it. Do you want to come outside with me or sit here?" he asked gently.
"Come outside with you," Shivika replied.
"Okay," Rakshit said, getting up and helping her stand.
His hand naturally rested on her lower back, supporting her as he slowly walked her out.
He made her sit on one of the dining chairs before heading into the kitchen.
Shivika leaned forward, resting her head on her folded arms on the table.
And then she just watched him.
It was something she could never get bored of.
Rakshit, sensing her gaze, smiled slightly.
"Ika... you know I love cooking for you at midnight more than at any other time."
Shivika blinked, confused, instantly sitting up a little.
"You don't love cooking for me at other times?" she asked, almost in a crying tone.
Rakshit quickly glanced at her, shaking his head.
"No, no... what I mean is, I love cooking for you every time... but midnight holds a special place."
"Ohh... why?" Shivika asked, now relaxed.
Rakshit smiled softly as he stirred the Maggi.
"It is so peaceful around us... and I am cooking... you are looking at me... no hurry, no stress... just us and our home."
He closed the lid of the pan and turned to look at her.
"You know, Ika... during daytime, it feels like a lot of things are going on in my mind. But right now... it just feels us."
Shivika smiled at him.
A soft, content smile.
Moments passed quietly.
And before he realized she was already half-asleep again.
Rakshit chuckled softly, just standing there and looking at her.
His eyes softened as memories flooded in, the first time he saw her in that lavender suit...
Her sudden presence in the kitchen...
All their small, simple moments...
A smile spread across his face.
Unable to stop himself, he walked toward her, gently placed his hand on her head, and leaned down to press a soft kiss on her cheek.
"Ban gai Maggi?' Shivika murmured with her eyes still closed, her voice sleepy.
(Is the Maggi ready?)
Rakshit shook his head lightly, though she couldn't see him.
"Yess, wake up," he said teasingly, before turning back to bring the food.
He returned with a plate of Maggi and a spoon, sitting beside her, ready to feed her.
"No, I will eat," Shivika said, taking the plate from his hands.
Rakshit frowned slightly but let her do what she wanted.
"Aksh, can you get me the pickle?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said, getting up and bringing it for her.
She divided the Maggi into two parts.
In one part, she added pickle.
In the other, she didn't.
Then she filled a spoon with Maggi without pickle and brought it near his mouth.
"Eat, Aksh. I will feed my husband today," she said with a grin.
Rakshit chuckled softly.
Her sleep was completely gone now.
He opened his mouth, letting her feed him.
Then she took a bite of the pickle Maggi herself, enjoying it, and again fed him the plain Maggi.
Rakshit watched her quietly.
A soft smile forming on his lips.
She remembered.
His preferences everytime.
Even in something so small.
And somehow that meant everything.
As Shivika finished her Maggi, she leaned back slightly, looking completely satisfied but only for a second.
Then her eyes sparkled.
"Aksh... ice cream," she said, grinning like a little child who had just remembered her favorite thing.
Rakshit couldn't help but smile at her expression. Without saying anything, he stood up and walked to the fridge, bringing back a tub of ice cream along with a spoon.
He placed it in her hands.
Shivika's face lit up instantly.
"Thank you," she said softly, already digging in.
Rakshit didn't eat.
He just sat there.
Watching her.
Admiring her.
The way her eyes closed slightly with every bite... the way she hummed softly in satisfaction... the way she looked so peaceful, so content.
"Aksh, you want?" she offered, holding the spoon towards him.
He shook his head with a small smile.
"No... you eat."
And he meant it.
She was enjoying the ice cream.
He was enjoying her.
His baby.
His peace.
His everything.
A mischievous idea crossed his mind.