35. What eyes, Aksh?
The room was filled with a quiet excitement.
Rakshit was carefully packing Shivika's hospital bag because, at any moment now, they might have to rush to the hospital. Every movement of his carried a strange mixture of nervousness, happiness, and responsibility.
He had spent days preparing for this moment, ordering everything he thought she or their baby could possibly need.
Meanwhile, Shivika sat comfortably on the bed, slowly sipping her juice while watching him with an amused smile. She couldn't help but wonder how her husband knew so much about pregnancy and postpartum care.
"Aksh... why are you packing these?" she asked, frowning adorably as she watched him place a pair of soft socks, slippers, and a warm scarf into the bag.
Without even looking up, Rakshit continued arranging everything neatly.
"Because after delivery, you shouldn't walk on a cold floor. These socks will keep your feet warm." He lifted the scarf with a smile.
"And this is to cover your head and ears. The body becomes weak after childbirth, and everyone says it's important to keep yourself warm."
Shivika simply blinked at him.
She took another sip of her juice before pointing towards two neatly packed bundles of clothes.
"And these?"
Rakshit looked at them proudly.
"Oh, these are cotton feeding gowns. The doctor suggested buying comfortable cotton clothes for after delivery. You'll feel much better wearing these."
"When did you order them?"
"Last week," he replied casually. "The delivery got delayed because of some issue, but thankfully they arrived yesterday."
He folded them carefully before placing them inside the bag as though they were something precious.
Next came the baby's belongings.
Tiny newborn outfits.
Soft little caps.
Mittens.
Blankets.
Diapers.
Gentle baby wipes.
Burp cloths.
Baby towels.
Extra swaddles.
Even a small baby nail file.
He checked every single item twice before placing it inside.
Shivika didn't interrupt him anymore.
She simply sat there silently, watching him.
Every small action of his filled her heart with warmth.
This man who ruled boardrooms without breaking a sweat, who handled billion-dollar deals with ease was now spending nearly an hour making sure their baby had enough burp cloths.
She smiled to herself.
Sometimes love wasn't expressed through grand confessions.
Love looked exactly like this.
Finally, Rakshit zipped the bag shut and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Done."
He placed both hands on his waist before touching his chin thoughtfully.
"Do you think I've forgotten anything?"
Shivika laughed softly and shook her head.
"Aksh... you've packed more than what we actually need."
He raised an eyebrow.
"And even if you somehow forget something," she continued teasingly, "you can literally order it with one snap of your fingers."
Rakshit chuckled.
"That I can, baccha."
He sat beside her.
"But I don't want any unnecessary rushing around that day. Double-checking is always better."
Only then did his eyes fall on the glass in her hands.
It was still half full.
"You still haven't finished your juice."
Shivika immediately made a face.
"I don't want to drink anymore."
"Oh?"
Rakshit calmly reached for the glass.
"Then no ice cream tonight."
Her eyes widened dramatically.
"No! No! I'm drinking it."
She quickly snatched the glass back before he could take it away and finished the entire juice in one go.
Rakshit burst into laughter.
"That's my good girl."
He took the empty glass from her and gently wiped the juice from the corner of her lips with his thumb.
"There..."
Then he stood up.
"Wait here. I'll be back."
Before Shivika could ask anything, he walked out of the bedroom.
Barely a minute later, he returned with a chocolate hidden behind his back.
As soon as he revealed it, Shivika's entire face lit up.
"You are the best husband in the whole world!"
Without wasting another second, she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on his cheek before happily snatching the chocolate from his hand.
Rakshit only laughed.
He had expected exactly that reaction.
Wrapping one arm around her shoulders, he pulled her comfortably against himself while she happily unwrapped the chocolate like an excited child.
She broke off a small piece and offered it to him.
"You too."
Rakshit smiled and shook his head.
"No, baccha. This one's all yours."
She happily continued eating while he simply watched her with endless affection.
After she finished, Rakshit quietly opened the bedside drawer, took out a packet of wet wipes, and gently cleaned her sticky fingers one by one.
Once he was done with her hands, he carefully wiped the chocolate from around her lips.
He leaned closer.
Until only a few inches separated them.
His fingers froze.
Because instead of looking away, Shivika was staring directly into his eyes.
There was something dangerously beautiful about that gaze.
Soft.
Full of love.
Yet enough to make his heartbeat lose its rhythm.
His voice came out as nothing more than a whisper.
A playful smile spread across her lips.
She leaned even closer.
Their breaths mingled.
Rakshit's heartbeat quickened.
His eyes instinctively dropped to her lips before returning to her eyes.
Just as she was about to close the remaining distance...
His phone rang.
The loud ringtone shattered the moment completely.
Rakshit closed his eyes in defeat before pulling himself away.
Shivika immediately let out an annoyed whine.
He couldn't stop himself from laughing.
"Don't laugh!" she complained, hitting his arm lightly.
"Throw this phone away."
He laughed even harder before wrapping an arm around her again.
"Sorry, baccha."
He looked at the screen.
"It's Rahul. He's probably calling about today's meeting."
He was about to answer when Shivika quickly grabbed his wrist.
"I hate him even more now."
She pouted.
"Give me the phone. I'll talk to him."
Rakshit instantly hid the phone behind his back.
"No."
"Aksh..."
"No, baccha."
"Please..."
"No."
She tried grabbing it again, but he simply laughed before gently pressing her face against his chest with his free hand.
The call connected.
"Hello."
Even while talking, he kept one protective arm around her as she continued trying to steal the phone.
Rakshit silently pleaded with his eyes.
Please... not today.
Shivika glared at him dramatically before finally giving up.
Rolling her eyes, she rested her head against his chest with a soft huff.
A smile appeared on Rakshit's lips.
Without even realizing it, his fingers had already started combing gently through her hair.
"Yes, Rahul," he spoke professionally.
"Tell Mr. Kapoor the deal will only be finalized after they provide us with the signed agreement."
As Rahul continued speaking from the other side, Rakshit absentmindedly kept stroking Shivika's hair with slow, comforting movements.
It didn't take long.
Her breathing gradually slowed.
Her body relaxed completely.
The warmth of his chest.
The gentle movement of his fingers.
His familiar heartbeat.
Everything lulled her into sleep.
A few minutes later, Rakshit ended the call.
He looked down.
His smile instantly softened.
Shivika had fallen asleep, her cheek resting peacefully against his chest, holding onto his shirt unconsciously.
"So sleepy..." he whispered with a smile.
Carefully, he adjusted her.
"Ika..."
She hummed softly without opening her eyes.
"Lie down properly, then sleep."
Still half asleep, she obediently nodded.
With infinite care, Rakshit helped her lie down comfortably on the bed.
He tucked the blanket around her gently, making sure not even a little cold air reached her.
For a few silent moments, he simply sat beside her.
Watching her.
His wife.
Leaning down, he placed the softest kiss on her forehead.
With one last loving glance, Rakshit quietly left the room.
Shivika suddenly frowned in her sleep.
A sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen.
She shifted uncomfortably, thinking it would go away.
But within a few seconds, another wave of pain spread across her lower belly, stronger than before.
"Aah..."
She winced, her hand immediately moving to her stomach.
The pain made her open her eyes completely.
Her breathing became uneven.
She tried sitting up, but another cramp made her gasp.
"Aksh..."
Her voice came out weak.
She looked around the room.
Rakshit wasn't there.
He had probably gone outside for finishing some work.
The pain intensified again.
This time she couldn't stop herself.
"AKSH!"
Her frightened shout echoed through the house.
Within seconds, hurried footsteps rushed towards the bedroom.
The door flew open.
Rakshit entered almost breathless, panic clearly written all over his face.
"Ika!"
He reached her in two long strides.
"What happened?"
He cupped her face with both hands, scanning her from head to toe as if trying to find what had gone wrong.
Shivika held his forearm tightly.
Her eyes had already filled with tears.
"Aksh..."
She cried softly.
"It's... it's hurting..."
Before she could finish, another contraction-like pain hit her.
She bent forward, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Aah..."
Rakshit's heart skipped a beat.
Without wasting another second, he slid one arm behind her back and another beneath her knees, helping her sit up comfortably against the headboard before supporting her himself.
"Breathe, baccha... breathe."
His own heartbeat had become erratic, but his voice remained as calm as possible.
"I'm here."
He gently rubbed her back.
"Tell me..."
He asked softly.
"Where is it hurting?"
Shivika immediately placed both hands on her lower abdomen.
"Here..."
Her voice trembled.
"My lower stomach... It hurts so much, Aksh..."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Rakshit instantly wiped them away.
"Shh... No crying. I'm here."
He kissed her forehead.
His mind immediately replayed everything the doctor had explained during their last appointment.