40. Birthday Celebration #2
"Thank you."
Rahul then moved toward Shivika.
"Congratulations, Shivika."
"Thank you, Rahul."
He smiled before looking down at the baby in Jhanvi's arms.
"Aww... she's adorable."
The baby was wide awake now, her tiny eyes moving curiously around the room.
Rahul bent slightly to get a better look at her.
"Wait..."
He looked at her eyes.
"She has blue eyes."
Satyam immediately nodded.
"Exactly! Just like bhaiya."
Rahul looked at Rakshit and then back at the baby, clearly shocked.
"She's beautiful."
Shivika smiled proudly.
"She is, isn't she?"
"She really is," Rahul agreed.
Satyam suddenly remembered something and turned toward Rahul.
"By the way, Rahul, you know it's bhaiya's birthday today?"
Rahul looked at Rakshit in surprise.
"Big B, is it true? Today's your birthday?" Rahul asked in shock.
Rakshit nodded with a smile.
"Oh! Finally! Happy birthday!" Rahul exclaimed before pulling him into a hug.
"Thank you," Rakshit said, patting his back.
"You know, Shivika..." Rahul said, moving toward her as he broke the hug.
"I used to ask him so many times about his birthday, but he never told me. Once, I even thought of going through his documents to find out, but he caught me red-handed and scolded me so much."
Shivika burst out laughing.
"But he told me, I am precious to him," she said proudly, almost flexing her special status.
Rahul rolled his eyes.
"Oh, please."
The others laughed at their antics.
But the sound of everyone's laughter and voices soon disturbed the baby.
Her little face scrunched up, and she started crying.
Rakshit immediately went toward Shivika and carefully took their daughter into his arms.
"Aww, my baby... shh. Everyone's here to celebrate Papa's birthday. Wouldn't you cut the cake with Papa?"
He gently rocked her in his arms.
The baby slowly stopped crying, settling against his chest.
Shivika smiled at them.
"Aksh, I think we should cut the cake quickly. She might be hungry and start crying again."
Jhanvi nodded in agreement.
"Yes, bhaiya. And I think she might also get cranky with so many people around her."
"Yeah. Let's cut the cake," Rakshit agreed.
Rahul and Satyam immediately pulled the cake out.
Rahul stood holding the cake while Satyam helped arrange everything. Rahul then handed the knife to Rakshit.
Rakshit stood beside Shivika, their daughter resting safely in his arm.
He looked at Shivika and subtly gestured toward the knife.
She smiled and placed her hand over his.
Rakshit held the knife with his free hand while continuing to hold their daughter securely in the other.
"Where's the candle?" Shivika suddenly asked, looking toward Satyam.
Satyam blinked.
"I... forgot to bring the candle. Sorry."
Shivika stared at him for a second.
"Seriously, bhaiya?"
She wasn't exactly happy.
She had wanted to do so many things for Rakshit on his birthday. She had imagined making the day special for him, but being in the hospital meant she could barely manage a small celebration and now even the candle was missing.
Rakshit noticed her expression and gently smiled.
"It's fine, Ika. We'll cut it like this."
Shivika sighed before nodding.
"Okay. But first, close your eyes and make a wish."
Her voice softened with emotion.
This was the first birthday cake Rakshit was cutting and somehow, that made the moment feel incredibly special to her.
Rakshit looked at her.
"I don't have any wishes left."
Shivika frowned slightly.
"Why?"
He leaned a little closer and whispered,
Shivika's eyes instantly filled with tears.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
She quickly wiped it away and whispered,
"Make a wish, Aksh."
Rakshit smiled.
He closed his eyes.
And silently wished-
Keep her and our daughter happy always, God.
He opened his eyes.
Everyone immediately began singing,
"Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you..."
But suddenly, Rahul stopped them.
"No, not this!"
Everyone looked at him.
Rahul grinned before starting,
"Baar baar din yeh aaye..."
Satyam immediately understood and joined him.
Jhanvi smiled and began singing along too.
Shivika's face lit up, and she joined them as well, her hand still resting over Rakshit's while they slowly cut the cake together.
Baar baar din yeh aaye
Baar baar dil yeh gaaye
Baar baar din yeh aaye
Baar baar dil yeh gaaye
Tu jiye hazaro saal
Yeh meri hai aarzu
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
(May this day come again and again,
May my heart sing again and again,
May this birthday return again and again,
May my heart sing again and again,
May you live for a thousand years,
That is my heart's only wish,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you.)
As the song ended, everyone clapped.
Rakshit cut the cake and took a small slice.
Instead of eating it himself, he held it in front of Shivika.
She happily took a bite.
Then she broke off another small piece and fed it to him from the same slice.
Rakshit smiled before looking down at the little girl in his arms.
She was staring at him with her wide blue eyes.
"Sorry, princess," he whispered. "But you can't eat cake right now."
The baby simply blinked at him.
Rakshit chuckled softly.
He then looked at Satyam, Jhanvi and Rahul.
"Guys, thank you. Seriously."
He gestured toward the cake.
"And share it among the three of you. Shivika can't eat because of her restrictions, and I won't eat if she's not eating. So you guys finish it."
Rahul immediately hooted.
"See! My boss is a green flag!"
Rakshit rolled his eyes.
"Enough, Rahul."
Everyone laughed.
Rakshit carefully handed their daughter back to Shivika before moving toward the sink to wash his hands.
Shivika looked down at their daughter, then toward Rakshit.
For the first time, she realized just how different his birthdays would be from now on.
The room had finally settled into a peaceful rhythm after the excitement of the birthday celebration.
Jhanvi looked at Shivika, who was resting against the pillows with their daughter in her arms.
"Bhaiya, I think you both should have your lunch. You must be hungry since you haven't eaten anything. I'll feed Shivika by then."
Shivika immediately looked at Rakshit.
The glance was enough.
Rakshit understood exactly what she wanted.
"Jhanvi, I'll feed her, and I'll eat while feeding her too. You just keep the baby busy till then."
Jhanvi smiled, understanding him.
"Okay, bhaiya."
She carefully took the baby from Shivika's arms and began gently playing with her.
Rakshit opened the lunch box and sat beside Shivika.
She made khichdi for Shivika-light, less spicy, and exactly as the doctor had advised.
He picked up a spoonful and brought it toward her mouth.
"Open."
Shivika obediently took the bite.
After swallowing, she looked at the bowl and then at him.
"You're also going to eat this?"
"Yeah."
"But you can eat anything," she whispered between bites. "You could have something from the canteen. Why are you eating this?"
Rakshit simply took another spoonful and ate it himself.
Shivika's lips curved into a smile.
"You know, you're setting the bar way too high."
Rakshit chuckled.
"Good. Then our daughter won't settle for less."
Shivika laughed softly.
"You've already started thinking about her future standards?"
"Of course."
He scooped up another bite and held it toward her.
Shivika took it before suddenly looking at him mischievously.
"Are you ready to send her off?"
Rakshit stopped mid-motion.
"Send her off?"
"You know..." Shivika tried not to laugh. "One day you'll have to send her off when she gets married."
The realization slowly registered.
Rakshit's expression changed completely.
"I didn't think about that."
Shivika burst into laughter.
"Relax! She's just been born. There's a very long way to go."
Rakshit still looked horrified.
"Don't say things like that."
Shivika smiled and opened her mouth for the next bite.
"Now make me eat."
Rakshit shook his head with a chuckle and fed her.
"That's better."
Once they were both done eating, Rakshit picked up the glass of water.
"Drink."
Shivika took the glass from him and drank.
He then handed her the medicines prescribed by the doctor and waited until she took them.
"Done?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Done."
Rakshit smiled and gently adjusted her pillows again.
Meanwhile, Jhanvi was still keeping their little daughter entertained, completely unaware that Rakshit had just experienced his first miniature heartbreak at the mere thought of his newborn daughter growing up.
Shivika looked at him and smiled.
"Aksh?"
"Hmm?"
"You're cute when you're scared."
Rakshit rolled his eyes.
"I'm not scared."
"You looked terrified."
"I was just thinking."
"About our daughter getting married?"
He gave her a look.
"Don't start again."
Shivika laughed, and the room filled with their soft laughter once more.
After spending a little more time with the baby, Satyam finally glanced toward the watch.
"Okay, bhaiya, we should leave now. You both need to rest."
Jhanvi nodded.
"Yes. Shivika needs to rest, and the baby probably needs some quiet too."
Rahul suddenly looked toward the side table and noticed the bouquet he had brought earlier.
"Oh! Big B, I almost forgot."
He picked up the bouquet and handed it to Rakshit.
"I brought this for congratulating you. I forgot to give it earlier."
Rakshit smiled as he accepted it.
"Thank you, Rahul."
"You're welcome, Big B. And once again, happy birthday."
Before anyone could say much more, the baby suddenly began crying.
Shivika immediately looked down at her.
"She's crying again."
Jhanvi smiled softly.
"I think she is hungry."
Satyam laughed quietly.
"Okay, we'll leave before she starts getting angry for keeping her hungry."
He quickly moved toward Rakshit and hugged him.
"Bye, bhaiya. And happy birthday again."
"Bye. Thank you."
Jhanvi stepped toward Shivika.
"Take care, okay? Get some rest."