PART - 54
Shaurya and Akansha thought of preparing the cake to get it cut by Siya. Every year, it's Richa, her and Akash who prepares it together. Akansha missed her brother and best friend but she knew she couldn't involve Richa much given her obsession with Shaurya's destruction.
Akansha and Shaurya started the cake making.
"Hope I'm not late", Akash said, barging inside the kitchen.
"You are, now cut those fruits", Shaurya replied while Akansha is surprised to see her brother there.
"Oh so we are making Siya's favorite fruit cake?", Akash asked
"What are you doing here?", Akansha asked her brother.
"My reporting boss called me here, to help him with his daughter's birthday preparations and I couldn't deny him, you know", Akash said, Akansha rolled her eyes while Shaurya glared at him.
"It's a crime for any MLA, MP or minister or any political representative to use an IAS officer for their personal works.
Do you want to end my political career or what?
", Shaurya asked making Akash chuckle.
"Stop laughing and correct that statement of yours right away", Shaurya warned and Akash nodded.
"I'm here for my niece, di", Akash said
"Better", Shaurya said making the Dixit siblings smile at his cautious nature.
He is very serious about his political career, the same career he was about to sacrifice for her and their daughter.
She sometimes didn't understand how Shaurya so effortlessly put her and their daughter beyond everything, without thinking for a second.
Not everyone can leave the career for which they worked day and night, for someone even if that someone was their spouse or child.
She wasn't defending him in any way but was acknowledging his love and affection for them, the priority he gave them.
She wouldn't have left the career she worked hard for, for her spouse.
The relationship wasn't worth giving in if it demanded those kind of sacrifices, that's what she felt.
She had to give up her career as a psycologist even before it took off not for Shaurya but not to be found by Shaurya.
While she would have thought a lot to give up her career for him though she loved him just as much, he would give it up easily for her, but again she wouldn't have deceived him or given him the feeling of betrayal like he did.
Yes, she would have wanted to hurt him more brutally if her siblings were hurt because of him like Aakriti was hurt because of her, but she would have never chosen the path of deceive.
They both are different that way, she realized his unending love came with a cost.
Akash started cutting vegetables but they weren't of same size but Shaurya being a perfectionist didn't like it. He took the knife from Akash, handing him the task of whipping cream instead. Akash rolled his eyes knowing the reason for it.
"I should have thought about it when you said you want me here", Akash said and Shaurya frowned while Akansha laughed knowing what her brother meant.
"Excuse me? What did you mean by that?", Shaurya asked, showing the knife.
"What I meant was, you are a master chef, you don't need me or my di to help you. So why don't you prepare the cake while di and I watch some TV till then?", Akash proposed.
"If you are done with uttering nonsense, then start working", Shaurya said and Akash huffed
"You were sweet with me always, you never chided me, but I'm noticing from the time you met my di again, you have become a lot like her", Akash complained to Shaurya
Akansha knocked her brother's head for taunting her, making him apologize to her quickly.
"You hid my wife from me, you didn't reveal a single word, despite knowing her whereabouts all these years.
You even knew about my daughter. I kept begging you but you didn't tell me a single word.
This is what you get after all that", Shaurya whispered in Akash's ear whose face paled but he quickly composed.
He knew Shaurya would always hold it against him but he did what's right for his sister so he didn't regret it.
"But thank you... For being with her, I know she is your sister and what you did was out of love for her.
Still, I'm indebted to everyone who stood with my wife and daughter when they needed", He added.
Akansha looked at her brother and husband with suspicion. She couldn't hear them, so she didn't know what they were talking about.
"Stop with that time pass, both of you", Akansha scolded, fed up with them.
They started preparing the cake. When Akash went out to bring the baking paper, Akansha walked towards Shaurya, who was cutting fruits with such concentration that it seemed he was discovering a whole new chemical element and would be awarded a noble prize for it.
"Shaurya...", she called
"Hm...", he hummed, his eyes not leaving the chopping board.
"Thank you", she said, shocking him. She was thankful for inviting Akash.
Every year, it's him and Richa along with her who prepares everything for Siya's birthday, and making the mandatory 12:00 AM cake is a must which she thought she would miss this year, but thanks to Shaurya, she didn't. She knew why he didn't invite Richa and she is okay with it.
Why would he invite her when all she wanted was to destroy him.
Inviting her to his home and letting her access the personal space meant handing her the sword to slay him, and she didn't want that for him.
"What?", his eyes widened, and his shocked expression irritated her.
"You were reacting as if I never said 'thank you' ", she said and he didn't say a word but stared at her and she realized she never did. "I actually didn't"
He didn't want her to say 'Thanks', he never wanted to hear thanks or sorry from her, but when she said it now, it made him happy. The true emotions in her tone made him realize her shift towards a positive approach for him, and it got him on cloud nine.
"that's because I never gave you a chance to, the only situation I created for you was to hear 'Sorry' from me but you never got to hear it in the past, but now I'll apologize to you as many times as possible, you maynot forgive me but you deserve that apology, and much much more", he said
"There are many things for which you deserve to hear a 'thankyou' but I never uttered, maybe because I never felt the need to, I never saw us differently", she said and he smiled painfully.
Yes, that's the amount of love she had for him.
For him, they weren't different; they were the same and he was guilty of hurting such a woman.
"You don't need to, Akansha. By the way, I'm sorry, I couldn't get Richa here. I invited her, but she couldn't make it due to work", he said shocking her.
"You invited Richa? Shaurya, you don't have to", Akansha said.
Why would he do it? He couldn't be taking such risks just to give momentary happiness to her and Siya.
If at all Richa gets her hands on things she wasn't supposed to, he would be destroyed and his destruction would be heavy on her and Siya as well.
She wasn't worried about herself but for her daughter and him as well.
"It's okay, I would have taken preventive measures", he said
"No amount of measures would stop a journalist from finding their breaking news if they were allowed in the kitchen, Shaurya. Are you out of your mind?", Akansha reprimanded before he could answer her phone dinged with a text from Dev.
"Woman! Keep your offensive self aside and bring that controlling devil in you out. Your husband needs your chains with immediate effect. I can't sacrifice one of my possessions again for that idiot", Dev sent
"What did you sacrifice that you are crying like you're hit with period cramps?", Akansha typed with an annoyed emoticon attached. She didn't like Dev calling Shaurya an 'idiot'. Well, she didn't know why? Maybe her period was around the corner, hence the mood swings, she convinced herself.
"Only a breaking news can lure Richa Upadhyay away from the invite your husband has sent.
Since there is no breaking news available, I had to leak one out of the lot I saved, of my foes", Dev typed, and Akansha sighed.
It must have been tough for Dev to let go that news if he is cribbing so much.
While Akansha is busy in her phone, Shaurya is busy in staring at his wife. She huffed and put her phone aside with a 'thud', and staring at Shaurya sternly which startled him, and he looked away clearly embarrassed as he is staring with all those feelings he has for her, reflecting in his eyes.
"If you do that one more time, I'm not gonna spare you, Shaurya. I'm really pissed with you now", She said, what if Dev didn't stop Richa? She would have now been here now and the next day, she would be out with the 'Breaking News' she needed to break Shaurya.
"I couldn't help but stare at you when you are in front of me. I try hard to keep my eyes away from you but I just can't", he said as a matter of fact, and just then Akash walked inside. By looking at the smirk on his face, the couple understood he heard Shaurya.
"You dumb man! I was talking about the invite you forwarded to Richa", Akansha said and stormed towards the otherside.
Shaurya cleared his throat in embarrassment while Akash chuckled at his usually confident brother-in-law's confused state.
The trio prepared the cake and went to wake up Siya.
Siya woke up whining for disturbing her sleep but got excited as soon as she saw the decorations in the room and her Dadda, mamabear and mamu (maternal uncle) with her cake.
Three of them sang the birthday song forwarding the knife to Siya but she didn't cut the cake. Rest of the family joined through Video call to wish the little princess.
Siya extended her palms towards her parents, Shaurya hesitated, he wanted to hold his daughter's hand while she cut the cake.
It would be the first time for him, and he knew the moment will be bliss but he didn't know if he deserved it.
He wanted Akansha to have that moment but when Akansha gestured him to hold Siya's hand, he was over the moon.
"Every time it's mama bear and Siya bear, right? So, this time Dadda will hold your hand, okay Siya?", Akansha said and Shaurya's smile wiped away.
Akansha wanted him to hold their daughter's hand but not together with her.
He quickly left Siya's palm so that Akansha can get it done with, but Siya held his palm tightly, while her other palm extended towards her mother.
"Mama bear... Come fast... See everyone is waiting for the cake... It looks so yummy", Siya said
"Yes, we all want cake", everyone sang from the call.
Akansha quickly joined not to create any scene but Shaurya got her message clear and loud. It only multiplied the guilt he was having these days.
Shaurya and Akansha held Siya's hand helping her cut the cake. Akansha fed the first piece to her, wishing her followed by Shaurya and then Akash.
"Many many happy returns of the day my Siya bear. I can't believe you are already 5", Akansha said, kissing her forehead. Siya giggled happily hearing she is 5 now.
"Wish you a very happy birthday my magic unicorn, Dadda is blessed to have you.
He loves you the most", Shaurya said hugging his daughter and kissing her crown, before whispering in her ears "and your mumma too", he said making Siya giggle loudly bit quickly shushed as it's a secret between her and her Dadda.
The same secret she spilled in front of the whole school on father's Day and made her mother give a strong lecture to her Dadda.
Everyone who joined the call wished Siya and the little one got so excited to have so many people wish. She is the centre of attraction and she liked all their attention.
Richa called Akansha's mobile to wish Siya, she quickly wished the little one and apologized for not being able to come there and wish her personally. She hung up after that which made Akansha shake her head. Her best friend and her crazy obsession with sensational.
"Dadda... My gift? Mamabear, mamu... Give fast", Siya asked looking at them.
Shaurya and Akansha looked at each other before showing the car keys with a unicorn ?? keychain to it.
"CALLLL (CARRRRR)", Siya got excited the keys.
"It's car", her parents corrected her.
"Yes, magic car for my magic unicorn", Shaurya added.
Siya hugged both of them and kissed their cheeks.
She ran to the Hall and jumped in excitement seeing the toy car with unicorn designs on it.
She sat in it and started riding around the whole Hall.
She wouldn't get down until Akash told her he wouldn't give his gift if she won't get down the car now.
She loved her parents gift so much and kept thanking them until she drifted to sleep, holding her car keys and the stuffed horse toy Akash got for her.
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Shaurya asked Akash to stay for the night since it's late already. Akash looked at his sister and after getting a nod from her, he accepted Shaurya's offer.
After showing the guest room to Akash, Shaurya returned to his room and helped his wife in getting Siya sleep as the following day is gonna be a lot hectic for the little girl and he wanted her to enjoy every second of it.
The next morning, Akansha and Shaurya together got their daughter ready in a traditional cute lehenga. Akansha made her wear the jewelry Shaurya got for her.
Akansha and Shaurya too got ready in traditional attires. Three of them descended the stairs and walked to the puja room(prayer room).
The priest was waiting there, and Akansha gave a surprised look to Shaurya. She didn't know he called a priest.
"Since it's her birthday, I thought of having a proper puja at home. Hope you don't mind", he whispered leaning towards her.
"No, I don't", Akansha said.
The priest asked Shaurya and Akansha to take the seats in front of the Havan, with Siya sitting behind her parents, away from direct heat.
Akansha's family walked in. Mrs. Sudha helped them get settled on Shaurya's request since Shaurya and Akansha are in puja.
"Now, think about the purpose of this puja, pray for your wish to get fulfilled soon and put these in the havan kund (fire altar)", the priest announced.
Akansha looked at her daughter, before shutting her eyes and praying for her well being. Shaurya shut his eyes praying for his wife and child's welfare. Both of them opened their eyes after making the wish and together dropped the ghee, grains, wood shavings and herbs for the purnahuti.
After the puja is done, Akansha and Shaurya took blessings from the priest and then gave him the 'Dakshina' (honorarium).
The priest left, Shaurya and Akansha walked to her family.
Shaurya apologized to Vasant for not able to welcome him as he was sitting in the puja to which Vasant shook his head with a smile.
Siya got excited seeing Harsh. Vasant gave the gifts they brought for Siya who ran away taking Harsh with her to show him her car while the elders sat down to talk.
Suman and Jaya are sitting awkwardly while Vasant, Shaurya, Akansha and Akash are conversing.
Akansha signed Akash to take care of them as she sensed her mother and sister's discomfort.
She couldn't offer the comfort to them as she is far from forgiving what they did to her let alone forgetting.
Rajnath and Aakriti entered home from backend, who first met Siya, and got hugs and kisses from the little girl for all the gifts they brought for her, before settling in the hall with Akansha's family.
After some time, everyone left to the rooms given to them to get ready for the lunch party they were holding for Shaurya and Akansha's colleagues and all other acquaintances other than family.
The party started on full swing. Akash also fulfilled the host duties as most of the guests there knew he was the CM's brother-in-law, so technically he should be helping them host the party.
Rajnath and Aakriti stayed away from the party, even Akansha's parents stayed in, they all instead spent time with Siya inside.
Dev walked in along with his family, Shaurya and Akansha greeted them politely.
Akansha so wanted to break his teeth for how he was teasing her the previous night when they all were on group call while Siya was cutting the cake.
She wanted to make Siya sleep but Dev kept talking to the little girl just to irritate Akansha.
"Akansha, smile. You look like you were about to kill him", Shaurya whispered in her ears and she quickly put on a smile.
When it's time, Akash brought Siya out and she cut her cake while her parents held her hand. Siya took the first piece and forwarded towards Shaurya surprising him. She always fed her mumma and he expected her to do the same now.
Akansha recollected her conversation with her daughter while getting her ready.
"Mamabear... You know I love you more than Dadda (right?)", little Siya asked
"What do you want to do?", Akansha asked knowing something is going on in her daughter's little head.
"Dadda said I'll be cutting the cake again, now and in the evening also.
Can I feed Dadda first now? I always feed you first because I love you thissss much, more than Dadda.
But Dadda will get sad na, if I always feed you fisht(first)", Siya said.
Her lengthy explanation and the kind of words she used reminded her of Shaurya.
Even Shaurya tries hard not to hurt her, even before he asks for something, he gives 1000 reasons making sure she isn't hurt.
Akansha smiled at the stark similarities between these two.
"Okay, go ahead. Feed Dadda first", Akansha said with a smile. Siya gave her a smile, kissing her cheek.
"Thank you mamabear, but Siya bear loves you the most", Siya said and Akansha chuckled at her daughter's way of assuring her, as if she is a kid.
"I know I know", Akansha said
"Dadda... Eat", Siya told her father who looked surprised at his daughter's gesture. He held her little palm and forwarded the cake towards Akansha.
"Mumma always comes first, every single time", Shaurya told his daughter gently, kissing her cheek.
The father - daughter together fed the cake to Akansha.
Later Siya fed the cake to Shaurya, then to Akash and Richa.
Then to Suman and Harsha. Ishaan and Ivaan too came forward and fed Siya making Dev and Rachna smile.
They may not be able to freely take a step forward considering the crowd but they are happy at least their kids could do it.
After the cake cutting, everyone there gave their gifts to the little Siya after which Akansha asked Suman to take the kids inside.
Suman took Siya and Harsha inside. Ishaan and Ivaan too followed them, Dev and Rachna acted like stopping them, reprimanding them to behave but Shaurya told Dev, it's okay and asked the kids to go inside and play.
Akansha rolled her eyes at the drama they are playing.
Akansha and Shaurya requested the guests to enjoy the feast. Akash helped Shaurya and Akansha in hosting the guests. Everyone enjoyed the food and Shaurya mentally noted to give bonus to Drishti and team, well only after talking to his wife.
Shaurya introduced Akansha proudly to his ministers, MLAs, business acquaintances and other important guests.
Everyone held curiosity in their eyes, since they are meeting the CM's wife for the first time.
Till a few months ago, they saw Shaurya as the most eligible bachelor in their circle and saw him as a potential groom for their daughters or nieces.
They even thought about the political gains that come with it but now with Akansha in the picture they couldn't help the curiosity, with a question lingering, what made Shaurya Singh Shekhawat choose her?
And with every second observing Akansha, they got their answers.
The strength and confidence she displayed, the clarity she possessed was enough, above all, she is beautiful, and seemed a wonderful wife to Shaurya and an even wonderful mother to his child.
Everyone started leaving one by one. Akansha already instructed her father, Aakriti and Dev's father to make the kids sleep for sometime after feeding them so that they would wake up refreshed and could enjoy the evening party well.
"I'll go check on the kids", Akansha said to Shaurya when almost all the guests left. Shaurya nodded
"Ah Mrs. Shekhawat, please ask Ishaan and Ivaan to come, we'll take our leave now", Dev said politely and Akansha nodded with a smile.
Akansha walked in and is satisfied to see all the four kids sleeping soundly.
Her parents, sister, and Rajnath sat in the couch with her father and Rajnath involved in a conversation.
Akansha understood the reason for Aakriti's absence there.
Suman abd Aakriti avoided each other and so she asked Aakriti to stay with the kids but on seeing others with the kids she frowned.
"Where's Aakriti, uncle?", Akansha asked Rajnath
"She was in the other room, attending a work call", Rajnath said
"Oh okay. Ask her to stay with the kids after she is done", she said and Suman understood she should leave the room when Aakriti arrives. "I think you all should rest for some time too", Akansha added
"Nah! We are fine", Rajnath and Vasant said while Jaya looked like she want to take some rest, so Akansha showed her mother a guest room and helped her settle. Jaya opened her mouth to say something but Akansha walked away before that.
"Ma'am, sir is calling you. The governor is here with his wife, if Siya isn't sleeping, sir asked to bring her with you", the helper informed Akansha who nodded and walked to the kids room and lifted Siya in her arms.
"Let her sleep for some more time, she just slept", Vasant said
"The governor and his wife are here, papa. They are very nice people and like Shaurya a lot. I want them to bless Siya. I'll bring her back soon", Akansha said and took Siya downstairs. Siya woke up but still sleepy, so adjusted herself in her mother's arms and slept.
Akansha greeted the governor and his wife respectfully.
"Oh! So this is the birthday girl, Happy Birthday Siyakriti", The governor wished, Siya hummed as she is still sleepy.
"I'm sorry sir, she just slept, so a little cranky", Akansha said apologetically.
"That's alright Dr. Akansha. I understand. Take her inside, we'll meet her some other time", Mr. Swaminathan said with an understanding smile.
"Here... A small gift for her, thought of giving to her personally, but since she is sleepy, give her later, tell her, Daadu Daadi gave it", Mrs. Swaminathan said slightly tapping Shaurya's shoulder with a smile.
She always admired Shaurya a lot. He is like a son to her, though they maintained that professional dignity, she couldn't hide her affection sometimes.
"Thank you ma'am", Shaurya said
"Please give it to her yourself and bless her", Akansha said, waking up Siya.
"Siya bear, get up and take blessings", Akansha said but Siya started getting cranky.
Shaurya quickly took her from Akansha's arms and calmed his daughter, patting her to sleep back.
"Looks like he pampers her more", Mrs. Swaminathan asked Akansha
"Yeah, a lot", Akansha said with a smile, looking at the father-daughter.
"So, you had to be the stricter one, knowing Shaurya, he can never be strict with his daughter", Mrs. Swaminathan said
"Yes, he always gives in to her demands. Handles her with a lot more patience than me when she gets cranky", Akansha said
"Dadda...", Siya said opening her eyes.
"Awe... My magic unicorn woke up?", Shaurya asked, tickling her, to bring her out of her sleepy state, she giggled making her father smile.
Shaurya introduced the governor who wished Siya and gave her the gift. Shaurya put his daughter down asking her to take the elder couple's blessings, which Siya took.
Siya thanked them for the gift and then Shaurya sent her with Mrs. Sudha to the room to put her back to sleep.
"You are bringing her up very well, keep it up, both of you", Mr. Swaminathan said
"All the credit goes to her, sir", Shaurya said, pointing Akansha.
"Yeah... That's obvious", Mrs. Swaminathan said and all chuckled at how she is teasing Shaurya.
They left soon, followed by other guests. Dev and Rachna asked for their kids but Akansha and Shaurya said there's a party for kids in the evening and asked them to let them stay for it. Dev and Rachna agreed unwillingly and left from there in the car.
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"Thank god, this ended, my eyes almost gave up after watching Dev's over acting", Akansha said after settling in the couch, leaning her head back, sighing tiredly.
"Your stupid eyes can't recognize talent ever, you are jealous of me, huh", Dev said, walking towards them, glaring at Akansha.
"I thought it'll take them at least 10 min to come inside from back door, but he was quick", Akansha asked pointing Dev.
"I ran inside to know what you were saying behind my back, see I was so right", Dev said
Rachna settled beside Akansha to share her troubles dealing with her husband, and the next half hour went with the ladies talking about their husbands or kids while Shaurya and Dev analyzed different members that attended the afternoon lunch and their approval rates.
Later all four had some casual talks eating some snacks as they hardly get some time.
After that, they four took a nap in the Hall itself as they are too tired but knew they wouldn't be waking up if they slept in the rooms comfortably.
Dev, Akash and Rajnath looked over the arrangements for the kids party while Shaurya and Akansha got Siya ready.
Aakriti helped Rachna get Ishaan and Ivaan freshen up and get dressed up for the birthday party, while Suman and jaya dealt with Harsha.
Vasant took some rest as he is feeling very weak, he thought of skipping the function at first due to health but then it was Siya's first birthday with him, he wouldn't want to miss it for anything.
Siya's friends and their parents made their way inside.
Soon the party started on full swing, with everyone enjoying to the fullest. The magic show started and the kids had so much fun watching it, post that the host conducted several exciting games for the kids which made the party entertaining for kids as well as their parents.
After the cake cutting, and scrumptious snacks, the event came to an end, Shaurya and Akansha made Siya distribute return gifts to her friends post which they left the place.
"So, how did it go? Ma'am, did you like it?", Drishti asked the latter statement looking at Akansha, by now realizing who is the boss.
"You guys have done a great job. There wasn't even a single mishap, I thought things would get difficult because handling so many kids together and have them all enjoy the party was so hard but you managed it pretty well. I'm thoroughly impressed", Akansha said and Drishti thanked her.
Shaurya then wrote the check and handed it to Akansha to give it to Drishti.
He paid hefty amount, 20-30% more than the agreed quote as the even was very well managed.
His daughter was on cloud nine and the kids, Ishaan, Ivaan and Harsha too had a lot of fun and more than anything, his wife was satisfied, hence Drishti deserved it.
But when Akansha saw the check amount, she so wanted to glare at him bit saved her anger for later.
Akansha handed over the check to Drishti and thanked all the employees of her event management company who made the event a great success.
Drishti thanked Akansha and Shaurya with a wide smile and left from there.
Shaurya shut the door and locked it, after thoroughly checking the house if any guest is left inside.
As soon as the door was shut, Dev occupied the sofa, laying on it like he owned the house. Well it didn't really matter his friend or he owned the house, they were that close.
"God! I'm so tired, why did Drishti and the company left already, who would make dinner? Was there any caterer you guys hired? I can't be acting anymore, so if someone comes, just cover me with a blanket head to toe, I'm so tired, wake me up after the dinner is ready", Dev said.
"You could have just hired a cook", Dev whined, yawning.
"Shaurya and I wanted us to cook a meal for the family and the orphanage kids as well, so stop your whining and get to work", Akansha yelled from the kitchen, that made Dev stomp his feet but follow them to the kitchen.
Suman, Rajnath, Jaya and Vasant were tasked to look after the kids.
Even Akash and Aakriti were asked by Akansha to take care of the kids but knowing the number of people they have to cook for, Aakriti and Alash volunteered to help.
Shaurya asked Mrs. Sudha to just sit at the corner and guide them as today, they will prepare the dinner for the elders in the family and they considered her as a family.
The meal is prepared and the youngsters arranged the table and everyone settled in it.
"Where is Suman?", Shaurya asked, on not finding his wife's sister.
"Um... She said she will have after feeding the kids", Akash said and Shaurya looked at Suman who was sitting in the hall.
She nodded at him with a small smile, grateful for the care Shaurya displayed despite everything but she couldn't take it for granted.
Having dinner on the same table with Aakriti might not sit well with many of them and she thought to avoid that inconvenience for everyone.
Shaurya didn't like excluding her in the family dinner, whatever she did in the past, it wouldn't change the fact that she is his wife's sister and excluding her will be unfair to his wife.
If past mistakes are to taken into consideration for not having dinner with the family, even Dev, Aakriti and Shaurya himself shouldn't be sitting there considering how their decisions had hurt Akansha terribly.
Shaurya looked at Aakriti who in turn gestured Akansha to call her sister.
"Suman... Kids will have dinner with us.
Shaurya or Dev will feed Siya and Ishaan while having their dinner.
Harsha and Ivaan can have their own plates", Akansha said, "What's say kids?
", Akansha asked turning towards Harsha who nodded with a grin.
Yes, he gets to have meal in his own plate like elders, he was excited.
He always wanted to eat his meal by himself but his mother always fed him.
Suman walked to the dining table hesitantly.
Akash gestured her to sit beside him, noticing her hesitance.
In times like this, Suman feels guiltier for hurting her siblings.
They were the only good things in her life that thought about her selflessly and did things for her always.
Even today, it's her brother who handles all the expenses of her and her son.
She tried to work, but her lack of knowledge and skills made it tough for her to secure a job.
She started learning embroidery and then started working in a boutique.
Even then Akash asked her to quit the job if it was too much for her, he is there to handle her expenses.
He even bought a property and turned into rental, securing her and her son's future.
It was Akansha who handled all her hospital bills when Harsha was born as Dilip and his parents said the first delivery is the parents' responsibility.
Her siblings were always there for her but she in return, caused only trouble to them.
Day by day, the guilt was getting worse.
"Eat", Akansha said, serving Suman. She was in bad shape, Akansha found Suman always in distress these days.
She became mature, understanding and a lot more.
She was so childish and mostly selfish and stubborn back then, but now she took care of everyone else before her, and Akansha understood life taught her so much.
While she is happy for the good changes in her sister, it hurt her to see her in so much pain and distress.
There was a time when she very freely asked for things from them but now she felt herself to be a burden.
She even ate less, and Akansha very well knew what she was feeling.
"Will you feed the kids, or shall we?", Akansha asked Shaurya and Dev.
"We will...", Shaurya responded. Akansha nodded and settled while Rachna looked at Dev doubtfully.
"We will? Speak for yourself... I can't feed anyone other than myself now, I'm that hungry", Dev chided Shaurya and turned to his wife, "Rachna... Please"
Rachna was about to get up but Akansha held her hand.
"Sit and eat", Akansha said and looked at Ishan with a smile. "Ishu... You want your papa to feed you right? Just like Siya's papa is feeding her?", she asked
"Yes Miss", Ishan said with a wide smile looking at Shaurya who started feeding Siya. "Papa... I'm hungry... Feed me", Ishan whined running to Dev.
Dev glared at Akansha while trying to convince Ishan but he was nowhere near to understanding.
"Come, I'll feed you", Shaurya said and Ishan quickly settled beside Siya. Dev sighed in relief and quickly started with his dinner, while Akansha glared at her husband, who gave her an apologetic smile.
"You two are spoiling this man too much", Rajnath said, looking at Shaurya and Rachna.
"Spoiling? Come on, he is not a kid, he is more responsible than any of us", Shaurya came to his best friend's defense.
"Shaurya, you need to feed two kids, why not concentrate on that?", Akansha said and Shaurya nodded, making everyone chuckle.
"God! Akansha ma'am... It's so much fun to see Shaurya's obedience", Aakriti said, laughing out loud at her brother.
"Hehehe, eat! stupid", Dev mocked, knocking her head.
"Dadda... I'm full", Siya said
"Eat some more...", Shaurya asked, but she strictly shook her head. "Please... for Dadda?", Shaurya pleaded and Siya reluctantly nodded.
Shaurya fed her one more morsel, but she spit it out unable to eat. Shaurya understood she couldn't it anymore, she does this whenever she is full and can't eat at all. He wiped her mouth and helped her drink some water, simultaneously feeding Ishan.
"Siya, how many times did I tell you not to spit out food? If you are full, you should have denied when Dadda asked you", Akansha reprimanded her daughter softly.
"Sorry Mama bear, I can't say 'No' to Dadda", Siya said making everyone smile at her.
"So, your Dadda has passed his disease to you", Akansha muttered, the kids didn't understand but elders did, chuckling.
Akansha made her daughter understand she should say 'No' instead of spitting the food. They all completed their meal with their usual bickering. Everyone settled in the hall, with kids watching cartoons and elders talking.
Shaurya and Akansha served desserts to everyone. Akansha was serving ice creams in the bowls while Shaurya went to hand it over to everyone.
"Where's Dev?", Shaurya asked, holding his best friend's favorite flavoured ice cream.
"He went out to receive a call", Rachna said taking the ice cream from Shaurya's hand.
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Dev stood stunned on hearing the otherside. He hung up and walked to the kitchen where he saw Akansha working.
"I just spoke to Ashwini", Dev said
"God! I completely forgot about that. The 2 days deadline Shaurya gave him came to an end, but due to Siya's birthday, he was silent but he would reach out to Ashwini soon. Have you warned Ashwini not to disclose anything?", Akansha asked
"Ashwini said, Shaurya already knew the truth", Dev said shocking Akansha.