Chapter 68: Chapter 68

After one year

Author's pov

" Yes, decorate the whole place with balloons. Specifically with blue balloons because Neela like this colour," Niyati instructed someone over the phone.

The other party said something when Niyati said," Yes, the cake should be chocolate flavour. Neela loves chocolates."

Well, today is Neela's birthday. She has turned 4 today and her parents are throwing a birthday party for her. Specifically, this party is too important for Shivansh since it's the first time he is doing something exciting for his daughter. Shivansh is trying to make it grand as much as possible because he wants to make it memorable. He has been busy too much for the last few days regarding this party.

" Mam, Shivansh sir has taken care of the other things. You don't have to worry," The decorator assured Niyati who was sounding worried regarding this party.

Niyati didn't say anything further. She cut the call and sighed. She recalled Shivansh's excited face about this party and a smile formed on her lips.

" Niyati," She heard Shivansh calling her from behind and she turned her head towards him.

Shivansh gave her a shopping bag and said hesitatingly," Ummm....This is for you. I hope you will wear this to today's party."

He thought she will refuse but she accepted it which made him surprised. A nervous smile formed on his lips when he noticed her taking out the royal blue colour saree from the shopping bag.

" Thank you," Niyati thanked touching the fabric and feeling its smoothness.

Shivansh didn't say anything further and forwarded his legs to leave the room when Niyati stopped him. He looked at her questioningly when she gave him a box.

" There is a tux inside it. I want you to wear it," Niyati said and Shivansh's face beamed with happiness. After a long time, he smiled brightly.

He almost forgot how to smile after VR took away Orni and he failed to find her out. He became quite than before due to guilt and accusations from Orni's father. Satya might have started talking to Shivansh again but still, there was anger inside him for Shivansh's decision.

Shivansh was going to express his happiness when she said sternly," Don't think too further. It's just a gift."

" Sure," Shivansh said when sadness clouded his face and he left her room.

No sooner had Shivansh left the room than Niyati sat on the nearby couch. She started rubbing her forehead and felt her heartbeat increasing.

It's been one year since Shivansh, Niyati and Neela are living in the same house. Though they live together, they always behave like strangers. They don't even talk to each other without emergencies.

Many times Shivansh tried to reconcile their relationship but Niyati always pushed him away. She told him bluntly that she may forgive him but accepting him is her out of liege. Shivansh accepted her decision and stopped trying to make her understand his feelings. He doesn't want to earn more hatred from her.

" Again those stupid feelings. I should be more realistic and only focus on my daughter," Niyati thought after scolding herself for becoming emotional again.

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" Happy Birthday to Neela," Everyone sang clapping their hands when Neela cut the cake.

Neela giggled excitedly noticing everyone cheering for her. She was wearing a purple colour princess gown with wings on her back and a diamond tiara on her head. She was looking adorable in her attire.

After cutting the cake Neela fed the cake to her parents and grandpa. Her parents showered her with a lot of kisses and cuddles but she was missing someone particularly even after having so much affection. Yes, she was missing her Daddy.

" Mommy, why Daddy didn't come to the party?" She asked Niyati having a sad face and Niyati failed to answer her.

Neela was continuously asking about Ranvijay but Niyati wasn't finding any words to say. Neela's tantrums increased about her Daddy and Niyati started trying hard to calm down her angry girl.

Shivansh noticed Niyati's helpless face and he came forward. He picked up Neela in his arms and started saying a lot of things to divert her thoughts from Ranvijay. Shivansh narrated a story about an angry princess and Neela laughed hearing her father.

" And that angry adorable princess is you," Shivansh said tickling Neela's belly and she laughed loudly.

Shivansh rubbed his nose with Neela's nose and a smile formed on Niyati's lips unknowingly. Her heart warmed up seeing this father-daughter duo and felt this scene extremely cute.

" My son chose you over his sister. He left his sister in danger only for you and you still need proof to understand his love for you!! Satya taunted from behind and Niyati got startled by the sudden voice.

Niyati turned towards Satya when he again said looking directly into her eyes," Why are you behaving so cruelly, Niyati? Stop punishing Shivansh and as well as you. I know you still love him."

" Stop assuming things, Mr Raichand," Niyati answered curtly but didn't make any eye contact with Satya.

Letting out a chuckle Satya said," Stop fooling yourself and accept the truth that you still love my son. Just put aside your ego and stubbornness for a few moments and you will see the truth."

Niyati didn't say anything further but Satya's words created a writhing inside her heart. Indeed she still loves Shivansh but still, there is something that is pulling her behind. Is it her ego, anger? She doesn't know.

" At least think about Neela," Satya told Niyati and she sighed.

After taking a deep breath she asked Satya," If Lalita returns to your life again, would you accept her even after knowing that she cheated on you?"

Satya's face paled after hearing her and he just kept looking at her with dumbfounded. Her question was totally unexpected for him. But, he understood what she was trying to say.

" I didn't ask a very difficult question," Niyati mocked and Satya gulped.

He answered shortly," I won't."

" Then, how can you suggest me to accept your son," Niyati said and Satya let out a chuckle.

Satya said nodding his head," Tsk...tsk.....why are you proving yourself as a fool by asking a ridiculous question. How can you compare Shivansh with Lalita? Whatever Lalita did, she did everything knowingly. She was aware of her actions but Shivansh was a victim. He did everything unknowingly. Lalita cheated on me when she was still in the marriage with me. But, Shivansh never cheated on you when he was your husband. Except that one time, he didn't even doubt you. It was you who used to doubt him but he never said anything about your insecurity because he used to think that you love him too much and that's why you behave like that. Trust me Niyati, in this whole world, no one will love you like the way Shivansh loved you. Mark my words."

Satya finished his saying and an uncomfortable expression appeared on Niyati's face. She wasn't understanding what to say right now. So, she kept her mouth mum.

On the other hand, Shivansh noticed his father and Niyati. He also heard his father and looking at Niyati's face he understood that she isn't comfortable. So, he stepped in.

" Dad, please. Don't say anything to her. Don't force anything on her. I respect her decision and you should too," Shivansh told his father and Niyati looked at Shivansh's eyes. She again fell into a dilemma noticing Shivansh's truthfulness.

Satya was going to say something when he started breathing heavily. His body started shaking slightly and Shivansh panicked noticing his father. Satya sat on the nearby sofa and Niyati forwarded a glass of water noticing his uneven breathing.

" Dad, are you ok?" Shivansh asked Satya with his panicked voice.

Satya answered sipping the water," I am fine. Just tired a little bit. I think I should go now."

" Dad, stay with me tonight. I don't think you should return home right now," Shivansh said worriedly.

Niyati supported Shivansh and said to Satya," He is right. Stay here. You aren't well, Mr Raichand."

" I will be fine. Don't worry," Satya assured Shivansh but he wasn't convinced.

After a lot of arguments, Satya finally convinced Shivansh and left the party very early.

Shivansh and Niyati were talking with the guests when two maids entered the place holding a big gift box. The maids were literally struggling while holding the box.

" What's this?" Shivansh and Niyati questioned in unison.

One of the maids answered showing a small paper," Someone else was claiming himself as Neela's daddy. It was written ' Gift from Daddy for my pumpkin'.

Shivansh and Niyati were speechless after hearing the maid. They understood who has sent this gift to Neela. It was none other than Ranvijay.

Shivansh immediately alerted the police about Ranvijay's appearance where Niyati was still in shock. On the other hand, Neela was excited after hearing the word Daddy. She understood that her daddy has sent gifts for her.

" Daddy! Daddy sent gift for me!!" Neela screamed excitedly and tried to touch the box but Niyati didn't let her. After Ranvijay's last act Niyati doesn't trust him at all. What if the box is containing something harmful.

Niyati told Neela with concern," You shouldn't touch this box right now.'

" No..... I want to see daddy's gift for me," Neela shouted and started crying loudly.

Finally, Shivansh and Niyati agreed to open the box. They both gave up in front of Neela's loud crying and yelling.

No sooner had Shivansh opened the box than a barbie doll popped outside and it started singing," Happy Birthday to Neela. Happy Birthday to the sweetest girl in this whole world. Happy BIrthday to dear pumpkin."

" Yayy!!" Neela said excitedly and started pulling out a lot of gifts from the box.

Neela became happier and more excited seeing the chocolate cake. She didn't wait for her parents to cut it. She took a piece inside her mouth rubbing the whole chocolate all over her lips and jaw.

She said beaming with happiness," Nom...nom....it's tasty. Daddy made this for me."

Neela was still taking out all the gifts and eating cake when she found a toy phone. Like every curious child, she dialled something on the phone and Ranvijay's voice started talking. Shivansh and Niyati understood that it was none other than a recorder.

" Happy Birthday, Neela baby. I hope you have liked the cake. Daddy baked this cake only for you.

How are you, pumpkin? I hope you are fine. I know that your Mommy and Papa are taking proper care of you. I am sorry that I am not with you anymore. But, trust me, child, I miss you every day. I miss your tantrums, I miss your cute voice, I miss how you used to call me Daddy. I miss everything about, my baby. I love you a lot. The day I came to know that you aren't well you won't believe how much I have cried for you. Every day I pray to God for your wellbeing. I hope you will be fine very soon. Maybe I am very far from you right now but I promise that soon I will come to meet you. I love you, baby. Stay safe and never forget your Daddy."

After listening to the recording Shivansh and Niyati were speechless. They just shared a look and couldn't utter a single word.

On the other hand, Neela was a little kid so she didn't understand half of Ranvijay's words. Moreover, she was busy taking out all the chocolates, candies and gifts sent by her Daddy.

Suddenly, Neela said beaming with happiness," Daddy is here to meet me. He is scared of entering because mommy will scold him. Mommy is angry with Daddy."

Saying that Neela ran outside and Shivansh & Niyati followed her. They were calling her from behind but she didn't stop.

" Daddy.........Daddy.... where are you?" Neela asked running here and there in search of Ranvijay.

Niyati said holding her hand," Your Daddy isn't here."

" No, he is here to meet me," Neela insisted and continued her searching.

Neela looked under the car, behind the big tree and every possible place where her Daddy can hide. But, even after a lot of trying she couldn't find him anywhere.

" Daddy, where are you? I want to hug you," Neela said with almost teary eyes and Shivansh's heart bleed seeing his daughter's teary eyes.

Shivansh picked up Neela in his arms when she questioned him innocently," Daddy didn't come?"

Shivansh nodded his head in the negative when Neela started screaming loudly. She thrashed her hands and feet everywhere with anger. Her parents tried to calm her down but she was stubborn as hell. After a lot of crying and yelling, finally, she slept in Shivansh's embrace.

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After a few hours

Niyati was stroking Neela's hair who was sleeping peacefully hugging a doll that was gifted by Ranvijay. She was thinking about Neela's behaviour and getting worried more.

She was still stroking Neela's hair when someone knocked at the door. She knew who it was. It was none other than Shivansh. She approved and he entered the room silently.

She signalled him to not talk and he agreed. Pulling a comforter over Neela's body, Niyati walked towards the balcony and Shivansh followed her.

Reaching there, he apologised to Niyati," I am sorry for Dad's words. He shouldn't talk to you like that."

" I didn't mind him at all. I am just worried about Neela. The way she was crying a few moments ago just stabbed my heart. I can't see my daughter crying like that for a criminal. Why did God make everything so complicated for me?" Niyati said and started crying over her fate.

To console her, Shivansh pulled her into his chest and started stroking her hair. He told a few comforting words to soothe her racing nerves but Niyati was still sobbing.

" Whenever I look at Neela's medical report I just can't control my tears. The thought of my daughter going under knives at such an early age is just making me more scared," Niyati said and Shivansh cupped her face in between his palms.

Shivansh whispered wiping away her tears," Neela will be fine. Don't worry. Just have your trust in God."

Niyati stopped shedding tears and for a few moments, they kept looking at the eyes of each other. Shivansh's eyes roamed all over her face and finally stopped on her plump lips. He gulped his saliva looking at her lips and sweat beads started forming over his forehead.

Slowly he crouched down to her level and placed his lips over Niyati's lips. A coolness ran down through his whole system feeling her warm lips. Niyati closed her eyes clutching the ham of her dress.

Niyati was still closing her eyes when she remembered that office incident where Shivansh got intimate with another woman. The past memories reflected in front of her eyes and she opened her eyes instant. She left the ham of her dress and with mighty strength, she pushed him away from her.

Wiping away her lips she asked him furiously," How many women you have kissed with these lips?"