Chapter 35
Early morning, the sun was just over the horizon while Charan was in the office finalizing the contract agreement that he had received from Shreya. He was just making one last sweep to make sure he hadn't overlooked anything when his phone pinged. He looked at it curiously when he saw that the message was from Akira.
It was a picture. When he downloaded it he was served with the photo of Akira and a very nicely sleeping Shreya in the background. Charan let out a groan. Just as he was about to keep the phone, it pinged again.
Akira: See… I told you I will have my day ;)
"…" Charan did not know what to say.
Vengeance of his daughter was savage after all.
He just shook his head and went on with his work.
On the other hand, Shreya woke up when she heard a delighted giggle from beside her in a very childish voice. She opened her eyes and they landed on a brightly grinning face of Akira. The next second Shreya reached out and engulfed her into her arms and Akira very obediently co-operated with her.
"Morning baby… What were you laughing at just now?" Shreya mumbled squeezing Akira against herself.
"Nothing. I just imagined dad drowning in jealousy…" Akira said nonchalantly.
Shreya just blinked away. She did not really understand what was happening.
"Nothing Shreya… Don't worry about it." Akira dismissed the matter.
"Okay… anyways the maid should be out making breakfast already. You go get ready… I will also freshen up and come do your hair." Shreya said getting up from the bed. She then led Akira to the guest room where all her things were kept. Akira got her uniform from the luggage she had packed for herself but the rest were already in the room. Shreya as soon as she knew Akira will be staying with her for two whole months, she went on a shopping spree buying her everything and anything she could possibly need. From her favorite juice to her favorite cartoon character plush toy, she bought everything. She even went and brought her cute colorful cartoon PJ's that's enough to last a year. All Charan could do was give her an exasperated look.
Once done with her quick shower, Shreya came down and found her main- Mrs. Rajalaskmi alas Raji. She was a plump middle-aged woman with a down to earth personality. She was like an elder sister she never had.
"Raji, how was your grandson's annual day function yesterday??" Shreya asked coming into the kitchen scaring the shit out of her.
Raji took a few deep breaths first calming herself down.
"Don't scare me like that idiot. I am not so young anymore you know…" Raji said clutching her hands over her heart startled.
"What did I do??" Shreya asked confused.
"Anyways… check your phone every once in a while, will you?? Your Mr. Little guys had already sent you all the photos of last night." Raji said sarcastically.
Raji had been working for her since she moved into this apartment. Raji's daughter and son-in-law, both are working. So she will bring her grandson with her whenever she had to look after him. SO invariably Shreya and he became buddies in no time.
Raji is not working for her now per se… she just comes over on weekend and nags her to clean. But since Akira is over, Shreya requested her to cook for the time being. After all, she can't exactly ask Akira to survive on bread toast and take-outs.
"Okay, I will check it out. Anyways… feed me. I am starving." Shreya whined.
Right then they heard a noise from behind as Akira walked down fully dressed up in her school uniform and a clumsy pigtail bobbing behind her head. She was crunching down uncomfortably carrying her school bag. Shreya reached out took her bag from Akira.
Half an hour later, Shreya's car came to a screeching stop outside of Akira's school. Akira did not get down immediately. She sat there fidgeting with her hands nervously.
"Here you go Akira. You have a nice day okay??" Shreya ruffled Akira's head slightly and said.
Akira nodded but then she suddenly hopped on her seat and quickly smooched on Shreya's cheeks and tried to make a quick exit but then she clumsily stumbled to get her doors open.
Shreya giggled while a blush crept over Akira's cheeks. Shreya got down from her seat and walked around to Akira's side. When she opened her doors, Shreya was met with very adorable little red cheeks.
Akira refused to meet her eyes so Shreya crouched down to her level and looked at her face patiently. Shreya then leaned over and pecked her cheeks just the way Akira just did and whispered, "You have a nice day baby. I will come and pick you up in the evening okay?? Then I will take you for some ice creams."
Akira instantly beamed with her rosy cheeks as she got down from the car and hopped past Shreya towards her school with her lips reaching her ears.
Shreya entered Charan's office with the same goofy grin. Akira brought her warmth in ways even Shreya herself could not comprehend. She saw that part of herself in her that she had long forgotten. A child who was forced to grow up a little too soon… but when such a kid shows her childishness like today, it was heartwarming beyond any bounds or any reason because it meant that the child actually trusts you. And Shreya knew what trust meant from a child like that.
That is why she was particularly very happy that morning. So much so that she felt as if her feet weren't touching the floors. She hopped and danced to Charan's office after parking her car.
She stopped at the building reception to ask for the floor.