Shaurya gave a tour of the ground floor to all the kids. His house is huge but boring, nothing that could interest the kids their age but the way he showed entertained them. He made them understand in the language they enjoy, the play part.

"And finally this room, it's where boring meetings happen", Shaurya exclaims with a bored face making all the kids laugh.

"My mumma papa too say meetings are boring... But I like them... I want to wear the big suit like my papa and work on a laptop sitting in meetings", A little boy said

"Trust me, smart boy... You would ace the meetings..." Shaurya said with a smile and the little boy shied at the compliment, making Shaurya chuckle.

He interacted with the kids but saw Siya silent, the initial glee on her face disappeared now and instead, a dull face took its turn. He lifted her in his arms...

"What happened ? Why is Siya sad ?", he asked softly...

"It's a seclet(secret), I can't shale(share) it with you uncle... Siya bear only tells about it to mama bear", Siya said...

"Awe... She is such a cute baby", his P. A Shweta said, who was there to inform Shaurya about his schedule later in the evening... Shaurya slowly put Siya down and looked at her. She instantly looked down realizing her comment.

"Sorry sir", Shweta said, for her enthusiastic tone, it just slipped looking at how cute Siya looked with her pout and her words sounded even cuter that Shweta couldn't stop herself.

"It's fine Shweta...", Shaurya said in his soft tone...

"Sir your schedule", Shweta said showing him the file.

"Leave it there, I'll have a look at it once I am done hosting these little guests", Shaurya said the later sentence looking at the kids who giggled happily. They all liked Shaurya a lot and they also liked how he had those bulky men with guns around him and his house like it's shown in movies and how everyone listened to him and feared him. They felt as if Shaurya was the hero of a film.

"Okay sir", Shweta said and left from there after leaving the file.

"Okay... So coming back... I understand, but we are friends, so you can share with me, just like you share it with your mama bear", Shaurya said hopefully, waiting for the little girl to open up but Siya was stubborn, same like her mother in stubbornness but she is also polite, she knows how the stand her ground without being rude just like him.

"But when did we become fliends(friends) ?", she asked making him chuckle

"My bad, I haven't asked you yet... Will you be my friend Siya bear ?", Shaurya asked

"Don't call me Siya bear, only my mama bear can call me that", Siya said getting offended

"Sorry... I didn't know", Shaurya feared, what if the little girl got angry with him and never talked to him ? God, even the thought is scary for reasons unknown. "Um... So Siya... Will you be my friend please ?", Shaurya asked sitting on his knees. His staff led the other children to the hall next where they arranged some engagement activities for the kids along with some delicious food.

"Mumma says not to accept fliendship(friendship) from stangers(strangers)...", Siya said pouting sadly, she wanted to become his friend but she had to follow her mother's words as well.

"Oh! She is right... But I am not a stranger, you met me on the annual day, now you visited my home too", Shaurya said he loved conversing with Siya.

"Hm... Light(right), but mama bear says we shouldn't make flends(friends) landomly (randomly)... We should know them and then say fliends (friends)", Siya repeated whatever her mother said. Shaurya observed how the child looked very friendly but she also is very guarded, which astonished him, What's the need for her parents to guard the child so much?

"Good... Your mumma is right... So why don't you stay with me till evening and know me ? Then you can decide if I can be your friend or not", Shaurya suggested...

"Hm... Good idea...", she said excitedly..."But I should go to school...", She pouts sadly remembering about her school... "I can't stay at your home, though it's vely butiful (Very beautiful)", Siya said, Akansha never liked to send Siya to anyone's place except Richa's. Siya's friends' parents many times called her to send Siya for play dates but Akansha never agreed, she asked them to send their kids to her house but not the other way.

"Don't worry about that, for today, we'll arrange your school here, what's say ?", Shaurya asked with a smile...

"School ? Hele ?, But my teachel (teacher) wasn't hele(here)", Siya asked.

"Let me take care of that...", Shaurya told her and got back on his feet walking towards Mr. Goel after dropping Siya where the other kids were playing.

Shaurya spoke to the chairman and he called the school to know about the school timings of the kids, he was told that some children have half-day and they need to go back, as their parents would be expecting them at home. Shaurya nodded his head in understanding, but he wasn't giving up on Siya, he was about to negotiate to have Siya stay back when Mr. Goel opened his mouth.

"But Siya can stay for a while, though her school ends in the afternoon, she leaves with her mother in the evening, Oh! I forgot to tell you, Siya's mother is a primary school teacher in our school", Mr. Goel said delighting Shaurya...

Mr. Goel noticed how Shaurya is so attached to Siya and he wanted to use that to get into his good books.

"That's great... I'll ask the staff to prepare for the departure of some of the kids till then", Shaurya said and Mr. Goel nodded in okay. Shaurya distributed the cute gifts and trophies to the kids who have to leave now.

Mr. Goel said he would drop the kids at school and come back after a while to pick up the rest... Shaurya appreciated Mr. Goel's responsible behavior towards the kids, sending the man to Cloudnine.

That's when Siya ran towards them...

"All my fliends ale leaving...", Siya complained, worrying why is she left behind with the elder kids.

Mr. Goel explained she is staying back with the elder kids as she leaves for home in the evening along with her mother everyday, that's when Siya informed them that her mother was on leave today. Mr. Goel apologized to Shaurya and said he would sort this out right away. Shaurya nodded at him, Mr. Goel went aside to talk to the principal while Shaurya knees down to Siya's level.

Shaurya explained Siya why she was held back as a part of their plan and Siya got excited... She loved spending time with Shaurya and would love to have him as her friend...

"So... who dropped you to school today if your mumma didn't come with you ?", Shaurya asked later...

"My Maama(maternal uncle)... you know he is a supelhelo(superhero)", Siya said

"Really! Then I need to meet this uncle of yours, by the way, what's your pa...", Shaurya was about her father but Mr. Goel returned interrupting him.

"Sir, the issue is sorted... The principal will speak to her mother about it, and Siya will be dropped at her place in the school van along with the other kids", Mr. Goel informed...

"I told you, didn't I ?", Shaurya said turning to Siya...

"Yayy....", Siya said hugging Shaurya's legs...

"Siya...", Mr. Goel is about to say something when Shaurya shows his palm sternly... The kids are ignorant about all this power and politics, and he prefers it that way... That's the reason he loved spending time with them, their innocence and nonchalance attracted him a lot, they didn't care if he was the chief minister, they just treated him casually.

"Sir... I need to talk to you about something", Mr. Goel whispered... Shaurya nodded...

"Siya beti... Can you bring those keys for me on that table ?", Mr. Goel asked Siya, showing his car keys on the far away table...

"Yes", Siya nodded giving away her cute dimpled smile and walking towards the table...

"Careful Siya bacha", Shaurya said, Siya nodded with a smile assuring Shaurya with her palm that she would be careful... Shaurya chuckled at her antics... He understood Mr. Goel purposely sent Siya away...

"Yes, Mr. Goel...", Shaurya said, his concentration shifting to Siya once in a while, afraid she would hurt herself on her way as there were a few steps in between.

"Um... I noticed your conversation with Siya... I think you were about to ask her about her father...", Mr. Goel started, Shaurya nodded still looking at Siya... "Um... I request you not to ask raise about her father to the child... she is fatherless... Hope you understand... She is still a child and...", Mr. Goel started saying a lot of things and apologized if he crossed a line by cautioning Shaurya, but Shaurya's brain stopped at 'Fatherless'... He thought her father passed away... His heart went out to the little girl...

"I... I understand Mr. Goel... I appreciate your concern for the little girl...", Shaurya said with a smile, concealing the ache he was feeling for the little girl... He didn't know why he was taking it too personally but he couldn't stop his heart from aching for the little girl.

Siya returned with the kids and the trio moved to the hall next door to the other kids.

"Okay... so, who wants to come to my office, I have some work", Shaurya asked... He wished no kid volunteered as he wanted to spend some alone time with Siya and his wish deepened after knowing about her father, to his luck everyone was indulged in playing and none responded to him and he sighed in relief... He winked at Siya and she said she would like to join...

Mr. Goel left with the Kindergarten students and Shaurya asked the staff he hired to engage kids, to take care of the other kids while Shaurya lifted Siya in his arms and walked towards his home office.

"Yessss", Shaurya and Siya hi-fied each other after reaching his office. Shaurya felt like a kid with her... Siya giggled at their plan getting successful...

"Siya... Can you give me 10 minutes ? I have some work and after that we can play... What's say ?", Shaurya requested the little girl...

"Okay uncle... For kids, study first, for elders, work first, play next...", Siya said and Shaurya nodded with a smile...

Now he understood why Siya is so guarded, more like why her mother guarded her so much... So that no one hurts her... Shaurya appreciated her mother for raising the baby very well, teaching her to protect herself from this tender age. He felt bad about the lady too who had to raise the kid alone. At least her family is supporting her to raise the child, he thought, thinking Siya and her mother live with her maternal grandparents and mamu... Only if he knew the truth...

As Shaurya requested, he finished his work in 10 minutes and sat with Siya playing with her... He ordered jigsaw puzzles for kids and both of them sat and solved them. After a while, they started coloring books... Shaurya worked and simultaneously played with her.

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Akash and Akansha went to the neighbor's place but only his wife and daughter were there. Akansha asked her neighbor's teenage daughter to tell if her father was se**ually harassing her but she denies the allegations. The man, Shekhar purposely left his home warning his wife and daughter not to say a single word about him. The Subinspector has already cautioned him about Akansha's connections and suggested he flee away for some days...

"See Ma'am, there's no need to get afraid of anything or anyone... I'm Akash, Divisional Commissioner, I can help you, but only if you tell me the truth...", Akash asked them softly...

"Sir... Thanks for coming here... but we are saying the truth... my husband is not that kind of a man... my daughter and I are happy with him...", Kavita, Shekhar's wife said

"Beta... Your mumma is afraid of something, but you are brave right ? You need to fight the wrong that's happening with you and mumma... Tell the truth, trust me, uncle can help you", Akansha pleaded the girl but they didn't budge...

"Aunty... My papa is nice... We are fine, really", the teenage girl, Sneha said

Akash looked at Akansha and shook his head, there was no use in talking to them, they were clearly afraid and weren't ready to confess anything, they wouldn't go against that b**t**d, Akash understood that much.

"Okay then... We'll leave... Your mumma has my number, but save it in your phone too... Call me if you ever need any help", Akansha said giving her number to the girl and walking away from there, Akash followed his sister.

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"That ba**t**d has clearly threatened both of them...", Akash said raking his hair in frustration...

"I'm worried about that girl more... I just hope Kavita wouldn't leave her daughter alone from now on", Akansha said

"You are worrying about them while I worry about you both too...", Akash said

"I know... Don't worry, 90% of the time, Richa stays with us, and I am very careful, you know me", Akansha said

"Yes, but still...", Akash trailed

"Okay, you are already late to the office, now go to work... and don't come here after tonight after work, I'm warning you", Akansha said fearing attention if Akash stayed with them for more days.

"I won't, but promise me, you will call me if anything of that sort happens again, in fact not just that, any problem, small or big, you'll call me... Promise me di... otherwise, I'll keep visiting you guys...", Akash said

"Akash... you can't do that...", Akansha shrieked

"Then promise me di...", Akash said stubbornly...

"Fine... I promise... Now leave", Akansha said

"Bye... Take care di... Tell my Siyu bacha, I'll talk to her in the evening", Akash said hugging Akansha...

"Okay okay... Now stop with this display of affection, you know I don't like all this", Akansha said pushing her brother away, hitting him on his head...

"Stop being so rude Di... Anyways, I won't stop showing my affection, bye...", he kissed her hair and ran away before Akansha could hit his head once more...

"You are nuts, idiot", Akansha scolded him, he ignored it, though he heard her.

"This Akash made me take leave for nothing and it's wasted, That Shekhar flew somewhere... Idiot", Akansha murmured to herself in anger... She hated skipping work.

She checked the time, and it's almost time to pick Siya from school... she got ready and is about to leave for school when she received the principal's call. Rage filled in after hearing what he had to say.

"How could you guys take this decision without consulting the parents ?", Akansha snapped at the principal.

"Akansha... We can't ignore the CM's request, and there is no need to worry, Chairman sir is with the kids...", The principal tried to calm Akansha...

"Sir... I'm coming to school to pick my child, till then, I want my daughter present in the school", Akansha said and hung up as she couldn't stop her anxiety...

What if some of the kids mention her name and Shaurya recognizes her ? As it wasn't difficult... Siya is a spitting image of her father and her name would be very easy to recognize as they spoke of it together... Now, Akansha cursed herself for naming her daughter 'Siyakriti'. She wanted her daughter to have something of her father, if not the man, she thought she would give her little girl at least the name he approved but she didn't think about the consequences.

She calmed herself first and then left for school to get back her daughter give the school management some piece of mind.

--------------------------------

"So... What's your mom's name ?", Shaurya asked handing the little Siya crayons while she colored diligently.

"Anshu...", Siya said, her whole concentration on filling the white page with colors... She heard her Richa aunty calling her mother 'Anshu or Ansha' and so she remembered only that most of the time, moreover, she still couldn't pronounce her mother's complete name 'Akansha', it's difficult, so she preferred Anshu or Ansha based on her mood and the same thing saved her mother today.

"Hm... Nice... so who all live in your home ?", Shaurya asked her...

"Mama bear, me... licha aunty....", Siya trailed... "opho... uncle this went out of the border", Siya whined...

"it's okay baby... It still looks good...", Shaurya tried to cheer up the little girl...

"But I want pelfect(perfect), not good", Siya said pouting sadly...

Mrs. Sudha who entered with the little girl's chocolate shake stood astonished at the her words and her features. With her antics, she looked like baby Shaurya...

"Mrs. Sudha... Please come in", Shaurya invited the lady...

"Chocolate milkshake for the kiddo here... and coffee for you Shaurya", Mrs. Sudha said placing the coffee mug beside Shaurya and held the chocolate shake and the straw in her hand waiting for Siya to take it in her hands...

"Wow... Chocolate shake... I love it... Thank you aunty", Siya said and took it in her hands carefully...

"You sure you can hold it Siya bacha ?", Shaurya asked supporting her glass...

"Yes uncle... Thank you", Siya said with a wide smile at Shaurya's sweet gesture of supporting her glass.

"She is a very well-mannered kid for her age", Mrs. Sudha commented, still thinking about the starking similarities between the kid and Shaurya.

"Yeah, that she is... Did you give it to all the kids ? And you sure you made it with less sugar and ice right ?", Shaurya asked looking at Siya who is having her shake forgetting about her spoiled coloring.

"Yes Shaurya, don't worry... I have made it keeping your instructions in mind... I have sent it to all the kids, and when I was heading towards your office with your coffee, Shweta informed me about a kid in your office, so I brought the shake here", Mrs. Sudha said

"Thanks, Mrs. Sudha...", Shaurya said, Mrs. Sudha nodded giving one last glance at Siya before walking out.

------------------------------------------------

Akansha stormed into the principal's cabin...

"Sir, where is my daughter ?", Akansha asked directly slapping both her palms on the table...

"Akansha... What's with the force? Calm down" the principal said, his patience wearing thin...

"Sir... You allowed the chairman to take my daughter to the Chief Minister's house without my consent, I'm sorry but I can't calm down... Parents sent their kids to the school in the belief that their kids were going to study in the classrooms, in the secured school premises, not roam around... If the school plans any such activity, they need to inform the parents which in this case, you didn't", Akansha said

"We did send messages to all the parents Akansha, no one had a problem, in fact they are happy that their kids are going to be appreciated by the Chief Minister", The principal said, unable to bear Akansha's accusations...

"Really! then why didn't I receive any message ?", Akansha asked but soon realized the answer... Since she is the teacher in the same school, she would know all the info about the school prior so she didn't bother much whether the school registered her number in the parents' id or not. She cursed herself for her negligence.

Well, she did ask the IT department guy from time to time to get her number included in the list but he delayed it citing it's not needed. She so wanted to kill him for it now.

"Akansha... You are reacting as if we took the children to some dangerous spot, it's our state Chief Minister's official residence" the principal said

"Sir... I don't know all of that, why is my daughter not here when all her fellow classmates already reached the school and are going back to their homes ? Get back my daughter here or you know me... I wouldn't even think a second before publicly shaming the school, I don't care about my job, my daughter is my priority", Akansha spat... She is holding herself with difficulty and the principal's reluctance is only fueling her fears.

"Akansha... Think before you speak... I'll speak to the chairman sir and ask him to bring back the kids... but mind me, your behavior will have consequences, get ready for disciplinary action", the principal warned...

Akansha didn't bother to reply, she was just worried for her daughter for the time being... The principal walked out and called the chairman, detailed his discussion with Akansha... The Chairman said they would be back soon, asking the principal to assure Akansha that they were leaving the Chief Minister's residence right away.

The Principal conveyed the same to Akansha who sighed in relief, he again reminded her of the disciplinary action but she is least concerned about it for now but this time, she didn't hold back, she gave it back to him.

"I agree I was at fault for threatening to shame the school, but you couldn't deny the fault that lied with the school sir... I'll face disciplinary action, but before that, I would make sure to write to the board about the issue", Akansha said and walked away...

The Principal sighed... She wasn't the one to back off so easily... she is a very strong and stubborn woman and those are the traits that made him hire her despite her being over-qualified for the job, he even offered her higher sections with a higher pay but she rejected the offer, citing she wanted to teach only primary sections and also requested him to keep her qualifications lowkey.

----------------------------------------------------

"Wow Siya... You finished the shake so fast...", Shaurya appreciated the little girl, clapping for her...

"Thankyou uncle, the chocolate shake is deli...deli...", she struggled... "Yummy", she said failing at it, Shaurya laughed at her cute self...

"Delicious...", Shaurya taught her...

"Deli...Delichious", She said after hearing him repeat the word a couple more times...

"Yes... Delichious", he too pronounced her way making her giggle...

"So, Siya ? You spent enough time with me to decide, can we be friends now ?", He asked forwarding his hand, his heart beating at a faster pace... He wanted to make the little girl his friend... "Do you like me enough to make me your friend bacha ?", Shaurya asked again...

"um....", she acted a bit and he understood she is trying to tease him, so he too played along putting on a sad face... "Yes...", she said jumping on him, and shaking his palm with both her little palms... He changed his sad face to happy one catching her in a blink...

"Thank you Siyu bacha...", Shaurya said kissing her hair, hugging the little girl to his heart, he felt immense happiness and peace with her close to him... as if he got a piece of his Akansha... His heart ached at his wife's thoughts, but for now he shook his head and enjoyed the moment with the little girl...

"I liked you much before to make you my friend but I can't ignole(ignore) mumma's words na... she says, I shouldn't make fleinds(friends) in h...ha....", Siya failed to remember the word...

"Haste", Shaurya completed, earning a frantic nod from the little girl making him laugh...

Shweta knocked on his door... He asked her to come in, she smiled looking at Siya in Shaurya's arms but soon her smile dimmed. Shaurya frowned at Shweta's expressions...

"Any problem Shweta ?", he asked

"Um... actually sir... Mr. Goel is here...", Shweta started and Shaurya understood there might be some issue.

"Siyu bacha... continue with your coloring, I'll be back in a minute", he said and she nodded...

Mr. Goel detailed the whole issue to Shweta and Shweta came there to inform Shaurya about the kids' cut-short trip... Shaurya's heart filled with anxiousness, hearing that it's time for the little girl to leave...

"Okay, give me a minute... We'll be downstairs", Shaurya said, concealing his emotions with a smile, but for the first time, he failed to put on that pleasant smile he always had on his face.

"Yes sir...", Shweta said feeling bad for her boss and walked away to inform Mr. Goel, and also arrange the gifts and trophies that are to be distributed to the kids before they prepared for their departure.

"Siyu bacha... It's time for you to leave...", Shaurya said, and Siya's smile slowly disappeared... She didn't want to go away from Shaurya, she liked him a lot...

"But, you said I could be with you till evening...", Siya complained

"I did... but your mumma reached the school to pick you up, and now she is worried for you...", Shaurya said, though he was disappointed and reluctant to let Siya go, he understood a mother's pain and worry for her kid, especially when she is raising the kid singlehandedly...

"But I want to play with you more uncle... I like you and I don't want to leave you", Siya said hugging Shaurya... She never behaved like that, she was always ready to run to her mother, even now she is, but she expected she would stay with Shaurya till evening and cutting short her visit disappointed her.

"Even I want to play with you... But, it's not right to keep your mumma waiting... she is worried for you... and don't worry, we can meet again and this time for longer time...", Shaurya said

"Plomise...(promise...)", she asked forwarding her little palm...

"Plomise...", he repeated her words... He liked her vocab, they sound so cute from her mouth... Siya giggled at him talking like her...

"Call me whenever you want to meet me... You remember my number right ?", he asked her and she nodded frantically, making her two pigtails move up and down and she giggled at their movement...

Shaurya made the little girl memorize his personal phone number, he didn't know why but he felt like doing it. He couldn't give his official phone number as it would have many official details. The higher officials, ministers, and state & central leaders, all of them have it, and he can't let it leak, though he trusted Siya, still she is a kid, also his official number receives many calls a day, but his personal phone number is only for his family and friends, which include a very limited people. So, it's easy for him to respond on that phone.

"Okay... Okay, you would hurt yourself, don't do it", he said holding her neck and face in place, making her giggle.

After exchanging byes and hugs, Shaurya walked down with Siya in his arms... he distributed the trophies to the kids and had a picture with all of them... The chairman apologized for the cut-short visit, and Shaurya nodded in understanding.

The kids left with the chairman, and Shaurya so wanted to carry Siya till the gate, he felt as if her feet would hurt if she walked to the gate. He didn't understand the connection he felt with the little girl but the urge to protect her from everything multiplied every second.

"Suraj... allow Mr. Goel's car inside, it's too hot outside and kids can't walk till there...", he ordered his head security making him frown, Mr. Goel's car is already allowed inside as per Shaurya's orders before, but then Suraj realized that Shaurya was asking them to allow his car till his residence's doorstep. His eyes widened but Shaurya's one look is enough to make him follow his orders.

"Thoroughly check the car and allow it inside", Suraj said into his walkie-talkie...

"Thank you so much sir...", Mr. Goel thanked the chief minister, he knew no one was allowed till the doorstep except for the CM's, PM's convoy, and VVIPs.

"Don't mention, it's for the kids...", Shaurya said... All the kids got in and everyone waved at Shaurya... He waved back to them... Siya smiled at him and he smiled back waving at her... Both of them didn't want to leave each other but they had to...

Shaurya felt as if his heart is breaking again but he ignored that feeling, he rebuked himself for getting so attached to the little girl in such a short span... He gave one final bye to the kids and walked back to his home office, after signing some documents, he prepared to leave for his office.

-------------------------------------------

Akansha is relieved to see her daughter... She left from there taking Siya with her before the chairman or the principal said anything.

Precap - Siya calls Shaurya from Richa's mobile. Both of them sneak out...

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"How do you have my mumma's photo ?", she asked shocking Shaurya...