The prime minister's lovely wife

Chapter 5

The return to Delhi was a sensory overload. The cacophony of car horns replaced the rhythmic crash of waves, and the sterile air-conditioning of my office felt a world away from the salty breeze of Kerala. Meetings stretched into the night, briefings piled up on my desk, and the ever-present weight of national issues pressed down on me.
Siya, however, was a beacon of light amidst the political storm. She tackled the sprawling Khanna household with aplomb, quickly winning over even the most skeptical relatives. Her architectural expertise came in handy when she suggested subtle changes to the common living area, making it more conducive to family gatherings. Rohan, ever the mischief-maker, would sneak comments about the "Prime Ministerial spouse" wielding her design skills at home, earning him playful swats from both Siya and Amma.

One evening, amidst the chaos of a joint family dinner, Leela aunty, her eyes twinkling with amusement, declared, "Siya beta, when are you going to bless us with some little Khannas?"
Siya, ever graceful, deflected the question with a laugh. "We'll see what the future holds, Aunty." However, her cheeks flushed a light pink, and a silent conversation passed between her and me. It was a conversation we hadn't fully addressed yet, a question that lingered in the air like smoke from the diyas illuminating the room.
Later that night, in the quiet solitude of our bedroom, I found myself facing Siya, the weight of the question hanging heavy in the air.
"Siya," I began, my voice hesitantly breaking the silence, "about what Leela aunty said..."

"I know," she interrupted, a hint of understanding in her eyes. "It's something we need to think about."

My thoughts were a tangled mess. On one hand, the prospect of starting a family with Siya filled me with a warmth I hadn't known before. The image of a tiny hand wrapped around my finger, of Siya cradling a child in her arms, was a picture of pure joy that painted itself in my mind. On the other hand, the demands of my job were ever-present, the responsibility of a nation weighing heavily on my shoulders. Could I be a good father while juggling the pressures of being Prime Minister?

Siya seemed to read my thoughts. "Arjun," she said, gently placing a hand on my cheek, "we'll face this together, whatever we decide."

Her words held a quiet strength, a reassurance that resonated deeply within me.
In the days that followed, we began to openly discuss the possibility of parenthood. We researched fertility clinics, explored options for balancing work and family life, and most importantly, dreamt about the future we wanted to build together.
However, reality soon intruded. A border dispute with our neighboring country flared up, threatening to escalate into full-blown conflict. Days morphed into weeks as I focused on diplomatic negotiations, peace talks, and strategizing with my military advisors. Siya, ever the supportive wife, understood the importance of my work. She would leave encouraging notes on my desk, make sure I was eating properly, and offer a listening ear when the weight of the world seemed to be pressing down on me.

One evening, exhausted from a particularly grueling day, I collapsed onto the couch, Siya placing a cool towel on my forehead. Tears pricked the back of my eyelids, the frustration of the situation coupled with the guilt of being so absent from my personal life threatening to spill over.

"Siya," I croaked, my voice thick with emotion, "I feel like I'm failing you. Again."

She knelt before me, her eyes filled with understanding. "Arjun," she said softly, "you're not failing me. You're doing what you believe is right. And I'm here for you, every step of the way."

Siya's unwavering support became my anchor during that tumultuous period. As news of a potential peace agreement emerged, a fragile hope bloomed within me. Perhaps, just perhaps, I could find that elusive balance between duty and love. The weight of responsibility wouldn't vanish, but with Siya by my side, I knew I could weather any storm.