Page 108 of Strictly Solo

Kaushalya immediately frowned.

“Don’t pretend to ask about everything. I know why you’re calling,” she said pointedly. “You want to know if Neil is doing fine with me.”

Ruhaan chuckled. “Well, of course, I know he’ll be fine, Mom. You’re amazing.”

“Don’t butter me up,” she warned.

“Oh yeah, speaking of butter - don’t let Neil have too much of it.”

“Why not?” she asked, already reaching for the butter dish.

“Come on, Mom, someone in the family has to stay fit! With all the butter you’ve fed me over the years in those delicious parathas and your legendary pav bhaji... it’s only thanks toregular gym that I maintain myself. Spare Neil from that, please?”

Her frown deepened as memories flooded back.

“Don’t act like you didn’t love all that butter. You used to eat it straight off the spoon, as if it were dessert.” Kaushalya snorted. “And that’s why I always added extra.”

Ruhaan laughed. “I know, Mom. And Naina told me Neil loves butter too. Runs in the family, I guess.”

There was a moment of silence as Kaushalya, unconsciously, added a little extra butter to the aloo paratha she was making. By the time she realized what she was doing, Ruhaan was ready to drop the call.

“Alright, Mom. I need to get back to my meeting. Talk soon.”

She sighed as she hung up and then plated Neil’s aloo parathas, the golden butter glistening atop them. Walking out of the kitchen, she placed the plate in front of Neil.

“Here you go,” she said briskly. “Eat.”

Neil’s face lit up when he saw the food. “Wow! So much butter! Thank you, Daadi!” he exclaimed excitedly, already trying to break off a piece.

But the paratha was hot, and Neil winced as he quickly pulled his fingers away. “Ouch!”

Kaushalya’s maternal instincts kicked in immediately. “Be careful!” she scolded, sitting down beside him. “You’ll hurt yourself if you rush like that.”

Without thinking, she tore off a piece, blew on it to cool it down, and held it to his mouth. Neil accepted the morsel with such natural trust and affection that something stirred in her heart.

He chewed, his face breaking into a delighted grin. “It’s so yummy, Daadi! Thank you!”

Her heart softened unexpectedly at his words. And then, when he leaned over and wrapped his little arms around her ina spontaneous hug, she froze. The warmth of his tiny embrace caught her completely off guard. She pulled back gently, clearing her throat.

“Alright, that’s enough. Now eat by yourself. And don’t forget to blow on it first.”

Neil nodded happily and began eating on his own, carefully blowing on each piece as instructed. Kaushalya stood and returned to the kitchen, to fix herself a plate.

She glanced at the dining table from the kitchen doorway. Neil sat there, happily munching on the parathas she had made for him. She couldn’t ignore the tug at her heart—this boy wasn’t just charming; he was kind, polite, and endearing in ways she hadn’t anticipated. And here she was, doting on him without even realizing it.

“I’m already treating Naina’s boy like he’s my own grandson. What’s happening to me?” She shook her head, muttering to herself as she poured tea into her cup.

But as much as she wanted to maintain her hard stance, she couldn’t deny the small smile tugging at her lips. Neil had a way of breaking through her walls, and she wasn’t sure how long she’d be able to resist.

Chapter 31

Office

The team dispersed for a short break, pausing the meeting. As everyone exited, Naina grabbed Ruhaan by the wrist and pulled him toward a quiet corner. His lips curved into a teasing grin as they stopped near the window, out of sight of their colleagues.

“Naina,” he whispered dramatically, leaning closer, “control yourself. We can’t kiss here.”

She rolled her eyes and punched his chest gently. “I didn’t bring you here for that. Call home and check if Neil’s okay.”