Page 109 of Strictly Solo

He groaned softly, throwing his head back. “Naina, I just called not long ago.”

“That was two hours ago,” she countered, crossing her own arms.

He sighed and stepped closer, looking down at her with exaggerated patience.

“If I keep calling Mom so frequently,” he sighed, “she’ll think we don’t trust her. Worse, she’ll thinkyoudon’t trust her. Is that the impression you want to make on your future mother-in-law?”

She opened her mouth to argue but paused, realizing he had a point.

“But it’s his nap time. I just want to know if he’s sleeping...”

He cupped her face, his touch instantly calming her. “You’re a mother, and I understand your concern. But Neil is fine, Naina. Trust me.”

She nodded reluctantly, leaning into his chest. Ruhaan instantly arms wrapped around her, pulling her close.

“Now stop fretting so much,” he murmured into her hair. “Or else next weekend, I’m puttingyoualone with my mother.”

She pulled back, her eyes wide in horror. “Why would you do that?”

“For the same reason we made Neil stay with her today—to win her heart.”

“No way!” she exclaimed, shaking her head vehemently. “I mean… I can’t stay alone with your mother for that long. She’ll eat me alive!”

He laughed again, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why are you so cute when you’re panicking?”

“I’m not being cute,” she protested, narrowing her eyes.

“At such a young age, you took on the responsibility of becoming Neil’s mother. And all your cuteness, your carefree spirit, your ability to just be…you, got overshadowed by everything life threw at you. But not anymore. Not with me in the picture now.” His fingers grazed lightly over her cheek. “With me, you get to be cute, carefree, and everything else you deserved to be seven years ago. And for the rest of our lives.”

She stared at him, stunned by his words before clutching his shirt tightly over his chest and pulled him even closer.

“Now who’s beingcutehere?” she murmured.

Ruhaan pressed his nose to hers. “We’re a cute couple.”

“And cute parents,” she added with a grin.

“Absolutely,” he agreed.

Their tender moment was broken when he glanced at his watch. His smile turned apologetic. “We should get back. The meeting is about to resume.”

“Right. Let’s go.”

As they walked back toward the meeting room, side by side, he pressed her hand, a small but reassuring gesture that Neil was indeed doing great with his mother at home. Naina nodded softly, hoping that was true. All these years it was only his caretaker Shanti that Naina had left Neil with during such unplanned work schedules. Hence, today when Neil was with Ruhaan’s mother, it did bother her a bit but she trusted Ruhaan’s words. If he thinks they will be fine together, then so will it be. With that she composed again, ready to take over the meeting and impressing her client with excellent marketing strategy for ‘Beauty Beyond Boundaries (BBB)’ campaign.

Ruhaan’s Home

Kaushalya sat absorbed in her daily soap opera, making up for the episodes she’d missed yesterday while visiting her Haridwar-bound friends. She sat comfortably on her recliner, completely lost in catching up on the drama which was a non-negotiable part of her day.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Neil, sitting cross-legged on the couch with a sketch pad on his lap. He was holding a sketch pen, his small hands stained with a rainbow of colors from his earlier artistic efforts. But now, his head was drooping, and the sketch pen slipped from his fingers as he fought to keep his eyes open. The extra-buttery parathas had apparently worked their drowsy magic. She couldn’t let him sleep there, he’d get a crick in his neck.

“Neil,” she called softly, leaning forward. He stirred slightly but didn’t respond. She got up from her chair, walked over, and shook him gently. “Are you sleepy?”

Neil rubbed his eyes, nodding. “Yes, Daadi. I always sleep after school.”

Kaushalya glanced at the clock and then back at him. “Then why are you sitting here on the couch like a lost puppy? Come on, you can’t sleep here. Come with me.”

She guided him to Ruhaan’s bedroom. The moment they entered, Neil’s steps slowed as he scanned the unfamiliar surroundings. The large, neatly made bed and the polished furniture were all new to him.