Page 11 of Strictly Solo

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Ruhaan’s mother, Kaushalya, sat on the terrace, basking in the laughter and camaraderie that filled the air. Rohit’s joke had prompted a hearty chuckle from her.

Suddenly, a ball landed on her lap, disrupting her moment of contentment. She looked around, wondering who the errant object belonged to. Couldn’t these kids find somewhere else to play?

“Daadi, please give me the ball,” a young voice piped up.

Kaushalya turned to find a cute young boy stretching his arms toward her, a charming smile gracing his features. The innocence in his eyes melted away any lingering annoyance.

“Is this your ball?” she asked, unable to resist the boy’s disarming demeanor.

“Yes,” he replied, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead.

“What’s your name?” Kaushalya inquired, her curiosity piqued.

“Neil.”

“That’s a good name. Where are your parents?”

Before Neil could answer, Suman hurried over with a hint of concern etched on her face.

“Neil, what are you doing here? Your mom is looking for you. Go.”

Neil retrieved the ball from Kaushalya’s lap and scampered off, leaving the two women alone.

“He’s such a pretty boy,” Kaushalya remarked, her maternal instincts stirred by the young lad’s charisma.

“Yes.” Suman hoped that Kaushalya wouldn’t inquire further about Neil’s identity. Yet, if she did, there was no harm in revealing the truth. Neil and Naina belonged here as much as anyone else.

“Is he your relative? Whose son is he? Mehra’s?” Kaushalya queried.

“Aunty, he is Naina’s son.” Suman didn’t hesitate to disclose the truth.

“Whose? Naina Bhalla’s son?”

“Yes.”

“Is she... here?”

Suman nodded. “She is a part of our family, Aunty. Of course, she has come here. I’m surprised how you two haven’t met so far. Anyway, the buffet is arranged at the terrace. We should all proceed for dinner.”

Kaushalya forced a smile. She hadn’t anticipated Naina’s presence, but it shouldn’t affect her, should it? They had no ties anymore. Shrugging off her thoughts, she followed the other guests to the terrace, her hunger taking precedence over any lingering concerns.

As she made her way, she wondered where her son Ruhaan was. Ever since his arrival, at her insistence, he had been spending time with everyone except her. That boy! She shook her head, momentarily infuriated, before redirecting her focus on the tantalizing aroma of the buffet that awaited her.

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Naina was feeding Neil dinner in their room while he recounted the day’s adventures with Ruhaan.

“Mom, you know Ruhaan plays basketball?” Neil exclaimed. “He even has strong muscles. Today, he carried Pinky and me together.”

Naina tried her best to hide her frown, offering a forced smile as she fed Neil another morsel of food. She didn’t like her son’s growing fascination towards Ruhaan.

“And Ruhaan loves cricket too like me,” Neil continued, oblivious to his mother’s discomfort. “He has promised to play cricket with me soon.”

Naina muttered something under her breath, wondering how her innocent son could be so easily charmed by a man who, in her eyes, would likely have his sights set on the women attending the anniversary event, rather than spending time with a seven-year-old kid.

“He drives the car so well, Mom,” Neil gushed. “And you know, he loves kids too.”