Page 114 of Strictly Solo

“Yay! I like you too, Daadi. Very very much!”

As she held him, her thoughts wandered. Years ago, she had resisted Naina’s decision to adopt Neil, unable to accept that her son would be raising someone else’s child and hence she had called off their engagement. But in the last seven years she had yearned for a grandchild herself and had been coaxing Ruhaan to get married soon. She had even pressured her daughter Ryma to think about children. All this time, she’d been pushing away the perfect grandson. Pushing away this little boy Neil whowas now unknowingly bringing more joy than she could have imagined.

If she’d supported Ruhaan and Naina’s marriage seven years ago, she could have been Neil’s grandmother all this time. But perhaps it wasn’t too late to make things right. But not without a little drama in her style.

Pulling back from the hug, she kissed Neil’s forehead. “Neil, how good are you at acting?” she asked, her eyes twinkling.

Neil tilted his head, confused. “Acting? What kind of acting?”

“You’ll see. Just do as I say, okay?”

His curiosity was piqued, but he nodded eagerly. “Okay, Daadi! What’s the plan?”

Kaushalya leaned in, whispering her idea into his ear. As Neil listened, his eyes widened, and he broke into a mischievous smile to match hers. “This is going to be fun!” he declared.

She chuckled, patting his cheek, awaiting to put her plan into action.

*****************

Late Evening

The elevator doors opened to the seventh floor, and Naina and Ruhaan stepped out together, both tired but content after their long workday. Though they hadn’t gotten much time alone, having to work with the team all day, at least they could head home together tonight. Naina had insisted on coming personally to pick up Neil from Ruhaan’s place, curious to see how another day with Kaushalya had gone. After all, their bonding yesterday had exceeded expectations.

As they approached the apartment door, Naina reached for the doorbell, but Ruhaan caught her hand, gently pulling her back against the door. Her breath caught as he moved closer, his face mere inches from hers.

“You know what I was thinking?”

“What?” Naina whispered back, her heart racing at his proximity.

“I was thinking… with Neil already winning Mom over...” he moved even closer, “don’t you think it’s time we start planning the wedding date?”

She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing. “Are you sure about that? Do you think she’s ready to agree?”

“Trust me, I know my mom and she adores Neil already,” he assured her. “Remember how yesterday she told him stories during nap time, and they ended up cuddling on the bed? Today must have been even better.”

Naina smiled, her nerves easing. “Well then, let’s see for ourselves.” She pressed the doorbell.

The door swung open to reveal Kaushalya, her face clouded with unmistakable anger. Ruhaan’s smile faltered as he immediately sensed something was wrong with his mother, though he couldn’t fathom what had happened.

“Thank god you’re back,” Kaushalya snapped. “Just take this boy home. I’m done with him.”

Ruhaan froze, his hand still on the door. “What happened?” he asked. His mother’s tone sent alarm bells ringing in his head.

They followed her inside, where Neil was aggressively stuffing things into his backpack, his small face contorted with anger.

“You don’t have to be so mad at me,” Neil shot back, glaring at Kaushalya. “I don’t want to be here either. Mom, take me home!”

Naina stood frozen, unable to process the dramatic change from yesterday’s warmth to today’s hostility.

“Neil!” she said. “What’s going on? Why are you talking like this?”

“Yes, yes, go home and never come back here again,” Kaushalya retorted, throwing her hands up in frustration.

“I wouldn’t come even if you called me!” Neil fired back.

Ruhaan finally intervened. “Mom, what went wrong? Why are you two fighting?”

“Ask him!” Kaushalya pointed accusingly at Neil. “The boy has no manners. He’s been nothing but impolite and has been making my day miserable.”