Page 116 of Strictly Solo

Ruhaan groaned, covering his face with his hands, while Naina let out a nervous laugh. “We didn’t mean to… well…” she began, but Kaushalya cut her off.

“Save it, dear,” Kaushalya said with a dramatic sigh. “If you want forgiveness, you both know what to do. Hold your ears and say sorry.”

Ruhaan and Naina gaped at her, utterly flustered. Neil nodded enthusiastically, clearly backing Kaushalya’s demand. “Come on, Mom, Ruhaan—do it!” Neil urged.

Ruhaan sighed in defeat, glancing at Naina, who looked equally mortified. Reluctantly, they both held their ears and said in unison, “We’re sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Kaushalya and Neil burst into peals of laughter, giving each other a triumphant high five.

“Unbelievable,” Ruhaan muttered, though his lips twitched with a small smile. “You two make quite the team.”

“Mom, Daadi likes pizza too!” Neil announced excitedly to Naina. “I promised her you’d make your special cheese pizza for her.”

Naina chuckled, brushing his hair back from his forehead. “I’ll make it for everyone, sweetheart.”

“Yes, please do,” Kaushalya chimed in. “My son never fulfills my food cravings, but for Neil, he’ll at least allow me some treats!”

Ruhaan looked at his mother, his eyebrows raised. “Wait a second—does that mean you’re ready for our wedding?” he asked cautiously, hope flickering in his voice.

Kaushalya placed her hands on her hips and sighed dramatically. “It’s not for you two that I’m ready. It’s for Neil. He’s such a darling, and I can’t imagine losing him. He’s better than both of you combined. At least he understands me.”

Ruhaan laughed and pulled his mother into a tight hug, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you, Mom. You’re the best.”

She playfully pushed him away.

“Don’t get too comfortable, Ruhaan. I’m still not entirely happy with Naina.”

Naina’s smile faltered slightly as she looked at Kaushalya. “You’re not?” she asked hesitantly.

Kaushalya frowned, her tone turning mock-serious.

“I don’t see any effort from you to communicate with me.” She wagged her finger playfully. “You don’t know how many TV soaps I’ve watched and gained experience from... I can be the most cunning and dangerous mother-in-law if you keep your distance!”

Ruhaan snorted, trying to stifle his laughter, while Naina fought the urge to roll her eyes at Kaushalya’s dramatic flair.

“I thought you didn’t like me much,” she admitted softly. “After what happened before... I was afraid of rejection again.”

“Hmm,” Kaushalya considered. “Ruhaan, just as you left Neil with me for two days, I think it’s time Naina spends the next two days with me.”

“No!” Naina protested immediately, causing everyone to laugh.

Kaushalya’s eyes softened as she approached Naina. “So far, you’ve only had Neil to look after. Now you’ll have my son too, and trust me, his demands will never ease up. Between handling these two big and small kids, you’ll need some love and care. And I’m eager to shower you with that, beta.” She cupped Naina’s face tenderly and kissed her forehead.

Naina’s eyes welled with tears as Kaushalya continued, “You know, I liked you from the first moment when I fixed your alliance with Ruhaan seven years ago,” Kaushalya smiled. “Even though I broke that engagement and kept looking for other suitors all these years, my search never truly ended. Now it does...with you. Only you can take the responsibility of my house and my son on your shoulders and never disappoint.”

Naina wiped her tears. “I’m not sure how I’ll handle everything... but with you by my side, I know I won’t fail.”

Kaushalya pulled her into a warm hug, and Naina hugged her back tightly, finally feeling at peace. Their hug sealed not just a future marriage but a bond between mother and daughter.

Neil clapped his hands, breaking the emotional moment. “Group hug! Don’t leave me out!” he exclaimed, running to join them.

“This boy,” Kaushalya said, shaking her head with affection, pulling Neil to her, “he’s going to be the life of this house!”

Naina looked at her son with pride, knowing he was finally receiving the love not only from Ruhaan, whom he saw as a fatherly figure, but also from Ruhaan’s mother.

As Neil’s laughter subsided, Kaushalya motioned for Ruhaan and Naina to come closer. “Now, both of you, take my blessings. You are going to need it.”

Ruhaan and Naina bent down together, touching her feet. Kaushalya placed her hands gently on their heads, murmuring a quiet prayer for their happiness. “Stay happy, always. Both of you.”