Page 12 of Strictly Solo

Naina stopped feeding him, her frown deepening. “So?” she asked, curious as to where her son was going withthisline of thought.

Neil flashed her a toothy grin. “So, nothing. I like him, Mom. He’s my friend now.”

Naina sighed, shaking her head as an idea formed in her mind. She fed Neil another morsel.

“Okay, if he’s your friend now, and you like him so much, when we’re done here with your Nanu’s function, you can go with Ruhaan and stay with him while I go alone to Disneyland next month.”

“No, I’m coming with you.” Neil immediately interrupted her, his eyes widening in protest.

Naina couldn’t help but chuckle at his adamant response, tickling him playfully. He showered her face with kisses, as she pulled him onto her lap, feeding him once more.

“Mom, can Ruhaan also come with us to Disneyland?” Neil asked almost hopefully and Naina was stunned again.

Her son seemed so taken with Ruhaan in just a single day. She hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

“How can he come? Just like you can’t stay without me, Ruhaan will also miss his mom if he comes with us.”

Neil patted his head, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Oh, mom, you’re so innocent. Ruhaan is a big man now. He won’t miss his mom.”

His words struck a chord within Naina, filling her with a sense of sadness. She immediately pulled Neil closer, gazing into his eyes.

“When you grow into a big man, you too wouldn’t miss your mom?”

Neil pouted, wrapping his arms around Naina’s neck in a tight embrace. “I will always miss you, mom. I love you.”

Tears of joy shimmered in her eyes as she hugged him back, her heart swelling with love. “I love you more, Neil. More than you would ever know.”

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

Next Day

Ruhaan was diving into the pool at the backside of the villa, to escape the heat. With each stroke, his mind drifted back to Naina and the lingering tension between them. He recalled her innocent warnings, urging him not to cross his limits, and once again a mischievous grin tugged at his lips. Naina might have wanted to keep her distance, haunted by the ghosts of their past, but Ruhaan was irresistibly drawn to her, like a moth to a flame.

Seeing her again had ignited a fire within him, tantalizingly awakening desires he thought he had long since buried. Eversince taking over the role of CEO of his company, he had forced himself to suppress his flirtatious nature, but Naina’s presence had reignited that smoldering spark, making it impossible for him to resist the temptation to lure her with his old charm, no matter how much she tried to resist.

Lost in his thoughts, Ruhaan nearly missed the sound of Neil’s voice calling out to him. The young boy stood at the edge of the pool, his eyes wide with wonder as he watched Ruhaan glide through the water.

“Ruhaan!” Neil exclaimed. “Can you teach me how to swim?”

Ruhaan flashed a warm smile, swimming closer to the edge. “Of course, buddy. But are you allowed to swim?” he asked. “I mean, your Mom has strict instructions to check with her on any matters concerning you.”

Neil hesitated, his brow furrowing with uncertainty. “I want to swim. But Mom never lets me. She’s scared because she can’t swim herself. She said when I will be 10, she’ll then enroll me for swimming classes.”

Ruhaan chuckled, understanding dawning on him. “Who waits till 10 to go to swim? Well, then it’s about time you learned. Your mom won’t have to worry anymore because you are already a big boy.”

With gentle guidance, Ruhaan helped Neil into the pool, ensuring he wore a safety tube around his waist. As the boy tentatively explored the water, Ruhaan kept a watchful eye, offering encouragement and support whenever needed.

Their laughter and splashing echoed through the air, and within no time it caught Naina’s attention. She emerged at the pool area, her eyes widening in horror as she took in the scene before her.

“Neil!” she cried, rushing towards the pool. “Get out of there this instant!”

“Mom, I’m loving this.” Neil ignored his mother’s pleas, giggling as Ruhaan playfully splashed water in his direction.

Naina’s frustration mounted, her fear for her son’s safety overriding any sense of reason. “If you don’t come out right now, I’ll have to get in there and drag you out myself!”

Ruhaan this time couldn’t help but laugh at her empty threat. “Go ahead, Naina. The water’s perfect.”

Naina’s gaze narrowed as she fixed her sights on Ruhaan. “This is all happening because ofyou. You’re spoiling my son. He’s turning against me and my principles.”