Page 122 of Strictly Solo

The sound of small feet pattering towards her caught her attention, and before she could turn, she felt two tiny hands hugging her from behind.

“Mom…” Neil whispered, his voice filled with awe. “You’re looking so beautiful.”

She turned to find him standing beside her, his eyes wide and shining. Today for the first time she couldn’t get him ready for the event, it was her aunt Malti who got him dressed andshe’d done a wonderful job already. His little sherwani matched Ruhaan’s, the deep maroon fabric looking regal on his small frame. His hair was neatly combed, and a small tilak on his forehead added to the traditional look. Neil looked no less than a little prince in this attire.

“You too look so handsome, my little prince,” she said softly, reaching out to fix the tiny brooch pinned on his chest.

A tear slipped down her eye, making Neil frown. He quickly wiped it away with his fingers.

“Why are you crying, Mom?” he asked innocently.

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head and pulled him closer.

“This is a very big day for us,” she answered. “From today, it won’t just be you and me anymore. We’ll have Ruhaan and his mother with us… We’ll be shifting to their house… and everything will change. It will be a good change but it will take time to adjust there.” She cupped his face gently. “Are you happy, Neil?”

Neil beamed. “Of course, I’m happy! You know how much I love Ruhaan and Daadi. And we get to stay together. I am so happy. Aren’t you happy, Mom?”

She was relieved to hear that he was excited for this new change in their lives as much as she was. Naina pulled him into a tight embrace and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“I’m super happy, just like you, my love.”

“Then why were you crying?” he asked innocently.

“Because sometimes when we’re too happy, we cry. And today, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Neil hugged her back and then suddenly pulled away.

“You know Mom, my friends said they never saw their Mom and Dad getting married. I’m lucky, isn’t it?”

Naina chuckled nodding her head and then pinched his cheek.

“Yes you are lucky. You even got to select your Dad unlike your friends.”

They both laughed heartily before Neil remembered something.

“I have a gift for you and Ruhaan.”

“Really?” Naina tilted her head curiously. “What is it?”

“I’ll give it to you at night.” He grinned. “When Daadi is gifting you too.”

Naina was confused. Kaushalya aunty had a gift for her too? What could it be? Before she could probe further, the door opened, and Suman walked in with her mother Malti.

“I knew you would be here with Neil. Now c’mon both of you. The groom is waiting at the mandap,” Suman announced excitedly.

“Yes,” Malti added. “Time to get to the Mandap, Naina. The priest is calling you to begin the rituals.”

Naina let out a nervous breath, smoothing down the folds of her lehenga while Neil straightened up, and took his mother’s hand, ready to lead her to the mandap just as he had rehearsed. Naina’s heart swelled watching her little boy take on this significant responsibility with such pride. At the doorstep her uncle Subodh was waiting for her with teary eyes. He pressed a kiss on Naina’s forehead, his desire to see her getting married finally fulfilled.

As they stepped into the grand wedding venue, the scent of fresh marigolds filled the air, and soft traditional music played in the background. The mandap was adorned with golden drapes and flickering diyas, their glow adding warmth to the already magical moment.

And then she saw him.

Ruhaan stood at the mandap, dressed in a maroon sherwani with golden embroidery, a matching maroon stole draped over his shoulder. His hair was perfectly styled, and his deep, intenseeyes were fixed on her with a smile that spoke volumes. It was a smile of adoration, of nervousness, of pure joy – a smile that said he couldn’t believe this moment was finally real. After all, he had been waiting for this moment just as much as she had.

With every step she took toward him, her nervousness melted away. When they reached the mandap, Neil placed his mother’s hand in Ruhaan’s, then looked up at his soon-to-be father with a solemn expression. “Keep her happy,” he said clearly, causing both adults to freeze in surprise.

“Woah!! Who taught you to say that?” Ruhaan asked, amazed.