Page 28 of Strictly Solo

Poonam’s face contorted with anger.

“You stupid boy!” she shouted. “Look what you’ve done! You’ve ruined everything!”

Neil, startled by the outburst, quickly rushed to Naina, wrapping his arms around her legs and burying his face in her side. Before Naina could intervene, Ruhaan stepped forward sternly.

“How can you talk to the boy like that?”

Poonam turned to him, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Didn’t you see what he did? He dropped the coffee!”

Ruhaan shook his head. “So what? They’re kids, Poonam. He didn’t do it on purpose. Please don’t scold children so harshly.”

Naina watched the exchange with admiration in her eyes. Neil, sensing the tension had eased, looked up at Poonam. “I’m sorry, Poonam aunty,” he said softly.

His words, however, further agitated Poonam. “Don’t call me aunty!” she snapped, glaring at Neil and Naina before storming out of the kitchen, muttering, “I hate kids.”

Ruhaan sighed heavily as Naina knelt down beside Neil, checking him over. “Are you okay?” she asked gently. Neil nodded, and Naina continued, “Next time, be more careful, okay? We need to avoid bumping into people like that. You could get hurt too.”

“I’ll be careful, Mom,” he promised, snagging a pancake from the plate before dashing out of the kitchen.

Ruhaan ran a hand through his hair, lamenting the loss of his much-needed coffee. As he turned to leave, Naina’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Now I’m confirmed. Poonam is the best match for you.”

He clenched his jaw, turning to face her with a glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded.

She stepped closer. “Poonam doesn’t like kids, and you are already a playboy who wouldn’t want to commit to that responsibility either. Your pairing is perfect.”

In two long strides, Ruhaan closed the distance between them, pinning Naina between his body and the kitchen counter. She gasped at the sudden proximity, but Ruhaan didn’t give her a chance to speak.

“My mom is enough of a matchmaker,” he growled, his face inches from hers. “So you can stop showing off those skills and purposely pushing a woman I don’t want onto me. I’m least interested in Poonam.”

A flicker of satisfaction passed through Naina’s eyes, though she tried to hide it. “Then who are you interested in?” she asked.

His reply hovered on his lips, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it aloud. His gaze, as usual, dropped to her lips, noticing a small smear of maple syrup at the corner of her mouth.

With deliberate slowness, he reached out, his thumb gently wiping away the syrup. Naina’s breath hitched as Ruhaan brought his thumb to his mouth, sucking the sweetness off with a low hum. Her lips parted in shock, her body seeming to melt against the counter.

“The maple syrup anywhere close to your lips is a lethal combo, Naina,” Ruhaan murmured, huskily. “Keep the two away unless you want to get thoroughly kissed.”

His eyes locked with hers once more. With what seemed like immense effort, Ruhaan stepped back, breaking the spell. Coffee could wait because right now he needed a cold shower badly.

He strode out of the kitchen. Naina leaned heavily against the counter, and touched her lips gently, where the ghost of Ruhaan’s touch still lingered on her skin.

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

The Sangeet preparations were in full swing in Kundra house. With only two days left until the event, choreographers had arrived to teach the dance moves to both the bride’s and groom’s sides. The house had been divided into two zones to maintain the element of surprise, with Naina and Suman practicing on Malti’s side, while Ruhaan, Rohit, Poonam, and others rehearsed for the groom’s performance.

It was during a brief break from practicing that Naina’s attention was drawn to a small figure huddled in the corner of the house. Her heart clenched as she recognized Neil, his small shoulders shaking slightly as he wiped at his eyes. Without hesitation, she rushed to her son’s side, concern etched on her face.

“Neil, baby, what’s wrong?” she asked, kneeling beside him.

Neil turned away, shaking his head stubbornly. “Nothing, Mom. I’m fine.”

Naina gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Did you fall down? Are you hurt? Did someone say something to upset you?”

After a moment of silence, Neil finally looked up at his mother, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.