Page 5 of Strictly Solo

“Has to be. That’s Naina’s room, after all,” she grinned.

What? Naina’s room?

“But then where is she staying?”

“In one of the guest rooms. And don’t worry, she’s absolutely fine with it. You and Aunty are our guests, in fact, our most important guests. You two should get the best rooms.”

“Thanks, but I am fine to occupy the guest room and let Naina stay in her room.”

“Chill, Ruhaan. It’s fine. But just a piece of advice now that you are so conscious about it.”

She came forward, turning around to ensure no one heard them. Ruhaan got equally curious to know.

“Don’t mess up with her photo wall in that room. That’s Naina’s favorite spot. Forget misplacing anything, if anyone even touches the photos from that wall, she isn’t going to stay quiet.”

A photo wall? Yeah. He had seen a glimpse of it when he was shown the room, but he was yet to see it fully.

“Got it. I’ll be extra careful not to touch that wall then,” he assured.

“You are here?” Rohit interrupted them, sliding his arm around Ruhaan. “I was looking for you. Aunty said she isn’t finding her medicines.”

“As always,” Ruhaan chuckled. “I’ll go fetch it for her.”

Giving another look towards the direction Naina had left, Ruhaan walked away.

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

A while later, Naina watched Neil happily munch on the treat Suman had given him. Although her thoughts remained stubbornly fixated on Ruhaan as she unpacked her luggage for two weeks in the closet. She truly hadn’t expected him to be here.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she finally asked Suman, unable to keep the accusatory note from her voice as she faced her cousin.

Suman’s expression remained infuriatingly calm. “About what?”

“That the Singhs are invited too?” Naina was unable to keep the irritation from her tone.

“Because if I had told you before, you wouldn’t have come,” Suman replied simply.

Naina scoffed. “Obviously I wouldn’t have come, Suman. I don’t want to face that family again.”

Suman’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Why? What is your fault in all this? It is they who rejected the proposal at the end.”

That stung.Rejected. Yes, that’s exactly what had happened, though it was beyond her control at the time.

Seeing the pained look that flickered across Naina’s face, Suman immediately softened. “Naina,” she soothed, guiding her cousin to sit on the bed. “You know what Dad always says, right? If we live in the past, we can never move towards the future.”

“I’m not grieving, Suman, if that’s what you think,” she snapped. “And definitely not for Ruhaan, for that matter. He’s still very much like he was before. Playboy!”

Suman chuckled. “I’ve heard from Rohit he isn’t a player anymore, but God help me, the way he was ogling you, tells me he is not going to stop flirting with you.”

“Suman, stop,” Naina countered. This wasn’t the first time she had got such acute attention from men, but every time they got to know she was a single mother, most of them backed off.

“I’ve heard he is currently single,” Suman continued.

“So?” Naina groaned. “His status keeps changing every week, I am sure.”

Suman held up a placating hand. “Probably you are right. Look, I didn’t invite the Singhs—Rohit did because of his business partnership with Ruhaan now. I couldn’t object andneither could Mom and Dad, who have been in touch with Ruhaan’s mother, Kaushalya Aunty, all these years. But we all love you and want you and Neil to be part of this celebration in spite of their presence. Please don’t let them spoil this for you.”

Rohit and Ruhaan were doing business together?The fight drained from Naina’s body as quickly as it had flared. She knew her family meant well and would never intentionally hurt her. With a heavy sigh, she nodded slowly.