Page 52 of Strictly Solo

“Ruhaan!” She gasped softly as his lips brushed against the sensitive skin of her neck.

“Relax,” he murmured. “Everyone’s outside, busy with the buffet. No one’s going to catch us.”

Her heart raced at the feel of his lips against her.

“But what if someone comes in?” she insisted.

“I don’t care,” he replied confidently, tightening his hold on her waist. “Let them.”

Her cheeks flushed more as his hands tightened around her waist further.

“Why are you making pooris when breakfast is already served outside?”

Naina flipped the next poori. “It is Neil’s special request. He’s obsessed with pooris lately. Won’t eat anything else.”

“Can’t blame him,” Ruhaan replied with a playful smirk. “I love pooris too. Maybe I’ll ask you to make some for me every morning.”

Naina rolled her eyes. “You wish. You should go join the others outside.”

Just as Ruhaan was about to tease her further, his expression shifted. “By the way, how’s Neil? Is he okay?”

She frowned, turning in the circle of his arms to look at him. “What do you mean? Had anything happened?”

He shrugged, trying to brush off the seriousness in his tone. “It’s nothing, really. I just wanted to check if he’s alright.”

Naina wasn’t convinced. She could read his face too well. “Ruhaan, you’re hiding something. Tell me what happened. You know I need to know if it involves Neil.”

Ruhaan sighed, running a hand through his hair before admitting, “Yesterday, Neil tried to cheer my mom up by giving her a cheek kiss. It was sweet, but she scolded him and told him to stay away from me. I handled it, though. I told her it wasn’t right, and it won’t happen again.”

Naina’s eyes flashed with anger. “What?” she snapped. “She scolded Neil? Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? Why didn’t he tell me?”

Ruhaan placed his hands on her shoulders, trying to calm her. “Relax, Naina. It’s over. I stood up for him. I won’t let anyone hurt him, not even my mother.”

But Naina wasn’t ready to let it go. She pushed him away, frustration building inside her. “I’m not going to stand by while your mother brings Neil into our issues. I know she’s always had a problem with him, but this is too much.”

“I get it, Naina.” Ruhaan reached for her again, pulling her close and trying to diffuse her anger. “Trust me, I’ve talked to her. It won’t happen again.”

She was still fuming. “It better not, Ruhaan. I’m not afraid to fight for Neil. And I will if I have to.”

“I’d love to see that,” he teased, pulling her even closer. “You and my mom arguing. It would make the best TV show. Highest TRP for sure.”

She clenched her jaw, irritated by his lightheartedness, and gave his chest a light punch. “You’re impossible.”

He caught her wrist, lifting her fingers to his lips and kissing them gently. “And you’re beautiful when you’re angry.”

Just then, they heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. Naina pushed him away, quickly turning back to the stove and focusing on Neil’s breakfast. He too grabbed a poori from the plate, just as her uncle Subodh entered the kitchen.

Subodh looked at the two of them, slightly taken aback to find Ruhaan standing so close to Naina.

Ruhaan, ever the smooth talker, flashed a grin and raised the poori. “Couldn’t resist, Uncle. Naina makes the best pooris. Hope you don’t mind me sneaking one.”

Subodh smiled but raised an eyebrow, clearly feeling the tension between them. “Of course not. But Ruhaan, don’t fill up on those. There’s a buffet outside.”

Ruhaan laughed lightly. “I know, I know. I’ll head out now.” He gave Naina one last glance before excusing himself.

As soon as Ruhaan left, Naina avoided her uncle’s gaze, nervously focusing on arranging the plate. She hoped her uncle hadn’t noticed anything amiss. She could feel the heat of a blush creeping up her neck as her uncle approached her.

“Naina,” he began softly, “I wanted to remind you that Raj will be arriving tomorrow for the event. You’ll need to meet with him.”