Page 56 of Strictly Solo

“Oh, thank God! I thought I’d lost them forever,” Kaushalya sighed, taking the box from him. “I’m so tired of this. It saddens me that I keep forgetting where I put things, and you have to stop whatever you’re doing to help me look.”

Ruhaan chuckled as he zipped the trolley bag and placed it back in the closet. “That’s because I’ve got a mental map of all your secret hiding spots now. One of the many perks of being your son,” he teased.

She laughed softly but then became quiet, looking at him with affection and a touch of sadness. “You shouldn’t have to do this for me, Ruhaan. You’ve got so much already to think about. I wish you would settle down, find someone who could help you take care of things around here.”

Ruhaan paused, his thoughts briefly shifting to the date he had planned with Naina on the terrace that night. But now, standing in his mother’s room and hearing her words, he sighedinwardly. He sat down next to her, already sensing where the conversation was headed.

“It’s no trouble, Ma. And don’t tell me you want me to get married so my wife can help you find your misplaced stuff all the time?”

“No, beta. Not just that.” She reached out to hold his hand. “It’s not just about that. It’s about you. I want to see you happy, Ruhaan. I want to see you with someone who can share your life, and yes, even help with these small things.”

He groaned softly.

“What do you think about Poonam?” she asked, her eyes bright with hope.

He ran a hand through his hair. “Ma, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m not ready for marriage yet.”

“You need to stop being so adamant, Ruhaan,” she chided. “I’ve been after you to marry for years now. Is it so wrong for a mother to want to see her grandchildren?”

Just as Ruhaan opened his mouth to respond, a soft knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Both turned to see Neil standing in the doorway, his small fist rubbing sleepily at his eyes. The boy’s gaze moved from Kaushalya to Ruhaan.

“Have you seen my Mumma?” Neil asked, his voice heavy with fatigue.

Ruhaan’s expression softened immediately, all thoughts of his mother’s marriage plans evaporating as he rose and crossed the room towards Neil. “I haven’t seen her, buddy,” he said gently. “Why are you looking for her?”

“I’m sleepy,” he mumbled, leaning slightly against the doorframe.

Understanding dawned on Ruhaan. Neil wanted Naina to put him to sleep.

“Let me help you find her,” he offered, then paused, a grin spreading across his face. “Or... I could put you to sleep instead. What do you think?”

Neil’s eyes widened, suddenly more alert at this unexpected offer. “Really? You’ll put me to sleep?” he asked, excitement replacing his earlier drowsiness. “Will you read bedtime stories to me?”

Ruhaan blinked, caught off guard by the question. “I agreed to put you to sleep. Where did bedtime stories come from?”

“That’s how I fall asleep,” he explained patiently. “Mom reads me stories at night.”

The hopeful look in Neil’s eyes made it impossible for Ruhaan to back out now. With a chuckle, he nodded. “Alright then, bedtime stories it is.”

Kaushalya, who had been quietly watching the interaction, observed the growing bond between the two with curiosity. It was beyond her understanding how attached Ruhaan had become to the child, but she remained silent.

Neil’s small hand reached out to grasp Ruhaan’s larger one and he began tugging insistently, eager to start their impromptu Storytime. Ruhaan turned briefly to bid his mother goodnight and left the room.

As they walked down the hall toward Neil’s room, Ruhaan too realized how naturally this role seemed to come to him. There was something about Neil, something that made him want to be there for him, to protect him and care for him as if he were his own.

When they reached Neil’s room, the boy climbed into bed eagerly, his eyes shining with anticipation. Ruhaan sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the bookshelf filled with children’s books.

“So, which one’s your favorite?” Ruhaan asked, gesturing to the books.

Neil pointed to one at the very top shelf. “That one! Mom always reads that one to me.”

Ruhaan grabbed the book and sat back down, opening it with a sense of unfamiliarity. “Alright, let’s see what we’ve got here.”

Neil climbed under the covers, as Ruhaan began reading the book for him.

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

A while later