Page 58 of Strictly Solo

“To your bed, where you should have been all night,” Ruhaan replied.

“I can walk on my own, you know. This isn’t necessary.”

He merely chuckled in response, pushing open the bedroom door with his foot. She was too tired to fight him, and a part of her didn’t want to. As they entered, he gestured towards the still-sleeping Neil with a nod of his head, silently reminding Naina to keep her voice down.

As he laid her down in the center of the bed, she expected him to leave, but to her surprise, he climbed in behind her, creating a perfect family tableau with Neil on one side and Ruhaan on the other, and pulling the blanket over them.

Ruhaan snuggled close, his breath warm against her neck as he placed a soft kiss on her hair.

“What are you doing?” she hissed softly, her heart racing as she felt his body press against hers behind. His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him. He buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent as if it calmed him.

“I love sleeping like this,” he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. “Next to you.”

Naina though overwhelmed by how natural this felt, she couldn’t let herself get carried away by this moment. Neil was right there, and the last thing she wanted was for him to wake up and find them like this.

“Ruhaan, you need to leave,” she whispered. “Neil could wake up, and it wouldn’t look right.”

“I don’t want to go,” he confessed, his voice thick with longing. “I want to stay here with you.”

She wanted nothing more than to believe him, to sink into this moment and never let it end. But the rational part of her brain screamed caution.

“Please,” she whispered, her voice more insistent this time. “You need to go.”

“Alright,” he conceded with reluctance, placing one last kiss on her hair before slowly extracting himself from the bed.

As he reached the door, he turned back one last time, and passed her a flying kiss before slipping out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Naina lay there for a few moments, her body still tingling from his touch. She knew that whatever was happening between her and Ruhaan was getting more complicated by the day. And as much as she wanted to give in to her feelings, she couldn’t shake the fear that it might hurt Neil in the end. Today was their last day in Delhi. Tomorrow, she and Neil would be flying back to Mumbai, back to their normal routine. Ruhaan would return to his life, and the intensity of these past few days would fade. Maybe then, things would become clearer. Maybe then, shecould distance herself from the feelings that were pulling her toward Ruhaan.

With these thoughts swirling in her mind, she closed her eyes once more, allowing herself to drift back into a light slumber.

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

Later that Morning…

Naina entered her uncle and aunt’s bedroom, her son Neil skipping alongside her. Today was a big day for the Kundra family—the 25th wedding anniversary of her beloved uncle and aunt, Subodh and Malti. Naina carried a small gift in her hand as she stepped inside.

“Happy anniversary, Uncle! Aunty!” she exclaimed, a warm smile lighting up her face as she approached them. Subodh and Malti beamed back at her, both seated on the bed, dressed in simple, traditional attire for the early morning blessings.

Neil darted forward, throwing his arms around both of them.

“Happy wedding anniversary, Nana and Nani!” He knelt to touch their feet, taking blessings like he had been taught to do.

Subodh laughed heartily, patting Neil’s head with affection. “Bless you, my boy. I loved your hair. These spikes suit you.”

“Ruhaan did those for me.” Neil happily replied.

All faces turned to Naina. Everyone in the room were hyper aware of the growing bond between Neil and Ruhaan.

Neil then turned to his mother, still curious, his bright eyes full of innocent wonder. “Mom, when isyourwedding anniversary?”

The question was innocent, but her smile faltered as she looked at her son. How could she explain to her young son that she had never been married, that there was no anniversary to celebrate?

Her mind raced, searching for the right words to soften the truth. Before she could speak, her uncle Subodh, sensing her discomfort, intervened with a gentle smile. He reached out andpulled Neil close, ruffling his hair affectionately. “That day will come soon, Neil. And when it does, you’ll be the first to wish your mother a happy anniversary, hmm?”

“Really? Promise?” Neil asked eagerly.

“Promise,” Subodh nodded.