Page 87 of Strictly Solo

She turned away, shoulders sagging as she released a heavy sigh. “I should be grateful for everything you did today – taking Neil to the hospital when I wasn’t there, staying with him, feeding him. I am thankful, Ruhaan. I shouldn’t be dragging our past into this, not now. It’s just... Neil’s condition has me so stressed.”

Ruhaan took a step closer. “It’s okay, I understand. You’re stressed out. Just relax.” His voice softened further. “If you don’t want me to stay tonight, I’ll leave. But I’ve promised Neil. I’ll come back before he wakes up tomorrow morning if that’s what it takes. The last thing I want is to give you more stress.”

His understanding struck her deeply.

Finally, she relented. “I’ll show you the guest room. But let’s have dinner first.”

His lips curved into a small grin, but before he could say anything, she quickly added, “And don’t get too happy about this. I’m only doing this for Neil. He matters more to me than anything else, and since you matter to him, I’m tolerating this. Nothing more, nothing less.”

He bit back a laugh, nodding solemnly. “Understood. Just for Neil.”

They ate dinner in silence, until he broke it first with a small chuckle. “You know, you’re one of the best cooks I’ve met. After my mom, of course.”

She didn’t respond, her thoughts were too clouded to engage in light banter. But when he added, “Seriously, Naina, you could open a restaurant,” she couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto her lips.

“Thanks.”

As they cleared the dishes, Naina remembered something she’d been meaning to ask.

“How’s Ryma? And your mother? Did they reach Chandigarh safely?”

“Yeah, they reached. Mom didn’t want Ryma to handle it alone. She’s hoping the in-laws can convince Ryma to stay, but…” He shook his head. “I don’t think it’ll work. Ryma’s made up her mind, and honestly? I think it’s for the best. She’s finally taking the right step, leaving a marriage where she didn’t feel loved anymore.”

Naina’s heart clenched, knowing this would only reinforce Ruhaan’s resistance to marriage commitments, but she kept her face neutral as she continued to focus on drying the dishes instead. Ruhaan noticed her shift in mood too and he once again attempted to lighten her mood.

“You know, they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I think the way to a single mom’s heart is through her son.”

Naina frowned at him. “Ruhaan, please.”

He raised his hands in surrender. “I’m just saying. Lighten up, Naina. It’s been a tough day. I was trying to make you smile.”

“Well, don’t,” she snapped. “I don’t need your witty one-liners right now.”

She led him to the guest room, flicking on the lights. “This is where you’ll stay. Make yourself comfortable.”

Ruhaan surveyed the room before turning to her with a playful expression.

“But what will I wear to sleep? If I’d known I was staying, I would have brought clothes from home.” His lips curved into a mischievous smile. “I can’t even borrow your clothes. They wouldn’t fit.”

Naina blinked, caught off guard by his teasing. “Ruhaan—”

“Wait,” he interrupted, mock serious. “I guess I’ll have to go shirtless tonight, maybe even lose these tight pants. You don’t mind, do you? I remember how much you used to love my shirtless body.”

Naina rolled her eyes at his flirtatious banter. “Not anymore. And you better behave yourself if you want to stay here. I’m only tolerating you for Neil’s sake. Don’t think your flirting will lead us back into our... situationship.”

He stepped closer.

“What we had wasn’t just a casual situationship, Naina. We weren’t using each other,” he said seriously. “You know that as well as I do. There were feelings. Therearefeelings.”

“I don’t have those feelings anymore,” she declared. “I threw them in the trash the moment I left Delhi. The sooner you remember that, the better for all of us. Once Neil is better, I’m blocking your number again and cutting all ties.”

Instead of backing away, Ruhaan moved closer, effectively pinning her against the guest room door. His fingers brushed her hair away from her forehead, trailing down to stroke her cheek.

“You can block my number, but I know where you live now, Naina. You can’t block me from coming here, from trying to win you over.”

Their faces were inches apart, his breath warm against her skin. Their eyes locked again, the air between them charged with electricity. For a moment, Naina felt herself melting into histouch, but then she shoved him back, breaking the moment and leaving the room.

“Goodnight,” he called after her but she didn’t respond.