Page 90 of Strictly Solo

“Neil?” Rohit’s voice sharpened. “Did I just hear Neil’s voice? Ruhaan, where are you?”

Ruhaan hesitated but knew he couldn’t hide it anymore.

“I’m at Naina’s,” he confessed.

“What? How’s that possible? Who gave you her address?”

“Long story short... when you want something very badly and with your heart, no one can stop you from getting it.”

Rohit groaned. “This is not good, Ruhaan. I can’t believe you’re there with Naina. You shouldn’t be there. You could make things worse.”

“Don’t feel so hurt,” he replied, watching as Naina came out from the kitchen and cuddled up with Neil on the sofa, her gentle hands soothing her cranky son. “Even though I’m with her, she’s still the same... angry at me and not willing to give me a chance.”

The little boy leaned into her touch.

“I still feel you shouldn’t be there...”

“I’m exactly where I should be,” he replied keeping his eyes fixed on the touching scene before him.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You won’t understand. Give me a few days and you’ll know it all.”

“Ruhaan, stop being such a riddle all the time,” Rohit sighed. “You’re my friend and Naina is my family. If one of you gets hurt, it hurts all of us here. So please don’t do anything that will complicate relationships further. You know what I mean?”

“I know what you mean, Rohit. But this time no one is going to be hurt. Trust me.”

Promising to call later, Ruhaan ended the call shortly after and joined Naina and Neil on the sofa.

Neil perked up immediately.

“Ruhaan, Mom won’t let me go downstairs to play later. Tell her I’m feeling fine!”

Ruhaan chuckled, ruffling Neil’s hair. “That’s because she worries for you. But if you want to play, we will play. How about cricket?”

Neil’s eyes lit up with excitement, but Naina frowned. “No way. He’s still recovering. He needs rest.”

“Come on, Naina,” Ruhaan coaxed. “I’ll be with him the whole time. We’ll just play for a little while. He’s been longing for me to play cricket with him for a long time. Besides, playing and taking some fresh air will help him feel fresh and normal.”

Neil jumped in. “Please, Mom! Ruhaan will take care of me. I promise I won’t overdo it.”

Both Ruhaan and Neil turned their pleading gazes on her.

“Fine.” She sighed in exasperation. “One hour. That’s all. And then you’re coming straight back home. To me.”

“Of course,” Ruhaan grinned. “Where else would I go?”

Naina understood the innuendo behind his words. If he hadn’t been so rigid about his feelings towards commitment and marriage, she would have really fell for him again.

“Yes!” Neil cheered, throwing his arms around her before hurrying to his room to grab his cricket bat.

Naina purposely busied herself with her phone, scrolling aimlessly just to avoid looking at Ruhaan. She knew too well what happened whenever they were alone. One look, one word, and things would spiral…turning flirtatious, tender, or downright maddening. She couldn’t afford to let that happen again.

Ruhaan knew exactly what she was trying to do, and it only made him smile wider.

“It was Rohit’s call,” he said, breaking the silence.

Her head snapped up.