Page 93 of Strictly Solo

He entered the apartment with Neil, who was chattering animatedly about the cricket game as she held the door open for them.

“You should’ve seen them, Mom!” Neil exclaimed as he skipped inside. “Ruhaan bowled for me, and my friends said I was awesome! They all thought Ruhaan was so cool. And I played so well today! Did you see my batting?”

Naina chuckled as she knelt down to help Neil untie the pads strapped to his legs.

“Well, I’m glad you impressed everyone, Neil. But, I can’t say the same about Ruhaan.” She smirked, rising to face him. “I mean, considering whatIsaw from the balcony... Clean bowled by a kid? Really?”

Ruhaan rolled his eyes at her mockery, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

Her giggles filled the room, but they caught in her throat as Ruhaan suddenly caught her elbow, spinning her around to face him.

“Do you want to know why I got clean bowled?”

“I don’t need any of your excuses,” she managed to say through her lingering laughter.

He leaned closer.

“I wouldn’t mind telling Neil that I was distracted.By you,”he whispered. “Neil should know I was so lost in admiring his mother that I forgot to play my best shot.”

Giggles died in her throat.

“Don’t you dare tell him that,” she warned.

That’s when Ruhaan’s phone interrupted him. His mother’s name flashed on the screen. He knew he had to answer but he was also aware of the chaos that could follow if she heard Naina or Neil in the background.

Turning quickly to Neil, he crouched down to his level. “Neil, buddy, it’s my mom calling,” he said almost pleading. “I need you to stay quiet for a minute. Okay?”

Neil frowned. “Why? Can’t she know you’re with us?”

Ruhaan sighed giving him a weak smile making up a story that Neil could understand. “Well, champ. Just like your mom might not want you staying at a friend’s place without her knowing, my mom wouldn’t like me being here without telling her first.”

Neil nodded reluctantly, but Naina crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. She could see through Ruhaan’s excuses. Of course, he didn’t want his mother knowing he was with her and Neil. This, whatever it was between them, would always remain hidden in the shadows of his mother’s expectations.

And that thought stung.

“Come on, Neil,” she said. “That’s enough playtime for today. Let’s get you something to eat and then you need to rest.”

Neil protested at first, but Naina took his hand and guided him toward the kitchen, deliberately giving Ruhaan space to take his call.

Ruhaan watched them go, catching the hurt in Naina’s rigid posture. He wanted to explain that this wasn’t like before, that everything was different now, but his phone’s insistent ringing demanded attention. With a silent thank you to Naina’s retreating back, he finally answered on the last ring.

“Hello, Mother India.”

“Ruhaan! Where are you?” Kaushalya’s voice was sharp as if she suspected something. “I’ve been trying to reach you all day. What’s going on?”

He leaned against the wall, forcing a casual tone. “Nothing, Mom. I’ve just been… busy. Needed a break, so I took the weekend off.”

“Busy? You never take breaks. Are you at home?”

“Not exactly,” he hedged, rubbing the back of his neck. “I went out for a bit, you know, just to clear my head.”

“Out where?” she pressed.

“Nowhere special,” Ruhaan replied, trying to sound disinterested. “Just needed some time to myself. Everything’s fine. How are things there?” He tried to divert her and it worked.

“Nothing is fine here,” she exclaimed. “Can you believe Ryma’s in-laws? They actuallysupporther decision to divorce. I thought they would try to talk her out of it, put some sense into her, but no, they are on her side. What kind of family is this?”