Chapter 5
Naina returned to her room and locked the door. The taste of Ruhaan’s lips still lingered. She paced back and forth, her heart racing as she grappled with the consequences of her actions.
“How could I have let this happen?” she whispered to herself, running her fingers through her hair in frustration.
Seven years had passed since she last saw Ruhaan, seven years of carefully constructed walls and emotional barriers. Yet, in a single night, those defenses had crumbled like sand castles in the tide.
She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror; her cheeks still flushed from the encounter. She hardly recognized the woman staring back at her. Gone was the composed, self-assured professional she had become. In her place stood a woman consumed by desire.
“It was just a kiss,” she tried to reason with herself. But deep down, she knew it was so much more. Ruhaan had been her first kiss, and now, after all these years, he had rekindled a fire she thought long extinguished.
“This is insane,” Naina muttered, shaking her head. “I’m not that naive girl anymore. I’m a single mother who have built a life, a career. I can’t just throw it all away because of... because of what? A moment of weakness?”
But even as she spoke the words, doubt crept into her heart. The controlled life she had so carefully cultivated over the past seven years suddenly felt hollow, lacking the passion and excitement Ruhaan had brought rushing back with a single kiss.
Naina sank onto her bed, burying her face in her hands. “What am I going to do?” she wondered aloud.
Her mind drifted back to that fateful day seven years ago when her path first crossed with Ruhaan’s. The memory unfolded vividly before her, transporting her to a time of youthful innocence and newfound desires...
Seven years back
The Kundra household buzzed with nervous energy as the clock ticked closer to the arrival of the Singh family. Naina stood before her mirror, scrutinizing every detail of her appearance with a critical eye. The vibrant blue salwar kameez she wore felt foreign against her skin.
“I look like a clown, Suman,” Naina groaned, tugging at the fabric self-consciously.
Suman rolled her eyes playfully. “Don’t be an idiot,” she chided, giving Naina’s nose a gentle tap. “You look perfect. The Singhs won’t know what hit them when they see you.”
Her shoulders slumped as she turned away from her reflection. “I don’t understand why we’re doing this,” she protested. “I don’t want to marry so soon. I’ve just graduated, for heaven’s sake.”
“Who will explain that to Mom and Dad? You know Dad has strict rules of getting us all married before we hit 25.” Suman reminded.
“Exactly, and I am hardly 21. Who marries this early?”
“I agree to that but the Singhs are very close to them. Plus, Dad said Ruhaan is very handsome. He even has plans to go abroad and expand their family business. If you marry him, he’ll take you too.”
Naina’s eyes flashed with indignation. “Why do I need a man to take me abroad? I can go by my own money, thank you very much.”
“Urgh,” Suman groaned, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “Stop arguing. Let’s get you ready. They’ll be here any moment.”
As if on cue, the doorbell chimed, sending a jolt of panic through Naina’s body. Suman gave her a reassuring squeeze before ushering her out of the room.
As the Singhs entered the Kundra home, Naina’s eyes were immediately drawn to the young man trailing behind his parents.
Tall and impossibly handsome, Ruhaan Singh cut an impressive figure in his crisp black t-shirt and dark jeans.
His strong jawline and piercing eyes made Naina’s breath catch in her throat.
Subodh Kundra, Naina’s uncle, rose to make introductions. “This is Naina, my prettiest daughter,” he announced proudly. “After my friend, Naina’s father passed away, she stayed with us. I don’t see her any less than Suman.”
Naina felt a rush of warmth at Subodh’s words, momentarily distracting her from Ruhaan’s intense gaze. She busied herself serving coffee and freshly baked samosas, hyper-aware of Ruhaan’s eyes following her every move.
“She is indeed very beautiful,” Kaushalya Singh, Ruhaan’s mother, appraised her. “Come here, Naina. Sit next to me.”
Grateful for the reprieve from Ruhaan’s burning stare, Naina obediently took a seat beside Kaushalya. The older woman’s demeanor reminded Naina of the overbearing mothers-in-law she’d seen in television soaps, and she steeled herself for the interrogation to come.
Prem Singh, Ruhaan’s father, began with benign questions about Naina’s education and interests. Kaushalya, however, was quick to steer the conversation toward more domestic matters.
“Tell me, Naina,” Kaushalya pressed, her voice saccharine sweet, “do you know how to cook? A good wife must be able to manage a household efficiently.”
Naina resisted the urge to roll her eyes, instead forcing a polite smile. “Yes, Aunty. Malti aunty has taught me to cook. But though I enjoy cooking, I am still not very good at it.”
Kaushalya nodded, seemingly satisfied for the moment. As the adults continued their discussion, Suman caught Naina’s eye from across the room, giving her an exaggerated wink.
“So, Naina,” Suman piped up, a mischievous glint in her eye, “what do you think of Ruhaan? Isn’t he just dreamy?”
Naina felt her face flame red as Ruhaan choked on his coffee, clearly caught off guard by Suman’s brazen comment. Before she could formulate a response, his phone buzzed, breaking the awkward tension.
Ruhaan excused himself to take the call. Naina was relieved, but still oddly disappointed by his absence. As the evening progressed into dinner, Subodh asked her to fetch Ruhaan from outside.
She stepped out onto the veranda, spotting Ruhaan immediately, his tall figure silhouetted against the night sky as he stood admiring a vase of flowers.
Ruhaan turned at the sound of her approach, his eyes lighting up as they fell upon her. The way he looked at her made her feel simultaneously exposed and cherished.
“The dinner is served,” she managed to say, fiddling with the ends of her dupatta, desperately trying to hide the blush that crept up her neck.
He didn’t move or reply immediately. His intense gaze locked onto hers, and Naina found herself unable to look away.
Finally, Ruhaan broke the silence. “I’m not very hungry right now, are you?” he asked.
Naina blinked, caught off guard by his unexpected response. “No,” she whispered.
“Good, then why don’t we just... talk?”
Naina took an involuntary step backward, her eyes widening. “Talk?” she repeated.
“Yes, talk,” Ruhaan confirmed, exhaling softly. He took a step closer, closing the distance between them. “You don’t have any questions for me?”
Of course, she had questions – a thousand of them swirling in her head. But faced with Ruhaan’s intense presence, she found herself at a loss for words.
Sensing her hesitation, Ruhaan continued, “Okay, let me ask you some then.” He paused, waiting for her nod of agreement before proceeding. “I heard from your Uncle that you’ve applied for some jobs here in Delhi. So, after marriage, are you still interested in working?”
Naina was relieved at the seemingly safe topic. She straightened her shoulders. “I believe every woman should stand on their own feet. I really want to work.”
“Done,” Ruhaan replied instantly, his quick agreement catching Naina by surprise. “I like independent women.”
Instead of feeling proud or pleased, Naina felt a twinge of... something else. Her brows furrowed as she asked, “How many independent women have you liked so far?”
Ruhaan’s laughter rang out in the quiet night. Before she could react, he stepped forward, gently grasping her arms.
“Two so far,” he admitted, his touch sending sparks through Naina’s body.
She struggled to maintain her composure, turning her face slightly to hide her conflicting emotions.
“One, my mother, who has assisted Dad in his business so far, and second, my sister Ryma who stays in the UAE. She’s a leading architect there. Both are an inspiration to me.”
Her body relaxed at his words, the tension easing from her shoulders. But her reprieve was short-lived as Ruhaan leaned in close, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “I’m glad to add your name to the list, Naina Bhalla, if you agree to be my wife.”
His words sent a jolt through her entire being. Before she could process the emotions swirling within her, Ruhaan placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, just below her left ear. The tender gesture overwhelmed Naina, leaving her breathless.
For a moment, time stood still. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure Ruhaan could hear it. Yet, without a word, she pulled away from Ruhaan’s embrace and ran back into the house.
He watched her go, before taking a moment to compose himself and then followed her inside.
As they rejoined their families for dinner, Naina was acutely aware of his presence across the table. She struggled to focus on her meal, her eyes repeatedly drawn to him despite her best efforts. Each time their gazes met, she felt a rush of heat flood her body.
Ruhaan, for his part, seemed entirely at ease. He engaged in polite conversation with both families, all the while stealing glances at her. His subtle looks and knowing smiles only served to intensify the butterflies in her stomach.
The memory of Ruhaan’s touch, his whispered words, and that electrifying kiss on her cheek played on repeat in her head.
As the evening drew to a close, she realized that in the span of a few short hours, her entire world had shifted.
The prospect of an arranged marriage, which had seemed so daunting earlier that day, now held a new allure.
Ruhaan Singh was unlike anyone she had ever met, and the thought of a future with him thrilled her.
When the Singh family finally prepared to leave, Ruhaan sought out Naina one last time. Under the watchful eyes of their parents, he took her hand in his, his touch sending a shiver through her.