Chapter 9
Pacing back and forth, his impatience grew. He had noticed her quick glance in his direction, the playful smile on her face making it clear she was enjoying keeping him waiting. Just as he was about to make his move, Suman appeared and whisked Naina away into the villa.
As Naina turned to leave, she again cast a fleeting glance in Ruhaan’s direction.
She was thoroughly enjoying keeping him in suspense.
Ruhaan sighed in frustration but couldn’t help but smile at her teasing.
As he stood there contemplating his next move, he felt a small pat on his waist. He looked down to find Neil standing there with his arms crossed, and there was a suspicious expression on his face too.
He smiled at the boy’s serious expression.
“Hi there, little man,” he said, trying to sound casual.
Neil’s eyes narrowed as he asked, “Why were you looking at my Mom?”
He was caught off guard by the boy’s perceptiveness.
“You saw me looking at your mom, but did you see her smiling back at me?” he asked with a hint of mischief in his voice.
Neil nodded solemnly, “You are smart.”
Ruhaan chuckled, ruffling Neil’s hair affectionately. “Not as smart as you, champ. Can you do me a favor again?”
Neil put on a thoughtful expression, considering Ruhaan’s request. “This time I won’t do it for free.”
Ruhaan couldn’t contain his laughter. He pulled Neil closer, “Anything you want, buddy.”
Neil leaned back, squinting up at Ruhaan with an inquisitive look. “First tell me what favor you want.”
He knelt down to Neil’s level. “The same as last time. I want to meet your mom. Alone.”
Neil’s eyes narrowed once more as he considered the request. “Don’t you think you want to meet my mom a lot these days?” he asked with suspicion.
Ruhaan felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. “I... I want to become her friend,” he stammered, trying to sound convincing.
“Friend?” Neil repeated, eyeing him from head to toe. “That’s fine, but if you want to be more than my Mom’s friend, then you need to pass the test first.”
His eyes widened in surprise and nervousness. “What test?”
Neil shrugged nonchalantly. “Why are you bothered? You just want to be her friend, right?”
Ruhaan was marveled at the brilliance of this young boy. He wondered if all kids of this generation were as sharp and perceptive as Neil.
After a moment of deliberation, Neil finally agreed to help Ruhaan meet Naina. “Alright. Wait at the pool area. I will bring Mom there,” he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Relieved and grateful, Ruhaan thanked Neil, giving him a high-five before rushing off to the designated meeting spot.
***************
Naina was engrossed in conversation with Suman and her aunt Malti when Neil tugged at her arm.
“Mom, come with me,” Neil insisted, attempting to drag her away.
Naina gently resisted, kneeling down to her son’s level. “Neil? I’m talking to them, baby. It’s not good manners to drag me away like that. You should ask first.”
Neil’s lip jutted out in a pout before he quickly replaced it with a sweet smile. “Mom, please can you come with me?” he asked, his voice dripping with charm.
She couldn’t help but smile at her son’s quick adaptation and excused herself from Suman and Malti, agreeing to go with Neil. However, as they reached the halfway point, Naina realized they were heading towards the poolside. She stopped, her suspicion growing.
“Where are you taking me, Neil?” she asked, her eyebrow raised.
“To the poolside.”
Naina’s suspicion deepened. “Why the poolside?”
Neil sighed dramatically. “You ask too many questions, Mom.”
Naina crossed her arms. “Well, until you tell me, I’m not going to come along.”
Realizing he was at an impasse, Neil finally confessed.
“Ruhaan asked me to bring you to the poolside again.”
Understanding dawned on Naina. Ruhaan wanted to know her reply to his proposal. A mischievous smile played on her lips as she decided to play along. This was turning out to be quite fun.
****************
Meanwhile, at the poolside, Ruhaan paced back and forth, his anxiety mounting with each passing second. What if Naina’s reply was a ‘no’? The mere thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. He was surprised by the intensity of his feelings, given how recently they had reconnected.
Lost in his thoughts, he was startled by the sound of a throat clearing. He turned to find Neil standing there, arms crossed and a serious expression on his face. Ruhaan’s heart sank when he realized Naina wasn’t with him.
“Neil, where’s your mom? Why didn’t you bring her?” he asked, trying to mask his disappointment.
Neil shrugged nonchalantly. “I went to Mom, but she didn’t want to come.”
Ruhaan’s face fell, but before he could respond, Neil continued, “Now, as promised, you’re going to give me an ice cream.”
“But you didn’t fulfill your part of bringing Naina here. How can you ask for ice cream?”
“But I put in my efforts,” Neil countered.
Ruhaan was speechless.
Neil began to turn away, feigning disappointment. “Fine, don’t give me ice cream. But next time, don’t ask me for more favors.”
Ruhaan admired the boy’s negotiation skills. He reached out and playfully tickled Neil’s stomach.
“You’re such a smart boy already. And so good at convincing and manipulating people, you’re for sure going to be a good businessman when you grow up.”
Neil’s laughter echoed around the pool area as he tried to escape Ruhaan’s tickles.
“Like you?” he asked, between giggles.
Ruhaan paused, surprised by the question. Neil continued, “I heard you’re a businessman and a good one. Your mom was praising you to other aunties. I want to become like you, Ruhaan, when I grow up. Will you teach me?”
Ruhaan was speechless once more, but this time it was a different emotion running through him…a feeling of wanting to guide Neil, to be there for him as a mentor and maybe even more. He pulled Neil into a hug, kissing the top of his head.
“I’ll teach you how to become a good, successful man. I promise.”.
Neil hugged him back tightly. Ruhaan himself was surprised at the depth of feeling he had for this child, when he had known him only for such a short time. There was a magical connection between them that he couldn’t ignore.
Naina watched this entire interaction from a distance.
She had planned to sneak up on them but was completely entranced by the genuine affection between Ruhaan and Neil.
It warmed her to see Neil so happy, so naturally connected to Ruhaan.
Probably whatever she had decided about Ruhaan’s proposal last night was not a very bad decision. But he would have to wait.
****************
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, and although Ruhaan and Naina were often around each other, they didn’t find a moment to be alone.
He decided to show some restraint, masking his desperation to know her decision.
Instead of waiting for her, he took on the responsibility of supervising the lighting decorations in the garden area alone.
By the time the sun set, the lights were fixed and glowing beautifully, setting the stage for the Mehndi celebration in the villa’s garden.
Women gathered, applying Mehndi designs on each other’s hands while the men congregated at another corner of the house, enjoying drinks and snacks. The air was filled with the scent of henna and the sound of laughter everywhere.
As Ruhaan stood at the backside of the garden lawn, a little secluded from the others, checking the lights, he heard her voice from behind him.
“You did a fabulous job with the lights,” Naina said.
He turned around, surprised but pleased to see her.
She was wearing a pink lehenga choli, her hair left loose over her shoulders, with a few strands playfully covering her forehead.
The minimal jewelry she wore added to her elegance, and her bangles tinkled softly as she adjusted her dupatta draped over one shoulder.
Ruhaan was mesmerized. He put the garland of lights he was checking aside and reached her in two steps. “I knew you would come.”
She didn’t reply immediately. But Ruhaan continued, “What is it with women that when given attention they ignore, and when not given attention, they come willingly?”
She frowned.
“I came here only to check the lights. I had promised to help you, but I got busy with Malti Aunty and Suman. I couldn’t check on the decorations earlier, and I just wanted to see how you managed alone.”
Before she could continue, Ruhaan wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her close, their bodies almost touching. “You look cute when you lie,” he said with a playful grin.
She tried hard not to blush.
“What have you decided about us?” he finally asked in desperation.
“What about us?”
His patience was already wearing thin. “Remember, I kissed your cheek last night to help you think about my proposal?”
“You mean a proposal for a fling?” Naina teased.
Ruhaan felt a slight sting at her words because that was precisely what he had offered—a fling, nothing more. But he couldn’t let her define it so simply.
Before he could respond, Naina continued, “You think a woman like me would ever want that?”
“No, you wouldn’t want that ever with anyone, Naina. I know,” Ruhaan replied quickly before pulling her further closer. “But I also know that I mean something to you, and you feel safe with me. You always have. So, now I am asking you again, what have you decided about my proposal?”
Naina still didn’t reply.
“Don’t test my patience, Naina. I’m dying here...”
“Dying here for what?” she gasped.
He leaned in, his face mere inches from hers. “Dying to kiss you... properly... unlike the last time.”
Just as the words left his lips, the garden was plunged into darkness. The lights had went off, causing a ripple of concern among the guests. They could hear voices from afar, urging someone to check the power.
Naina froze.
“I’m scared of the dark,” she confessed, her fingers clutching at Ruhaan’s sherwani instinctively.