Chapter 10 #2
Neil grinned. “I just sneaked into Team Bride’s dance practice, and they were fabulous! Especially my mom. She can dance so well. Whichever team she’s on has to win. We don’t stand a chance.”
Ruhaan grinned, not even slightly nervous about losing. He didn’t care about winning because he wanted Naina’s team to take the prize. The thought of seeing her happy and victorious made him smile.
Rohit walked over and patted Ruhaan’s shoulder. “Since when did you start rooting for Team Bride, Ruhaan? Where’s your sportsmanship?”
Neil dashed away to join his friends as Ruhaan chuckled. “Is Naina that good?”
Rohit nodded. “She’s the best. You’ll see for yourself tonight.”
“I can’t wait.”
Rohit’s brows furrowed. “What’s going on with you, Ruhaan? You seem smitten by Naina. Is something happening?”
Ruhaan didn’t want to confirm anything, especially not to Naina’s brother-in-law, but he couldn’t deny the truth to himself. Thankfully, his mother approached with Poonam, saving him from further questions.
“Ruhaan,” Kaushalya said, “Poonam mentioned she still needs more practice with you, but you’ve been hard to pin down.”
Poonam, his dance partner for the final song from Team Groom, gave him a hopeful look. They had practiced a bit yesterday, but Poonam had been clingy, making it uncomfortable for Ruhaan.
“Poonam and I have practiced enough, Mom. And I was about to get dressed and go with Rohit to check on the sweets.”
Kaushalya shook her head, dismissing his excuse. “Rohit and I can handle that. You focus on your practice.”
With no way out, Ruhaan reluctantly agreed. He and Poonam resumed their practice in the back lawn, moving through the steps. However, his attention wavered when he spotted Naina crossing the yard.
She wore a stunning ivory lehenga choli, the fabric clinging elegantly to her curves. She was hurriedly putting on earrings as she walked, clearly running late. His heart fluttered at the sight of her, completely distracted by her presence.
He was so lost in admiring her that he missed his cue to catch Poonam during a spin. She stumbled, landing awkwardly and twisting her ankle. Her sharp cry of pain snapped him back to reality. Naina too heard the commotion and rushed over.
Poonam winced dramatically, though it was clear she wasn’t seriously hurt.
“I’m so sorry, Poonam,” Ruhaan said apologetically. “Are you okay?”
“I can’t walk! You’ll have to carry me to my room, Ruhaan.”
Ruhaan and Naina exchanged a glance. Naina’s eyes narrowed with jealousy, knowing Poonam was exaggerating. Despite this, Ruhaan agreed to carry Poonam, much to Naina’s chagrin.
Just as Ruhaan bent to pick Poonam up, he suddenly grimaced, pretending to strain his back. “Ouch! My back!” he groaned, clutching his side.
Naina rushed to his side this time, concern etched on her face. “What happened?”
Ruhaan gave Poonam an apologetic look. “I’m afraid I can’t carry you. My back’s acting up.”
Poonam glared at him, realizing he was faking it too. Two of their cousins approached right on time. Ruhaan quickly asked them to help Poonam to her room. They obliged, escorting her away.
As soon as they all left, Ruhaan seized the opportunity. He cornered Naina behind a pillar, pinning her gently against it as he leaned in.
“You were jealous, weren’t you?” he teased. “At the thought of me carrying Poonam.”
Naina huffed. “You read it wrong. I wasn’t jealous.”
“I can read you even with my eyes closed, Naina.”
Saying that he kissed her cheek, leaving Naina breathless. She felt her defenses already crumble as he pulled back.
“I want to take you for a late-night drive tonight,” he said.
“That’s impossible. I have to put Neil to sleep.”
“The kids are having a sleepover tonight in the playroom. Rohit and Suman planned a movie marathon for them.”
Caught off guard by the unexpected arrangement, Naina stammered, unsure what to say.
“C’mon, Naina,” Ruhaan coaxed. “Please don’t deny me this.”
Naina bit her lip, pretending to consider his request. “I’ll think about it. Besides, right now you should focus on finding a new dance partner, now that Poonam’s out.”
Ruhaan chuckled. “I’ve got plenty of options. Don’t worry about me.”
He kissed her other cheek, before winking and leaving to prepare for the evening.
****************
Sangeet Night
The sangeet event was in full swing. Team Bride and Team Groom were locked in a friendly but fierce dance competition, each side determined to outshine the other. As the latest performance came to an end, the crowd erupted in applause, and Rohit, acting as the impromptu host, took center stage.
“Wow! What a performance!” Rohit exclaimed, his voice booming through the microphone.
“I think we can all agree that both teams are bringing their A-game tonight. But folks, we’re not done yet.
Up next, we have a special treat from Team Groom.
Please welcome to the stage, the charming Ruhaan and the lovely Poonam! ”
The audience clapped enthusiastically, but as the seconds ticked by, no one appeared on the dance floor. Rohit’s smile faltered slightly as he scanned the room.
“Uh, Ruhaan and Poonam?” he called out again.
From her seat among the guests, Naina wondered if this performance was happening tonight or not. She knew about Poonam’s “injury” earlier, but surely Team Groom had a backup plan. Didn’t they?
Suddenly, Kaushalya’s voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd. “Oh, for heaven’s sake! Where is that boy?”
As if on cue, Ruhaan emerged from the back, looking slightly disheveled and out of breath. He whispered something to Rohit, who nodded and turned back to the audience with a forced grin.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it seems we have a slight change of plans,” Rohit announced. “Due to an unforeseen... ankle situation, Poonam won’t be able to join us for this performance. But fear not! Ruhaan assures me he has a solution. Ruhaan, care to enlighten us?”
Ruhaan took the microphone, his eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on Naina.
“Well, as they say, the show must go on. And since I’m short of a dance partner, I thought I’d make this interesting. How about we have a volunteer from Team Bride join me?”
The audience oohed and aahed, clearly intrigued by this unexpected turn of events. Naina felt her heart rate quicken as Ruhaan’s gaze remained fixed on her.
“Any takers?” Ruhaan asked playfully. When no one immediately volunteered, he added, “Come on, Team Bride. Are you afraid to take on the challenge?”
That was when Neil, caught up in the excitement, jumped up and shouted, “My mom! My mom dances the best!”
Naina felt the blood drain from her face as all eyes turned to her. She shot a glare at Ruhaan, who was grinning from ear to ear. This was definitely his doing. He must have planned this all with Neil to take up her name.
“Well, well,” Ruhaan said, his voice dripping with amusement. “It seems we have a volunteer. Naina, would you do me the honor?”
Trapped by her son’s enthusiasm and the expectant looks of the guests, Naina reluctantly stood up. As she made her way to the dance floor, she hissed at Ruhaan, “I’m going to kill you for this.”
He just winked and whispered back, “Looking forward to it.”
As the music started, she realized with horror that she didn’t know the choreography. Ruhaan sensed her panic and leaned in close. “Just follow my lead.”
What followed was a hilarious and somewhat chaotic dance routine.
Ruhaan tried his best to guide Naina through the steps, but Naina’s nervousness of not knowing the steps that he and Poonam had practiced led to several near-collisions and stepped-on toes.
At one point, Ruhaan attempted to twirl Naina, only for her to spin in the wrong direction and crash into his chest.
The audience was in stitches, with even Kaushalya unable to contain her laughter. Neil was jumping up and down, cheering for his mother despite (or perhaps because of) the comical performance.
As the dance progressed, however, something began to change.
Naina, despite the absurdity of the situation, started to relax and enjoy herself.
Even Ruhaan, in turn, adjusted his movements to complement hers better.
Slowly but surely, their awkward fumbling transformed into a more fluid and improvised dance.
By the time the music reached its crescendo, Ruhaan and Naina were moving in perfect sync, their bodies in harmony as if they had rehearsed for weeks. The laughter from the audience had died down, replaced by awed silence as they watched the pair glide across the floor.
As the final tunes played, Ruhaan dipped Naina low, their faces inches apart, both breathing heavily. For a moment, the world around them seemed to disappear. It was just the two of them, lost in each other’s eyes.
The spell was broken by the thunderous applause that erupted from the crowd. Ruhaan helped Naina back to her feet, both of them slightly dazed.
Rohit, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, came back to the microphone. “Well, folks, I think we can all agree that was... something! Let’s hear it one more time for Ruhaan and Naina!”
Everyone cheered for them again as the two made their way off the dance floor. Poonam glared at them, a bit annoyed.
Before she could approach them, Neil came bounding up, throwing his arms around his mother. “Mom, you were amazing! And funny! Can you teach me to dance like that?”
Ruhaan ruffled Neil’s hair, grinning. “I think your mom might need a bit more practice before she starts teaching, champ.”
Naina elbowed him playfully, then turned to Neil. “Maybe we can all practice together sometime, sweetheart.”
Their eyes met again for a fleeting moment until Kaushalya came there and dragged Ruhaan on the pretext of wanting to talk something to him.
Naina could only stare at his retreating back knowing one thing well.
Whatever she and Ruhaan had between them was on thing.
But his mother was never going to like seeing them together, no matter what.