Chapter 16
Next Morning
Ruhaan woke up to the sensation of something warm and soft pressed against him.
Blinking his eyes open, he looked down and saw Neil’s small body clung to his side, still deep in sleep.
For a moment, he was confused, not quite remembering how he had ended up in this situation.
But then, it slowly came back to him—the bedtime story.
He had come to Neil’s room, read him a story, and somehow dozed off with the little boy curled up next to him.
He carefully disentangled himself from Neil, making sure not to wake him, wondering where Naina had spent the night.
Without wasting another second, quietly, he slipped out of the room, his bare feet padding softly on the cool floor.
The house was eerily quiet in the early morning light, everyone still deep in slumber after the long day of celebrations.
He moved through the house, searching for Naina.
He finally saw her curled up on the couch in the living room, her body twisted awkwardly to fit the small space.
Even in her sleep, she looked exhausted, as if she hadn’t been able to rest properly.
A lock of her hair had fallen across her face.
Slowly, he walked over to her, crouching beside the couch and gently brushed the strand of hair away from her face, letting his fingers linger on her soft skin for just a moment. She was still fast asleep. Unable to resist, he leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.
Concerned about the discomfort she must be feeling from a night on the couch, Ruhaan made a split-second decision. With utmost care, he slid one arm under her knees and the other behind her back, lifting her into his arms.
The sudden movement stirred Naina from her sleep. Her eyes flew open, confusion quickly replaced by surprise as she realized her position. She began to wriggle in his arms.
“Ruhaan, what are you doing?” she whispered, wriggling slightly in his hold. “Put me down. Someone might see us.”
“Hush,” he whispered back. “No one’s awake yet.”
She squirmed in his arms, but he held her close, carrying her down the hallway. “Where are you taking me?” she asked, her eyes darting around nervously.
“To your bed, where you should have been all night,” Ruhaan replied.
“I can walk on my own, you know. This isn’t necessary.”
He merely chuckled in response, pushing open the bedroom door with his foot. She was too tired to fight him, and a part of her didn’t want to. As they entered, he gestured towards the still-sleeping Neil with a nod of his head, silently reminding Naina to keep her voice down.
As he laid her down in the center of the bed, she expected him to leave, but to her surprise, he climbed in behind her, creating a perfect family tableau with Neil on one side and Ruhaan on the other, and pulling the blanket over them.
Ruhaan snuggled close, his breath warm against her neck as he placed a soft kiss on her hair.
“What are you doing?” she hissed softly, her heart racing as she felt his body press against hers behind. His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him. He buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent as if it calmed him.
“I love sleeping like this,” he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. “Next to you.”
Naina though overwhelmed by how natural this felt, she couldn’t let herself get carried away by this moment. Neil was right there, and the last thing she wanted was for him to wake up and find them like this.
“Ruhaan, you need to leave,” she whispered. “Neil could wake up, and it wouldn’t look right.”
“I don’t want to go,” he confessed, his voice thick with longing. “I want to stay here with you.”
She wanted nothing more than to believe him, to sink into this moment and never let it end. But the rational part of her brain screamed caution.
“Please,” she whispered, her voice more insistent this time. “You need to go.”
“Alright,” he conceded with reluctance, placing one last kiss on her hair before slowly extracting himself from the bed.
As he reached the door, he turned back one last time, and passed her a flying kiss before slipping out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Naina lay there for a few moments, her body still tingling from his touch.
She knew that whatever was happening between her and Ruhaan was getting more complicated by the day.
And as much as she wanted to give in to her feelings, she couldn’t shake the fear that it might hurt Neil in the end.
Today was their last day in Delhi. Tomorrow, she and Neil would be flying back to Mumbai, back to their normal routine.
Ruhaan would return to his life, and the intensity of these past few days would fade.
Maybe then, things would become clearer.
Maybe then, she could distance herself from the feelings that were pulling her toward Ruhaan.
With these thoughts swirling in her mind, she closed her eyes once more, allowing herself to drift back into a light slumber.
****************
Later that Morning…
Naina entered her uncle and aunt’s bedroom, her son Neil skipping alongside her. Today was a big day for the Kundra family—the 25th wedding anniversary of her beloved uncle and aunt, Subodh and Malti. Naina carried a small gift in her hand as she stepped inside.
“Happy anniversary, Uncle! Aunty!” she exclaimed, a warm smile lighting up her face as she approached them. Subodh and Malti beamed back at her, both seated on the bed, dressed in simple, traditional attire for the early morning blessings.
Neil darted forward, throwing his arms around both of them.
“Happy wedding anniversary, Nana and Nani!” He knelt to touch their feet, taking blessings like he had been taught to do.
Subodh laughed heartily, patting Neil’s head with affection. “Bless you, my boy. I loved your hair. These spikes suit you.”
“Ruhaan did those for me.” Neil happily replied.
All faces turned to Naina. Everyone in the room were hyper aware of the growing bond between Neil and Ruhaan.
Neil then turned to his mother, still curious, his bright eyes full of innocent wonder. “Mom, when is your wedding anniversary?”
The question was innocent, but her smile faltered as she looked at her son. How could she explain to her young son that she had never been married, that there was no anniversary to celebrate?
Her mind raced, searching for the right words to soften the truth.
Before she could speak, her uncle Subodh, sensing her discomfort, intervened with a gentle smile.
He reached out and pulled Neil close, ruffling his hair affectionately.
“That day will come soon, Neil. And when it does, you’ll be the first to wish your mother a happy anniversary, hmm? ”
“Really? Promise?” Neil asked eagerly.
“Promise,” Subodh nodded.
Satisfied, Neil grinned and raced out of the room, eager to join the other kids outside for the day’s festivities.
As the sound of Neil’s footsteps faded, Naina’s aunt turned to her with a knowing look.
“You okay?” Malti asked gently, her eyes full of concern. She had always been more like a mother than an aunt to Naina.
Naina exhaled softly, as she glanced at her uncle, grateful for how he had handled the situation and forced a smile. “Yes, Aunty, I’m fine. Thank you for handling it.”
Subodh cleared his throat softly, as if trying to dispel the remaining tension.
“Speaking of which,” he began, “Raj is coming today. Are you ready to meet him?”
“Yes,” she said reluctantly.
Subodh and Malti exchanged a brief glance, knowing it wasn’t easy for her, especially after everything she had been through in the past.
“I’m sure it’ll go well,” Malti offered gently, reaching out to squeeze Naina’s hand. “No pressure, just see how it feels.”
Naina nodded and smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Oh, before I forget,” she said, pulling out a small golden Ganesha idol from her purse. It was intricately crafted, a symbol of auspicious beginnings and good fortune. “This is for you both. I thought it would be a perfect gift for today.”
Malti’s eyes lit up with joy as she took the idol from Naina’s hands. “It’s beautiful, Naina. Thank you so much.”
Subodh, too, smiled, admiring the gift. “This is truly special, beta. We’ll treasure it always.”
“I’m so glad you like it,” Naina said softly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should start getting ready. We can’t keep the pandit waiting for the ceremony! The mahurat is coming up, and I can’t wait to see you both take your vows again.”
“We neither.” Subodh chuckled.
Malti blushed hitting her husband lightly on his arm before Naina hugged them both and left the room.
**************
Ruhaan stepped out of his room, adjusting the collar of his traditional sherwani. As he made his way down the hallway, Rohit approached him.
“Ruhaan, thank God I found you here,” Rohit said, handing him a small, ornate brooch. “Can you take this and give it to my father-in-law? He needs to wear it before the rituals start.”
Ruhaan was confused by the request, yet he took the brooch. “Why can’t you give it to him yourself?”
Rohit ran a hand through his hair, glancing down the hallway. “I would, but I have to go downstairs and welcome Raj. His car just pulled up outside.”
The mention of Raj’s name was like a punch to Ruhaan’s gut. His muscles tensed, and his grip on the brooch tightened instinctively.
“You know he’s the special guest today, don’t you?” Rohit added.
Ruhaan knew all too well why Raj was considered a ‘special guest’ - he was the suitor chosen for Naina. His Naina.
“His car just pulled up at the venue. So, I really need to dash. You’ll take care of the brooch, right?”
Before Ruhaan could respond, Rohit was already halfway down the stairs, leaving him standing there, brooch in hand, with the name Raj echoing in his mind.
Special guest.
Match
Naina.
Anger bubbled within him. The thought of Naina being paired with anyone else, let alone a suitor handpicked by her uncle, made his blood boil. Why?
‘She’s mine,’ a voice inside him growled. But he knew he couldn’t act rashly. He was still to realize what he had for Naina in his heart was beyond his disinterest in getting hitched to a woman for lifelong. Clenching his fist around the brooch, he turned and marched towards Subodh Kundra’s room.
Upon reaching the door, he paused, gathering his composure before knocking firmly. A muffled “Come in” prompted him to enter.
Subodh Kundra was already dressed for his re-wedding, in a traditional attire and was busy admiring himself in the full-length mirror. The room was filled with the scent of incense and the special flower decoration which was Naina’s idea.
“Ah, Ruhaan,” Subodh greeted. “What brings you here?”
Ruhaan held up the brooch. “Rohit asked me to bring this to you. He said you need it for the ceremony.”
Subodh nodded, his eyes momentarily softening as he took the brooch from Ruhaan. “Thanks.” He looked around for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before attempting to pin it on himself.
“Where is Rohit?” he asked.
“He went to greet Raj,” Ruhaan replied, unable to keep a hint of bitterness from seeping into his voice. “Apparently, he’s just arrived.”
A smile spread across Subodh’s face, his eyes lighting up with barely concealed excitement. “Excellent! It’s good of Rohit to welcome him personally.”
Subodh fumbled slightly with the brooch as he attempted to pin it to his sherwani. Seeing his struggle, Ruhaan stepped forward.
“Let me,” he offered taking the brooch from Subodh and began to pin it onto his chest.
As Ruhaan worked, Subodh watched him closely through the mirror.
“You know, Ruhaan, after much persuasion, Naina has finally agreed to meet another suitor and consider her future.”
Ruhaan’s hands paused for a split second as he processed the words. He looked up, locking eyes with the old man. There was a challenge in the older man’s gaze, one that wasn’t lost on Ruhaan.
“I want you to understand something,” Subodh continued, his tone growing firmer. “Naina is no less than my daughter and her happiness is paramount. I believe Raj can provide her with the stability and love she deserves.”
Ruhaan felt his anger flare, but he kept his expression neutral, even as his fingers gripped the brooch tighter, finishing the task.
“This time, nothing will go wrong.” Subodh clenched his jaw as he continued to warn Ruhaan directly. “I won’t let anyone come between Naina and Raj.”
Ruhaan stepped back and once again looked Subodh Kundra straight into the eye.
“With all due respect, Uncle, I care about Naina’s happiness too. However, if she’s even the slightest bit uncomfortable, or if she’s not ready to take this forward with Raj, I won’t hesitate to intervene. I won’t let anyone, not even you, force her into something she’s not ready for.”
Subodh was clearly taken aback by his bold statement.
“You had your chance with her, Ruhaan. Don’t forget that,” he spat.
“And you should remember that Naina is not just your daughter but also a woman who deserves to make her own choices,” Ruhaan countered.
“Are you challenging me?”
Ruhaan didn’t flinch.
“Call it what you want. I’m just telling you that if Naina is not on board, I will stop this from happening. No matter what it takes.”
And with that, Ruhaan turned on his heel and left the room.