Chapter 18
Rohit approached Ruhaan with an all-too-knowing expression, having witnessed the moment between him and Naina. The way Ruhaan had tugged at Naina’s saree pallu, drawing her attention with that unmistakable intimacy, was impossible to miss.
“So?” Rohit started, “just a while ago, when I asked if there was anything going on between you and Naina, you were very quick to deny it. But after what I just saw? Well, let’s just say you’re not doing a great job of keeping that denial intact.”
Ruhaan rubbed his temples, knowing that this conversation was inevitable but still hoping to avoid it.
“Look,” Ruhaan sighed, “you’re only blaming me here, but didn’t you notice Naina was equally interested in the conversation? It’s not one-sided.”
Rohit rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Naina is innocent. She’s dealing with a lot right now—her son, the family pressure, everything. You can’t just sweep in and—”
“I’m not a monster, Rohit,” Ruhaan cut him off, stepping closer to his friend and patting his chest lightly. “I’m not going to ruin her innocence, or her life. She’s safe with me. We both know what we’re doing.”
Rohit’s eyes narrowed as he questioned, “And what exactly are you both doing? Where is this leading? What’s the end game?”
For a moment, Ruhaan was silent, his lips pressing together as if contemplating his reply.
He couldn’t tell Rohit that he and Naina had agreed to a casual relationship.
It didn’t feel right. Not for Naina’s family, not for Rohit, who was part of that family too.
But before Ruhaan could respond, Suman came rushing over, interrupting their conversation.
“Rohit, some guests want to meet you,” she said, smiling politely as she pulled him away.
Rohit shot Ruhaan a warning look before following Suman. Ruhaan silently thanked the stars for the timely distraction. His friend’s questions had gotten too close to the truth, and he wasn’t sure he was ready to confront that truth himself yet.
Turning around, his gaze instantly sought out Naina, and what he saw made his blood simmer.
Naina was seated at a table with Raj and Neil.
They looked comfortable, laughing softly over something Raj had said.
Raj even casually placed a hand on the table beside Naina’s, far too close for Ruhaan’s liking.
Jealousy coursed through him like wildfire again. He couldn’t stand seeing Naina with Raj, especially when he knew how easily Raj could fit into her life. Raj was handsome, decent, and evidently good with Neil. But Ruhaan didn’t care.
That’s when Poonam appeared beside him, asking cheerfully, “Ruhaan, have you had lunch yet?”
An idea sparked in Ruhaan’s head. He smiled at her. “No. Let’s grab some food together.”
“Great,” she smiled back enthusiastically. “But we don’t have any vacant table at the moment.”
“I know just the spot,” he said before heading for the buffet counter.
Together, they filled their plates, and without waiting for an invitation, Ruhaan walked directly to Naina’s table.
“Hey,” Ruhaan said smoothly, “seems like all the other tables are occupied. Do you mind if we join you?”
Raj looked slightly taken aback, but being the polite man that he was, he nodded. “Sure, no problem.”
Ruhaan sat down next to Neil, who beamed up at him. “Ruhaan, sit here!” Neil patted the seat beside him, and Ruhaan smiled as he sat at that circular table, between Naina and Neil. Poonam took the seat next to Raj, much to Ruhaan’s silent relief.
As they settled in, Ruhaan turned his attention to Neil who was hardly eating and offered him some food from his own plate.
“Here, buddy. You’re not eating enough,” he said, feeding Neil a small piece of roti. Neil accepted it eagerly, the bond between the two clear as day.
Naina struggled to keep her emotions in check witnessing the two.
As the lunch went on, Ruhaan got a chance to lean closer to Naina.
Under the table, his hand gently sliding over Naina’s.
She froze, her breath catching in her throat when his fingers intertwined with hers.
She dared not look at him, but she could feel the possessiveness in his touch, as if he was telling her without words: I want you.
Poonam, oblivious to the undercurrent between Ruhaan and Naina, was chatting with Raj, laughing at his jokes and seemingly forming a bond. Ruhaan was only too happy to let Poonam entertain Raj, allowing him to focus entirely on Naina.
From time to time, Ruhaan fed Neil, and each time Neil accepted the food with a bright smile, Naina’s heart swelled.
This was what she wanted—a man who could love both her and her son unconditionally.
And while Raj was kind and respectful, it was Ruhaan who made her feel this way.
It was Ruhaan who made her heart race, her thoughts scatter, her hopes build.
It wasn’t Raj who gave her these feelings of a complete family, it was Ruhaan.
****************
The rest of the day passed in a blur for Naina.
The constant stream of guests and the festivities around her left her feeling mentally drained.
It was night now, and she had finally managed to put Neil to sleep.
Exhausted from the day’s activities, her son had dozed off quickly, his small figure snuggled under the blanket.
Naina was still in the saree she had worn for the event and hadn’t yet changed into her night clothes, when she was suddenly called by her uncle to the drawing room.
As she entered, she found her uncle, Subodh, sitting comfortably with Raj.
“Naina, make us some coffee, will you?” her uncle requested warmly. “You make the best coffee. In fact, Naina’s good at everything,” he added turning to Raj, his pride evident in his voice.
Raj’s eyes gleamed with interest, his gaze following Naina as she forced a polite smile. “I’d love to taste your coffee, Naina. Your uncle has been singing your praises all evening.”
Naina felt a wave of discomfort rise within her.
She glanced around, hoping for an excuse to slip away.
That’s when she saw Ruhaan. He was standing at a distance, watching her.
He had been waiting patiently for her all evening, hoping she would come to the terrace as promised.
His face lit up briefly when he saw her, but the moment was short-lived as he realized she was trapped here, stuck in this forced conversation between her uncle and Raj.
Naina set about making the coffee, glancing at Ruhaan whenever she could.
It touched her, seeing him loitering around near the kitchen, pretending to be busy on some call while his eyes followed her every movement.
She wondered, What does he want to do so badly on the terrace? What’s the surprise he mentioned?
When she finally emerged with the steaming cups, she found Ruhaan still lingering, his face brightening momentarily at her appearance. However, before she could make her escape, her uncle’s voice trapped her once more.
“Sit with us, Naina,” he patted the space beside him. “This is a wonderful opportunity for you to get to know Raj better.”
She glanced at Ruhaan again, and this time his expression hardened, anger flashed in his eyes as he watched her sit down with them. She could sense his frustration; he had hoped to spend time with her tonight, their last night together under the same roof, but now it seemed impossible.
Ruhaan had had enough. He turned on his heel and stormed back to his room, slamming the door behind him. He wasn’t going to wait on the terrace like a fool.
“What does her uncle see in Raj, anyway?” he muttered angrily to himself, tearing off his shirt and throwing it carelessly onto the sofa. “Yes, he’s a good man, but this isn’t how alliances are made. You can’t force someone into spending time with a man they don’t have feelings for.”
His thoughts were interrupted by a voice behind him. “Then how are alliances made?”
Ruhaan froze. He hadn’t locked the door, and when he turned around, he saw Naina standing there smiling at him. For a moment, he was speechless, shocked and thrilled that she had managed to sneak away.
Naina stepped inside, locking the door behind her. “Tell me,” she repeated. “How are alliances made if not like this?”
Ruhaan wasted no time. He crossed the room in a few quick strides, grabbing her upper arms and pulling her flush against his bare chest.
“I’m not an expert on that subject, Naina,” he murmured huskily, “but I do know one thing: for an alliance to work, both parties should be equally interested. Like we were, remember? When I came to see you for the first time… we clicked. We still click.”
Her lips parted slightly, stunned by the raw truth in his words.
He was right. They had always had a connection, one that hadn’t faded even after years of separation.
His gaze turned intense, his fingers tightening on her arms as he fought the urge to kiss her right there.
But instead, he released her and took a step back.
“Wait here,” he said, turning around and walking over to the dresser. “I have something for you.”
As he searched, Naina couldn’t help but admire the play of muscles across his back, the way his night pants hung low on his hips, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the waistband of his underwear.
She bit the inside of her cheek, forcing herself to look away, trying to ignore the fluttering in her stomach being so close to a shirtless Ruhaan looking so sexy and handsome as ever.
When he turned back to her, he held a wrapped box in his hands.
Without a word, he presented it to her, and waited for her to open it.
Naina glanced at him curiously before unwrapping the gift, gasping softly as she recognized the contents.
It was the photograph of her and Neil when he was three years old - the same one that had fallen and broken during their heated argument days ago. Ruhaan had got it beautifully reframed.