Chapter 25
As their car pulled up to the apartment gates, the security guard stepped forward to stop the unfamiliar vehicle. Recognition flickered across his face when he spotted Naina and Neil inside.
“Ma’am,” the guard called out, leaning toward the window. “How is Neil doing now?” His weathered face creased with genuine concern.
“He’s better now,” she responded softly, running her fingers through Neil’s hair. “Thank you for your help earlier.”
The guard smiled back and his eyes moved to Ruhaan who simply nodded back in understanding and drove into the parking lot.
After parking, he opened the back door before Naina could even reach for it.
Without a word, he gathered Neil in his arms, the boy’s head naturally finding its place against his shoulder as Naina led them to the elevator.
When they reached Naina’s apartment, she fumbled slightly with the keys, acutely aware of Ruhaan’s presence behind her. This was his first time entering her home.
She unlocked the door, gesturing for Ruhaan to follow her to Neil’s room.
The space was small but cozy, with vibrant colors that reflected Neil’s cheerful personality.
Ruhaan gently laid Neil down on the bed while Naina pulled a soft quilt over him.
She drew the curtains closed, dimming the room’s brightness, and crouched beside Neil, brushing his hair back.
“Neil,” Naina said, brushing Neil’s forehead, “I’ll make your favorite dal rice. You need to eat something before taking your medicine and sleeping.”
Neil’s face scrunched up in protest. “I don’t want to eat,” he mumbled.
“Don’t you want to grow strong like me?” Ruhaan interjected, sitting on the edge of the bed. Neil’s eyes lit up. “Then you have to eat. Going to bed hungry will make you weak.”
“Will you feed me?” he asked innocently.
The request caught Ruhaan off guard, but his response was immediate.
“Deal. I’ll feed you one bite, then your Mumma will feed you one. We’ll take turns. How’s that?”
Naina watched their interaction, before she left into the kitchen.
She busied herself with preparing the meal, trying to focus on the sound of boiling water and the rhythmic chopping of vegetables rather than the man now walking around her apartment.
She wasn’t surprised when Ruhaan appeared at the kitchen door. He lingered in the doorway.
“Need any help?”
“No, I can manage.”
He stepped into the kitchen anyway.
“I know you’ve been managing everything perfectly on your own, Naina. But I’m here now, and I want to help. With whatever I can.”
“Ruhaan.” She turned sharply. “If I’ve allowed you here, it’s only because of Neil. You’re just a guest. Please remember that and make yourself comfortable.”
Naina saw the hurt in his eyes, and though her chest tightened with guilt, she knew she needed to set boundaries.
She turned back to her cooking, stirring the dal hurriedly. In her rush, she grabbed the hot handle of the vessel without a cloth and hissed in pain, dropping it back onto the stove.
Ruhaan was at her side in an instant. He held her hand and pulled her to the sink. The cold water ran over her burned fingers as he held her hand carefully under the stream. The gentle way he tended to her injury…blowing cool air on her fingers, his face etched with concern…made her chest ache.
“I’m fine. You don’t have to do this.” She yanked her hand away.
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Because it’s not your place anymore.”
Ruhaan realized Naina needed to calm down and not be so hyperactive in terms of her feelings at the moment. So, he attempted to lighten the moment.
“I know what this is about. You think I’m trying to hijack your son’s heart.”
“No,” Naina replied, meeting his gaze directly. “It’s because you’ve already broken mine.”
Before Ruhaan could formulate a response, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw her uncle Subodh’s name flashing.
Without another word, she left the kitchen, leaving Ruhaan alone with the simmering dal and his regrets.
Naina had called her uncle earlier, intending to update him on Neil’s health but had deliberately left out one crucial detail—Ruhaan’s involvement in everything that had transpired today.
“How’s Neil doing now?” he asked as soon as she picked the call.
“He’s better now, Uncle. The fever has gone down, and he’s resting now.”
Subodh was relieved. “Are you sure you don’t want me and Malti to come to Mumbai for a few days? We could help look after Neil. You don’t have to manage all of this alone, beta.”
“No, no, Uncle,” Naina replied quickly, perhaps too quickly. “Neil is much better now. He’s resting, and I promise I’ll call you if we need anything.”
She wrapped up the conversation with reassurances of keeping them updated, and then walked back to the kitchen to serve Neil’s food. But the space was empty. Following her instincts, she made her way to Neil’s room, only to stop short at the door.
Ruhaan was sitting on the edge of Neil’s bed, his sleeves rolled up, leaning in close to the boy.
Neil was listening intently as Ruhaan recounted a childhood story.
“…and then, to escape taking that bitter medicine, I hid under the bed. But my mom found me, of course. She always did,” Ruhaan chuckled, holding out a spoonful of dal rice, which Neil obediently accepted between giggles.
“Did you get better fast?”
“Super fast,” Ruhaan nodded, his eyes twinkling. “Just like you will.”
The scene before Naina was everything she’d ever wanted for Neil.
Her son to have a father. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how much she loved him, she could never fill the gap of a father figure.
Watching Ruhaan now, she realized just how much Neil craved that bond, and how seamlessly Ruhaan fulfilled it.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly brushed them away.
She didn’t want to interrupt the moment, so she stayed by the door, silently observing until Neil had finished his meal.
Only then did she step inside with Neil’s medicine.
Neil’s face immediately scrunched up at the sight of the medicine bottles.
“No, Mumma,” he protested weakly.
“Neil,” she warned, but her son was stubborn, turning his head away. “You need to take this to get better.”
“I’ll take it, but only if Ruhaan stays with us tonight,” he declared, his tone triumphant, as if he’d struck a winning bargain.
Naina felt her heart stop, caught off guard by her son’s unexpected demand. She didn’t want to give in to his demand, but before she could say anything, Ruhaan intervened.
“Neil,” Ruhaan said gently, leaning closer to the boy. “I’ll stay here with you tonight if that’s what you want, but you can’t blackmail your mom like that. It’s not right.”
Neil’s pout deepened, but he looked genuinely remorseful. “Sorry, Mumma.”
Once again Naina’s heart swelled watching Ruhaan teaching her son about right and wrong with such natural paternal instinct. She leaned down and kissed Neil’s forehead. “It’s okay, baby. Just take your medicine now.”
Reluctantly, Neil opened his mouth, and Naina carefully gave him the medicine.
“Good boy,” Ruhaan said, ruffling Neil’s hair. “And don’t worry. Until you’re all better, I’m not going anywhere.”
Neil’s face lit up. “Promise?”
He placed a hand over his heart. “Promise. I’m not leaving you.”
He then turned to Naina, pulling Neil into a protective hug. “And I’m not leaving your mom either,” he added.
Neil, too innocent to catch the layered meaning, simply grinned and snuggled into Ruhaan’s chest. But Naina felt her heart flutter traitorously in her chest. She busied herself with adjusting Neil’s blanket, trying to ignore the warmth spreading through her at Ruhaan’s declaration.
Once Neil was settled, his eyes fluttered closed. Naina dimmed the lights and both stayed by the bed watching him sleep.
When Naina turned to leave the room, Ruhaan followed her into the living room which was bathed in soft lamplight.
“I’m sorry I had to promise Neil I’d stay. I didn’t mean to overstep. I know you don’t want me here,” he said, running a hand through his hair.
“Yes, I don’t want you here!” Naina snapped with sudden anger. “And I don’t want you anywhere near my son!”
The words burst out before she could stop them. She immediately pressed her fingers to her lips, regret washing over her face.
“What am I saying... I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be so mean.”
She turned away, shoulders sagging as she released a heavy sigh.
“I should be grateful for everything you did today – taking Neil to the hospital when I wasn’t there, staying with him, feeding him.
I am thankful, Ruhaan. I shouldn’t be dragging our past into this, not now.
It’s just... Neil’s condition has me so stressed. ”
Ruhaan took a step closer. “It’s okay, I understand.
You’re stressed out. Just relax.” His voice softened further.
“If you don’t want me to stay tonight, I’ll leave.
But I’ve promised Neil. I’ll come back before he wakes up tomorrow morning if that’s what it takes.
The last thing I want is to give you more stress. ”
His understanding struck her deeply.
Finally, she relented. “I’ll show you the guest room. But let’s have dinner first.”
His lips curved into a small grin, but before he could say anything, she quickly added, “And don’t get too happy about this. I’m only doing this for Neil. He matters more to me than anything else, and since you matter to him, I’m tolerating this. Nothing more, nothing less.”
He bit back a laugh, nodding solemnly. “Understood. Just for Neil.”
They ate dinner in silence, until he broke it first with a small chuckle. “You know, you’re one of the best cooks I’ve met. After my mom, of course.”
She didn’t respond, her thoughts were too clouded to engage in light banter. But when he added, “Seriously, Naina, you could open a restaurant,” she couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto her lips.
“Thanks.”