Chapter 31
Office
The team dispersed for a short break, pausing the meeting. As everyone exited, Naina grabbed Ruhaan by the wrist and pulled him toward a quiet corner. His lips curved into a teasing grin as they stopped near the window, out of sight of their colleagues.
“Naina,” he whispered dramatically, leaning closer, “control yourself. We can’t kiss here.”
She rolled her eyes and punched his chest gently. “I didn’t bring you here for that. Call home and check if Neil’s okay.”
He groaned softly, throwing his head back. “Naina, I just called not long ago.”
“That was two hours ago,” she countered, crossing her own arms.
He sighed and stepped closer, looking down at her with exaggerated patience.
“If I keep calling Mom so frequently,” he sighed, “she’ll think we don’t trust her. Worse, she’ll think you don’t trust her. Is that the impression you want to make on your future mother-in-law?”
She opened her mouth to argue but paused, realizing he had a point.
“But it’s his nap time. I just want to know if he’s sleeping...”
He cupped her face, his touch instantly calming her. “You’re a mother, and I understand your concern. But Neil is fine, Naina. Trust me.”
She nodded reluctantly, leaning into his chest. Ruhaan instantly arms wrapped around her, pulling her close.
“Now stop fretting so much,” he murmured into her hair. “Or else next weekend, I’m putting you alone with my mother.”
She pulled back, her eyes wide in horror. “Why would you do that?”
“For the same reason we made Neil stay with her today—to win her heart.”
“No way!” she exclaimed, shaking her head vehemently. “I mean… I can’t stay alone with your mother for that long. She’ll eat me alive!”
He laughed again, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why are you so cute when you’re panicking?”
“I’m not being cute,” she protested, narrowing her eyes.
“At such a young age, you took on the responsibility of becoming Neil’s mother.
And all your cuteness, your carefree spirit, your ability to just be…
you, got overshadowed by everything life threw at you.
But not anymore. Not with me in the picture now.
” His fingers grazed lightly over her cheek.
“With me, you get to be cute, carefree, and everything else you deserved to be seven years ago. And for the rest of our lives.”
She stared at him, stunned by his words before clutching his shirt tightly over his chest and pulled him even closer.
“Now who’s being cute here?” she murmured.
Ruhaan pressed his nose to hers. “We’re a cute couple.”
“And cute parents,” she added with a grin.
“Absolutely,” he agreed.
Their tender moment was broken when he glanced at his watch. His smile turned apologetic. “We should get back. The meeting is about to resume.”
“Right. Let’s go.”
As they walked back toward the meeting room, side by side, he pressed her hand, a small but reassuring gesture that Neil was indeed doing great with his mother at home.
Naina nodded softly, hoping that was true.
All these years it was only his caretaker Shanti that Naina had left Neil with during such unplanned work schedules.
Hence, today when Neil was with Ruhaan’s mother, it did bother her a bit but she trusted Ruhaan’s words.
If he thinks they will be fine together, then so will it be.
With that she composed again, ready to take over the meeting and impressing her client with excellent marketing strategy for ‘Beauty Beyond Boundaries (BBB)’ campaign.
Ruhaan’s Home
Kaushalya sat absorbed in her daily soap opera, making up for the episodes she’d missed yesterday while visiting her Haridwar-bound friends. She sat comfortably on her recliner, completely lost in catching up on the drama which was a non-negotiable part of her day.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Neil, sitting cross-legged on the couch with a sketch pad on his lap.
He was holding a sketch pen, his small hands stained with a rainbow of colors from his earlier artistic efforts.
But now, his head was drooping, and the sketch pen slipped from his fingers as he fought to keep his eyes open.
The extra-buttery parathas had apparently worked their drowsy magic.
She couldn’t let him sleep there, he’d get a crick in his neck.
“Neil,” she called softly, leaning forward. He stirred slightly but didn’t respond. She got up from her chair, walked over, and shook him gently. “Are you sleepy?”
Neil rubbed his eyes, nodding. “Yes, Daadi. I always sleep after school.”
Kaushalya glanced at the clock and then back at him. “Then why are you sitting here on the couch like a lost puppy? Come on, you can’t sleep here. Come with me.”
She guided him to Ruhaan’s bedroom. The moment they entered, Neil’s steps slowed as he scanned the unfamiliar surroundings. The large, neatly made bed and the polished furniture were all new to him.
“This is Ruhaan’s room,” she explained, reading the confusion on his face. “You can sleep here on his bed.”
But Neil clung to her hand.
“It’s so big,” he said softly looking around and taking in the place again before looking up at her. “Can you tell me a story?”
Kaushalya blinked at him, caught off guard. “A story? Now? Storytime is for bedtime, not for naps.”
“But Mumma tells me stories during the day too,” he replied, his innocent eyes wide with expectation.
She fought an internal eye-roll. What kind of practice had Naina instituted? Who told stories during afternoon naps? But before she could scold him gently, Neil tugged at her arm and pleaded.
“Please, Daadi. Ruhaan told me you know the best stories.”
Her heart wavered, but she frowned in an attempt to steel herself. “I don’t remember any stories right now.”
His face fell, his lips curling into a pout as he looked down at the floor. Kaushalya felt an odd tug in her chest. What is it about this boy that makes it so hard to say no? she wondered.
“Get on the bed and lie down. I’ll shut the curtains.”
He obeyed, climbing under the quilt. She shut the curtains to dim the light in the room and when she turned around she noticed his face still clouded with disappointment.
Something about his dejected little face crumbled her resistance.
Muttering something under her breath, she went over to the bed.
“Okay, one story,” she said firmly, pointing a finger at him. “And after that, you will sleep.”
Neil’s response was instantaneous. “Yehhh!” he bounced excitedly before quickly flopping back down on the pillow as Kaushalya shushed him.
“Ssh!” she warned. “No screaming, or no story.”
He immediately snuggled down, clutching the quilt tightly as Kaushalya perched herself on the edge of the bed and began a story she hadn’t told in years.
It was about a brave prince and his magical adventures—a story Ruhaan used to love when he was Neil’s age.
His eyelids grew heavy as he listened, his small body sinking deeper into the mattress.
She noticed him drifting and slowed her narration.
Within minutes, he was almost asleep, his breathing even and peaceful.
But something strange happened - her own voice grew softer, her words slower.
Before she knew it, sleep claimed her as well.
She too dozed off beside Neil, who instinctively curled against her seeking warmth.
Their soft snores mingled in the dim room, grandmother and grandson-to-be finding comfort in each other’s presence, all resistance temporarily forgotten in the peace of an afternoon nap.
***************
It was Ruhaan’s voice that pulled Kaushalya from her slumber.
She stirred, opening her eyes groggily, confused for a moment about where she was.
Then it hit her. She was lying on Ruhaan’s bed, and Neil was still snuggled into her side.
She blinked in disbelief at the sight of his little arm draped over her waist. Her heart flipped at the realization that she had fallen asleep next to him.
“Mom,” Ruhaan’s amused voice came again, this time louder, as he stood at the edge of the bed with his arms crossed and a teasing grin on his face.
She quickly sat up, trying to regain her composure. “When did you come?” she asked, brushing her hair back and straightening her saree.
“Just now. I rang the doorbell, but when no one answered, I used the spare key. Imagine my surprise finding you two snuggled up like this! I thought you’d be watching your daily soaps, but clearly, you had other plans.”
She frowned, trying to defend herself. “I was watching my show, but this boy,” she gestured to Neil, who was still sound asleep, “he wanted to take a nap and asked me to narrate a story.”
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You? Narrate a story? To Neil?” he said, stifling a chuckle.
Realizing she had given away more than she intended, Kaushalya quickly got off the bed, shaking her head as if to dismiss the idea. “I was just tired, that’s all. You know I’m not used to having little ones in the house anymore. It exhausted me, and I dozed off without realizing.”
Ruhaan couldn’t suppress his grin as he watched her hurrying to justify herself. “Exhausted, huh? Sure, Mom. Sounds like you’re out of practice for the ‘Daadi’ life,” he teased.
Before she could retort, Neil stirred, rubbing his eyes as he slowly sat up. “Ruhaan,” he said softly, spotting him near the bed. His face lit up, and he quickly got up to hug him. “Where’s Mumma?” Neil asked, still clinging to Ruhaan.
“She’s at work, champ,” he replied, ruffling his hair. “But don’t worry. By the time I drop you home, she’ll be back from the office.”
Kaushalya, watching the exchange, suddenly felt an odd warmth in her chest. Clearing her throat to push the sentiment aside, she said, “I’ll make tea.” Turning to Neil, she added, “And what does your mother feed you in the evening?”
“Chocolate milk,” Neil replied enthusiastically.