Chapter 34 #2
His gaze quickly shifted to Rohit, narrowing his eyes playfully. “This has to be your doing,” he accused. “Did you teach him to say that too?”
Rohit raised both hands in surrender, shaking his head. “Nope, this one’s all Neil. Your boy is brilliant.” He smirked. “Knows exactly how to pull on his parents’ heartstrings at the right moment.”
Ruhaan exhaled, his heart swelling. “He’s definitely gone on his father,” he teased with a wink before pulling Neil into his arms. “So… no more Ruhaan, huh? You’re really going to call me Dad from now on?”
Neil tilted his head, flashing a mischievous grin. “Do you mind?”
He cupped Neil’s face gently. “Mind? Champ, I’ve been waiting for this moment forever. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me.” He pressed a lingering kiss to Neil’s forehead and pulled him into a tight hug. “We are going to be the best team now… You and me vs the entire world. What do you say?”
Neil giggled and gave Ruhaan a high-five. “Yes! But only if Mom is also in our team.”
“Of course, but she’ll be the referee. We need someone to stop us from getting too wild, right?”
Naina rolled her eyes but smiled, overwhelmed with happiness. “As if I could ever control either of you.”
Kaushalya, who had been quietly wiping the corner of her eye, finally spoke.
“Well… I did want to make a grand speech about how I am the happiest mother today, but since you all are already celebrating, I’ll save it for later.”
Ruhaan and Naina turned to her, and together, they bent down to touch her feet. She blessed her son first, placing a loving hand on his head before pulling Naina into a tight embrace.
“I finally have my own daughter-in-law to flaunt to my social circle,” she announced proudly, making Naina chuckle. “If Ruhaan and Neil are one team, then so are we. What do you say, Naina?”
Naina grinned, “Absolutely! But I have to warn you, I can’t promise to keep you company for watching your daily TV serials. I’m really not made for that.”
Kaushalya gasped dramatically. “Aah! That’s a relief. Otherwise, you’d learn every trick in the book to torture your mother-in-law!”
Everyone laughed, enjoying her teasing. But she wasn’t done yet.
“And let me remind you,” she continued, pointing a playful finger at Naina, “your homemade pizza for Neil and me is still pending. You might be a newlywed, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. No escape from weekend pizza duty!”
Naina pulled Kaushalya into another warm hug. “With pleasure, Ma.”
The Kundra family stood together, watching this beautiful new chapter unfold before their eyes. Naina and Neil, who had once walked this journey alone, had finally found the love and family they had always deserved.
*****************
Ruhaan’s Home – Wedding Night
The traditional Griha Pravesh ceremony was performed to welcome Naina and Neil into her new home.
Ruhaan had barely left her side since the post wedding rituals began at his home, his hand always hovering near hers, ready to hold, to comfort, to claim.
The last of the guests had departed now giving the family a breather to relax.
The four of them were seated in the living room.
Neil could barely able to contain his excitement. He turned to his grandmother with sparkling eyes. “Daadi, weren’t you going to give Mom her gift?”
“Of course I remember! How could I forget such an important tradition? Come, Neil, lets bring the gifts.” She and Neil hurried off to another room, whispering conspiratorially.
Naina turned to Ruhaan, curiosity written across her features. “Do you have any idea what they’re planning?”
Ruhaan shook his head. “They’ve been surprisingly good at keeping their secrets this time.”
Before she could respond, he leaned closer, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Are you tired?” he asked softly, his eyes searching hers with tender concern.
Naina couldn’t help but read between the lines of his question.
“The moment I hit the bed, I’m going to snore... I’m that tired.”
His exaggerated pout made her struggle to hold back her laughter.
“You’re cruel, Mrs. Singh.” Ruhaan groaned, pouting dramatically.
She nudged his arm playfully. Before he could retaliate, Kaushalya and Neil returned, each holding their gift. Kaushalya approached Naina with a small box, presenting it with ceremonial grace.
“Wait. Only a gift for her? What about me, Mom?” Ruhaan protested.
Kaushalya arched a brow. “You got a wife and a son today. What other gift do you need?”
Naina laughed as she carefully unwrapped the box, revealing a set of keys. She looked at Kaushalya in surprise. “What are these keys for?”
Kaushalya’s eyes softened. “These are the home keys, Naina. Keys to every duty and responsibility of this house. My mother-in-law gave them to me when I got married, and now they belong to you. This house, this family – they’re yours now. Finally, I can take a break and relax.”
Deeply moved, Naina touched her mother-in-law’s feet in respect. “I will try to live up to your expectations, Maa, and never give you reason to doubt me.”
“I know you will handle all your responsibilities well. And when I say I’m free, it doesn’t mean I won’t help you. I’m not retiring completely. I’ll always be here to guide you whenever you need me.”
The relief on Naina’s face was evident. Ruhaan watched the exchange with joy. His mother and wife bonding was something he had longed to see. But before he could get too sentimental, he pulled Neil onto his lap.
“I hope you have a gift for me too, champ.”
Neil’s face broke into a wide grin as he revealed a folded piece of paper—his handmade sketch.
“I made this for both of you.”
It was a drawing of four figures standing together—Neil, Ruhaan, Naina, and Kaushalya. A family.
“That’s us,” he explained, pointing to the figures on the paper.
Ruhaan stared at it, overwhelmed. His eyes grew misty as he studied the drawing.
“You drew this for us?” he asked.
“Yes”
Kaushalya beamed. “He’s been working on it for days. And look how beautifully it turned out.”
Naina hugged Neil. “I am so proud of you, sweetheart. This is the best gift.”
“This is going right here on the living room wall,” Ruhaan declared, making Neil bounce with excitement.
“Really, Dad?”
Ruhaan ruffled his hair. “Absolutely, champ. All your drawings will have a special place in this house.” His eyes sparkled with his own surprise. “And speaking of special places... I have something to show you.”
Naina’s brows furrowed. Ruhaan had a surprise too?
“Come with me.”
He led them through the house and stopped at a door next to the master bedroom.
“Go on, Neil. Open it.”
Neil’s eyes widened as he opened it to reveal a completely renovated children’s room, complete with a bed with his favorite superhero sheets, study table, playing area, bean bag, and even a cricket set.
There was even a brand-new bicycle that sat in the corner.
The boy’s joy exploded as he explored every corner before launching himself into Ruhaan’s arms.
“This is… this is my room?”
Ruhaan crouched beside him. “It’s all yours, champ. Do you like it?”
“I love it, Dad! Thank you!”
Naina stood in the doorway, amazed by her husband’s thoughtfulness.
Kaushalya placed a hand on Naina’s shoulder. “Since the day the wedding was fixed, he’s been working on this. Every free moment he had, he spent making sure this room was ready for Neil.”
Tears welled in Naina’s eyes. The love and care he had put into creating this space for Neil spoke volumes about his commitment to their family.
“I… I can’t believe this.” She whispered.
Neil pulled away from Ruhaan. “I’m sleeping here from now on!”
Kaushalya agreed first. “You can sleep wherever you want, beta. Even in my room if you like.”
She then turned to Ruhaan and Naina. “Now, enough excitement for the day. You two should rest. There are more rituals tomorrow.”
Ruhaan hugged his mother. “Goodnight, Mom.”
Before heading to their room, Ruhaan made sure to ask Neil if he wanted to join them, but the boy was too excited about his new space to leave it.
Neil shook his head and clung to Kaushalya. “I will sleep here or with Daadi.”
Naina was deeply moved by Ruhaan’s boundless love for their son.
The way he prioritized Neil’s comfort, even on their wedding night, showed the depth of his character and the strength of their family bonds.
She kissed Neil on his forehead and once assured he was fine, the couple headed to their master bedroom.
The moment they were inside, without a second thought, she pushed Ruhaan against the closed door and pressed her lips to his.
Ruhaan, caught off guard, chuckled into the kiss before deepening it, his arms locking around her waist.
After a few breathless moments, he pulled back, smirking. “I thought you were too tired?”
“I changed my mind.” She grinned mischievously.
He swept her into his arms.
“Before you change it again, let me show you just how much I love you.”
He kicked the bedroom door shut with his foot, never loosening his hold on Naina as he carried her effortlessly in his arms. As he reached the bed, he gently set her down, his fingers grazing her waist as he did so. Naina let out a soft sigh, her cheeks flushing under his intense gaze.
“You’re staring,” she murmured, lowering her eyes, suddenly feeling shy.
“Can you blame me? Look at you, Naina. My bride. My wife.” His voice was thick with admiration and laced with an undertone of hunger.
She blushed deeper, but before she could say anything, Ruhaan’s fingers traced the delicate chain resting against her neck.
“Let me help you with these,” he whispered, carefully reaching for her necklace.
She had already removed some of her heavier bridal jewelry after reaching home, but a few pieces still remained. Without a word, Ruhaan reached behind her neck, unhooking the heavy necklace with practiced ease.
Her lips curled into a teasing smile. “I thought you’d spring into action right away.”