Page 100 of Strictly Solo
He reached out, gently gripping her shoulders. “I wasn’t that man, Naina. But I want to be him now.”
“Ruhaan, what we’d have, it wouldn’t be like other couples starting their married life. There won’t be the usual newlywed phase of romantic dinners, quiet weekends at home, or carefree honeymoons. From the moment you say ‘yes’ to this, you’re not just becoming my husband, you’re becoming Neil’s father. And that role? It might even need to come before being my husband.”
She ran her fingers through her hair, continuing softly, “Your responsibilities won’t just be about meeting a wife’s expectations. They’ll be about living up to a child’s dreams of what a father should be. We might have to trade that romantic honeymoon for something that includes Neil, because I can’t bear the thought of him feeling left out. Our weekends won’t be cozy. They’ll be filled with trips to waterparks and amusement parks, because that’s what makes Neil happy. And those private, intimate moments we might dream of? They might be limited because most nights, Neil wants to sleep next to me.”
“I know all of that,” he nodded with a smile. “I’m not just saying what you want to hear, Naina. I’m telling you what I feel, what I know deep down in my heart. I’ve spent years running away from anything that looked like a commitment because I thought it would tie me down, take away my freedom. But then I met Neil… and you again. And suddenly, everything I was afraid of started to feel like the only thing I ever wanted.
Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but Ruhaan didn’t give her the chance. He stepped even closer, gently pulling her to him.
“I know it won’t be normal. I don’t want normal. I wantthis. We can take Neil on our honeymoon. I want sleepless nights when Neil sneaks into our bed and claims the middle spot. You know, that night when the three of us slept here together? It was the best sleep I’ve had in years. I want weekends spent at waterparks, amusement parks, or even sitting at home doing nothing as long as I’m with you both. I want to be there when Neil wins his first cricket match, when he gets into trouble at school, or when he needs someone to teach him how to tie a tie. I’m not just saying this…I mean it.”
Tears welled up in Naina’s eyes. “But Ruhaan, it’s not just about loving Neil. Raising a child is exhausting and thankless sometimes. There will be moments when he tests your patience, pushes you to the edge.”
Ruhaan brushed away the tear that slipped down her cheek. “You think I don’t already know that? I’ve seen the challenges. I’ve seen you juggle everything alone. And I know I can’t magically make it all perfect, but I’m not afraid of the hard parts. I’m ready for them. I want to be the one you lean on, Naina. The one Neil looks up to.”
Her defenses began to crumble. She had dreamed of hearing these words from him for so long, and now that they werespilling from his lips, she didn’t know whether to believe them or shield herself from the possibility of heartbreak again.
His voice grew tender as he continued, “I know with absolute certainty that I’m ready to do whatever it takes to be part of your lives. I’ve never been more sure of anything. When I look at you and Neil, I see everything I’ve been missing. I don’t want to be just a visitor in your world anymore. I want us to be a real family.”
“But what if you regret it later?” she whispered. “What if, months or years down the line, you feel like you made the wrong choice?”
“The only thing I’ll regret is not doing this sooner. Not fighting for you sooner. Naina, life isn’t about guarantees, it’s about the choices we make. And right now, I’m choosing you. I’m choosing Neil. I’m choosingus. And I’ll keep choosing us every single day for the rest of my life.”
A sob escaped her lips, and before she knew it, she was falling into his arms, her hands clutching the back of his shirt as if letting go would shatter her into pieces. He held her tightly, his own emotions threatening to spill over as he kissed the top of her head.
“I’m scared,” she admitted against his chest. “I’m scared of trusting you, of believing this is real.”
“I know,” he whispered. “But thisisreal.”
For a long moment, they just held each other, the weight of their past struggles giving way to a fragile but powerful hope. When Naina finally pulled back, her face was wet with tears, and there was a hint of fear on her face still.
“What if your mother doesn’t agree?”
“Then I’ll fight for you,” he interrupted her. “For the first time in my life, I’ll stand up to her if I have to. Because this… you and Neil… this is my home. This is where I belong. And I’m not walking away again.”
She still searched his face for any hint of doubt, any sign that he might not mean it. But all she saw was sincerity.
“Neil is going to be over the moon,” she finally said, a light laugh breaking through her sobs. “You know he thinks you’re a superhero, right?”
“Well, I’ll have to live up to that, won’t I?” Ruhaan chuckled, his own tears shining in his eyes.
“Ruhaan, if we’re doing this… we’re doing it all. No running. No half-measures. It’s all or nothing.”
He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, pressing a firm kiss to her knuckles. “It’s all, Naina. Always all.”
He moved closer, his eyes fixed on her lips. Though they were alone, Naina tensed instinctively. Just as he leaned in, she pressed a finger against his lips, halting his advance.
“First convince your mother for this,” she murmured. “Only then you’re getting a kiss.”
He rolled his eyes but kept his arms firmly around her waist, refusing to let her slip away. “If I convince Mom, you’re giving me far more than just a kiss. How about that?”
Though she usually shied away from challenges, a spark of mischief lit her eyes. “We’re talking about ‘The Kaushalya Singh,’ Ruhaan. She’s never going to accept this. But if you can convince her tonight itself, I’ll give you anything you ask.”
“Promise?” His grin widened.
“Promise.” She matched his grin before pushing away from his embrace and heading back to join her uncle and aunt.
He watched her retreating form, running a hand through his hair as reality set in. How was he going to convince his mother? It felt about as easy as teaching a tiger to become a vegetarian… theoretically possible, but likely to end with someone getting mauled. And that someone washim!!
