Page 110 of Strictly Solo
“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, youwillsleep.”
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.
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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. “Iwaswatching 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.
She nodded, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile as she walked toward the kitchen. As she poured milk into a saucepan, her thoughts drifted again. How had this little boy, in just a few hours, managed to soften her so much? She wondered,If this is how I feel after one day, what will happen when Neil moves in here full-time?
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