Page 16 of Strictly Solo
An awkward silence filled the room. Naina’s mind raced back to a time when Kaushalya was on the verge of becoming her mother-in-law. But the memory was quickly overshadowed by the hurtful words Kaushalya had said when she called off her and Ruhaan’s engagement.
Before either woman could break the uncomfortable silence, Malti, Naina’s aunt entered the room. Sensing the tension, shequickly intervened. “Naina, dear, the saree you were looking for is in your room upstairs, in the closet.”
Grateful for the interruption, Naina nodded.
“Thank you, Aunty.” Without a backward glance, she hurried from the room, leaving Kaushalya and Malti alone.
As soon as Naina was out of earshot, Kaushalya frowned and turned to Malti. “She didn’t even say hello or ask how I am. How arrogant she has become. She wasn’t like this in the past.”
Malti’s eyes narrowed. “A lot has changed in Naina’s life in the last seven years, Kaushalya. And, sorry to say this, but one of those changes was brought upon by you. Isn’t it?”
Kaushalya’s frown deepened, but she couldn’t deny the truth in Malti’s words. She shrugged. Perhaps it was because of Naina that Ruhaan was still single after all these years. No matter how many suitable women Kaushalya had introduced to her son, nothing had ever worked out. Could it be Naina’s silent curse for being rejected in the past?
If that was the case, Kaushalya was determined not to give up. She would find her son a beautiful partner as soon as possible and see him married. It was precisely why she had insisted Ruhaan attend this event, to mingle with women from their social circle who might catch his eye.
“You may be right, Malti,” Kaushalya conceded. “But what’s done is done. We must look to the future now.”
Malti studied her face, sensing there was more left unsaid. “What are you planning?”
“Nothing,” Kaushalya replied, a little too quickly. “I just want what’s best for my son. Surely you can understand that?”
Malti nodded slowly, unconvinced. “Of course. But remember, sometimes what we think is best isn’t always what’s right.”
As Malti left the room, Kaushalya’s resolve strengthened. She would see Ruhaan happily married, no matter what obstacles,or who, stood in her way. The wheels in her mind were already turning, plotting her next move.
*****************
“I can’t believe I finally met her again,”Naina muttered to herself as she climbed the stairs, replaying the awkward encounter with Ruhaan’s mother. No matter how many years had passed, Kaushalya still looked at her as if she were the one responsible for ruining everything in the past, when in truth, it was Kaushalya herself. The woman’s judgmental gaze had brought back a flood of bitter memories, making her chest tighten with frustration.
She reached the door of her room, the room she had sacrificed for the guests at this event having no idea Ruhaan was staying there. All she needed was the saree in the closet. Most of her belongings were locked in this room’s closet, which she used whenever she and Neil stayed with the Kundras in Delhi, except this time she had taken a smaller guest room to let the other guests occupy hers.
She knocked on the door, but it was slightly open. Peeking inside, she was about to call out when she saw the state of her room. The bed had an open strolley with clothes scattered everywhere, and her beloved photo wall had been touched. The alignment of the pictures was off, and one was missing—her favorite picture of her holding Neil when he was three years old, kissing his cheek. She immediately disliked the mess.
Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice behind her. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence in my room?”
Naina angrily turned around to find Ruhaan, freshly showered and clad only in a towel over his lower body. She didn’t care about his state of undress and marched toward him.
“This ismyroom, not yours! What the hell have you done to it? Who asked you to touch the photos?”
Ruhaan grinned, stepping back with every word she uttered until his back hit the wall. Naina was still close. “Your photos?” he teased.
“Yes, my photos. And one of them is missing. Mine and Neil’s. Where is it?”
He grinned again and, using one hand, opened the side drawer next to him, pulling out the missing photo frame. “Areyouin this picture too? I just saw Neil in this one.”
Naina snatched the frame from him. “Don’t play these nonsense jokes with me. It might work on others, but not me. And don’t ever touch my stuff again.”
As she turned to leave, Ruhaan slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She gasped as their bodies pressed flush together, the photo frame still in her hand.
“Now I know what your problem is,” Ruhaan said.
Naina was confused. “Problem? I don’t have any problem. Stop creating one.”
Ruhaan replied coyly, “No, Naina, I’m serious. You do have a problem, and a very big one. And that is... your frustration. It easily comes out, no matter what. People can’t joke with you, can’t prank with you. Your temper is always right here,” he said, pointing to her nose. “And do you know when that happens?”
Naina swallowed, despite having no interest in his made-up theory. “When?”
He smiled playfully. “When you are malnourished.”
