Page 82 of Strictly Solo
Ruhaan dropped his mother and sister to the airport for Chandigarh and was now driving back. His mother was torn between supporting Ryma’s decision and desperately hoping for a reconciliation with Soham’s family. Despite her initial resistance to the divorce, she couldn’t bear to let Ryma face her in-laws alone.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come along?” he had asked Ryma one final time.
“No,” Ryma had smiled, squeezing his hand. “You have your own battles to fight here. Remember what I said – don’t let other people’s failed marriages define your future.”
His heart clenched as he parked outside the gates of Naina’s apartment complex. Maybe he had been wrong all along, letting his past define how he saw relationships. Maybe it was time to stop fighting against the idea of marriage to begin with andinstead fight for what he could have with Naina and Neil…a real family, a commitment that went beyond his fears.
He stepped out of the car and was greeted by the same security guard who had witnessed yesterday’s drama. The old man sighed heavily, already resigned to what he assumed would be another attempt by Ruhaan to see Naina.
“If Ms. Bhalla complains about you, sir, I won’t let you park here next time,” the guard warned. “You seem like a decent man, but rules are rules.”
“I understand,” Ruhaan replied, actually appreciating the guard’s protective instinct toward Naina and Neil. “You’re doing your job, and I respect that,” he said, glancing toward the play area.
Among the running, laughing kids, he saw Neil sat apart. He wasn’t playing like the rest; his movements were sluggish, and he seemed withdrawn. The sight squeezed Ruhaan’s heart realizing he and Naina were responsible for Neil’s subdued state. He raised his hand to wave, but before Neil could respond, he crumpled to the ground.
“Neil!” The scream tore from Ruhaan’s throat as he pushed past the startled guard and sprinted toward the play area. Other children gathered around Neil’s fallen form, their excited chatter turning to worried murmurs.
Neil’s caretaker, a middle-aged woman in a salwar kameez, reached him just as Ruhaan dropped to his knees beside the boy. Ruhaan gathered Neil into his arms.
“Neil? Open your eyes.” He patted his cheek gently, but Neil remained unconscious, his face flushed with fever.
“What happened? Oh, God, is he okay?” the caretaker asked, panic lacing her voice.
“He’s burning up,” he said tersely. “We need to get him to a hospital,” he announced, already moving to lift Neil.
The caretaker’s hand shot out, stopping him. “Wait right there! Who are you? I can’t let a stranger take him anywhere!”
“Stranger?” Ruhaan’s snapped. “I’m not a stranger! Naina knows me. Neil knows me. I’m… I’m family!”
“Family?” The caretaker’s eyes narrowed. “Madam has never mentioned any family member like you nor have I seen you visiting them before. I cannot take risks with the child’s safety.”
She pulled out her phone, keeping herself between Ruhaan and Neil. “I’m calling Madam right now. Until she gives permission, you’re not taking him anywhere.”
“There’s no time for this!” Ruhaan ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, watching Neil’s unconscious form. “He needs medical attention now!”
“It will take just a minute to confirm with Madam,” the caretaker insisted, already dialing Naina’s number. “If you really are family, you’ll understand that I need to protect him too.”
Ruhaan felt helpless, watching Neil’s labored breathing, unable to do anything but wait. He held Neil close, his own heart racing as he silently begged for Neil to wake up. The security guard stood nearby, ready to intervene if needed, while the other children were quickly ushered away by their parents.
“Please, Naina,” Ruhaan whispered under his breath as the caretaker’s phone rang, “pick up quickly.” Every second felt like an eternity as Neil burned with fever in his arms, and Ruhaan had never felt more desperate to prove he belonged in their lives than at this moment.
**************
The day had been long and exhausting for Naina. The meeting with Bakshi had gone on for hours, and now, as she packed her belongings to leave the office, she couldn’t help but feel an itch to check on Ruhaan. She sat at her desk, staring at her phone screen where Ruhaan’s contact details glowed back at her. Her finger hovered over his name, the urge to check on himand his family’s emergency growing stronger with each passing second. Just as she was about to give in to the temptation, her phone lit up with Shanti’s call.
“Shanti?” Naina answered quickly, sensing urgency.
“Ma’am,” Shanti’s voice was frantic, “Neil collapsed in the play area. He has a high fever.”
Naina’s heart stopped. “What? Collapsed? Fever? How? What happened?” She stood up to leave.
“He just fell down suddenly and is unconscious. There’s a man here,Ruhaan, he wants to take Neil to the hospital, but I wouldn’t let him without your permission. Do you know him?”
“Yes, yes, I know him,” Naina grabbed her bag, already rushing toward the door.
Although she was surprised what was Ruhaan doing there she was still glad he was there with Neil at this point of time.
“Let Ruhaan take Neil to the City hospital. I’m on my way. Go with them, Shanti!”
