Page 17 of Strictly Solo
Naina let out a sarcastic chuckle. “I eat well, Mr. Ruhaan Singh.”
Ruhaan chuckled too. “I’m not talking about food malnutrition. I’m talking about malnutrition of endorphins and oxytocin—the feel-good hormones that activate the pleasure centers in the brain.”
Naina froze, her anger momentarily forgotten as Ruhaan’s words sank in. She knew exactly what he was implying. Her breath caught in her throat as Ruhaan continued.
“You see, Naina,” he murmured, his fingers tracing a light pattern on her lower back, “when these hormones are in short supply, it can lead to all sorts of issues. Irritability, frustration, inability to enjoy life’s little pleasures...”
She swallowed hard, acutely aware of Ruhaan’s bare chest pressing against her. “That’s... that’s ridiculous,” she managed to stammer, her voice lacking conviction.
His lips curved into a knowing smile. “It’s not. Rohit told me you don’t have a boyfriend.”
Her jaw dropped. How could her brother-in-law share the details of her private life with Ruhaan? Ruhaan read her thoughts but continued.
“He gave me an idea of how busy and robotic your life in Mumbai is. Plus, with Neil being such a naughty kid, I assume your hands are full of responsibilities and work, leaving you no time for yourself.”
She knew every word he said was true, but she didn’t want to accept it. She pushed him, creating some distance, and crossed her arms in front of her, finally finding her voice. “And you thinkyou’rethe solution to my so-called problem?”
Ruhaan’s eyes locked onto hers. “Maybe I am. Maybe I’m exactly what you need.”
She felt a surge of anger at Ruhaan’s audacity. “How dare you even say that to me?” she snapped. “I’ve heard about your player reputation, but now I see it with my own eyes—how much of a flirt and a player you really are.”
His expression darkened before he reached for her again and pinned her to the wall. “Whatever you’ve heard about me, I won’t justify that. But I didn’t mean to try any of those flirtatious Casanova traits with you. That’s because I know you’re not likethe other women I’ve had flings with. I know you’re different. You were always different. What I meant was you need to loosen up a bit, enjoy life, and stop being practical all the time. Look at you right now—one casual tease, and your anger bursts up. This is what I’m talking about.”
Naina swallowed, knowing Ruhaan was right. She got too annoyed and frustrated even over silly topics these days.
His intense gaze softened a fraction. “Close your eyes.”
She was unwilling at first, but the firmness in his clenched jaw made her comply. She closed her eyes, and all she heard was his voice.
“Now, breathe slowly... relax... think of the good times you’ve had in your life... and the times you dream of... to come.”
She kept her eyes shut, recalling all the good times she had with her son Neil. She remembered the time they built sandcastles on the beach, the laughter they shared while baking cookies, and the bedtime stories he loved so much. Each memory brought a smile to her face.
Then, out of the blue, she saw Ruhaan and herself in the pool, clinging to him, feeling out of this world—good, happy, wanted, and desired, feelings she hadn’t experienced in years. He was the only one who had ever brought those emotions out of her.
As she slowly opened her eyes, she saw Ruhaan smiling at her, oblivious to what she had envisioned. The way she now watched him with pure affection confused him too for a few seconds, especially when she drew him a step closer. His gaze just like every other time these days, dropped to her parted lips.
Naina didn’t waste a single second to take a step towards him, and though their bodies didn’t touch, nor did Ruhaan hold her, when he bent to kiss her lips, Naina allowed him to. He gently sucked her lower lip once, then her upper lip, before releasing it. Although the kiss wasn’t longer than a few seconds,the moment their lips met, the world seemed to stand still for both.
The photo frame Naina had been holding slipped from her grasp and shattered on the floor, breaking their spell. Naina opened her eyes in shock, realizing what had just happened. Tears welled up as she saw the shattered pieces of glass from the photo frame of her and Neil on the floor. She knelt down, picking up the photo with teary eyes, knowing the kind of life she had just imagined was not in her fate at all. Imagining it with Ruhaan was all the more wrong.
Ruhaan bent down to help her pick up the pieces, but she didn’t allow him. She gathered the photo and ran out of his room, leaving Ruhaan staring after her in confusion and regret.
Chapter 5
Naina returned to her room and locked the door. The taste of Ruhaan’s lips still lingered. She paced back and forth, her heart racing as she grappled with the consequences of her actions.
“How could I have let this happen?” she whispered to herself, running her fingers through her hair in frustration.
Seven years had passed since she last saw Ruhaan, seven years of carefully constructed walls and emotional barriers. Yet, in a single night, those defenses had crumbled like sand castles in the tide.
She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror; her cheeks still flushed from the encounter. She hardly recognized the woman staring back at her. Gone was the composed, self-assured professional she had become. In her place stood a woman consumed by desire.
“It was just a kiss,” she tried to reason with herself. But deep down, she knew it was so much more. Ruhaan had been her first kiss, and now, after all these years, he had rekindled a fire she thought long extinguished.
“This is insane,” Naina muttered, shaking her head. “I’m not that naive girl anymore. I’m a single mother who have built a life, a career. I can’t just throw it all away because of... because of what? A moment of weakness?”
But even as she spoke the words, doubt crept into her heart. The controlled life she had so carefully cultivated over thepast seven years suddenly felt hollow, lacking the passion and excitement Ruhaan had brought rushing back with a single kiss.
