Page 49 of Strictly Solo
“Where is Kriti’s husband?” he asked quietly, sensing there was more to the story. “Shouldn’t he be here? He’s going to be a father soon.”
At his words, Naina broke down completely, burying her face in her hands as sobs wracked her body. Confused and alarmed, Ruhaan pulled her into his arms, stroking her back soothingly.
“Naina, what is it? What’s wrong?”
“He’s gone,” she cried, her voice muffled against his chest. “Kriti’s husband... he died last week in a road accident. That’s why she came back home two days ago. She has no one else, nowhere else to go.”
Ruhaan felt a sharp pang of sorrow in his chest as he held her. Kriti’s husband was dead? That was so tragic. He struggled to find the right words to comfort her as Naina continued.
“Uncle... he was the first to accept her when she came back. He’s angry at himself now, for keeping his distance these past two years. If only...”
“I’m so sorry, Naina,” he whispered. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
She sobbed harder and he let her. A while later, Ruhaan gently pulled away, cupping Naina’s face in his hands and wiping away her tears with his thumbs. “We can’t change what’s happened,” he said softly but firmly. “But you need to stay strong for your sister now. Your family is all she has.”
Naina nodded, trying to gather her strength. Ruhaan’s support meant everything to her in that moment. She wiped her tears and tried to muster a small smile.
Ruhaan, seeing her fragile smile, decided to lighten the mood, even if just a little. “So,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips, “what are you hoping for? A niece or a nephew?”
The question caught her off guard. For a moment, she blinked at him, unsure how to respond. Then, a small smile tugged at her lips. “A niece, I guess,” she said, her voice still shaky. “I’d love to spoil her with all kinds of dresses and cute accessories.”
Ruhaan chuckled softly, relieved to see a bit of her spirit returning. “Well, I’m rooting for a nephew. Someone I can teach cricket and football to; someone I can spoil and take to matches.”
That’s when the doors to the labor room swung open, and a doctor emerged. Naina’s family rushed forward, clustering around the doctor. Ruhaan couldn’t hear what was being said, but he saw the moment the news hit them. Mr. Kundrastumbled backward as if physically struck, while Mrs. Kundra’s hand flew to her mouth in horror.
Naina who was still with him, immediately stood up. The expressions on everyone’s faces told her something was wrong. Without waiting, she rushed over to her family.
“I’m so sorry,” the doctor repeated. “We did everything we could, but there were complications. Kriti... she didn’t make it. The baby boy is healthy, but we couldn’t save the mother.”
The world around Naina collapsed in an instant. She felt her knees buckle, and before she knew it, she was falling. Ruhaan was at her side in an instant, catching her before she could hit the floor, his strong arms wrapping around her as she collapsed into him.
“No...” Naina whispered, her voice breaking as this news crushed her. “Kriti... this can’t be happening...”
He held her tightly, his heart breaking for her as she sobbed uncontrollably. The Kundras stood shell-shocked, unable to process the cruel twist of fate that had turned what should have been a joyous occasion into a tragedy.
***************
The two weeks following Kriti’s tragic death had been a whirlwind of emotions for everyone involved. The Kundras were deep in grief, their home filled with a lingering sadness that seemed to seep into the walls. The joyous wedding preparations had come to a grinding halt, replaced by mourning rituals. Even Ruhaan hadn’t been able to speak to Naina during this time. Whenever he tried to reach out, he was met with the news that Naina was busy caring for her nephew, Kriti’s newborn son. It was understandable; Naina was now the only maternal figure the baby had, and she had thrown herself into the role with fierce determination.
He respected that, but it didn’t make the situation any easier. He missed her, longed for the comfort of her presence,and felt a sense of helplessness that he hadn’t experienced before. When his mother decided to invite the Kundras over to discuss the wedding arrangements, he was relieved. He hoped to see Naina, to finally talk to her, but she didn’t come. Instead, her uncle Subodh and aunt Malti arrived alone, explaining that Naina couldn’t leave the baby.
Kaushalya welcomed the Kundras into their home, and they all settled in the living room.
“We understand if you want to postpone the wedding,” she began, her tone polite but firm. “Given everything that has happened, we can always push the date ahead. It’s important that everyone is in the right frame of mind for such an event.”
Subodh and Malti exchanged a look, hesitating before responding. “We appreciate your understanding, Kaushalyaji,” Subodh said slowly. “But we’ve discussed it, and we think it’s best to keep the wedding as planned. It’s what Kriti would have wanted... and we believe it might help us all move forward.”
Ruhaan listened carefully, sensing that there was more on Subodh’s mind. The older man seemed uncomfortable, almost as if he were hiding something. He finally decided to speak up.
“Is everything alright with Naina?” he asked with concern. “She’s been through so much... I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
Subodh shifted in his seat, his discomfort growing more apparent. “She’s... attached to the baby,” he admitted after a pause. “Very attached. So much so that...”
“That what?” Kaushalya interrupted, her patience wearing thin.
Malti sighed, her eyes filled with sorrow. “Naina has taken on the role of mother for Kriti’s son. She’s with him constantly, and it’s as if she can’t bear to be apart from him. We’ve tried to convince her that we, as his grandparents, can take care of him, but she... she’s made up her mind.”
Kaushalya’s frown deepened, her confusion turning to concern. “And what exactly does that mean for the wedding?”
