Page 72 of Strictly Solo
Subodh’s expression softened, but he still pressed on. “Neil also said he wanted Ruhaan to be his father. Do you think that’s possible?”
Her heart ached at the mention of Ruhaan, and suddenly, her carefully built defenses crumbled. Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision, and she quickly wiped them away, but her uncle noticed. He placed a gentle hand on her arm.
“Naina, think sensibly,” he said, leaning closer. “Ruhaan… he’s not in the mindset to get married. I’ve heard it from Kaushalya herself. He doesn’t want to settle down. I don’t know what that boy wants anymore, but I do know he’s not going to give you and Neil the life you need.”
Naina looked away, biting back more tears. Did her uncle know about her and Ruhaan? Could he see through her silence? She hadn’t told him anything about their feelings for each other.
“You didn’t need to tell me, Naina,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. “I saw the way you looked at Ruhaan when Neil asked him to be his father. I could see it in your eyes. You were hoping, praying, that he would sayyes. But he didn’t. He was silent. And that silence said everything.”
Subodh gently clutched her arms and shook her slightly.
“Ruhaan failed you twice. Seven years ago, he didn’t stand up for you in front of his mother, and today, he didn’t stand up for you or Neil when it mattered. If he had genuine feelings for you, he would have said something…anything. He could have said hewasn’t ready, but that he wanted a future with you. We all would have waited for that. We would’ve supported you both. But he didn’t acknowledge it, Naina. He let the moment pass, again.”
At that, Naina broke. She leaned into her uncle’s chest, sobbing quietly. Subodh hugged her tightly, patting her back gently.
“I know you’re hurting,” he whispered, “but you need to take some time. Go back to Mumbai, get back to your work, your life. Give yourself space to think. You need to focus on Neil and what’s best for him. This change will help you clear your mind, and you’ll be able to rethink everything. I’m not going to push you into anything, not with Raj or anyone else. But I don’t want you to close off completely. You owe yourself that chance.”
She pulled back from the hug, shaking her head. “My only priority now is Neil,” she said firmly. “I need to focus on him. He’s so upset after everything that happened today.”
Subodh studied her face and then nodded. “I understand,” he said softly. “And I’m here for you, whatever you decide.”
She turned to look at Suman, who was still trying to cheer Neil up, but her son was lost in his own thoughts. He clutched the toy car she’d given him but barely responded to her playful attempts.
Suman glanced up and caught Naina’s eye before walking over to her and pulled her into a tight hug.
“Take care of yourself, Naina,” Suman said softly. “We’ll miss you, but don’t worry too much. You know I’m always here if you need to talk.”
Naina nodded, tears still glistening in her eyes.
“Thank you, Suman. I’ll call you soon.”
Suman squeezed her hands before stepping back, and Naina turned to face her uncle once more. She gave him a weak smile, knowing how much he worried about her, how much he wantedher to be happy. But happiness felt like a distant, unreachable thing right now.
With a heavy heart, she gathered her bags, took Neil’s hand, and led him toward the departure gate. As they walked away, Naina glanced back one last time, her family waving her off. She had no idea what lay ahead in Mumbai, but for now, she had to leave this part of her life behind.
Chapter 21
On the entire flight back to Mumbai, Neil sat quietly, his usual energy and cheer completely gone. Naina noticed the sadness in his eyes, his tiny fingers twisting a corner of his t-shirt as he looked blankly out the window. She tried to make light conversation, telling him about all the things they’d do together once they got home, maybe even suggesting his favorite pizza for dinner. But Neil merely nodded, even his responses were brief.
As they landed in Mumbai and drove home, she glanced back at Neil, watching him quietly looking out at the familiar sights as they neared their apartment, and her heart broke a little more, knowing how deeply Ruhaan’s silence had hurt him.
When they finally arrived home, she unlocked the door and dragged the trolley bags inside, flipping on the lights. Neil, carrying his little bag, moved quietly past her toward his bedroom, shoulders drooped with disappointment. Seeing him so defeated, she decided she had to talk to him.
“Neil, baby, wait,” she called softly, walking over to him before he could disappear into his room. She gently turned him around and knelt down to his height, looking him in the eyes. “I know you’re upset. You didn’t talk to me much since this morning, and you didn’t even say a proper goodbye to Nana and Nani before we left.”
Neil looked down, his little shoulders sagging, and muttered softly, “I couldn’t even say goodbye to Ruhaan.”
Naina froze. Of everyone they had left behind in Delhi, Neil was still thinking about Ruhaan. She swallowed the ache in her chest and raised his chin, forcing him to look at her.
“I know you like Ruhaan. But sweetheart… he can’t be your Dad.”
“Why not?” he asked, his eyes searching hers for answers. “If they say Raj uncle can be my daddy, then why not Ruhaan?”
Naina took a deep breath, struggling to keep her voice steady.
“Because, Neil… sometimes, it’s not just about what we want. You want Ruhaan to be your dad, I know that. But it’s also important that Ruhaan wants to be your dad too.”
“But he does,” Neil insisted, his eyes wide with determination. “I know he does.”
