Page 81 of Strictly Solo
Ryma squeezed his arm, pulling him back from his thoughts.
“You’ve seen the worst of it,” she said gently. “But don’t let that convince you love can’t last. You’ll meet people who make it work, Ruhaan, who are stronger for having each other. Just… don’t shut yourself off from it completely.”
That left him speechless. He couldn’t easily shake the mistrust that had taken root in his heart over the years. But he didn’t say this out loud, unwilling to burden her further.
Ryma then gave him a knowing look. “And speaking of love and relationships… I hear you had quite the reunion with Naina back in Delhi.”
He blinked, feeling momentarily thrown. “Mom told you, huh?” he asked, attempting to deflect.
Ryma grinned, seeing right through him. “Yes, she did. And what is wrong with you? I’ve never seen you like this about anyone before. You’ve got that love-struck look I never thought I’d see on my practical brother’s face. You haven’t been eating well Mom said, this appearance of yours… no beard trim either. And your eyes tell me you haven’t slept well for weeks. I know that look actually. You’re smitten again by her, aren’t you?”
Ruhaan’s attempt to mask his feelings faltered. He knew it was futile to deny it to Ryma. His sister had always had an uncanny ability to see through his defenses, and this time was no different. The truth was written all over his face, in every sleepless night spent the last week, in every moment he spent thinking about Naina and Neil.
“Yoursituation is more important right now. We don’t need to discuss this.”
He tried to brush it off, but Ryma’s probing gaze was relentless. He couldn’t lie to her. Not when she could read him like an open book.
“Fine,” he muttered, raking a hand through his hair. “There’s something there. I don’t even know what it is. It just… it just happened.”
Ryma’s expression softened. “But?”
“But Naina wants things that I’m not sure I can give her. She wants commitment, stability…a life I don’t know if I’m cut out for. She has Neil to think about, too. I don’t want to hurt either of them.”
“Ruhaan, if you’re afraid, admit it. But don’t use your distrust of marriage as an excuse to push her away. Not everyone you love will betray you. If you care about her, about them, then don’t be so quick to turn away.”
Ryma moved closer, gripping his shoulders.
“Yes, I understand your fear, but this isn’t about what you have seen around in your past anymore, Ruhaan. This is aboutNaina and Neil. They deserve someone who will show up, who will love them without holding back. And maybe, you’re that person for them. Don’t let fear rob you of a chance to find out.”
Ruhaan closed his eyes, letting her words sink in. Maybe what Ryma said… there was a chance worth taking.
Chapter 24
Naina’s Office
Naina sat at her desk; her thoughts were far from work. This morning when she woke up and opened her balcony curtains, her heart sank at the sight of his car still parked outside her society gates. And when Neil spotted it during their drive to school, his excited shout that Ruhaan was still there and that he didn’t go, only deepened her guilt. All she wanted was to protect Neil from any more heartbreak, but Ruhaan’s actions were only making Neil more attached. She couldn’t understand what Ruhaan was trying to achieve.
Lost in thought, Naina barely registered Deborah stepping into her cabin.
“Naina, you’re miles away again. Snap out of it. Bakshi is here.”
“Oh!” Naina straightened in her chair, quickly gathering her laptop. “I’m sorry, I was just...” She paused, then couldn’t help but ask, “Is Bakshi alone, or is Ruhaan Singh with him today?”
Deborah stopped mid-stride, turning to her with a raised eyebrow.
“Ah, so that’s what’s been bothering you since Delhi. Ruhaan Singh is the reason behind your distracted state these days?”
Realizing there was no point denying it, Naina sighed. “Yes,” she admitted. “He is the reason I’ve been so unsettled lately. But I want you to know that it won’t affect my work commitment.Bakshi is an important client, and regardless of his association with Ruhaan, I won’t let my personal issues impact this deal.”
“I know you won’t,” Deborah’s expression softened. “I trust you. Just remember, if you need to talk, I’m here. And to answer your question, no, Ruhaan didn’t come with Bakshi today. Apparently, he had a family emergency.”
Naina froze. A family emergency? What could it be? Was his mother okay? The urge to check on him was strong, but she suppressed it. She couldn’t let herself get pulled back in.
“The meeting?” Deborah reminded her gently.
“Yes, of course.” Naina took a deep breath, trying to push away thoughts of Ruhaan and what family emergency might have kept him away. She grabbed her laptop and presentation materials, but her mind kept circling back to worst-case scenarios. Was Kaushalya aunty ill? Had something happened to someone else in the family?
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