Strictly Solo - Chapter 2
Naina Bhalla was here?
Ruhaan stood rooted to the spot, his heart pounding as Naina walked away with her son, Neil. Even after all these years, her presence still had the power to unsettle him.
As Neil's voice faded down the hallway, Ruhaan finally exhaled the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. His eyes traced Naina's retreating form—the gentle sway of her hips, the cascade of silky dark hair down her back. She had blossomed into an incredibly beautiful woman, refined and self-assured in a way the shy, innocent girl he once knew never was.
A rueful smile tugged at his lips as flashes of their past flickered through his mind. The first time he laid eyes on her right here at the Kundras' home, she was a vision of pure, unaffected loveliness that had captivated him instantly. Even through her shyness and nerves that day, her remarkable spirit shone through in her every word and gesture.
And now, seeing her again after seven long years, the spark between them wasn't just rekindled—it roared into an inferno that threatened to consume him whole.
Ruhaan's fingers clenched involuntarily as he fought the urge to go after her, to drink in more of her presence like a man dying of thirst.
With an inward curse, Ruhaan forced himself to look at Suman, who was watching his expressions with equal surprise.
“Hey,” he broke the awkward silence.
“Hope you and Aunty have settled down in your rooms well,” Suman asked.
He nodded. “Yes, very much. I don’t know about Mom, but my room is perfect.”
“Has to be. That’s Naina’s room, after all,” she grinned.
What? Naina’s room?
“But then where is she staying?”
“In one of the guest rooms. And don’t worry, she’s absolutely fine with it. You and Aunty are our guests, in fact, our most important guests. You two should get the best rooms.”
“Thanks, but I am fine to occupy the guest room and let Naina stay in her room.”
“Chill, Ruhaan. It’s fine. But just a piece of advice now that you are so conscious about it.”
She came forward, turning around to ensure no one heard them. Ruhaan got equally curious to know.
“Don’t mess up with her photo wall in her room. That’s Naina’s favorite spot. Forget misplacing anything, if anyone even touches the photos from that wall she isn’t going to stay quiet.”
A photo wall? Yeah. He had seen a glimpse of it when he was shown the room, but he was yet to see it fully.
“Got it. I’ll be extra careful not to touch that wall then,” he assured.
“You are here?” Rohit interrupted them, sliding his arm around Ruhaan. “I was looking for you. Aunty said she isn’t finding her medicines.”
“As always,” Ruhaan chuckled. “I’ll go fetch it for her.”
Giving another look towards the direction Naina had left, Ruhaan walked away.