Strictly Solo - Chapter 3
Naina watched with a mixture of relief and frustration as Ruhaan's car pulled into the driveway. The moment he stepped out, the kids tumbled out of the vehicle, their faces beaming with joy and ice cream stains adorning their clothes.
Neil, her son, rushed towards her, clutching an ice cream cone in his hand, still relishing it. Naina pulled him close, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of the half-eaten treat. She turned her gaze towards Ruhaan, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“How many ice creams did you let Neil have?”
Ruhaan flashed her a nonchalant grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “We all had two each. What's the big deal?”
Naina felt her anger rising. “The big deal?” she huffed. “You know kids can't handle that much sugar at once. They could get sick!”
Ruhaan shrugged, unfazed by her concern. “Naina, you worry too much. Didn't you ever have two ice creams at a time when you were a kid?”
“That was different,” Naina argued, but Ruhaan cut her off.
“Nothing's different,” he countered. “Back then, you were a kid, and now Neil is. He wanted two, so I gave him two. Stop worrying so much; he's a strong boy. Nothing's going to happen. Think positive, Naina.”
“Yes, Mom, you worry unnecessarily,” Neil chimed in, his mouth smeared with ice cream. “Ruhaan is right. Nothing will happen.”
Naina felt her anger rising again as her own son took Ruhaan's side. Before she could respond, Neil scampered off with the other kids, leaving her alone with the infuriating man.
She pointed an accusatory finger at Ruhaan. “Next time, don't do anything for Neil without my permission.”
Ruhaan crossed his arms defiantly, his eyebrow arched in challenge. “Why?”
“What do you mean, 'why'?” Naina retorted. “I'm his mother.”
“And I'm something to his mother, right?” Ruhaan countered, a hint of flirtation in his voice. “So, that obviously gives me some right over Neil too.”
Naina felt her face flush with heat. “You mean nothing to me, Ruhaan, other than my brother-in-law's friend and business partner. Don't think your flirtatious behavior is going to let me melt down this time. I'm not the Naina you could charm seven years ago.”
Before she could react, Ruhaan slid his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him. Naina's breath caught in her throat as his closeness overwhelmed her senses.
He leaned in, his lips curled into a teasing grin. “So, I had really charmed you in the past? Didn't I?”