Rohit looked at Ragini in awe. She had traded her blue-coloured one for a golden party-wear saree with a matching blouse. Everything about her was golden, including the jacket, giving her the aura of a goddess descending. However, her current jacket was relatively shorter, revealing an elegant glimpse of her toned waist on one side.
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"Now that's a proper heater. At least my eyes can stay warm," he thought with a crooked grin.
Naina, however, froze. "You're his… mother?"
Ragini rested her hand on Rohit's shoulder with authority and smiled slyly. "It seems the young miss has something else in mind?"
Flustered, Naina stood and quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry, aunty. It's just—you look far too young to be his mother."
Ragini pressed her palm to her forehead, half to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. "You young ones are something else. It's just a bit of self-care routine, that's all."
But Naina shook her head, refusing to believe it. "No, really. Are you sure this isn't a prank? You look more like his elder sister… or a distant aunt at most."
Ragini gently touched her shoulder, cutting her short, and steered her back toward her chair. "We should skip this topic. Please, sit. It would be rude of me not to treat my son's girlfriend properly on our first meeting." She raised her hand, calling a waiter for another chair.
Naina flapped her hands nervously. "No, no, aunty, it's nothing like that! We just met. I'm just a friend."
Ragini's lips curved in a teasing smile. "Oh? I thought you two would make a wonderful pair. What a pity." Her eyes flicked toward Rohit with a knowing smirk.
Rohit, chin resting on his hand, enjoyed the scene with a smug smile of his own. To outsiders, it might look like the usual meddling of a mother eager to matchmake her son. But he knew Ragini too well—she was baiting Naina to confess their relationship status aloud. That way, she could preserve her image while slyly testing whether Rohit was hiding anything.
"A cunning lady… and a deadly ass," he thought.
"Enough, Mom," he finally said. "She's just a friend. We only just met." He stood, signaling the waiter, who still hadn't got the hint about the extra chair earlier.
Ragini giggled lightly. "I know, I was teasing. You both just look so sweet together, I couldn't resist, my dear."
Naina's face warmed. "Aunty, you're too much."
The conversation flowed again, from brief introductions to circling around Rohit—how he was such a shut-in, how he lacked friends, and how delighted Ragini was that he at least had Naina as company. Naina, hearing this, glowed with pride.
"Hey, I'm still here, you know," Rohit grumbled.
But the two women ignored him, chatting like old friends.
When the waiter delayed, Naina started to rise, but Ragini stopped her. In a bold move, she settled sideways onto Rohit's lap, sitting cross-legged across his thighs. It was close enough to claim the space, yet distant enough to look innocent, though her aura radiated quiet superiority, like a queen on her throne.
Naina's eyes widened at the audacity. Rohit smirked inwardly, 'Even though I don't mind, but this is peak', then feigned shock. "Mom?!"
Ragini tilted her head. "What, you've got a problem carrying me? Am I too old for you?"
Rohit sighed in defeat. "No, sit as long as you want."
Naina laughed softly at their banter. "You two are so natural together." Her eyes shone, a tear almost slipping. "I wish everyone could be as sweet."
Ragini's gaze softened as she reached to comfort Naina, but then suddenly flinched. Because Rohit's hand had slipped under the saree's edge, gliding from waist to navel before withdrawing.
Ragini froze, flustered, the fleeting touch leaving a teasing spark. Silence stretched a few seconds, as if her mind had gone blank.
Naina tilted her head. "Aunty?"
Before Ragini could react, Rohit cut in smoothly, flashing a grin. "Don't worry, my dear friend. If you'd like, my other lap is still free." He even patted it playfully.
"Darling! Manners?" Ragini hissed, yanking his ear in revenge.
"Wait, wait, sorry!" he winced, flailing dramatically.
Naina giggled at their antics. "Maybe next time," she teased.
That earned Rohit a sharp glare from Ragini. Unbeknownst to their inner turmoil, Naina continued with a casual sip of her drink, maintaining her composure.
Just then, Naina's guard arrived to remind her the ceremony was about to begin. Ragini kept her pleasant smile, though Rohit felt the tension beneath it.
"Are you free this weekend?" Naina asked Rohit quickly.
"I'm busy," he replied at once, only for Ragini to interject. "Rohit, don't make excuses."
"I'm serious," Rohit said. "I promised to visit Akhil's house. His mom invited me to stay."
"It's fine," Naina said with a polite smile. "I'm only free on weekends anyway. I just thought Rohit could join me for golf. Maybe another day?"
She slid her card toward him, but Ragini intercepted it smoothly. "Don't worry, dear, I'll make sure he attends. It's important for young people to go out and explore. I'm glad you became his friend."
"Thank you, aunty. And I'm even more glad I met you." Naina's admiration was plain.
Ragini smirked, intercepting the card with effortless control. Oblivious to Naina's innocent intentions, she simply wanted to dictate when and where Rohit would see her again.
Rohit read it all from the sidelines and nearly sighed. 'If only she knew… mistaking Ragini for some doting mother when she was this possessive.'
Curiosity nagged at him. Once Naina was gone, he asked softly, "Why do you want me to mingle with her?"
"She's already left, and you're still talking about her," Ragini said with a wounded look.
She pouted and tried to rise, but Rohit tugged her back—closer this time, embracing from behind, crotch grinding her rear in unmistakable intimacy.
Ragini's face flushed crimson. Her playful composure cracked, replaced by embarrassed whispers. "Rohit, stop. Are you crazy? People are watching."
He released her only to "pick up" an invisible spoon, making it look accidental.
Freed at last, Ragini stood abruptly, murmuring under her breath, "I don't appreciate it… that was too reckless."
Rohit chuckled. "And who started it?"
She ignored him, smoothing her expression into calm indifference. Walking back to the table, she studied the menu as if nothing had happened.
Rohit cleared his throat, trying to mask his smirk. "So, this was your idea of a date?"
Ragini didn't even look at him.
He rolled his eyes. "Come on, what's with this ice-cold attitude?"
Finally, the waiter arrived with the chair, wearing a sheepish grin for being late. But clearly, no one at the table was pleased.
Nonetheless, Ragini told him what they wanted.
Rohit felt stung that she ordered for him without asking. Normally he would have let it slide, but this time the salt in the wound burned deeper. He flared up. "I'll pass."
Ragini gave him a sharp look and still instructed the waiter to bring the dishes. Rohit, pretending to be wounded, looked down at his phone, mimicking her act of indifference.
Moments later, Mahesh Chamani appeared on stage with his family, thanking the crowd for attending and urging everyone to enjoy the evening.
The hall erupted in cheers, then quickly settled back into awkward silence.
Ragini rolled her eyes, then turned to Rohit. "What you did was wrong. What if we had been caught? Think of our image."
Rohit stayed quiet for a while, then spoke, his gaze fixed on the city lights. "Alright, I admit I went too far. But I wasn't entirely in the wrong either. Still, I don't want to ruin the mood. How about we both take a step back?"
Ragini's voice softened. "Rohit…" She sounded apologetic as she confessed with an exhale, "You're right. I got jealous. I know it's not appropriate for my age, but I couldn't control myself."
Rohit smiled faintly. "I figured. And I don't mind. In fact, I'm glad you've started seeing me as your man rather than your son."
Ragini stayed silent for a moment, then slid Naina's card back across the table. "Take it."
Rohit raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I think this is for the best," she said quietly. "You're just infatuated. Maybe if you spend time with your own peers, you'll change your mind."
Rohit felt genuine frustration. Every time he tried to get closer, the same wall went up. He stayed silent for a moment, then asked, "And what if I come back even after mixing with others?"
"Rohit…" Ragini tried to reason with him.
But he pressed on. "I don't believe in love, but I feel a connection with you. And if that is love, then yes—I love you. I don't care what others think, especially when it comes to my own feelings. Maybe that's selfish, but that's who I am, Ragini Singhania."
Ragini was stunned, too shocked to utter a word.
An awkward silence hung between them before she finally muttered, "You just want my body."
Rohit snapped back, "At least I'm honest about what I want. Have you asked yourself what you want, Mom?"
Ragini was taken aback again. She knew it would be hypocritical to lecture him now—not after everything she had admitted and indulged in with him, even if only in secret.
Sensing her guilt, Rohit quickly leaned closer and placed his hands over hers. His voice was low but steady. "Listen, Ms. Ragini. I'm not speaking as Rohit who barely remembers how you raised me. I'm speaking as Rohit who has seen the care in your eyes, who understands the loneliness in your life. My emotions are true. Yes, our situation is complicated, but I see it as a blessing. We can feel each other, grow closer, share something deeper—all under the veil of family."
Ragini's gaze faltered, caught between doubt and something unspoken. Rohit clasped her hand more firmly in both of his and added, his tone filled with quiet appeal, "I know that someday I may have to marry for the family's sake, or perhaps be forced into ties I don't even want. But know this.." His eyes locked onto hers with raw sincerity. " I will always love and care for you first. If that's a sin, then let it be. The world has never been pure virtue, and it never will be."
Ragini looked into his eyes, which carried surprising depth. The weight of his words was complicated, yet oddly convincing.
Before she could respond, another feminine voice interrupted their fragile trance.
"Wow, a romantic date on the rooftop, all alone in the corner. What a perfect setting."
They both turned, shocked to see Akansha Mittal, Jayesh's mother.
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She wore a sleeveless gown with a plunging neckline and a high slit that showed off her pale legs.
Ragini's mood soured instantly. "Please leave us alone, Akansha. Not here."
Just then, the waiter arrived with their food.
Akansha ignored the hint, slipping into the chair uninvited. "Oh, come on, Ragini. I thought we were friends. Where's your courtesy?"
She leaned toward Rohit, squeezing his shoulder. "Or are you afraid I might steal your boytoy?"
Ragini clenched her fists, but before she could respond, Rohit brushed her hand off his shoulder as if removing invisible dirt. "I never knew beggars and bitches were allowed at high-end parties."
Ragini giggled despite herself.
Akansha shot to her feet in anger. "Excuse me?"
"No one invited you," Rohit said coolly. "If you're desperate for leftovers, come later. Now shoo."
Akansha trembled. "You—"
Before she could say more, Ragini added sharply, "Akansha, let me formally introduce you to my loving son, Rohit Singhania."
Akansha froze.
Rohit mocked, "Guess you missed the earlier auction—or else you'd have witnessed the historic moment when I crushed your incompetent son and his deluded pride in chess. Don't worry, you can always catch up with tomorrow's newspaper."
Ragini laughed out loud, which only infuriated Akansha more.
"Good. Very good. I'll see how long you two can keep laughing."
Rohit smirked, pointing to her cheek. "By the way, I see something white there."
Akansha stiffened.
"Leftover makeup?" he added innocently.
Ragini frowned and pinched Rohit's arm. "Enough, Rohit."
He only smirked wider while Akansha stomped away in fury.