SWEET BUSINESS

Chapter 2

I do not own the photo up top. The photographer is given credit for the image you just saw.

Naman Singhania

I was in the office when I got a call from a random number on my personal number. I picked up and found out that Ru was lost. I got furious. I took my car and directly went towards the bakery. As I entered the bakery I saw Ru sleeping on someone's lap. I have never seen Ru get clingy towards anyone besides me and maa (mom). I didn't want anyone to hurt him so I harshly took Ru away from that guy.

Ru started crying as I took him away from that guy. That guy took Ru from me and started comforting him. I was just looking at him. He was short. His height maybe be 5'4. He had black eyes and curly hair. I think I have seen him somewhere. But Ru being comfortable with someone other than me and maa (mom) caught me with surprise. Ru has never been comfortable with strangers. I've had a number of babysitters assigned to him over the past three years, but Ru has never let them touch him. Something changed in me when I saw him with that person.

"Daddy" Ru said and came towards me and I picked him up. "I told you not to leave your dadi (grandma). How did you get lost?" I asked. Perhaps he got lost while wandering around the market with Maa (mom). Maa informed me that they planned to visit the market early in the morning. A while ago I told Maa that I found Ru. "Say thank you to him" I asked Ru to thank him. "Thank you" Ru said. "Your welcome little muffin" that guy replied. "We should leave now. Thank for taking care of him" I said. He shook his head "No worries. Wait a minute" he said. He went towards the counter and packed something. He handed them to me. "These are for Ruhan" he said. I took out my card to pay. "No you don't have to pay for it." He said while smiling. I nodded as I didn't know what to say. "Hey Naman do you remember me?" he asked. He knows my name. He must have seen me on the TV. Do I remember him? No I don't. Though he looks a little familiar. "No I don't" I said. "No worries. Bye little muffin" he said. I went outside the bakery with Ru.

I was at home. Maa came in the living room. "Ru is sleeping. He must me tired. I should have held his hand tightly" Maa said. "Maa appki koi galti nhi hai (It's not your mistake). You know Ru he gets excited when he goes outside" I said. "Yes you are right. But from what you told me you saw Ru being clingy to someone who was not us. Maybe Ru likes that person. You should've asked the bakery owners name" Maa said. "I didn't feel it was essential." I said blankly. "You are going to die single" Maa said and went upstairs. I sighed. What did she mean?

"Daddy. Wake up. Wake up" I groaned. I opened my eyes and saw my sweet little Ru. "Good morning Ru" I said and kissed his forehead. "Eww Daddy brush your teeth" he said. I chuckled. "Get up. Dadi (grandma) said breakfast is ready" he said and went outside the room.

I got ready for office and went downstairs for breakfast. I hugged Maa and kissed her forehead. I sat beside Ru. Ru was eating his breakfast quietly. I grabbed orange juice and started drinking it. "So Naman when you are going to come back from office?" Maa asked. "I don't know. Why?" I asked. "I have invited Nirmiti and her whole family for dinner" Maa said. I knew Nirmiti Aunty as she was my Maa's best friend. "Okay I will be come early" I said. "Daddy I want to go to that bakery" Ru said. That's new. "No Ru we can't go today. Hum udhar kal chale jayenge (We will go tomorrow)" I said. He nodded his head. Why does Ru want to go there? He must have liked the cake. "Bye I will be going to office now" I said and went.

It was 7 pm Maa had already called me five times. "Yes Maa I coming home in ten minutes" I said and hanged up. I left the office and started driving the car.

I finally reached home. I went inside and saw Ru sitting on someone's lap. I step forward and saw Nirmiti aunty, Abhishek uncle and that guy who helped Ru. "What are you doing here?" I asked sternly. "I...I uhh" god he is stuttering, can't he speak clearly. "Naman behave. He is Nirmiti's son" Maa said. I nodded. That's why he looked familiar. "I will change and come" I said and went inside my room.

As I entered the living room I saw Ru still talking with that guy. They were talking something. "Naman how are you? It's nice to see you after so many months" aunty said. "I am fine. How are you and uncle?" I asked. These people helped me and mom when my dad passed away. "We are good beta (son). Meet my son Mehul. I think you might know because he used to go to same school as you" Abhishek uncle said. I still don't remember him. I looked towards him "I know him. He helped Ru when he was lost" I said. "Really" uncle asked. I nodded. "So Mehul helped Ru that day. Thank you Mehul for helping Ru" Maa thanked him. "No worries kaki (aunty) besides little muffin is cute and sweet" Mehul said while kissing my son's forehead. "Aww they both look cute" my Maa squealed. I hate to admit it but yes he looks cute. "Ma'am the dinner is ready" "Okay" Maa said. "Let's have dinner" Maa said.

Maids were serving the plates. Ru was sitting in between me and Mehul. "Mom I want you to feed me" Ru said and I froze. I saw everyone looking at Ru weirdly. Mehul picked him up and placed him in his lap. "Ru he is not your mom" I said sternly. He could never be. "No, daddy he is my mom" Ru said while whining. "Ru, How many time-" I was cut off. "Let's have dinner first. We can talk about it later" Mehul said and started feeding Ru. How dare he cut me off in my house? You are going to pay for it.

Dinner was over. We were now in the living room. My anger was at its peak. "Ru it's late you should sleep" I said. "No daddy. If I sleep mommy go" he replied. "Ruhan" I said sternly. Ruhan flinched. I didn't mean to raise my voice but him calling Mehul mom made me mad at him. "Little muffin look it's already 10 and it's past your bedtime. You should sleep now. I am not going anywhere" Mehul said to Ru. Ru nodded his head. Maa took Ru to his bedroom.

"I want to speak with you. Alone" I declared. Mehul nodded. We were in my library. "What's your plan? What do you want from me? Money?" I snapped. "What are you saying? Just because Ruhan called me mom doesn't mean I want money. I earn money myself. I don't need your freaking money" Mehul snapped back. I calmed down. "See I have seen people getting close with Ru so just they can get close to me" I said. It was true both men and women were ready to get close to Ru just so they could get close with me. But Ru didn't allowed anyone except this guy. "Not everything revolves around you Mr. Singhania" he said and left. I threw the pen holder which on the table.

After 20 minutes when I realised that my anger has subsided I went downstairs. "Where is that guy?" I asked Maa. "He went" Maa said. "Naman what did you say to him? And why is Ru calling him mom" Maa asked. "Mujhe nhi pata maa (I don't know mom). Ru has never gotten attached to anyone. Out of all people why he chose him and called him mom?" I sighed. "Naman, Mehul is a good guy. I know he is gay and I am not homophobic" Maa said. "What are you trying to say Maa?" I asked. "I think you should marry Mehul" Maa said. "What is wrong with you? I can't marry him. I can't marry a guy" I said. I am not a homophobe but I can't marry a guy. "Kyu Naman Kyu nhi. Mehul acha ladka hai aur Ruhan usko pasand karte hai (Why not Naman? Ruhan likes Mehul). I just want Ruhan to be happy. When he goes to play outside in the park kids ask him where his mom is and small kids tease him" Maa said. "Who are those kids? And why didn't Ru tell me?" I asked angrily. He should have told me about it. "Since he doesn't want you to worry. Naman it's time you get married. Mein humesha tho nhi rahungi tumhare aur Ru ke sath. You haven't dated anyone after that women left Ru outside our doorsteps" Maa said. "Maa I don't want hear about that wicked women. And about Mehul I don't know. I don't want to marry him but seeing Ru liking him and calling him mom makes me feel something" I said. "Naman don't worry I will talk to Nirmiti about the marriage. You have to get married early, as you will be going to London with Ru for three years for business" Maa said. She was right. I was going to London for three years as I had one of my biggest company situated there. I really don't want to marry him but Ru is my first priority and I will to everything for him. "Okay Maa. Do as you wish" I said.

Guess I will be marrying someone I don't like.

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