Chapter 9 #2
‘I think you’re right. I’m not a small-town girl.
I grew up in Jo’burg. I’ve lived in New York, in London.
I’ve seen too much to pretend that this quiet little town is the dream.
I’ve been on beaches people only see in magazines.
I’ve walked runways and sat in first class and ordered room service at 2 am just because. ’
She looked down at the table.
‘So yeah, maybe I got emotional. I don’t know why it made me sad when you said it because you’re right. Maybe that’s what hit me … that I keep pretending I could stay here forever. But I don’t know if I want to.’
Neel didn’t say anything. He just sat there listening, cake untouched. For once, he wasn’t trying to fix it.
Kaavi yawned, rubbed her eyes, and dragged herself out of bed. Monday. Another week. Nothing on her calendar today except the growing weight of Neel’s looming departure. He’d said he was staying a month and it had been nearly four weeks since he’d arrived in Rally. Time was running out.
The workshops had gone better than anyone had expected. Anni was already dreaming bigger, talking about fundraising and planning more sessions. Kaavi was all in, or at least she wanted to be, but that unanswered email about Miami still sat in her inbox. Should she tell Anni she might not be around?
She didn’t want to think about any of it. Not Neel. Not Miami. Not the future. She was just grumpy. Woke up that way. Now everything felt heavier than it should, like the whole week was already pressing down on her.
Her phone rang. ‘Mom’ flashed on the screen.
‘Hi, Mom. What’s up?’
‘Hi, Kaavi. Just a low Monday,’ her mother said, mirroring Kaavi’s mood.
‘I know what you mean. I’m just grumpy.’
‘Me too.’
‘Why? What’s going on, Mom?’
‘I think I’m lonely,’ her mother said quietly. ‘I like the flat. I like where I’m staying now. There’s nothing I really miss from the old house. But I think I’m just a bit lonely.’
Kaavi’s first instinct was to tell her to come to Rally, but she held back.
Her mother was still trying to find her footing as a widow, yes, but also as someone finally free.
That made sense in a strange way. Still, Kaavi missed her.
She missed her warmth and her steady voice.
Even her arms around her. She didn’t want to tell her mother what to do, but God, she wished she could see her.
‘It’s okay, Mom. I think we’re both just learning how to live. I don’t know what else to say.’
‘You don’t have to say anything, my sweet girl.’ Her mother’s voice was gentle. ‘What I really wanted to tell you is this: don’t hold back on celebrating or doing things just because your father died.’
Kaavi stayed quiet.
‘I know what tradition says and I know there’ll be people who think we should be quiet or whatever. But Kaavi, your father held us prisoner.’
She paused. ‘Oh. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it like that or used that word.’
‘No, it’s okay, Mom. You didn’t mean it in a bad way,’ Kaavi said.
‘As long as I didn’t offend you or hurt you.’
‘Mom, it’s okay. Really.’
‘So, as I was saying,’ her mother continued, ‘you can celebrate things. Our family life hasn’t looked like everyone else’s, in our culture, our religion, and I just don’t want you thinking you have to sit things out.’
Kaavi rubbed her eyes again. ‘Mom, I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘Diwali is next week.’
‘What?’ Kaavi sat up straighter. ‘Diwali is next week?’
‘Yes, my sweet girl. And Granddad’s been begging me to come to Rally. I’m thinking about it. Maybe I’ll spend Diwali with all of you there. But I just wanted to say, you’re allowed to celebrate this important festival. Don’t hold back just because your father died.’
Neel was in his suite, logging off for the day when an email from the airline landed in his inbox. He opened it. A ticket to Johannesburg on Friday. He scrolled to the bottom. Booked by: Natara Naran. He called her immediately. She picked up on the first ring.
‘Hey Neel, what’s up?’
‘You booked my flight back to Jo’burg?’
‘Someone had to. You do realise your month in Rally is basically up. Diwali’s next week. Aren’t you coming back?’
There was a pause. She continued, irritated, ‘You’ve been there long enough. Time to come home.’
Neel exhaled slowly. ‘Natara, you don’t get it.’
‘No, Neel. I really don’t. You’ve been floating around for a month. You haven’t made a decision. You just left your life in Jo’burg to what? Start over in Rally? Is that your plan? Because if it is, tell me so we can at least plan around it.’
‘You’re jumping to conclusions. I never said I’m staying here. I just need a few more days.’
‘Exactly,’ she snapped. ‘A few more days to figure out whatever it is between you and Kaavi. To stay, to leave, to end it or not. But at least now you’ve got a flight. You’re welcome. I’m being a good sister.’
Neel clenched his jaw. She wasn’t wrong. She was just saying what he didn’t want to hear.
‘Nats, I’ve got to go,’ he said, his voice tight. ‘I’ll see you.’
He hung up.
Neel didn’t see Kaavi that night. He wasn’t in the mood and he knew he wouldn’t be good company.
He wasn’t even angry at Natara, at least not really.
She was just doing what she always did, trying to protect him, steer him straight.
The truth was he didn’t know what he was doing.
He’d come to Rally to have divorce papers signed.
That was the plan. Then her father died.
They started talking again. They got close again.
Now he was flying home with nothing resolved.
No clarity. No future. Just the same questions.
He should’ve called Kaavi. They needed to talk, really talk. But not tonight.
Tonight, he needed quiet. Distance. He had a feeling Kaavi might be feeling the same way.
So he slipped on his shoes and took the lift down to the hotel bar.
Neel slid onto the barstool beside a familiar face, Gavin Meyer.
The bartender came over. ‘What’ll it be?’
‘Just a beer,’ Neel said.
Gavin glanced over. ‘Hey. Neel, right?’
‘Yeah. Neel Naran and you’re Gavin Meyer.’
Gavin nodded. ‘I’ve seen you around. You’re Kaavi’s husband, right?’
Neel gave a half-laugh. ‘News travels fast in Rally.’
‘Yep. Now you understand why I run from it every chance I get.’
Neel looked at him. ‘Really?’
Gavin shrugged. ‘I’m what they call the homeboy who doesn’t stay home. Always moving. I’m never quite sure where I’ll end up next, but I’m sticking around for a bit now.’
‘Good to know,’ Neel said. ‘I’m actually leaving at the end of the week. The Grand Meyer’s been good to me, though. Your hotel’s great.’
‘You mean my father’s hotel,’ Gavin said with a small smirk. ‘But thanks for the compliment.’
He took a sip of his drink. ‘So, does that mean Kaavi is saying goodbye to Rally too? Gavin asked. ‘She’ll be missed. We all got used to having her around.’
Neel shook his head. ‘I don’t think she’s coming back with me.’
Gavin gave Neel a questioning glance. ‘Okay.’
A few seconds passed. ‘Want to talk about it?’
Neel let out a slow breath. ‘I don’t know what there is to talk about. I came to town to get divorce papers signed. That’s what I’m doing.’
‘You don’t look too thrilled about it.’
‘I don’t think I’ll ever be thrilled about divorcing Kaavi,’ Neel said quietly. ‘But it is what it is. People grow apart. Different lives, different ambitions. We just never really dealt with what happened two years ago.’
‘What did happen?’
Neel took a sip of his beer. ‘She left. Walked out because I told my family we were married. It was supposed to stay a secret.’
Gavin frowned. ‘But everyone knows now, right?’
‘They do.’
‘So what’s the problem?’
Neel gave a tired laugh.
‘That’s just it. I don’t know. I wish I had a clear answer. There isn’t a problem, really. But somehow, we’re still broken.’
Gavin studied him for a moment. ‘You sure you’re okay?’
‘I think I’m going to head back up to my room.’
‘You sure?’
‘Yeah. I’m going to call it a night.’
The next morning, Neel stepped into The Grand Meyer’s reception area, phone in hand, then froze.
He could’ve sworn he heard his sister’s voice.
A second later, he heard it again, louder this time.
He looked up and spotted Natara at the reception desk, clearly in the middle of a heated exchange with Gavin.
As he got closer, her voice cut through.
‘All I’m saying is that my brother is staying at this hotel. He hasn’t answered his phone and I’m asking for his room number. How hard is that for you to understand?’
‘I’m sorry, ma’am,’ Gavin said in a flat tone. ‘We can’t give out guest information. You’re welcome to wait in the foyer while we try to contact him.’
‘Why are you making this so hard? May I please speak to your manager?’
Gavin chuckled.
‘Are you seriously laughing at me?’
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh,’ Gavin said quickly. ‘I wasn’t actually laughing. I was just wondering how exactly a manager would change anything. I mean, globally, it’s standard that hotels don’t hand out guest information. Can you see how that might be a problem?’
Natara didn’t back down. Her glare sharpened, ready for round two.
‘Natara.’
She spun around.
‘Neel, why haven’t you been answering your phone?’
‘My battery died. I just charged it now and saw all your missed calls and messages.’
He looked her over. ‘Hey, what are you doing here in Rally?’
‘I came to see you, of course.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘To take me home?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. I need to talk to you.’
He nodded.
‘Alright. Can we talk somewhere private? Do you have a room here or …?’
‘He actually has a sweet suite,’ Gavin chimed in.
Natara shot him a glare. ‘Thank you very much,’ she said sarcastically.
Then, to Neel, ‘Can we go now?’
Neel nodded and gave Gavin a quick wave before heading to the lift with her.
Once the doors closed, he asked. ‘Nats, what are you really doing here?’
‘I came to talk to you and to apologise, actually. I was a bit harsh on the phone yesterday.’
When they got to his floor, Neel led Natara into his suite. She wheeled in a small suitcase, set it down, and turned to face him.
‘Neel, I’m sorry for what I said yesterday. It was harsh, but I’m worried about you. You can’t go through this again with Kaavi.’
‘I’m not going through anything, Natara. I’m coming home. I just needed to see this through. Trust me, okay?’
‘I take it you’re staying?’ Neel asked, heading to the couch. ‘Get comfortable.’
Natara shook her head. ‘I’m staying, but not here. I’ve got my own room. And no, it’s not a sweet suite. It’s just a room.’
‘When are you going back?’
‘I’m going back with you, Neel. I’m going to be at your side, no matter what happens.’
He sighed and shook his head. ‘Nats, nothing’s going to happen. I’m not falling apart. It is what it is. I’ll leave when I said I would. You don’t have to drag me onto the plane.’
‘Wait,’ she said holding up a hand. ‘I’m not here to force you onto a plane, if that’s what you think.
I’m not some heartless sister. I know I can be harsh and far too serious, but I mean this: I’m here for you, not the divorce, not the drama.
Just you. Whatever you decide to do, I’m here to see it through. ’
‘Fine. I appreciate it. Also, the guy you were shouting at at reception? That’s the owner. Gavin Meyer.’
‘What?’
‘Yep. That’s the owner. I never pegged you as the “I want to speak to the manager” type.’
Natara groaned. ‘I’m sorry, Neel. I didn’t mean to make a scene, but that guy just got under my skin. He was so smug.’
She kicked off her shoes and settled onto the couch.
‘I thought you had your own room?’
‘I do. But let’s hang out for a bit.’
Neel sank into the armchair. ‘Fine. Tell me everything that’s happening back home.’
‘I can’t believe we’ve been sitting here for ages and no one’s served us yet,’ Natara said, glancing around Riya’s Lounge that evening.
She leaned in slightly. ‘Where’s the owner anyway?’
Neel started laughing and nodded towards the bar. ‘Over there.’
Gavin caught Neel’s eye and gave a casual wave.
‘You can’t be serious. He owns this place too?’ Natara said, staring.
‘And he’s single. Very single,’ Anni chimed in.
‘Ignore her,’ Shona cut in. ‘She’s always trying to set people up. Just ignore her.’
Natara leaned back in the booth. ‘He’s not my type anyway.’
‘So what’s your type, then?’ Kaavi asked.
Neel groaned. ‘I really don’t want to hear about my sister’s type.’
‘Hey. If I have to hear about your love life, you’re going to hear about mine too,’ Natara shot back.
Neel turned away.
‘Anyway, my type? My type doesn’t live in reality. My type’s fictional. He’s a billionaire who owns an island and whisks me away to exotic places and he’s never needy,’ Natara said.
Kaavi, Shona and Anni burst out laughing.
‘At least you know what you want,’ Anni grinned. ‘Anyway, Natara, we’re going into Durban tomorrow to look for Diwali outfits. Want to come with us?’
‘Thanks for the invite, I’m in.’
‘When are you heading back home?’ Shona asked.
‘Friday. I’m going with Neel.’
Kaavi and Neel exchanged a glance.
Three more days, Kaavi thought.
Neel was leaving in three days. But was she leaving with him? He hadn’t said. Not really. There was talk of chemistry. He’d said he loved her after her father died and then at the funeral. But not since then.
Then again, she hadn’t said it back.
So, who was at fault? Maybe neither of them. Maybe both. Maybe they were just two people circling the same question, scared to say the answer out loud.
Now, with time running out, Kaavi felt the pressure settle on her chest. She didn’t like it.
Not one bit.