Chapter 10 #2
‘You know, I just don’t understand you young ones.
You’ve got something right in front of you and you insist on taking the long road to get to it.
Kaavi, Neel is your husband. You’re married.
You both want to be together. What do you mean he hasn’t asked you?
Can you not just have the conversation?’
She looked down at the yogurt.
‘Sen was the same with Shona. What is wrong with my grandchildren?’ he muttered, half to himself.
Kaavi didn’t answer because honestly, she didn’t know either.
‘I heard the workshops went well,’ her grandfather said, changing the subject.
‘From who?’ Kaavi asked, looking surprised.
‘I have my ways. I have my sources,’ he replied with a proud little smile.
She chuckled. ‘Okay.’
‘But you know, Kaavi, you could do that as a job.’
‘What do you mean, Granddad?’
‘I mean the workshops could be your thing. I heard you were a natural with the girls. From what I gathered it wasn’t just about makeup. It was about confidence, about giving them something bigger than makeup. It was empowerment.’
She listened, unsure.
‘We could shape it into something. Maybe offer it to companies for their staff, for women who want to learn the basics but also walk out feeling stronger. You weave in your empowerment stuff like you already do.
‘I don’t know, Granddad. I really don’t.’
‘Kaavi, you don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re brilliant. You’re not just a pretty face and, honestly, I think it’s time you stopped hiding behind that idea. I’ve heard what people are saying. Those workshops were something special. You have something real to offer.’
Kaavi sat back. ‘You really think I can do it?’
‘I know you can. Come up with a plan. I’ll invest in it.’
‘You serious? You’ll invest in it?’
‘Of course I’ll invest in it,’ her grandfather said. ‘And not just because you’re my granddaughter. I can see the potential. So come up with a plan and I’ll back it. Simple as that.’
He looked at her for a moment, then added, ‘Maybe this is your thing now. Modelling’s a thing of the past, right?’
Kaavi nodded. ‘Yeah, it is. If a charity needs me for something or there’s a local shoot, I’ll help. But full-time modelling? That chapter’s closed.’
‘Good. Then do this, babygirl.’ He leaned in slightly. ‘This is your shot. Pick up the momentum and run with it. Come on, girl, you’ve got to think.’
She smiled, shaking her head. ‘You sound like a coach.’
He grinned proudly.
Her grandfather’s house was on the outskirts of town, so this time Kaavi took an Uber straight to The Grand Meyer. She waved at Gavin in the reception area and headed straight for the lift, up to Neel’s suite.
She knocked.
A few seconds later, the door opened and she burst out laughing.
Neel stood there in a crisp dress shirt, a suit jacket … and boxer shorts.
He put a finger to his lips, wide-eyed, then ushered her in.
She tiptoed in and sank into the couch, still giggling, while he rushed back to his laptop at the desk, muttering apologies to whoever was on the other side of the video call.
He finally ended it, stood up from his desk and came over to her.
‘What are you wearing?’ Kaavi said, laughing again.
Neel shook his head. ‘You wouldn’t get it. You’ve never worked in a corporate office. This …’ he gestured at himself, ‘top half of me is all business. Bottom half? Freedom.’
He winked.
She laughed harder. ‘I can’t believe you wore that on a call.’
‘I was trying to get that guy to log off, but he just kept talking. So thank you, you saved me.’
He walked over and stood in front of her, arms folded, a small smile tugging at his mouth.
‘So … what brings you here? And why do you look like that?’
‘Like what?’
‘Like you’re glowing. You look ridiculously happy. What’s going on?’
‘I have something to tell you.’
Neel tilted his head, curious, almost like he was bracing for something big. She realised then he probably thought she was going to say something else. Something about them. But she wasn’t there yet.
Still, he was the first person she wanted to tell.
‘I have a job. Well, I got a job.’
Neel blinked. ‘Oh.’
His smile was too quick. Too practised. She saw right through it.
‘No, no, it’s not what you’re thinking. It’s not a job-job. Not yet. It hasn’t really panned out. But I think I have one. It’s something. Something I could do. Later. Not now. I don’t know what I’m saying.’
Neel grinned, stepping forward. ‘Okay. Then slow down and say it again. Start from the beginning.’
Kaavi was practically bouncing in her seat as she told Neel about her grandfather’s proposal.
Neel leaned back, arms folded. ‘I told you you were a natural. This could actually work.’
‘Yes. Just not right now. I mean, with everything going on.’ She stopped herself before saying more.
‘Yeah. With everything.’
‘Hey, I wonder if that company or trust that funded the workshops would consider donating again, but I don’t even know who they were. No banner, no promo stuff, nothing. They were so low-key. Almost secretive.’
Neel looked away.
Kaavi narrowed her eyes. ‘What aren’t you telling me?’
‘Nothing. Why?’
‘You’re lying. I can see it.’
‘I’m not.’
‘You are.’
He sighed. ‘Okay. Fine. The trust … it was me. My company. It went through all the right channels, my grandfather, my father, even Natara. It was fully approved.’
Kaavi blinked. ‘You paid for it?’
‘Sure.’
‘And you didn’t tell me?’
‘I didn’t want it to be about that, but I don’t regret it, Kaavi. I saw those girls’ faces. Here’s the thing, if you really want to do this, I’ll sponsor it again. I mean it. You made a difference and I’ll back you all the way.’
Kaavi nodded slowly. ‘I don’t get it. Why did you do it?’
Neel hesitated. ‘When I came to Rally, you didn’t want to give me the time of day. I just wanted to see you. I was staying at the hotel and one of the waitresses mentioned the workshops. I figured maybe I’d catch a glimpse of you, just for a week. I didn’t expect … all of this.’
Kaavi leaned back. ‘Yeah. It’s been a long month.’
He nodded. ‘Yep. A month.’
She glanced at him. ‘So you’re leaving tomorrow?’
‘At ten.’
‘Morning not night?’
‘Morning. Natara and I are driving to Durban to catch our flight. We’re leaving Rally at seven.’
Kaavi looked away. ‘So I won’t see you tomorrow.’
‘Probably not.’
He paused and then started again, ‘Do you want to go down to Come in Carmen? We could get some cake?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Supper, then? Maybe just hang out?’
She shook her head. ‘No. I don’t think so.’
Kaavi stood. ‘I better go.’
She felt it rising in her throat, the ache, the pressure. It felt like she might be sick. She never did goodbyes. If she did, she wouldn’t have left him a note the last time she’d walked away.
He wasn’t asking her to come back with him. He wasn’t asking anything at all.
So, this is it, Kaavi thought.
‘We’re not even getting a proper goodbye?’ Neel asked quietly.
Kaavi shook her head. ‘I don’t know what a proper goodbye is.’
Neel nodded. ‘Me neither. What is a proper goodbye, anyway? In this situation, do I shake your hand? Hug you? Do you against the wall?’
‘Neel,’ she said, half laughing, half stunned.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said, grinning. ‘I was thinking it, so I figured I might as well say it.’
She shook her head, still smiling, but there was a weight behind it. There was something sad they both weren’t naming.
Neel hesitated. ‘About the divorce papers …’
‘Not now,’ she cut in. ‘We can talk on the phone. Later.’
He nodded, then his voice dropped. ‘Then I need you to walk out that door.’
Kaavi nodded slowly.
Should she tell him that she wanted to go with him, that she needed him, that she didn’t want the divorce.
But then she looked at him, sweet, steady Neel. What would he say? That he wanted her back because he felt sorry for her?
After Kaavi left, Neel went back to work.
He answered a few emails, called Sarika and even rang Ryan to say he was coming back.
Ryan, of course, tried to pry about Kaavi, but Neel didn’t give away much.
He needed to talk to someone, though, and Natara wouldn’t do.
She was too close to the situation and too biased.
So he changed into jeans and a plain T-shirt and headed down to the bar, hoping Gavin was around. Sure enough, there he was, planted on a barstool like always.
The bartender spotted Neel. ‘Beer?’
Neel nodded and slid onto the stool next to Gavin.
‘I don’t get it. One minute you’re working at the reception, the next you’re at Riya’s Lounge. Where do you actually work?’
‘It’s complicated,’ Gavin said.
Neel laughed.
‘What?’ Gavin asked.
‘That’s what Kaavi and I say when people ask what’s going on between us.’
Gavin grinned. ‘Sounds about right.’
Neel sighed.
‘I take it she’s not going back with you tomorrow?’ Gavin asked.
‘Nope,’ Neel said.
‘Did you ask her?’
Neel took a long sip of his beer. ‘Okay, here’s what I don’t get, Gavin. Kaavi hasn’t said she loves me. Not once. I’ve said it, more than once, since we met again, but she’s never said, “I love you, Neel.” Not even close. Isn’t that … weird?’
‘You’re asking the wrong person,’ Gavin said, lifting his glass. ‘I’m the guy who bought a bar for his ex-girlfriend.’
Neel turned to face him, eyebrows raised. ‘About that …’
Gavin sighed. ‘It’s not what you think. I’m not in love with Riya. It’s a long story. It goes back to something that happened when we were teenagers. Anyway, this isn’t about me.’
He looked at Neel. ‘What’s really holding you back from asking Kaavi to go home with you?’
Neel let out a breath. ‘She’s got a job offer in Miami. A big one. I can’t expect her to give that up, and I know she won’t. She’s already said yes, basically. She didn’t even pause to think about me.’
Gavin winced. ‘Yeah. That’s rough.’
Neel nodded. ‘It is.’