Now they sat opposite each other at the dining table, eating.Her messy bun was undone and the collar buttons were no longer fastened.
She smiled and then quickly looked away.
‘The food is really good,’ he said.
She rolled her eyes.
‘I’m making small talk,’ he replied.
She picked up a spoonful of pasta and put it in her mouth. He couldn’t believe she was eating pasta; it had been on the forbidden list when they were together. He could eat it but never her because she had to watch her figure. He thought it was unnecessary, but he didn’t stop her. It was her career and if that’s what she wanted, he supported it.
‘Rally is a great town,’ he said.
She put down her fork. ‘Cut the crap, Neel. We’re past small talk. Why are you staying in Rally?’
He contemplated her question but had no truthful answer because an answer didn’t exist. He didn’t know why he was staying.
‘I think it’s a great town,’ he said.
She shook her head.
‘Rally is a great town, but it’s not why you’re staying. If you think there’s a chance of getting back together, you’re mistaken. There’s nothing between us except this marriage thing,’ she said.
‘Nothing between us?’ His gaze fell on the couch where they’d been making out earlier.
‘That’s just—’ she stammered.
‘What? That’s just what?’
He knew she was uncomfortable with him reminding her of what had happened earlier, but he couldn’t resist seeing her blush.
‘It’s what got us into this mess in the first place. If you didn’t… forget it,’ she replied.
He picked up his glass of water, but even as he took a sip, hiseyes remained on hers.
‘Can you please stop doing that?’ she said, annoyed.
He raised an eyebrow and put down the glass. ‘Stop drinking water?’
She brushed a strand of hair off her face.
‘You know what you’re doing,’ she said.
‘I actually don’t.’ He leaned forward. ‘Tell me what I’m doing, Kaavi.’
‘How’re your parents?’
He sat back.
‘Seriously?’ He saw through her ploy, but the mention of his parents immediately put an end to the game he was playing anyway.
‘Yes.’
‘You don’t know them so what does it matter?’ He tried to act as if it didn’t hurt, but it did.
‘You’re right. It doesn’t matter.’
They sat in silence for a few more minutes.
