It was another uncomfortably hot day, so Kaavi was glad that she’d chosen a pair of denim shorts and a thin cotton tee for her outing. But she didn’t know where she was headed; she just had to get out of the apartment. She couldn’t look at the couchwithout thinking about Neel or of what could have happened if they hadn’t come to their senses. What concerned her more was that she actually wished they’d given in to what they’d both clearly wanted in that moment.
‘Kaavi!’ She turned when she heard her name.
Anni ran to her and flung her arms around her.
‘I’m so glad I bumped into you!’
Kaavi hugged her back and smiled at the fact that she had friends in Rally.
Anni was married to Sen’s best friend Sam, and she was also Shona’s best friend. They’d accepted Kaavi into their clique and included her in everything.
‘This is insane and I can’t believe it’s really happening,’ Anni continued.
Kaavi shrugged her shoulders, silently asking for an explanation.
‘I managed to secure last-minute funding for the youth programme,’ Anni said.
‘That’s amazing. Do you know what you’re using it for?’
‘That’s the thing. The donor has given far more than we’ve ever received, but on condition that a portion of it is used to hold workshops over the period of a week at the big hotel,’ Anni said.
In any other town, The Grand Meyer, with its presence in almost every country, would be called by its name, but in Rally, it was simply called ‘the big hotel’.
‘That’s an unusual condition,’ Kaavi commented.
‘Unusual or not, it’s a lot of money … Kaavi, I mean it. A LOT. The donor wants a makeup workshop every day for a week, then someone from law enforcement to teach the girls about their rights, and a martial arts tutor to talk about self-defence. While that’s happening at the big hotel, workshops for the boys will be held at Londile’s Lodge. Of course, if any boys want to sign up for the makeup lessons, they can,’ Anni said.
‘Wow. Who is this donor?’
‘Some out-of-town trust. I don’t know it, but apparently they’re impressed with the work we do. The money has already been transferred to us so we have to do this as soon as possible,’ Anni said, barely containing her excitement.
Kaavi wanted to jump up and down but didn’t want to seem too eager. Although she wasn’t a trained makeup artist, she’d picked up enough tips and skills from having her own face made up countless times over the years.
‘You want me to host the makeup lessons?’
Anni lightly punched her shoulder. ‘Of course! Who else! This time it will be different, though. Last time you brought your makeup kit and showed the girls what to do. Now we have funds to buy each girl a starter kit to use at the class and obviously to take home,’ she explained.
Kaavi grabbed Anni and hugged her, saying, ‘You have no idea how happy this makes me. I feel like I have a purpose, even if it’s just for a week.’
‘Kaavi, you’re amazing. You know that, right?’
Kaavi nodded slowly, swallowing hard to hold back the tears. She wished she could have heard those words when she’d needed them most.
‘Now, we need to order those kits. You know best. Check online or locally. Let me know what you decide on and we’ll meet to place the order,’ she said.
‘I’ll get on it. When are the workshops?’
‘In about two weeks. Shona will be back from her honeymoon by then. We three make a great team,’ said Anni.
‘This is so exciting. I can’t wait,’ Kaavi squealed.
‘Me too. These kids have been through the worst. We can make them feel good, even if it’s just for a little while.’
Anni then said she had to get back to work and was gone as quickly as she’d appeared.
Kaavi was beaming from ear to ear. In that moment, she’d forgotten her problems … until he stepped out of the store in front of her.
‘Kaavi.’
