Neel almost laughed. ‘Sam, you do know Kaavi left me, right? No warning. No conversation. Just a note, her wedding ring and our marriage certificate.’
He turned back to the window, his jaw clenched. ‘It’s been two years. I didn’t hear a single word from her. I had to track her down just to file for divorce.’
He looked at Sam again. ‘If you’re worried about someone getting hurt, maybe you should be talking to Kaavi.’
‘You don’t want a divorce, do you?’ Sam asked.
Neel sighed and finally took the armchair across from him. ‘I thought you were here to warn me about your “baby sister”. So tell me Sam, what is it you really want?’
Sam leaned forward, elbows on his knees. ‘I’m a man who fell hard too, Neel. When I met Anni, I just knew. One look and that was it for me. I saw the rest of my life in her face.’
He paused, watching Neel carefully.
‘I don’t know … I think maybe that’s what happened with you and Kaavi. And I don’t think you actually want to divorce her. Am I wrong?’
‘Are all the men in this town this into talking about feelings on a Saturday morning?’ Neel asked, shaking his head. ‘Come on, Sam. I’m not here for therapy. I’m not looking for a marriage counsellor.’
He leaned back, arms crossed. ‘I’m here to get a divorce. Sign the papers. Leave. That’s it. Nothing more.’
Sam set his empty glass on the coffee table and stood.
‘You do what you have to do, man,’ he said, hands in his pockets. ‘But let me tell you something about Rally. We’re kind people. I’m not here to fight. I’m here to offer some advice.’
He nodded towards Neel. ‘Whatever it is you’re chasing, you’re not going to find it in a signed divorce paper. Just don’t do anything too rash. That’s all I’m saying.’
He paused, then added with a half-smile, ‘Truth is, I came here hot and ready to fight you for Kaavi. I thought I had to protect her. But looking at you now, there’s no way you’re letting her go. Not really.’
fter Anni left, Kaavi had just settled down in front of the TV when her phone rang. Her mother never ever called her on a Saturday. She always called when he was at work.
She answered. ‘Mom?’
‘Your father’s in hospital,’ her mother said calmly.
Kaavi didn’t respond.
‘Kaavi?’
‘Yes.’
‘I said your father is in the hospital,’ her mother repeated.
‘Okay.’
‘Don’t you want to know why he’s there?’
When she didn’t answer, her mother took it as a cue to tell her anyway.
‘He had a massive heart attack. It’s not looking good.’
Still, she didn’t say anything.
‘Kaavi, your father is dying,’ her mother said.
‘Okay,’ she replied again.
Her mother sighed and hung up.
Kaavi sat in silence. Surprisingly, she was calm.
