Kaavi looked around the room again.
‘Mom, let’s get out of here,’ she said.
Neel stepped out of the doorway and they left the room.
Kaavi unwrapped her sari, then sat on the bed in her underskirt and blouse, waiting for Neel to finish in the shower.
She was mentally exhausted.
The bathroom door opened. Neel stepped out in shorts and a T-shirt. His hair was damp and he already had a five o’clock shadow.
‘Mrs Naran, you are simply beautiful.’
She rolled her eyes and went to the bathroom. She showered quickly; she was so sleepy.
She found Neel sitting in an armchair, busy on his laptop.
He looked up at her and raised his hand.
She nodded. He was obviously busy in a video conference. It was 5pm on a Monday and the rest of the world was going about their business.
She sat on the bed in a T-shirt dress. Her hair was still a little damp, although she’d briefly used the hairdryer in the bathroom.
She lay down and listened to Neel’s voice. It was soothing. She yawned and slipped into a deep sleep…
Kaavi stretched her arms and yawned. She looked around to see what Neel was up to because she heard some noises.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She ran her hand through her hair, got out of bed and followed the sound. Natara was in the kitchen, setting a pot on the table.
She looked round and said, ‘I’m sorry I disturbed. I was trying to be as quiet as possible.’
Kaavi stretched her arms above her head. ‘I needed to get up anyway. What time is it? Where’s Neel?’
‘It’s 8pm. Your cousin is staying at the hotel around the corner. Neel is there having a drink with him.’
‘8 pm!’
‘Yep. I’ve brought you supper from my mother,’ Natara said.
‘Thank you. I really appreciate it. Give me a minute please. I’m just going to freshen up,’ she said.
A few minutes later, after washing her face and brushing her hair, Kaavi emerged from the bathroom.
‘Do you mind if I sit with you for a while?’
Kaavi shook her head and took the seat opposite Natara.
‘You must hate me,’ she said quietly.
Natara adjusted her glasses, nudging them up the bridge of her nose.
‘I used to. Two years ago.’
‘What changed?’ Kaavi asked.
‘I’ve seen enough to know that my brother and you belong together.’
Kaavi lifted the pot lid and picked up a spoon.
