‘The ugly one in Town Square?’ I’ve seen it.’
‘Okay … then how about I show you …’ She stopped, thought for a moment, then sighed. ‘There’s nothing to see in Rally.’
Neel laughed.
‘Well, why don’t we do this instead? We order in because I’m not taking any chances with us cooking and we watch a movie. Room service, something easy, no pressure,’ he said.
‘That actually sounds like a plan,’ she replied.
Simple. Normal. Comfortable.
Neel sat back, smiling, but inside he felt ridiculous. He’d been married to this woman for almost three years, yet somehow it still felt like he was asking her out on a date. A first date. And not the smooth kind, one of those nerve-twisting, second-guessing ones where you’re not sure where you stand.
He felt silly. He also felt a little excited. Nervous, even.
For a grown man that was a strange kind of thrill.
When they got to Neel’s suite, Kaavi kicked off her strappy sandals and sank into the couch. She glanced around, taking in the sleek furniture, the oversized windows, the kind of décor that screamed wealth. It was a ridiculously expensive suite. And it made her wonder why Neel was really staying here. Yes, he could afford it. His company could. His family definitely could. But why for an entire month?
The questions built up inside her. She knew she should be happy that he wanted to spend time with her. But instead, she felt like she was on edge, waiting for the moment one of them would say the wrong thing. The thing that would break whatever fragile thing they were holding onto. And then there was the clock. In less than two weeks, he’d be on a plane back to Johannesburg.
She still hadn’t told him how she felt. So now they were stuck, together, alone, unsure.
Neel sat down beside her, close but not touching, picked up the remote and broke the silence.
‘What do you want to watch?’
Kaavi shrugged. ‘Whatever you feel like.’
But he didn’t switch on the TV. Instead, he placed the remote gently between them like a boundary.
‘So, this thing between us,’ he started.
Kaavi swallowed hard. So this was it. They were going to talk about it.
‘Yeah,’ she managed, barely above a whisper.
‘This thing … it’s weird. I mean, when we first got together, we spoke about it. But we never really got to the bottom of it. I just don’t get it. The attraction, the chemistry … it’s always been intense. I look at you and I want you. I want to be near you. I want you.’
He looked over at her, his expression soft but sure. ‘And I know it’s not one-sided. It never was.’
Kaavi nodded, slowly, eyes locked on her fingers curled in her lap.
But as the words hung in the air, something became clear to her. He wasn’t talking about a future. He wasn’t talking about building something, trying again, asking what comes next. He was talking about wanting. About the pull between them that never faded. About the way their bodies spoke even when their lives were a mess. It had always been like that. And it still was.
‘But I think sometimes … it’s not a good thing,’ Neel said. ‘I mean, wanting you, who wouldn’t want a supermodel?’
He winced the second the words left his mouth.
‘Wait, I’m saying this all wrong, Kaavi. I don’t mean that I married you or that I’m with you or that I slept with you because you were a supermodel, or because you’re hot—’
He groaned, ran a hand through his hair. ‘No, wait, you are hot. God, that’s not what I meant either. I’m butchering this. I can see why I sound like an idiot sometimes.’
Kaavi burst out laughing. ‘Neel, who said you sound like an idiot? You’re one of the smartest men I know.’
‘But it’s not coming across like that, Kaavi!’ he said.
‘Okay, I agree,’ she said, trying to hold back a grin. ‘I have no idea what you’re trying to say, Neel. All I’ve heard is that you want me, and boy do I want you right now too.’
