‘Hey, Kaavi, clothing is serious. I’m married to a fashion designer, so clothing is a big thing.’
Then he leaned back on the couch, grinning like he’d just won something.
‘I’m married,’ he said, smugly.
Kaavi rolled her eyes, grabbed the nearest scatter cushion and flung it at him. He caught it easily, still grinning.
‘And so are you. You’re married.’
She groaned and sank deeper into the armchair.
Sen set the scatter cushion beside him and leaned forward.
‘Tell me, Kaavi, how did you think this was going to play out with Neel? You got married and what, just pretend it didn’t happen? No one was ever going to find out?’
‘Hey, you found out. You knew the whole time, Sen, but younever said anything. Why?’ she shot back.
Sen shook his head slowly. ‘Trust me, I wanted to. Every time I went to Jo’burg, I would think about tracking down this husband of yours, but Granddad said no. He said you’d run.’
Kaavi blinked.
‘You hate confrontation,’ Sen added, softer now. ‘And you run. We love you too much to risk pushing you. So yeah, I knew. I just couldn’t do anything about it.’
Kaavi didn’t say a word.
Sen leaned back. ‘Okay, I’m here to talk about four things.’
‘So specific,’ Kaavi muttered.
Of course he was. Sen always had a plan. The guy had probably made notes before showing up.
‘Alright,’ she sighed. ‘Hit me.’
‘The first thing concerns your Diwali outfit. Shona says Bashi’s Creations on Main Street has new stock. You’re going to Bashi’s before the weekend ends and you are going to buy something. That’s a direct order from Shona.’
Surprisingly, Kaavi nodded. No fight.
‘So, this is our first Diwali as a married couple and Shona’s going all out. I can’t stop her. Diwali is on Monday, but on Sunday evening we’re having a little get-together. It’s just a pre-Diwali prep thing. We’re hoping you’ll come by.’
Kaavi tilted her head and grinned knowingly. ‘You want me to help prepare for Diwali? I’m guessing that means kitchen duty?’
‘No, no, not the kitchen, Kaavi,’ he said quickly. ‘You’ll be there for moral support. That’s it. But you’re invited. Sam and Anni too. We want you there.’
‘Then, the third thing,’ Sen said, his tone shifting slightly, ‘as your lawyer, I just wanted to ask when are you planning to sign those divorce papers?’
Kaavi froze. ‘Um … well … I don’t know, Sen. I mean, I don’t know,’ she said quickly.
Sen nodded once. ‘Okay.’
‘Okay? That’s it? Just okay?’
‘Yes, Kaavi. Just okay. You make your own decision.’
‘Lastly …’ Sen’s voice dropped, a little softer now. ‘The local community paper in your parents’ suburb published an article about your father.’
Kaavi sat up straighter. ‘What? What do you mean? What could they possibly have written? Don’t tell me they have the story of me being arrested. Oh my God, did they find out?’
‘Okay, Kaavi, breathe. No. No one knows anything about that.’
