Unnamed Thoughts

9. 'Heart To Heart'

The boxes were already filling up when Dev and Sonakshi got there. In them,  Sonakshi saw tanned and sunburned faces. Ladies were dressed in pretty pastel color summer dressed. And, too many of them turned to look at Dev, as they walked past them, bodies brushing, to their box. And, hell Sonakshi hated it. But liked the fact he didn't pay any attention to them but only took her hand and paid attention to her.

"The last time I saw so many people together was when Jatin took me to the last world cup."

Could you please stop talking about Jatin, Dev thought bitterly. He loved his brother, but he loved his wife more. And was too possessive to hear her talking about her ex-fiance.

"Want something to drink?" He asked when they sat down.

"Something cool, a lemonade would do fine. No coke or anything. Even water will be great."

"I'll be right back." Before leaving he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Don't wander off, I don't want to loose you here."

"I won't, Dev. Go." With a smile he disappeared.

"Hi Sonakshi." Sonakshi looked to the other way and saw Viola walking her way. "Nice to see you here. Are you alone?"

"No. Dev just left to get me a drink." Why are you here? she wanted to ask. "Are you alone?"

"Was, until found you. First race?" She asked sipping the beer in her hand.

"Yes." She looked down at the other people, saw Paddy. He was an attractive young man, maybe she could "hook him up" with Viola. The thought made her smile. Her gaze moved to the brown oval and the inward grass around which the horses would be shortly running. She understood races and that was a relief.

Dev came back and sat down beside Sonakshi, his arm instantly around her when he saw Viola. "Here's your drink and I'm hoping you'll share."

"It's too big for me to drink alone. You didn't get yourself a straw?" She sipped the cold drink.

"Do I really need one?" He asked sipping right after her, making her smile that he was ignoring Viola.

"Hey Viola." He said taking her hand, kissing it.

Sonakshi cursed mentally. She shouldn't have jinxed herself. "Did you bet?"

"Of course on my horse. Did you?" He looked at her face, the shades made her look different.

"Do you think so?" She asked giving him the drink. "But I want to."

"On who?'

"Not yours."

"Wait till the third race." He told her, leaning over to kiss her, the excitement in her.

She looked at him, "You said you weren't ending our marriage Dev." She basically whispered it in his ear so Viola couldn't hear while she was busy attending a call.

"I was just teasing you Sonakshi." He kissed her forehead and they both saw the horses being brought to the gate.

"They all look so beautiful." She sighed and felt better when Dev's hand rested on hers. When the gates opened and the horses ran with their riders wildly, Sonakshi's eyes stayed on Dev's mare and her fingers linked hard with his. When they curved the first corner and ending the first race, Sonakshi gasped. They might have made it business now but she could see why it was a sport for kings.

When it was over she laid a hand on her chest in excitement. "I never thought this would be so much more exiting seeing in real than on T.V. My hearts still pounding and- don't smile like that." Then laughed. "It's just wonderful. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. And, I want to bet on the next one."