Ex Factor

by Varsha Dixit

  The taxi in which Gina sat went over a speed bump and her eyes flew open, bringing her back to reality. Her mouth quivered and Gina sucked her lower lip in. Her nipples were hard in her bra and the place between her legs was throbbing. And her eyes were filled with tears. Happy tears! In the dark interior of the cab, Gina smiled and exhaled. That would have been beautiful. She rubbed the side of her eye.

  Reaching her apartment, Gina texted Ojas.

  Gina – I have reached home.

  Ojas – Great. Thanks for letting me know. How was the cab ride?

  Gina smiled as she stepped into the elevator.

  Gina – It was the best damn cab ride of my life.

  Gina was disappointed that Ojas did not ask her why or text after that.

  Ojas, who had been waiting outside the hotel, put his cell back in his pocket and walked forward to hail a cab. Malvika had left for her cousin’s house sometime back.

  Why was the cab ride so damn good? Ojas kept wondering for a while after but did not ask. I will heal for Gina’s sake, but I will never try to get close to her. She deserves the best and that’s not me.

  Chapter 21

  Two weeks later.

  Friday Night

  In her pajamas, eating a poke bowl and sipping red wine, Gina sat in front of the television, catching up on whatever latest it had to offer.

  “Didi, anything else?” The maid called out from the kitchen.

  “Can you please take the tiramisu out of the fridge? I’ll get it later. You can go now.” Gina called out. Twenty-four-hour house help in India was something Gina was still getting used to.

  After the maid left, Gina locked the front door and went back to the couch. She called up her mother and spoke to her for a while. Her father was in Pune for an auto show. Gina then spent an hour on social media while eating Tiramisu, which was now the perfect temperature and melt-in-your-mouth kind of soft.

  Close to ten pm, Gina wandered in her bedroom, changed into her nightclothes, did her nightly ablutions, and got into her super comfy bed.

  Gina picked up her e-book reader but did not open it. She turned to her side and looked out of the window of her bedroom at the dark sky. The air conditioning was turned on, thus the outside sounds were muted. But some sounds still found their way inside. How can one live in India and not hear the traffic? Gina smiled.

  Gina glanced at her bare wrists. Last month, she had retired her anti-anxiety bracelets to her bedside drawer and was hoping she could keep them locked and away forever.

  Gina went back to staring at the sky outside her window. The feeling of loneliness engulfed her yet again. What is this feeling? Everything is good after so many years. I’m exactly where I always wanted to be. Working and living with my friends, close to the family! There’s nothing else I need. Her heart did not agree.

  Her cell rang and Gina turned. It was her mother.

  “Hey Maa!”

  Her mother was speaking very fast.

  “Maa, slow down!” Gina sat up. “I can’t understand what you are saying. What happened to Papa?”

  “Your dad is in Pune. He was coming to surprise you. He was walking out of the restaurant and heading to the airport. I was talking to him and then there was this loud noise. I heard your father shout as if he were in pain and then the call dropped. I’m trying to call him but his phone is switched off!” Malti started crying.

  Gina bit her lip and her stomach became a pit; her legs didn’t feel steady. “Maa, do you know anyone in Pune? Does Bro know anyone?”

  “No, I don’t know anyone there. Your brother is on a tour. He is out of the country. Doesn’t Meher live in Pune?”

  Gina shook her head. “She is at a remote village near Allahabad for a medical camp.”

  “Then what do we do, Gina? What if something has happened to Papa? What if he is lying on the side of the road—”

  “Maa, don’t say that. Papa is fine.” Gina paused, rushing off the bed. She said the first thing that popped in her head. “Should I call Ojas?”

  Her mother did not hesitate for a second. “Yes, do that. And let me see if I can find anyone else, I know in Pune.”

  Gina quickly dialed Ojas’s number. He answered on the second ring.

  “Gina?” Ojas’s deep voice sounded in her ear.

  “Ojas, are you in Pune?”

  Ojas immediately picked up the note of worry in her voice. “Yes, I’m in Pune. What happened? Are you okay—”

  “It’s my father.” Gina put the call on speaker. “He is in Pune for the auto show. He was outside a restaurant and while he was talking to my mother, my mom thinks he might have got in an accident.” Her voice thickened and Gina paused to inhale deeply. Her hands were trembling.

  “I’ll go there right away. Do you know where the restaurant is?”

  “Hold on!” Gina opened the phone finder app on her phone. She was connected to her mom and Dad on it. She rattled off the address where she could see her father’s phone glowing as a dot. “The phone is not moving, it’s stationary. Oh my God, it’s not moving!” she moaned.

  “Do not think the worst, Gina. Maybe he dropped the phone and it broke. I’m not too far from there. I will get there in fifteen-twenty minutes.”

  “I’m coming too.” Gina walked out of her room to the closet where the empty luggage cases were stored.

  “That is not a good idea. Look at the time right now.”

  “It’s my father, Ojas.” Gina cried out as she picked up the first small bag she could find.

  “Gina, please listen to me. You won’t get a flight at this time. Plus, the auto show started today so the flights, hotels, cabs…everything is sold out.”

  “Fine,” Gina carried the bag to her room. “Just get there quickly and please call me.”

  “Absolutely. Wait for my call.” Ojas paused then added. “I will take care of everything, don’t worry. Just stay near your phone.”

  Gina called her mother as she packed her bag. She informed Malti that Ojas was going to check on Satinder and she would call her mother the moment she heard from Ojas.

  While waiting for Ojas to call, Gina called some nearby twenty-four seven taxi services and made inquiries for cabs to Pune. One cab service agreed to take her at the late hour.

  Almost half an hour passed but Ojas didn’t call. As Gina picked up the phone to call him, her cell rang.

  It was Ojas.

  “Did you find Papa?” Gina shot to her feet, her eyes wide in her face.

  “Yes, I did.” Ojas’s voice was low and strained.

  “What happened? Is Papa okay?”

  “A truck hit him, Gina.”

  Chapter 22

  A strangled scream ripped from Gina’s throat as she put her hand on the nearest wall for support.

  “No, hear me out. Your father is fine. It’s just his left foot. Gina, are you listening to me? Gina, say something.”

  Gina exhaled noisily and leaned heavily on her arm resting on the wall. “What happened to Papa’s foot?”

  “It’s swollen. I’m taking him to the hospital.”

  Gina heard her father say something in the background. “What is Papa saying?”

  “He doesn’t want me here.” Ojas said.

  “Can I talk to him, please?”

  “Sure, but in case the call ends, just understand that he threw my phone out of the car.” Ojas said in a low voice.

  “Gina!” Satinder Bansal said. his voice sounded churlish.

  “Oh my God, Papa, what happened?” Gina clutched her stomach. Her heart was racing. “A truck. . .?” Her voice cracked.

  “Gina, I’m okay, don’t worry dear. I was lucky. The truck that side swept me was barely moving. I just fell and my leg turned in a funny manner. It’s just my leg and a few other scratches.”

  “Thank God Papa! I have to call Mom. I will see you in a bit. Can you ask Ojas to text me the address where he is taking you?”

  “What do you mean, you will see me in a bit? Are you coming down
here? And was there no one other than this man that you could call?” Satinder said it loud enough for Ojas to hear.

  Gina lowered her voice, “No, there wasn’t anyone else. Meher is out of town. We did not know anybody else, Papa. Don’t worry about all that please. Let me call Mom and then I will call you right back.”

  “Hold on, he wants to talk to you.” Satinder said handing the phone to Ojas.

  “Gina!”

  “Ojas, thank you so much for taking-”

  “Forget all that,” Ojas cut her off, “it is no trouble at all. Are you planning to come here now? Look, I have everything under control. I will give you regular updates. Don’t come at this time. Start tomorrow morning.”

  Gina’s lips lifted in a wry smile; some things never change. “Ojas, please don’t. I’m coming and that’s final.”

  Ojas became quiet. Gina could feel his disapproval in his silence. “Fine. Then text me the picture of the cab driver and the number of the cab—”

  “Thank you!” Gina hung up on him. Shaking her head, Gina called her mother. After the call ended, she made sure she had packed everything that she might need. She ordered the taxi for herself, locked the house, and went down to the building lobby.

  Before she got in the cab, she did take a picture of the license plate and slyly, one picture of the driver too and sent it to Ojas. “Worry wart!” Gina murmured as she wrapped a stole around her, getting comfortable for the drive.

  Chapter 23

  Two hours later, Gina reached the hospital. She had been here before. It was the hospital Ojas had taken her to when she had injured her hand.

  Gina found her father sitting in the hospital lobby. There were minor cuts on his face and his left foot was in a cast. “Papa!” She bent and hugged him tightly.

  Satinder patted her back. “It’s okay, Ginu. I’m fine. Your father is a born fighter.”

  Gina sat down next to her father. “Yes, you are. Why are you sitting here by yourself?” Her eyes swept over the lobby and clashed with Ojas. He was sitting a few chairs away from them, his eyes hooded and hard to read.

  “We were waiting for you to arrive,” Satinder said.

  Gina forced her eyes away from Ojas. “How did this happen, Papa?”

  While her father filled Gina on his unfortunate accident, Gina’s eyes kept finding their way to Ojas, who was now on his feet but keeping his distance from Gina and her father.

  Ojas had a slight stubble that made him look even more handsome. A memory came to her mind of the time when they were together in the morning. Ojas would to rub his stubble on certain places on Gina’s body—the top of her breasts, near her navel, the inner side of her thighs. Gina shivered remembering how sometimes, she would arch shamelessly against his jaw, moaning for him to continue. Sometimes Ojas teased her by pulling away. The stubble rubs always led to a bout of hot pleasurable sex.

  What am I thinking? Gina flushed at her thoughts even as she nodded at her father’s words. She could not help but steal another glance at Ojas. He was gazing at her, his features composed to a right amount of concern and pleasantness. Her father downplayed Ojas’s role at the end of his tale but Gina knew that Ojas would have gone the extra mile to ensure her Dad’s comfort.

  Gina glanced at Ojas, again. She saw him move in their direction. Unknown to Gina, her eyes softened and grew luminous as Ojas approached her. Satinder noticed it and his mouth grew pinched.

  Gina felt her father’s eyes on her. Becoming conscious, she dialed down her grateful look. She stood up just as Ojas reached them. “Thank you for taking care of Papa. I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t—”

  “You don’t have to thank me for anything.” Ojas’s voice was somber like his expression. “It’s a fracture. The doctor has given him a painkiller for now. I have his medicines here.” He extended a brown bag and Gina took it.

  “Thank you!” Gina’s fingers brushed his fingers. She did not mind the touch, even found it thrilling. But Ojas was quick to withdraw his hand. He looked at her, puzzled. Gina blushed and averted her face. She turned to her father and handed him her cell. “Ma wants to talk to you.”

  Ojas gestured Gina to come to the side. They waited till Satinder was talking to his wife. Ojas moved a few steps away and Gina followed.

  “There is a problem,” Ojas said as he rubbed his nape.

  Gina knew that gesture. He was conflicted about something. Gosh, why do I still remember so many things about him? It’s been five freaking years. Gina shook her head as if clearing her thoughts. “What is it?

  “The doctor has advised your father complete rest for at least a day or two while the cast sets. It’s still soft. Also, because of the auto show, all the hotels are completely booked. I had Vinay call all of them.”

  “I can take Papa back in a cab to Mumbai.”

  Ojas jerked his head. “It’s close 2:00 am. You can’t travel with him like this. The cast might crack. And your father is already in considerable pain.”

  “What other alternative do we have?” Gina said. “He can’t sit in the hospital lobby!”

  Ojas looked at Gina steadily. She caught on. Her face grew alarmed. “No, no! That can’t happen. No way.” She glanced at her father, who was still talking to her mom. She swung her head back. “He will never go to your farmhouse.” Gina gestured helplessly. “I can’t even ask him to.”

  Ojas lifted his eyebrow. “Then let me. There is no other option.”

  “I’m not asking him.” Gina stepped back, her mouth set even though her eyes appeared anxious.

  Ojas exhaled sharply, looked down as if his patience was being tested, and then said to her. “Fine, I will talk to him.”

  Ojas did just that once Satinder had finished speaking on his cell phone.

  On hearing the suggestion, Satinder Bansal glared at Ojas for several minutes and then said a terse “No!”

  Ojas glanced at Gina. Reluctantly, Gina stepped forward. “Papa, your cast isn’t set. It might crack. You can’t travel for at least a day and all the hotels are completely booked.”

  Satinder frowned and shook his head. “I’ll take a room here in the hospital.”

  Gina put a hand on her father’s shoulder. “You hate hospitals Papa. It’s only for a day.” She then scratched her temple and cleared her throat. “Or two. Please! It’s our best option.”

  Gina’s eyes flew to Ojas. Even though his face was somber, Gina thought she saw amusement lurking in his gaze.

  “Let’s keep it to one,” Satinder gave in, his expression resigned. An inadvertent yawn followed his terse words.

  “Oh Papa, you are tired. Can I get you some water?” Gina sat down next to her father. She looked at Ojas.

  “I’ll get it.” Ojas started walking away toward a vending machine in the corner.

  Gina watched him. His limp has definitely improved.

  “Just get me to a bed,” Satinder said scratching his head. His shoulders were drooping.

  Ojas must have heard him for he stopped and walked back. “The car is outside.” He gestured to the hospital staff. Gina had not noticed them standing nearby with a wheelchair.

  The staff helped Satinder in the wheelchair. Ojas walked behind the staff as they wheeled Satinder away, his silver walking stick by his side.

  He still cuts an impressive figure, Gina thought as she trailed the group.

  Satinder was too tired to protest when he was helped into the car.

  In the car, Satinder dozed off within minutes. Gina adjusted her father’s head against her shoulder so he could sleep better. Ojas looked at her in the rearview mirror.

  Even tired, Gina’s beautiful, he thought.

  Gina caught Ojas looking at her in the rearview mirror.

  “My mother is living with me.” Ojas blurted to cover the fact that he had been caught gawking.

  Gina recoiled her eyes wide. Her father’s head shifted lower on her shoulder. She gently righted it and then turned to Ojas. “Why didn’t you say that b
efore?” she hissed.

  “I thought my mother had already apologized to you,” Ojas said, his eyes on the road. He took care to avoid the potholes in the road.

  “Yes, yes she has.” Gina nodded.

  A month or two after Gina had moved back from Singapore, she had received the most unexpected call. It was Ojas’s mother who had apologized profusely for treating Gina harshly a few years back. Gina had been quick to forgive Ojas’s mother and equally quick to end the call. The conversation had been uncomfortable as his mother had dropped several hints that she was hoping Ojas would now move on with his life. When she hinted whether Gina could talk to Ojas about it was when Gina ended the call.

  “Gina?”

  “Yes, sorry! I’m just tired.” She shifted gently so as not to disturb her father.

  “Is there a problem, Gina?”

  Gina evaded looking at Ojas. “Just don’t know how Papa and your mother will get along. It might get a little awkward or even heated.”

  “Don’t worry, they won’t have to get along. While you are at my house, you won’t see much of us,” Ojas said, his eyes on the road. “I’ll make sure of that.”

  Gina stared at her nails. “I’m sorry I have inconvenienced you.”

  “You haven’t. Not at all!” Ojas’s tone was brisk.

  “Thank you,” Gina said.

  Ojas made a non-committal sound. The drive was silent the rest of the way.

  Gina chewed her bottom lip as she looked out of the window. The last time we met Ojas was so friendly, but today he is so. . .so distant, so cold. I shouldn’t have called him, but I had no option. Holding her father’s hand, Gina closed her eyes and rested her head against the side of the car.

  Ojas glanced at Gina as she rested her head, her eyes closed. They were stopped at a red light. His hungry eyes etched every little line, every little crease of her face to memory. He let his mask slip for a few seconds.

  Since their chance meeting at the restaurant, Gina had been, constantly, on his mind. Her little gestures like tucking her hair, gnawing at her lip, her mouth titling up as she was about to smile, the shine in her dark eyes as she found something amusing, the way she used her hands to hold her silverware, or her slim fair fingers running up and down the side of her glass before she picked it for a sip—Ojas remembered everything. And even though he had decided Gina wasn’t for him, his heart and body didn’t seem very convinced. They craved Gina all the time. She can never be with someone like me. Hell, I can’t be happy with someone like me. Ojas gave a silent groan, forcing his eyes back on the road.