Ex Factor

by Varsha Dixit

  Ojas briefly closed his eyes and then turned back to his desk.

  No! Gina deserves better, much better. Not this half excuse of a man.

  ***

  “Do you think his mother was serious? Ojas really wants us to join them for dinner?” Gina asked her father the moment Kamla Purohit walked out of their room.

  “She seemed serious, genuine,” Satinder said. “I won’t join them in this condition, but you should.”

  Gina raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious, Daddu?”

  Satinder nodded as he turned the page of the political magazine he was reading. “It will be rude not to. After all, we are guests in their house.”

  “You do know the family coming over is for matrimonial purpose?” Gina said, ignoring the pang in her heart.

  “If they don’t feel awkward about it, why should you?” Satinder said, not looking up from the magazine.

  Gina could only stare at her father as she scratched the side of her cheek.

  Why is he okay with this? It will be so awkward. Looking down, Gina played with the ends of the bedsheet. What if they ask something about Ojas and me? My presence there will be so odd. Gina frowned. Is Ojas planning something fishy?

  “Gina, don’t think so much about it. Just go and have dinner. If my leg allowed, I would have joined you. After all, we can’t say no to them. We are guests in their house.”

  “But Da-”

  “In these days of gender equality, why can’t you be as comfortable as your ex-husband?”

  Staring at her father, Gina blinked slowly. “When did you become a feminist?”

  Satinder grunted and went back to reading his magazine.

  “I have nothing to wear.” Gina blurted, trying to say anything that would keep her from attending the dinner.

  “You look fine.” Satinder gave her a brief smile as he adjusted the pillows behind his back. A sign he was about to take a nap.

  Gnawing on her lip, Gina fiddled with her bracelets. What are you up to Ojas?

  ***

  Later that evening.

  Ojas kept a polite smile on his face and nodded at appropriate intervals, showing interest. Interest that was contrived. The woman, Sonal something, was seated next to his mother and her father sat on Ojas’s right.

  He stiffened.

  She’s here!

  Ojas felt Gina’s presence the moment she entered the dining room. However, he kept his eyes on his guests around the dinner table. Soon, others became aware of Gina’s presence too and the conversation tapered off.

  Kamla beckoned, “Gina, come dear. Join us.”

  Gina entered the dining room, her shoulders hunched, a hesitant smile on her face.

  Ojas saw Gina pass by him. He steeled his face further into a mask of politeness.

  Sonal something’s mother patted a chair next to her. Gina took it.

  Gina’s eyes clashed with Ojas. He nodded briefly and started chatting with Sonal.

  Gina felt slighted. Geez, you did not have to roll out the red carpet for me.

  She flashed polite smiles to the others. I’m getting out of here pronto.

  Gina could not help but steal a glance at Sonal. The woman had a perfectly made-up face. She wore a beautiful fuchsia colored dress with some gorgeous accessories put together. It perfectly complimented her sun-kissed complexion and highlighted hair.

  Kamla introduced Gina to others at the table. After the introductions, Sonal and her family barely conversed with Gina, which suited Gina just fine. It was hard not to constantly fidget or squirm.

  Throughout dinner, Kamla was the only one who spoke to Gina on and off. Ojas appeared enraptured with his guests. He was having a friendly conversation with everyone on the table except her.

  If he had to ignore me then why invite me? Gina kept her eyes lowered and mouth shut most of the time. She didn’t realize that she was frowning as she concentrated on separating potatoes from the tofu in her curry. The dinner was becoming unbearable.

  If Gina had looked up from her dinner plate once in a while, she would have noticed what everyone else on the table already had. Ojas did not even go a minute without looking at Gina’s bent head.

  “So, Gina, do you meet your ex-husband often?” asked the lady sitting next to Gina—Sonal something’s mother.

  “No, I don’t. Just this time because of my father’s accident.” Gina said in a stilted voice.

  “Hmmph convenient!” The lady remarked with a smile that reminded of Gina of a barracuda she had seen once in an aquarium.

  Gina’s eyes widened briefly but she refrained from a reply. After all, I’m a guest in the house of a host who doesn’t give a damn about me. Noisily, Gina moved her food around the plate. She did not understand why her temper kept rising whenever her ears picked up Ojas’s casual and friendly banter with Sonal. They seem like long lost friends! She sneaked another glance and saw that Ojas was serving some food on Sonal’s plate. Sonal said something to him, her look flirty, and Ojas chuckled and said something back to her. Sonal gave Ojas a coy look.

  Gina noticed the pleased glance that passed between Sonal something’s parents.

  Gina went back to studying her plate. She picked up her fork forcefully and it clattered against her plate, making a sound. Everyone glanced her way.

  “Sorry!” Gina felt her cheeks become warm. Her eyes met Ojas’s. He gave her a smile—a formal and distant smile. The kind you give to strangers to say I-see-you-idiot-but-do-not-talk-to-me.

  Gina looked away, swallowing the lump she felt growing in her throat.

  The dessert and coffee were wheeled in and Gina nearly whooped in joy. Her getaway time was close.

  There was some shifting back and forth of the empty plates and somehow, the coffee tray ended up next to Gina.

  “Gina, could you pass that?” Kamla said.

  “Sure!” Gina leaned forward to pick up the tray but it was heavy to move, being laden with cups and the coffee pot.

  “Leave the tray. You can make the coffee,” Sonal something’s mother addressed Gina.

  Kamla shook her head. “No, no! Gina, you don’t have—”

  Gina gave Kamla a gentle smile. “I’ll do it.”

  It took some effort, but Gina made sure not to glance at Ojas. If he can ignore me, so can I. If she had looked at Ojas, Gina would have caught him watching Sonal something’s mother, his eyes hard.

  The others resumed conversing as Gina poured coffee in cups. She asked Sonal’s father if he wanted sugar in his coffee. His reply was, “Two spoons please!”

  Gina asked Sonal next, who simply raised a finger. Gina dropped a single cube in the cup, stirred it, and passed the cup to Sonal.

  She made one for Kamla next, who requested no sugar. After that, Gina poured a cup of coffee and added exactly two small spoons of skimmed milk. Next, she gently tapped a cube of sugar till it came apart then she took half of it and added it to the cup in her hand. She stirred the coffee and then extended it out.

  All conversation around her had ceased. Gina looked around, wondering what caused such silence.

  Confused, Gina blinked her eyes and looked at Kamla.

  Kamla was quick to clear her throat and give Gina a tepid smile. “Is that for Ojas?”

  “Yes!” Gina nodded and passed the cup forward, still not understanding why Sonal’s mother was glaring or why Sonal’s lips were clamped in a thin line.

  Gina poured a cup for herself and sat back, demurring the apple pie Kamla offered her.

  “You still remember how Ojas likes his coffee?” Sonal’s mother asked, her one brow raised.

  Gina’s hand, that was raising the cup to her lips, stilled. “Only the one after dinner,” she mumbled, flushing. Gina hid her face behind the cup as she sipped her coffee.

  Oh shoot! I didn’t ask Ojas how he liked his coffee. I simply made it. I shouldn’t have remembered, damn it!

  Gina put her cup down. Now she understood the silence when she had been busy making Ojas’s cup. I can’
t stay another minute here.

  Abruptly, Gina rose to her feet. “If you all will excuse me, I would like to have the coffee in my room.” She looked at Kamla, her eyes silently entreating.

  “About time!” Sonal something’s mother said, loud enough for everyone on the table to hear.

  Kamla noticed Ojas jaw became clenched and his eyes took on a dark look. “Sure Gina! You must be tired.” Her smile to Gina was soothing. Kamla was embarrassed, not just by how the guests were treating Gina but also on remembering how she herself had treated Gina until a few months ago. “Let us know if you need anything else, anything at all.”

  “Thank you, I will!” Gina had no recollection what she said in her rushed goodbyes. She just had to get out of the room. She was mortified. Why would I remember something so personal about Ojas?

  What made her even more conscious was that instead of coming to her rescue, Ojas had stayed stoic and wished her aloofly.

  Gina hurried out of the dining room.

  ***

  Ojas waited long enough to hear Gina disappear down the corridor, in the direction of her room. He took a long swig of his coffee and rolled it around in his mouth, cherishing every last bit of it. She remembers! He had experienced crushing joy on seeing her make his cup and then immediately devastating sadness for what he and Gina could have been. Only if I had not been the asshole I was! We would still have been together. And together we would have survived anything.

  Staying remote and aloof from Gina was crippling Ojas worse than his injured ankle. I don’t know how long I can keep up this façade. She needs to leave before I crumble and fall at her feet, begging for a place in her life.

  “Well, now we all can actually talk,” Sonal’s mother interrupted Ojas’s thoughts.

  Ojas eyeballed Sonal’s mother, his eyes frosty. When Gina wakes up in the morning, she likes to have a fruit first and it must be sweet. Gina has a habit of chewing on her lower lip when she is nervous. She likes her tea sweet—with three spoons of sugar and ginger and cinnamon. She sleeps on her side and tends to go off her pillow once she’s fast asleep. And Gina, and only Gina, will always be my priority.

  The mother could not meet his gaze for long and she glanced at Kamla. Expression unyielding, Ojas then spoke, “Gina is always welcome in this house, always.” He got to his feet. “My apologies, but I have to make an important work call.”

  “Ojas, can’t you postpone it for a bit?” Kamla asked.

  “I’m sorry, Ma, but it is important.” Ojas said.

  Sonal something nodded to her parents. “I would like to leave now.” She sounded and looked miffed. “If you aren’t over your ex-wife then why do all this? Why waste our time?”

  “I’m sorry! You are right. I should not waste anyone’s time, Sonal, especially not yours.” Ojas said, not denying or confirming his feelings for Gina. “I’ll escort you all to the car. Please accept my heartfelt apologies again. I hope you at least enjoyed my mother’s company and the food.”

  In face of Ojas’s suave manners and sincere apologies, Sonal and her family did not respond with any more accusations but only hurried to say their goodbyes and leave.

  “If you change your mind, you have my number, Ojas.” Sonal said as her parting words.

  Ojas dropped the idea of walking them to the car. He left it to Kamla and Vinay. Ojas went in his room, locked the door. He wasn’t trying to keep his mother out, who Ojas knew would surely have something to say to him about his behavior. He was locking himself away from his gorgeous ex-wife who was only few doors away from him.

  Chapter 27

  After abruptly leaving dinner, Gina spent some time with her father. She checked her phone and saw the text sitting unopened since the last two hours. The travel agent had managed to procure one ticket to Amritsar for the next afternoon. She couldn’t say who was happier at the news, Gina or her father.

  After informing her mother of the flight time and making sure her father was comfortable for the night, Gina slipped into her room. Outwardly she was calm, but her thoughts were as frenzied as leaves swirling in a storm. She went in the bathroom to get ready to turn in for the night.

  Why am I so confused around Ojas? We both have moved on. There is nothing between us now. Right? Nothing at all? Gina opened the sink’s faucet but her mind was somewhere else. Then why did it hurt when Ojas was flirting with Sonal? Why does it bother me when he ignores me? He helped my father and took care of him; it should be enough. Why is it not?

  Gina’s hand that was holding the toothbrush to her mouth stilled as she stared at her reflection in the mirror above the bathroom sink. Her eyes were haunted, like something awful was eating her from the inside. Gina was quick to rinse her mouth. Then, as if the load of her thoughts were too much to bear, she rested her forehead on the cool mirror.

  “Can’t wait to get away from here.”

  Two hours later, Gina was still awake in her bed. Her brows met in the middle of her forehead as she turned side to side. Sleep eluded her. Her heart felt tight and a steady pressure was building up behind her eyes. That wasn’t good! A headache seemed to be on the horizon.

  Reluctantly, Gina sat up on the bed, rubbing her chest. I’m happy, I’m whole. Nothing is missing! Her gaze was drawn to the sheer curtains.

  In minutes, Gina was outside, luxuriating in the feel of the damp grass under her bare feet. Her steps took her in the direction of the pool.

  He’s not going to be there. It’s 2:00 am. Ojas is probably fast asleep or maybe, texting or talking to that Sonal.

  Gina missed a step and fumbled. Memories assailed her, the happy kinds! In the past, Ojas would often text her the sweetest messages. In fact, after their first meeting—which was a complete debacle, it was via texts that Ojas had restarted the conversation between them.

  Gina flexed her wrist and her bead bracelet rolled back. If Ojas and I were never meant to be, then why did we ever meet? She stared in the dark. I keep saying I’m happy on my own. Then why this loneliness?

  Gina resumed walking. Ojas understands this loneliness. Maybe that’s why he is moving forward. First Malvika and now Sonal! He will soon move ahead in life. Gina paused again, her fingers pulling at her bracelet, her worried eyes cast downward.

  Will I ever find someone?

  A sound made Gina raise her head. It was the sound of water swishing in the pool.

  Someone is using the pool!

  Gina narrowed her eyes, gazing at the pool that sparkled a bright, pure blue because of the lights on the wall and its floor. She saw a strong pair of arms cut through the water. A dark head of hair broke out of water every ten, fifteen seconds as the swimmer did the laps efficiently and sharply.

  It’s Ojas!

  Unsure, Gina stood there. The side of the house and the darkness in that corner hid her partially from anyone in the pool. I should leave. This is intrusive.

  Gina took one step but then halted.

  Holding on to the side of the pool wall, Ojas heaved himself out of the pool, emerging like some specimen of masculinity with rippling muscles and dripping water. Gina felt her breath hitch in her throat.

  His slicked back hair made Ojas’s chiseled face more prominent—the hooded eyes, the Grecian nose, the high cheekbones, the full mouth, and the strong chin. Gina eyes greedily ran down his body—the corded neck, the strong wide shoulders, muscled arms, a solid wall of male chest peppered with dark hair Gina knew from memory was soft to touch. She felt her skin warm up as her eyes continued their journey. Ojas’s waist was lean, his stomach flat and taut. Dark swimsuit bottoms clung to his sculpted hips and the tops of his muscled thighs. Black wet hair clung to his long lean legs.

  Oblivious to her presence, Ojas bend down and picked up a towel off the floor and began to dry himself, roughly.

  Gina observed how Ojas rested some of his weight on the toes of his injured foot, unable to put down his heel completely on the ground.

  Ojas’s balance was perfect as he swept the towel carelessly a
cross the length of his buffed torso and his hard stomach.

  Gina’s eyes followed his hands. She remembered what it was like to touch him in the places he was patting himself. She licked her suddenly-dry lips, unable to blink as she stared at Ojas’s ripped physique.

  Heat unfurled in Gina’s stomach and her hands restlessly moved at her sides. Memories of relentless passion between Ojas and her pounded her mind. She remembered the pleasure of just having his body lay on top of her, his muscled arms holding her to his chest, crushing her breasts against his muscle. Her nipples puckered and Gina felt some moisture between her legs. Her body wanted him. Only him!

  Gina made a soft noise in her throat.

  Ojas stilled. He had heard her. He raised his head and his dark gaze clashed with Gina’s.

  Chapter 28

  The towel slowly dropped from Ojas’s hand and landed on the floor. He didn’t care!

  Ojas took a step forward, his expression hard to read. Gina fumbled, averted her face and turned away, her movements not smooth or quick.

  “Gina!”

  Gina paused briefly but panic made her stumble forward. Her desire for Ojas confounded her. It came from nowhere and was thrumming strong inside her. So much so that it even made it hard for her to breathe.

  “Gina!” Ojas called out again, his voice closer this time.

  Gina swallowed and tried to step forward, but due to the moisture in the grass, her slipper stayed stuck. As Gina pushed her foot harder, a hand caught her arm and turned her around.

  Her breath jostled in her throat as Gina found herself looking up in Ojas’s eyes. He loomed over her, the smell of pool water clinging to him. Up close Gina could see the water still sticking to his face, neck, and shoulder. He was a dark shape over her, except his eyes that glimmered and his mouth that was a tight line in his face.

  “Don’t run away from me! I need to see the disgust in your face, I need to see the revulsion. . .” Ojas trailed off, his eyes piercing into her.

  Ojas had been startled to see Gina, to say the least. But when she had turned around and tried to flee, Ojas had assumed he knew why. She had seen him with his crippled foot—the one he could not put down completely without the support of his cane. He had limped after her. He had to see Gina’s loathing for him. Maybe it would finally push all desire for this beautiful woman from his mind. The woman he adored more than an entire dictionary could express. So, on reaching her, he held on to Gina and pivoted her around. The light from the landscape lighting made her face glow. And what Ojas saw confused the heck out of him.