Page 112 of The Ex Factor

He turned around in his work chair as I took a seat on the couch.

“You’re leaving tomorrow,” he said.

This was as close toI love youas he could get.

“Yes, Papa. I wanted to talk to you about something before I left.”

A smile and a nod as he interlaced his fingers, resting them on the slight paunch of his stomach.

I pulled in a deep breath, mustering all my courage. If there was ever a time to be brave, now was it.

“I met someone in New York, Papa. Someone that I’ve come to like and respect,” I said with as confident a voice as I could manage.

His smile disappeared and was replaced with a thoughtful frown.

“You haven’t been in New York that long.” Read, how did you meet, connect with, and come to trust someone in such a short period?

“We have been able to spend some time together.”

“It is not difficult to impress someone if you are so inclined.” Like Sameer, who had efficiently managed to fool us all. My mind completed the unsaid part.

“I’ve had the chance to witness his true nature and personality. I trust him.”

“Have you done a background check? Do you want me to?”

I shook my head firmly. “No. But I need your blessing.”

The frown deepened. “Here is what I know, Aarti. If you were confident in your choice, you wouldn’t be here talking to me.”

I took another deep breath. It was time to drop the bomb. “It is Sujit Rao.” I wondered if Papa knew his connection to Tara.

“That name sounds familiar,” he said and turned his chair to his desk.

If Sujit were anyone else, he would’ve made sure that everyone knew who he was, what he was capable of. Thankfully, Sujit was not just another billionaire. He was the kind of billionaire the world needed more of. A benevolent king who’d spend his riches trying to do good for humanity.

The big screen of Dad’s home computer lit up as he did a quick search for Sujit. What he read must have pleased him because this time when he turned to face me, his frown was gone.

“Sounds like a decent enough guy.”

“There is one thing Google search won’t tell you, and that’s the reason we are having this conversation, Papa,” I said in a gentle voice, preparing him for the next words that were about to come out of my lips.

The frown reappeared, along with the interlaced fingers and the stern look in his eye.

“Sujit was Tara’s boyfriend.”

That got me the reaction I was waiting for. The bomb had exploded. He jumped from his seat, his anger and disappointment fumbling for words. He stood, gawking at me, as I slowly rose from the couch.

“I know what you are thinking?—”

“What wereyouthinking, Aarti!” he cried. I stepped up to him and coaxed him back into his chair.

I kneeled at his side and told him everything. Our chance meeting, the connection over the breakup, how he lent me his shoulder to cry on. I told him about my conversation with Aakash and his fears if our relationship became public. Dad heard me out patiently, never once interrupting.

When I was done, he pulled in a deep breath and said, “And despite all that, we are here, talking about it.”

Which meant I liked him enough to put everything at stake.

“Yes, Papa. You remember we had that wall calendar one year when I was younger? It had all those clichéd quotes, and one of them said,Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it eludes you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.”

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