Page 54 of The Ex Factor

“Why, do you have somewhere to be?”

I let out a silent sigh and began walking away from Sujit. “No.”

“How are you doing?” he asked as he lowered himself to the couch in the study, but I knew my brother well. His tense tone wasn’t meant for that question.

“I’m well. How’s everything there?”

“It’s been weird,” he said. “Everywhere we go, people keep whispering around us because we’re the only ones in our circle who wouldn’t be at Sameer’s wedding. I’m really glad you’re not here.”

“So am I.” I smiled, shooting a quick glance at Sujit, who was still engrossed in his phone.

“There’s something else.”

“Yes?”

“Are you seeing anyone there?” he asked.

“What?” I felt the blood pump directly into my ears. The unexpected thud was too loud to handle. “Why would you ask me that? And why would it matter if I was?”

“Listen, an acquaintance saw you with Sujit Rao and asked me about it. Do you know him?”

I glanced at Sujit again, and this time, I was sure he’d heard us, for he was looking at me with his eyebrows raised.

“Is he there with you now?” Aakash’s eyes bugged out at my shifty glances.

“No,” I blurted and fumbled before I could think about it more rationally. “Why would he be here?”

With as much nonchalance as I could manage, I walked into the bedroom and closed the door behind me.

“What about Sujit?” I asked, lowering myself to the armchair in my bedroom.

“Do you know him?”

“Yes, his office is in the building we bought from WM. We met to discuss his lease. What about it?”

“You know who he is?”

“He’s the founder of AccessEd. It’s a startup aiming to provide accessible education.”

Aakash blew out an annoyed breath. “You know what I’m asking, Aarti. You’re not naïve.”

I met his eye with conviction. “I know he’s Tara’s ex.”

“Are you involved with him?”

“I ran into him at an art exhibition, where I was on a date with someone else, if you want to know.”

“That’s not the only place you were spotted together. Someone saw you at some restaurant, sharing an intimate dinner.”

The lid I was trying to keep on my temper blew off. I jumped off my chair with indignation. “If you already know everything, why the fuck are you asking me?”

His eyes widened. “So, it is true!” The upward lilt in Aakash’s voice indicated both shock and disappointment. The next words out of his mouth confirmed it. “This is so messed up, Aarti. I hope you didn’t fuck him just to get back at Tara and Sameer.”

“You know what, I don’t want to have this conversation with you. Ever.”

“Wait,” he pleaded before I could hang up. “Look, bachchi, I’m only looking out for you.”

Aakash and I were two years apart and often toggled the role of the older sibling. Most often, I was the older one, but sometimes, he called me a child and loved me like one.

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