Page 95 of The Ex Factor

“I’m not sure yet,” I said. “But I’ll make sure her identity doesn’t get out, for her sake. She’s already in hot water with her family about this.”

“I don’t think you can do much in this situation, bro,” Padma advised sagely.

“What do you want me to do? Stop seeing her completely?”

“Are you really seeing her?” she screeched. “Likeseeingseeing?”

“No,” I replied promptly and unhesitatingly. “I’m notseeingseeing her, but I like her, and I do go out with her. That charity ball was one such social occasion.”

“Stop it immediately, or she’s going to end up hurt,” Padma said pointedly. “And so are you.”

“Who told you about Aarti?” I asked. “About…who she is.”

“Word gets around, Annayya. It didn’t take me long to figure out you liked her that day at the exhibition, and I wasn’t even paying attention. Imagine what someone who’s interested will dig out.”

“Do you also think it’s wrong for me to…be interested in Sameer’s ex?”

“I’m not the person to answer that,” Padma said with a sigh. “I am living a happy, unattached, childfree life. But if you care, then it matters.”

“I don’t care,” I said softly. “But I care about her, deeply. I don’t want to put her in a situation where she ends up being hurt again.”

“Then stop whatever it is you think you’re doing and get on with your life. Because this is bound to end badly and you both will suffer. Social stigma for sure, but more, I suspect.”

“Thank you for the rasam, Padma. Imran will drop you wherever you need to go,” I said with gratitude.

“Yeah, I’ve already spoken to him.”

She got ready to leave. “Are you going to spend the night here?” she asked at the door.

“If she’s unwell and needs me, then, yes, I am going to spend the night on the couch in her apartment,” I replied with indignation.

“Ugh, bro, don’t be so theatrical. I’m sure an apartment this size has a guest room with a very comfortable bed.”

I tapped her head at the sass and gave her a hug. “Thank you, again, for the rasam. I owe you and you know how to collect,” I teased with a smile.

“That I do,” she said and turned to the door. “And be very sure about what you’re doing, Annayya. Chronic heartache is not a healthy condition to live with.”

My weary body was ready to collapse on the couch. I lay my head back and closed my eyes. It gave me no respite. I leaned forward, elbows on my thighs, two fingers gently resting on my forehead, my eyes closed. I needed to find a way out of this. And soon.

A soft hand landed on my shoulder. “Sujit,” Aarti said.

I jumped up instantly. “Hey! How are you feeling?” I checked her forehead with the back of my fingers. “Good, no fever.”

“I’m better,” she said and quickly added, “I heard some voices. Was someone here?”

“Yes, Padmaja was here to drop off some rasam.”

“Ah, looks like you got your rasam after all. Next stop, family reprimand?” she said with a grin.

“Something like that,” I said and asked her to take a seat beside me. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

I told her about the pictures in the tabloid and the trashy news item that accompanied it. “They haven’t figured out who you are, but we need to be prepared…”

“In case we break the internet?” she cried with a frown.

I sighed. “I have no idea how it happened, but I assure you I won’t let it get any bigger.”

“Can I see it?”

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