Chapter 6: The Ria Factor
He remembers! He remembers everything.
I first suspected it when I saw the SUV at the airport—the same brand I used to point out in car magazines back in college, the one I told him I’d own "someday" when we were daydreaming about the future. Then came the music on the drive, those specific tracks from our shared playlist. Even the sheets in the guest bedroom were that specific shade of teal I always loved.
But the food was the final proof. He hadn't just cooked; he had curated a memory. The just sight and aroma of those dishes and the memories they brought back had me going wet between my legs.
I watched him across the table from the corner of my eyes. I saw the way he looked at me—with a hunger that had nothing to do with the food. So, I pushed. I let that drop of gravy spill. I watched it slide down, knowing exactly where his eyes would follow.
When he practically bolted from the table, I knew. And was that a bulge I noticed in his pants when he stood up?
I let him simmer as I finished my food before washing my hands and walking up to his home office where he was hiding behind his computer.
"You not eating?" I asked.
I saw his shoulders lock. He didn’t turn immediately, but I felt the heat coming off him. I wasn't just asking about lunch; I was asking why he was still starving himself of the life we should have had.
"Not hungry yet... had a late breakfast," he said, his voice a gravelly lie.
"Liars don't get dessert," I teased softly. Would he think I was dessert after all these years? Back then, he used to devour me for hours like I was a full course meal, making my pussy feed him orgasm after squirting orgasm. I hadn't been eaten like that in years. I longed to feel him inside me again. I wanted him to get off that fucking chair and take me, right there, right then. Couldn't he see how much I longed for him?
He finally looked at me, and the mask was back on—tight, professional, and cold. "We should go. Charmi is waiting."
Bastard!
---
We arrived at the dorm building of MNU. I was barely out of the car when I saw Charmi charging down the road , her backpack bouncing behind her, her face lit up with excitement.
"Mom!" she screamed, throwing herself into my arms. I held world tight I was holding my baby after four long years and couldn't help the tears flowing down my face.
She smelled of youth and ambition, of coffee and textbooks, of the life she had built here without me. She couldn't stop talking, telling me everything from college to friends to campus life as she dragged me up the one flight of stairs to her dorm room.
Vijay followed behind us carrying the bag of gifts I had brought from India, a warm smile lighting up his face as he watched the emotional reunion between mom and daughter.
Her dorm room could have been a hotel room, "did it come furnished?" I asked amazed at the quality of the furniture, the smart TV and the kitchenette.
"No mom, don't be silly. Uncle Vijay got it for us." Charmi said proudly.
I looked at Vijay, a silent question in my eyes. He shrugged and whispered, "just a few things here and there."
"Who is us? You have a roommate? Don't tell me it's a he!" I joked, wiping tears and trying to keep the mood light.
Charmi laughed, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. "Like Uncle Vijay would let a guy within a mile of me! Her name is Ria. She's amazing—you'll love her."
"Can't wait to meet her," I said smiling and caressing Charmi's face lovingly.
"She's just gone to get some stuff for chai. Should be back any minute." Charmi said, her voice laced with excitement as she pulled me towards the kitchenette. "You have to try her chai, Mom. It's the best in the whole dorm."
I smiled, my eyes scanning the room. The walls were adorned with framed photographs—Charmi with her friends, Charmi at various college events, and a few pictures of her with Vijay. My heart clenched at the sight of them together, his arm slung around her shoulder, both of them grinning at the camera. It was clear how much he cared for her.
"Uncle Vijay is the best," I heard from behind us.
I turned to see a girl who could have stepped out of a fashion magazine plant a kiss on Vijay's cheek, her hands slung around his neck. I felt an instant pang of jealousy that surprised me. She was stunning—tall, with sun-kissed skin, dark eyes that sparkled with mischief, and a body that was both athletic and curvy in all the right places. Her hair was a cascade of dark waves, and she wore a cropped t-shirt that showed off her toned midriff and lots of cleavage a pair of short, really short denim shorts.
"Ria, this is my mom," Charmi said, beaming. "Mom, this is Ria."
"So nice to finally meet you Aunty" Ria said letting go of Vijay and hugging. That's just her personality -- feely-touchy -- I said, dismissing the pang of jealousy.
We stood in the kitchen while Ria made her famous tea and carried our cups to the living room, where Ria parked herself next to Vijay -- just a little too close I thought.
Over tea, the girls talked non-stop about the road trips Vijay had taken them on, the museums he had taken them to, how he never forgot anyone's birthday and never lets them miss home. I barely heard because my eyes were following Ria's hands as they rested on Vijay's thighs (way too high missy), before he politely moved it off his legs -- much better.
Of course I hadn't missed the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra, letting her nipples strain her top as she pressed her cleavage against Vijay's arm. I hated that and didn't miss how uncomfortable it made Vijay as he tried to move his arm away. Good boy!
When Charmi suggested we do the dishes, part of me didn't want to leave Vijay with Ria. I had to tell myself they were both adults and I wasn't here all the time. Besides, what business was it of mine? I was his friend's wife and Charmi's mom. Not his girlfriend anymore.
Charmi dragged me off the couch, we picked up the tea cups and headed towards the kitchen. While washing the dishes she told me how Vijay had sponsored the elective courses she wanted to do. Charmi surprised me when she said he didn't have to do that mom. I don't know what I would have done without him. He's just god-sent. I not only realized that my baby girl had grown into a mature woman, but also how deeply Vijay cared for her. If only he hadn't walked away that day...
---
When I landed, I hated him for deserting me. By the time I had lunch, the things he remembered told me he regrated it. By the time we left the dorm, I wanted him and wanted him to know that I wanted him.
We pulled out of the dorm and I waited till we were out of the gate before speaking.
"You're so quiet," I said, my voice dropping an octave, honeyed and sharp. "Is it the silence of a saint, or are you still thinking about Ria's nipples tattooing her name on your arm?"
"What?" Vijay's head jerked, obvious surprise written all over his face. Men notice nothing, the fools.
"Didn't you notice because you are so used to taking skimpily clad 19-year old braless girls on road trips?"
Vijay pulled into the shoulder and stopped the car, he was glaring when he turned to face me, "You should be ashamed Neeta. These kids are away from home, away from parents trying to blend in. One of them is your child -- who I love to the moon and back by the way. Is that what you think I have become? A predator preying on innocent 19 year old girls?"
Fuck... that stung and I felt small. I had crossed a line and insulted not just him, but every 19-year old girl, including my own daughter. Silence returned to the car. A minute turned to five. Vijay sat staring out the windshield, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel.
"I'm sorry," I said reaching out and placing a hand on his. His eyes went to my hand first and I saw his eyes soften before he turned to face me, "I was just trying to tease you. I didn't mean it the way it came out."
Finally he smiled. In that smile, I melted. In that he smile he told me I was forgiven. In that smile he told me he knew what I meant and was just proving his point.
I smiled back. His expression changed to 'what's coming next' when he saw the mischief in my eyes.
"Man she's hot, you can't deny that," I said punching him in the arm.
"That she is, some guy is going to get really lucky... if she isn't dating already that is." he said, "that said, she isn't a scratch on you, cross my heart."
"She isn't." I said with a finality that surprised him.
"How in the world would you know that?"
"Because we women notice things you guys are blind to. She has a massive crush on you Vijay. If only you knew all the things she wants to do to you."
"Yeah? Like what? You are being ridiculous.
"Am I? You know what would be happening if she was here right now instead of me? Dusk, deserted road, parked car. Want to guess?"
"Don't even go there, Neeta," Vijay said.
"Oh I am there already 'Uncle Vijay'" I said resting my hand high on his thigh like Ria had, "want to know what I want now 'Uncle Vijay'?"
"Neeta stop it." he said but burst out laughing at my clumsy attempt at mimicking Ria.
"You are so nice 'Uncle Vijay'" I continued pressing myself into his arm like Ria had, rubbing my breasts up and down as I went lower and lower till my head was between his legs.
"I want to suck this popsicle 'Uncle Vijay', can I taste it?" I said moving my head up and down as if I was giving him a blowjob. Before he could speak his erection spoke...
"Neeta don't" he wasn't playful anymore. He was begging desperately. I looked up at him, "Don't do this to me Neeta, I beg you. I won't be able to stop if you push me over the edge."
I sat back in my seat and straightened my messy hair, "You know what Vijay... I never wanted you to stop. Not all those years ago and I would stop you now either. Too bad you didn't want me bad enough to stay the course."
We drove home under a cloud of darkness. How can just one day have so many shades? He wanted me. I wanted him. Why couldn't he just reach out and take what was always his?