Pretty much

“It's daft rubbish, Mr. Patterson.” Riya is quick to defend her family. “My dad's got his problems, Sir, but that business about his company defrauding the military is poppycock!” So far, if you accept the differences based on perspective, this feels about right. I listen with interest as Riya explains that her dad's problems are the combination of some questionable business decisions, and supply chain issues because of the pandemic aggravated by politician in the BJP who wanted to make an example of her dad.

“It doesn't make sense, Mr. Patterson.” She's getting angry now. “My dad's always been a steadfast supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party, but ever since his troubles started the local politicians have been just looking for ways to punish him.”

“What troubles?” I can see the momentary inner struggle, but with a deep breath she turns to me, determined to finish this.

“My dad had an affair, Mr. Patterson.” Riya tries to be matter-of-fact about this, but I can see the pain that this must have caused. “He stopped paying attention to the business, his wife, even his children. Then the reporters got wind of this, and the paparazzi started following him and it got worse and worse.”

“The worst part about it, Mr. Patterson, is that he was sleeping with one of my schoolmates. When she graduated, he offered her a position in his company, and then later, I guess in his bed.”

“Was she a friend of yours?” I could easily see how a man might be tempted by one of Riya's pretty friends.

“Oh God no, Mr. Patterson.” Riya derisive snort makes that clear, “We were both majorettes in the color guard, but I was a plain book worm, and she was super fit and a bit of a slut.” It is so quiet in the room that I can hear her soft breathing but after she doesn't add anything else, I move on.

“Thank-you, Riya. I know that was hard on you. Are you ready for Question 4?”

With a sniff and weak smile Riya assumes the same straight-backed posture she used to answer my questions.

“OK, this one is personal too. I want to hear about your sex life. I know you said you never had a boyfriend, have you done anything sexual?”

“I gave my lecturer a blowjob in his car.” This time it is my turn to gasp in surprise. I was honestly expecting to hear her tell me about some boy groping her at a school dance or a steamy masturbation session in the shower. Not that she sucked off some lucky older man.

“Really?” If anything, Riya seems less embarrassed talking about her own sex life than her father's.

“I was a bit of a gormless dreamer, Sir, and Mr. Patel was a smooth talker who liked innocent schoolgirls.” Riya's knowing smile made what could have been an awful experience for her seem like something she was proud of.

“Go on, I want to hear about this.” I wasn't wrong about Riya wanting to share her one-and-only bit of 'snog and blow' as she put it.

“He was my Maths teacher, Mr. Patterson, and he made me feel like I was the only student in the whole class who mattered.” She touches her lips unconsciously and I know that it is only a matter of time before I'll be exploring those lush lips. “He coached me in Chess too, and he offered to drive me up the coast to a tourney just outside Mumbai.”

“I made it out of the round robin part in the morning and was knocked out by one of the highest rated players in round two. My teacher took me to a fancy restaurant to celebrate, and then on a romantic drive to a rocky point by a lighthouse to watch the sunset. When we started kissing, I would have done anything he wanted.”

“And all he wanted was a blow job?”

“Oh, I bet he wanted a lot more than that, Mr. Patterson, but after he came all over my face, we had to get back.” Riya takes a drink of water and shrugs her pretty shoulders. “Turns out that he was already on probation for this type of thing, when the headmaster found out he drove me up to Mumbai alone he sacked him the next day.”

“So, you weren't the only student that he seduced?”

“No. At the time it seemed like the end of the world, but then I found out I was just the last of a long line of conquests. My parents insisted I see a gyno, but when it turned out I was still a virgin, they were more than happy to sweep the whole situation under the carpet and avoid any embarrassing questions.” Riya puts aside what must have been a bitter memory and touches my hand playfully.

“You've only got one more question, Sir.” She teases, “Do you have a particularly good one left?”