Page 11 of Right Where I Belong

“I am not.”

He actually wasn’t. He was, in fact, glad it was over.

“So, now what?” Keya asked.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re single now,” Keya said. “Are you ready to mingle?”

“You mean, is he ready to go back to being a playboy?” Rithwik made a face. “Please, no.”

“That’s rich coming from someone who was a known playboy before he got married.” Aditya threw him a dirty look. “In any case, I’m happy being single for now.”

Raashi lowered her cup on the saucer. “Why? I thought you wanted to settle down.”

“Will you guys give me a break?” Aditya said, his tone irate. “I know I made a mistake with Kanika. But that doesn’t mean I rush headlong into a relationship with the next person who comes along. And I’m not going to start sleeping around either.”

“Fine,” Raashi said. “We’re just concerned, that’s all.”

“And we’re here for you,” Rithwik added. “Whatever you need—bad advice, tequila, or a holiday to make you forget you ever knew that greedy witch.”

“Yes, anything for you,” Keya concurred.

Aditya laughed, feeling lighter. His friends were simply the best. They were all successful in their own right, and he was so proud of them. Rithwik led Fortuna International, while Keya was the chief technology officer at Sehgal Systems, and Raashi was a successful restaurateur.

“So, are you all willing to go on a random trip with me?” Aditya asked. He pointed at Rithwik. “What about your wife and kids?” He then pointed at Raashi and Keya. “Your husbands will never be okay to let you go on a trip with Rithwik and me, alone.”

Raashi chuckled. “Sameer wouldn’t have a problem if you’re there. You, he likes. Rithwik is… debatable.”

Rithwik winced. “Are westillhung up on that?”

Aditya laughed. Many years ago, much before Raashi had fallen in love with Sameer, Rithwik had asked her to marryhim to fulfill a marriage ultimatum his parents had given him. Although she had refused, Sameer had never really gotten over it. He liked Rithwik, sure, but he was still sore about it.

“I have a better plan,” Keya chirped. “Let’s take our husbands too.”

“So I’ll be the lone idiot tagging along with three lovey-dovey couples on a holiday? Hard pass.”

Keya grimaced. “Okay, not the holiday then. But anything else you ask for is yours.”

“I agree,” Rithwik said, then wrinkled his nose. “Also, no, tequila. Aisha hates it when I get drunk.”

Aditya laughed. “You’re so fucking whipped.”

Ever since his friends had gotten married, their spontaneous parties and unplanned trips had become a thing of the past. “God, I miss those good old days,” Aditya said. “Dancing in nightclubs with you three, tequila shots, partying till sunrise.”

“That was so much fun…” Keya echoed. “Oh, why did we grow up so fast?”

Aditya chuckled. “It was a different phase of life.”

“It was,” Raashi said. “But now is good too.”

Keya and Rithwik grinned. The three of them were all so happy with their spouses and kids. He loved seeing them like this. He thanked his stars for the day he’d met them. He’d already been friends with Rithwik when they had decided to go on a college trek. They had been paired with Keya and Raashi during that trip, and that was it. He’d gained two more best friends in life.

A few years back, Keya had married Kabier Sehgal and then Raashi had married Kabier’s cousin, Sameer. Despite being happily married and with kids, the girls were extremely protective of Aditya and very nosy when it came to his affairs. Now, thanks to them, their spouses were also friends with him.

“By the way, I’m taking Aisha and the kids to Delhi and then to London. We leave this Saturday,” Rithwik informed.

“That’s amazing!” Raashi said. “We’d planned this whole family trip to Prague for this Diwali break. You know, all of us, Keya’s whole family, Sheena, Rajiv and the kids, plus my whole family. But Shauna is working for a few months in Singapore, and Mehak is in her last trimester, so Rishi and she don’t want to travel abroad. So, we’re thinking of a quick getaway to Goa.”