Page 110 of Right Where I Belong

“Why do you think I kept a distance from everyone in our circle?” she said softly. “I didn’t want to accept even to myself that I felt something for you. I thought that if I kept seeing you often, I’d fall in love with you. And that is exactly what happened when we started spending time together. You are warm, kind, and selfless. You showed me what it is to be happy, to feel cherished. You even taught me that it is possible to have pleasure in physical intimacy.”

His eyes widened at her words. “What? Are you saying that… before that first time in Singapore… before us… you’d never…”

She shook her head. “I’d never felt anything like you made me feel that first night we slept together, or any night since. You are the first man I’ve loved and the first man to show me what true pleasure is. I want to make it work between us. I want youto be a part of my life, of Ahaan’s life. I want to wake up every moment with you by my side.”

He caressed her cheek. “I didn’t know what my heart was missing until you walked into my life, a delightful mix of spark and sass and insecurities. I love you, Sabrina… all of you. You make me feel complete and so happy. Marry me?”

A sharp breath escaped her lungs.

“I don’t have a ring yet, but I will get one for you soon,” he said. “So, what do you think?”

Her throat clogged with tears. Her heart felt so full with all the happiness she’d found. She nodded. “Y…yes. A thousand times yes.”

With a whoop, he lifted her off her feet and twirled her in a little circle. She laughed. He put her down and kissed her lips.

A pertinent thought pressed in on her. “But your mother?”

His shoulders sagged. “My mother will come around. She loves me too much, and she’s just possessive. Once she learns what a wonderful person you are, she will accept you with all her heart.”

“I don’t want to delay that, Adi,” she said. “We have to tell your mother about us. Let’s go back to Mumbai tomorrow and talk to her.”

“But your brothers…”

“They will understand,” she said. “In any case, we have to return in a few days for Mihir’s wedding. I want to tell Ahaan as well. I have to tell him about his uncles too.”

Aditya nodded.

She rested her cheek against his chest and held him close. Her heart was pounding. Just a few more challenges, and they would finally have their forever.

39

Mumbai

“Mom, why are we here?” Ahaan asked, idly tossing a small cricket ball from hand to hand. “Coming to your office is boring.”

“Oh really?” She put her hands on her hips. “You never say that when Dilnaz is here and sneaking you chocolates.”

His eyes widened. “You know about that?”

“I’m your mother; of course, I know.”

He gave her a naughty smile.

As soon as she’d landed from Singapore, Sabrina had quickly rushed to fetch Ahaan from school and brought him straight to her office. As expected, he’d been delighted to see her back and earlier than expected. Aditya had wanted to be there when she spoke to him, but she’d insisted on talking to Ahaan by herself first. She looked at the waning sun from her window. Her office was quiet at this time. Dilnaz had just left to organize a four-year-old’s birthday party, and she was all alone with her son, exactly as she’d wanted.

She smiled. “I need to talk to you about something.”

Aditya would be reaching here in a little while, and then they’d go to his house and meet his mother, with Ahaan. But Ahaan wasn’t paying her any attention right now. He kept playing with his ball.

She placed a hand over his. “This is important, sweetheart.”

That made him look up, his dark eyes curious.

“Ahaan,” she began, steadying her breath. She knew he liked Aditya, but what she was going to say next would change his life too. “I want you to know that Aditya and I are together. How would you feel if he were part of our lives… forever?”

“Forever?” he asked.

“Yes.”