Page 119 of Right Where I Belong

“You’ll always have a place here with us, Aunty,” Aditya said, coming right up to them.

Her mother-in-law turned and embraced him, her eyes bright. Aditya bent respectfully to touch her feet.

“Be happy, both of you,” she blessed them, before Aisha led her away.

Aditya pulled Sabrina into his arms. Cupping her cheeks, he said. “I have to?—”

“Hey, guys,” Keya’s cheerful greeting cut in.

Sabrina turned to look at Keya and Kabier.

“I’m so happy you’ve agreed to marry him,” Keya said. “He’s been lonely for too long.”

“Now he can never refuse to go on a holiday with us because he thinks he will be the lone idiot tagging along with lovey-dovey couples,” Kabier commented.

Aditya narrowed his eyes at Keya. “Do you have to tell himeverything?”

“Of course!” She grinned. “It was a stupid excuse in the first place.”

Aditya rolled his eyes.

Kabier patted his back. “Welcome to our world, buddy. These women rule our lives. Now you will know how it is always going to be.”

They spoke for a few more minutes before Keya and Kabier joined the others, and Raashi and Sameer took their place.

Raashi studied her. “I owe you an apology. My grandfather made me realize how biased I was. You had your reasons for what you did. I respect you a whole lot more now that I know everything.”

Sabrina nodded, grateful.

Sameer put an arm around his wife. “She means well. She’s just too damn pigheaded when it comes to the people she cares about. It is both, her greatest flaw and her biggest strength.”

“I understand…” Sabrina smiled.

Raashi kissed Aditya’s cheek. “I am so happy for you, you know.”

He gave her a warm smile. They left, and Sabrina was finally alone with Aditya.

“Come with me,” he said, taking her hand.

Surprised, she followed him as he led her to the center of the lawn. It was silent here. Tall lamps cast a warm glow while strings of tiny lights shimmered on the trees. Sabrina turned, taking everything in. It was all so pretty. The house in front of her was bathed in golden light from the dozens of carefully placed lamps, glowing against the darkness of the night. Smiling, she turned to Aditya.

Her breath caught when she saw that Aditya was down on one knee, an open velvet box resting in his palm. From inside the box, a familiar bright yellow diamond glittered with promise.

She gasped, recognizing the ring immediately. “Is that…?”

He smiled. “Yes. This is what my mother wanted to talk to me about. She gave me this ring to propose to you.”

A rush of feelings swept over her—joy, wonder, disbelief, and the profound understanding that by offering her this ring, Aditya’s mother had given them her full blessing.

Aditya took her hand in his. “Sabrina, I think I fell in love with you that first night we spent together in Singapore. I was bowled over by your innocence, your awe, and your beauty. You walked into my life when I least expected it. You are my greatest gift. You and Ahaan both. I want to spend every day of my life showing you how much you mean to me. Sabrina Solanki, will you marry me?”

Tears blurred her vision as she nodded. “Yes. Yes, I will.”

Aditya rose, sliding the ring onto her finger. The stunning yellow diamond winked in the soft light. His lips found hers. She wrapped her hands around his neck, holding him close.

A burst of cheers shattered the quiet. Sabrina pulled back, startled, and turned. Their friends and family stood a short distance away, clapping and laughing, their faces glowing with joy. Ahaan clapped the loudest, bouncing on his feet. She laughed too, taking in everyone present. Her gaze finally caught on three familiar figures standing a little apart. Mihir. Armaan. Vedant. Her brothers.They were here, smiling, looking so proud and happy.

Aditya squeezed her hand. “I forgot to tell you your brothers were coming.”