Page 17 of Right Where I Belong

“Youaregoing,” Diya reiterated. “We won’t take no for an answer.”

“Are you girls mad?” Sabrina exhaled. “I have work and Ahaan and Ma. And this is expensive…”

“Andwehave a plan to take care of it all,” Aisha said.

“Yes, we do,” Diya concurred. “First things first, money. We know it’s expensive, but we also know you have some money saved for a rainy day. This is that day.”

“Have you both lost it?” Sabrina shook her head. “I’m saving that money for Ahaan… for his future.”

“And you will be doing this for his future,” Aisha argued. “You do this course now, and it will set you both up for the rest of your life. You can cover your tuition costs with your savings. You can do it Sabrina, or let me help you do this.”

“Absolutely not,” Sabrina said aghast. She was not a charity case for her rich friends.

“I knew you’d say that…” Aisha smiled. “So, let’s assume you are covering the costs for this course yourself.”

“Sure, and since we are dreaming, let’s even dream of a place for me to stay in Singapore,” Sabrina scoffed. “Let’s dream of something fancy with a gym and a pool. How about a penthouse with sweeping views of the city?”

“That can be arranged,” Diya declared.

Sabrina looked at her in horror and disbelief.

Diya raised her hands up. “Just kidding. I know how self-sufficient you prefer to be.”

“Let’s leave the stay aside for a bit,” Aisha said. “That won’t be a problem. We can find somewhere for you to stay. That’s easy.”

Sabrina glared at her, but Aisha continued unperturbed. “Next, work. You’ve told me on several occasions that your team is very capable of handling events on their own. So while you are in Singapore, you can coordinate with them remotely.”

“It’s not the same.”

“Of course, it won’t be the same without you,” Aisha said. “However, your team has been working with you for years now. Dilnaz can manage. I spoke to her, and she’s assured me that she can handle things.”

Sabrina’s jaw fell. “You spoke to her already?”

Aisha nodded. “She’s more than willing to step up.”

“See, that’s sorted too,” Diya said. “Now next?—”

“—Ahaan,” Sabrina said.

Aisha grinned. “The course needs you to be there from next week, for six weeks. Rithwik and I are taking the kids to Delhi to be with his family for the weekend, post which we are going on a vacation, first to Dubai for a week, where we will spend time with Rajiv and Sheena, and then we’ll go to London for another four weeks. I’m taking Ahaan with us.”

“What?” Sabrina gasped. “He can’t miss school.”

“Ahaan’s already started his Diwali break, right?” Aisha tilted her head. “He can be with us in Delhi and Dubai. And now here’s the best part. Our trip to London aligns perfectly with that cricket program his school wants to send him for. You weren’t sending him because you didn’t want him staying by himself with strangers, but now you can, because he will stay with Rithwik and me.”

Sabrina blinked. She couldn’t believe what Aisha was offering.

“But…” she began.

Aisha waved a hand dismissively. “You don’t have to worry about a thing. In fact, I’m going to put Arnav in a playschool in London for a month. I’ve already discussed it with the principal of his school here.”

“See, she has it all sorted,” Diya said.

Sabrina stared between her friends, her mind unable to comprehend everything they were suggesting.

She gulped. “Aisha, Delhi is one thing, but you cannot just take Ahaan to Dubai and London. It’s expensive. I cannot afford it.”

Aisha waved a hand out. “But Rithwik and I can. We are anyway taking our private jet. I’ve asked you for years to join us on our vacations or to send Ahaan with us, and you’ve never agreed. You got a passport made for the two of you, which you’ve never used even once. This is the perfect opportunity for Ahaan to start seeing the world.”