Page 34 of Right Where I Belong

“Uh, yeah…” Akash said. “I… have to get back. Something urgent has come up in Mumbai. If you don’t mind, then I’ll continue working from there.”

“Sure, no problem.”

Akash called for his tea. He kept stirring it mindlessly even though he hadn’t added any milk or sugar to it.

Aditya frowned. Akash was behaving rather odd. Akash was Keya’s younger brother, and Aditya had known him for years. When Janak Sehgal had approached him to take on Akash’s training, he hadn’t hesitated at all. He liked Akash. He was sensible, intelligent, loyal, and determined to succeed in life. Aditya knew without a doubt that Akash would succeed once he accepted his role and responsibility in life.

As Keya’s closest friend for years, Aditya had an insight into the siblings’ lives and knew why Janak Sehgal was so invested in Akash’s future. One day, Akash would be at the helm of a vast business empire, and Aditya was certain he would make it thrive.

Very few in their circle knew of Akash’s destined future. This knowledge was closely guarded and would be revealed only at the time of Akash’s choosing.

“Anyway…” Aditya began. “By any chance, do you know where Sabrina is staying?”

Akash finally looked up, one brow arching with unmistakable amusement. “Didn’tyoudisappear with her last night? Or wait, let me guess, pillow talk wasn’t exactly a priority?”

Of course, Akash would have understood the situation for what it was. They’d known each other for far too long.

“Something like that,” Aditya replied.

“And she ran away in the morning without a goodbye?”

“Yes. I need to talk to her. Can you ask Shauna for me?”

Since Akash and Shauna belonged to the same circle, Aditya figured he was in a position to help him, and this way, he could totally avoid the awkward call to Rithwik, so that was a plus.

Akash looked at his cup and then at him. “If she left without a word, then she probably didn’t want to have the morning-after talk.”

“Maybe she didn’t,” Aditya said. “But I do.”

“Nothing good comes out of that talk,” Akash stressed.

“Still… can you please find out where she’s staying?”

Akash hesitated. “I can’t”

“Why?”

A beat of silence passed. Akash looked away, reached for his tea, then took a sip.

“Akash?” Aditya pressed, finally making sense of everything. “What happened between Shauna and you after Sabrina and I left?”

Akash ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. That’s when Aditya knew.

He stared at him. “You slept with her.”

Akash gave a single reluctant nod. That explained his glazed expression, the last-minute flight, and why he wasn’t keen on helping him.

Aditya stared. “No wonder you’re running back to Mumbai like your ass is on fire.”

“I am not running away,” Akash grumbled.

Aditya laughed. “Right. Just tactfully avoiding being in the same city asher.”

“I slept with Janak Sehgal’s granddaughter,” Akash whispered. “He’s the most important person in my life. How will I face him again?”

“She was also in that bed with you,” Aditya said. “She also agreed to it. So, stop feeling guilty.”

Akash exhaled a huge breath, but the crease in his brow remained.