Page 45 of Right Where I Belong

Sabrina clutched the note in her hand.

“You need to give him an answer soon, Sabrina. You cannot keep him hanging forever. It’s not fair to either of you.”

Sabrina stayed quiet.

Shauna sat beside her, nudging her shoulder. “You like him, don’t you?”

“And therein lies my dilemma,” Sabrina whispered.

“You’re scared,” Shauna deduced cleverly. “I get it. But he’s not asking for forever. He’s asking for now. For a chance. So maybe… just try.”

Sabrina nodded.

“Anyway, I have to go out for dinner,” Shauna said. “I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

With a kind smile, Shauna left the room. She had been a warm and supportive friend, while also not holding back her opinions. The only boundary she’d drawn was no conversations abouthim.She flat-out refused to discuss Akash, or that night, especially because Akash had left Singapore without so much as a word to her. The younger girl had learned of this because she’d read it in a chat conversation on a common group.

But Shauna was right about one thing. Sabrina needed to decide about Aditya soon. She unfolded the second note.I’ve shared so much of myself with you. Won’t you give me even a tiny scrap about yourself, beautiful?

Keeping the box aside, she lay down on the bed. The way he called her beautiful actually made her feel beautiful. Wanted. Seen.

Her chest fluttered. Each night since their dinner, she’d gone to sleep thinking of him. Dreaming of him. Waking up feeling as if she was still wrapped in his scent. The more she thought of him, the more she wanted to give in. But she was scared. Of the past. Of the secrets she still harbored and of the danger that still danced like a ghost over her head.

Aditya wasn’t like Ajay, who hadn’t really cared. Aditya would be curious; he would ask questions, seek answers. Ajay had been a safe choice for her. He hadn’t demanded a lot, given even less of himself to her. But Aditya… She knew it in the deepest part of her soul that he had the capability to turn her world upside down if she let him. So, the biggest thing she was worried about was what would happen if he got too close.

And then there was her mother-in-law, who still wouldn’t talk to her. Who only spoke to Ahaan when he called, but didn’t ever pick up the phone to call him herself. Nor did she ever communicate with Sabrina. Finally, Sabrina had stopped trying. She knew from Diya that she was doing perfectly well and was having a good time with her friends in Mumbai. Sabrina grimaced.

Ajay’s mother would be horrified if she ever got wind that Sabrina was having an affair. She’d probably call her an unfit mother again. Ugh. No wonder Ajay had been a prude. He’d clearly inherited that trait from his mother.

And that’s why she couldn’t do this.

But a tiny voice inside her screamed,Why not?Her mother-in-law didn’t need to know. For once in her life, why couldn’t she be selfish and choose something for herself? Even if it was for a short while? She could choose him. She could do it on her own terms.

She sat up straighter. On her own terms. Yes, she could do that. She lifted her phone from the nightstand and sent him a picture, followed by a message.

This is my puppy, Maya. She’s six months old, and I adore her. Now you know something else about me too.

She hit send. A second later, the typing dots appeared.

Aditya

Hello, beautiful. I thought you’d forgotten about me.

The puppy is a cutie. Maybe I’ll get to meet her one day?

She smiled. This between them would never reach a point where he’d come to her house and meet her dog. So, she ignored the question and typed a different reply.

Thank you for the gifts. You didn’t have to, but I guess being subtle isn’t your thing.

Aditya

Not when I’m trying to get the attention of the woman who’s been haunting my thoughts. Did it work?

She smiled despite herself, the flutters in her chest becoming stronger.

I’m thinking...

Aditya