Page 80 of Right Where I Belong

“Did I hear my name?”

They all turned to see Rithwik strolling over with Aisha, and their kids, Arnav and Raisa, trailing behind them. Aisha gave them a wave before letting her son tug her toward the bouncy castle.

“So, why are you all talking about me?” Rithwik asked. “Wait, I hope you’re only saying good things. Actually, I’m great. There is nothing bad to say about me.”

Keya rolled her eyes. “You wish.”

Aditya smirked. “We were just saying how you make excellent life choices… sometimes. Case in point, Aisha.”

Rithwik looked in the direction of his family, his eyes softening. “You’re right about that. I was an idiot before her, and now I’m an idiot about her.”

“So, you did hear us,” Raashi said.

Keya made a face. “I swear he has an uncanny ability to pop up just when we’re talking about him, and to our luck, he always hears us.”

“It’s my superpower, you know,” Rithwik said with a grin. “Along with being ridiculously good-looking and incredibly modest.”

They all burst out laughing and, for the first time in days, Aditya felt a little lighter, grateful for the comfort of his friends.

Rithwik caught his shoulder and pulled him into a hug. “How are you? You’ve hardly been in touch these last few weeks.”

Aditya held him a fraction longer than usual, his chest tightening. These people had been in his life for too long. They were his constants through every high and low.

At any other time, he would’ve shared his heartbreak over Sabrina without hesitation with them. But today, the words stayed locked inside him. She and him were connected with all these people, and Rithwik was quite protective of her. Sabrina was the first instance when he had gone against his friend. And now that they were over, he didn’t feel the need to rake up all that with his friends.

Rithwik released him, searching his face. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, of course,” he smiled.

Rithwik studied him for a long moment. “No, something’s not okay. You haven’t met me in way too long. You look exhausted, too serious. And your smile is not reaching your eyes.”

Damn, Rithwik was too observant as usual. Keya and Raashi immediately snapped to attention, staring at him. They exchanged a worried glance with Rithwik.

“Rithwik’s right,” Keya frowned. “You do look like you haven’t been sleeping well.”

“What’s wrong?” Raashi asked. “Tell us.”

He sighed. It sucked to have such perceptive friends. He let his gaze wander around the lawns, trying to look as nonchalant as possible. His eyes went to the entrance, and his breath hitched.

Sabrina.

Dressed in simple black trousers and a pink top, with her hair left loose, she looked lovely. At least she wasn’t dressing severely again. She was standing to the side, Ahaan’s hand clasped in hers. The sight hit him like a punch to the gut. In an instant, all the hurt and pain he’d been feeling roared back to life.

“What wasthatlook?” Raashi asked sharply.

Before he could answer, Keya said, “Yes, what was that sad, miserable look that crossed your face?”

Aditya’s jaw flexed, but he forced a smile. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

He turned toward Rithwik, but Rithwik wasn’t looking at him. His eyes were on Sabrina and Ahaan. Very slowly, Rithwik’s eyes shifted to him. Aditya felt the weight of his gaze, saw the wheels turning in his clever friend’s head, and realized the exact moment Rithwik had joined all the dots.

“It’s her, isn’t it?” Rithwik said. “She’s the reason you look like shit.”

“Her? Who her?” Raashi asked, looking around the lawn.

Keya too scanned the crowd. “Who are we talking about?”

Aditya glared at Rithwik. Before he could say anything to him, a hand touched his arm. Turning around, Aditya found Ahaan standing next to him, his expression downcast, eyes too solemn for a boy his age.