Page 86 of Right Where I Belong

She didn’t stop until she was out of the party, her heart pounding. Her hands trembled as she unlocked her car and climbed inside. She was paying the price for her past mistakes. Thanks to her past, she could never have a future with Aditya. She’d lost him… and possibly all the people she’d considered her friends.

30

The hum of the elevator grated against Sabrina’s nerves. She leaned back against the mirrored wall, eyes half-closed, every bone in her body aching.

It had been an endless stretch of hours. Last evening, from Keya’s house, she’d rushed straight to her catering event that had kept her on her feet until midnight. By the time she’d crawled into bed, sleep had been elusive, her mind replaying the look on Aditya’s face and then later on the faces of his friends.

Now, after a long day at work, she was drained. All she wanted was a hot shower, to spend a little time with Ahaan, and maybe, hopefully, at least a few hours of real sleep. But considering how Aditya’s face popped up each time she closed her eyes, she knew that was a futile wish.

Amongst all this, a new worry gnawed at her. Aisha hadn’t texted her. Not a single message from her since last evening. Did that mean Rithwik hadn’t told her anything? Or was she also now mad at her? The not knowing was worse. Aisha was her closest friend, more like a sister, and she dreaded what she would think of her.

The elevator doors slid open. Sabrina stepped out, trudging toward her front door. She unlocked it, pushed it open, and stilled.

Aisha was sitting on the sofa, speaking in low tones with her mother. Their voices were calm, but the sight made Sabrina’s pulse spike. Ahaan’s laughter cut through the hush of the room as he weaved in and out of the living room on his roller skates, Maya following him, barking, her tail wagging furiously.

Sabrina’s mother-in-law looked up first, her face unreadable, giving nothing away. Aisha followed, her expression calm but watchful.

“Aisha, hi…” Sabrina began. She set her bag down on a corner table and moved further into the living room, trying not to let her unease show.

“Sabrina,” Aisha replied, her eyes steady on her. She didn’t rise, didn’t rush forward. She simply studied her, quietly.

Sabrina’s stomach twisted.Rithwik had told her. She knew it with a certainty now.

Ahaan skated past Sabrina, his loud shriek echoing in the silence around them. He crashed into her legs with a grin and clung to her arms. She kissed the top of his head, happy that they were back to normal again. Then she knelt down to pat Maya. Rising finally, she looked up and found Aisha’s gaze still on her.

“We need to talk,” Aisha stated simply.

Sabrina gulped. She looked at Ahaan. “Hey, baby, are you all done with your homework?”

Ahaan made a face as he spun in a circle on his skates. “Later, Mom.”

“Can you do it right now, please? Aisha and I need to talk.”

“Adult talk?” His nose wrinkled. “I’m a big boy now. I can handle it.”

Aisha rose and ruffled Ahaan’s hair. “Yes, adult talk. And big boys respect that, right?”

“Righttttt…” He didn’t look pleased, but went in the direction of his room, Maya following in his wake.

“Come, sit,” Aisha told her, once the door of Ahaan’s room clicked shut.

Sabrina lowered herself into the armchair, her pulse hammering. Dread pooled heavily in her stomach.

“I suppose you know what I’m going to talk about…”

Sabrina’s throat tightened. She gave a small nod before she whispered, “Aditya…”

Her eyes flickered sideways to where her mother-in-law sat beside Aisha, her posture rigid, her face composed but unreadable.

Aisha caught the glance and added, “Mom and I are aligned on this topic.”

Aisha had told her mother? Why? More dread coiled in her belly. And they werealigned?What did that even mean?

Before the panic could choke her, Aisha said in a soft voice, “Aditya and you could be great together, so why did you break up with him? Was it because of me? Or Mom? Or was it because of your past?”

Sabrina’s hand flew to her mouth. That was the last thing she had expected to hear.

“Rithwik told me last night at the party,” Aisha explained. “He’s angry with you… and so are Keya and Raashi.”