Page 4 of Right Where I Belong
1
Fourteen years later
Mumbai
“The décor is so pretty.”
“The food is delicious.”
“I’m waiting for the dessert.”
“Who’s the caterer? I want to hire them for my next soiree.”
From her corner near the dessert station, Sabrina Solanki smiled as she overheard the guests appreciate her catering and décor. She nodded at her staff to refresh the saffron Crème Brûlée trays before she moved ahead.
Sabrina sauntered through the lawns of the fancy house, taking everything in. It was all perfect in her eyes. From the white flower arbor at the entrance to the delicate bowers of yellow roses adorning pristine white round tables, every detail exuded elegance. Twin swan ice sculptures stood gracefully at the entrance, while the soft, fresh scent of jasmine lingered in the air. A towering pyramid of crystal glasses stood ready, each flute perfectly aligned in row upon row, shimmering in anticipation of the champagne to flow. And the food was alreadythe talk of the evening. The weather Gods, too, had played sport. It was a pleasant November night in Mumbai, the soft breeze adding to make it the perfect ambience. Yes, today was flawless indeed.
As usual, not many paid attention to her as she weaved her way forward. She was invisible to the guests. Just the caterer, and at times like tonight, also the event organizer. Hired help. And that was exactly how she liked it. She didn’t want to be a part of their elite circles. She wanted to remain in the background—hidden and unnoticeable.
Lowering her head, she crossed some of the guests, not meeting anyone’s eyes. She patted her tight bun, knowing very well that not a single hair was out of place. Even her clothes were nondescript—plain dark brown trousers and a simple white top. Her entire getup was harsh and severe, carefully selected to deflect attention, to hide her real self. She knew the risks when she’d started her catering business. Someone somewhere could recognize her at any time. And someone had… She exhaled a shaky breath. Now was not the time to dwell on the incident from the mall. It had occurred months ago. It was over.
Her chest tightened at the thought, but she calmed herself. She was safe. No one was going to find her. Fourteen years had passed. She looked different now. She was a different person. She had practiced the art of staying in the shadows so no one could ever find her—not family, not foes. And yet, someone had… That incident was nothing, she tried to convince herself. It was random. A fluke. She had to stop thinking about it, and about her past.
She’d faced so much, seen so much since then. She sighed. It definitely was not the time to be thinking about that part of her life or the special people she’d lost thanks to her naiveté. Digging up the past only scraped up the wounds that had never fully healed.
She straightened her spine. She was no longer that immature orphan from Rishikesh who had messed her life up.
She was Sabrina Solanki—a strong, independent, and successful woman. A mother… a widow. Sighing, she looked to the sky, whispering a silent prayer of thanks. She’d made it.
Her past, her husband’s death, his gambling loans—all of that was over. Life was good and was only going to get better. Her career was on track, her business was booming, and she finally could afford almost everything her eleven-year-old son, Ahaan, desired. She could and would give him the best. He was the light of her life. Her reason for living. Ahaan was happy and safe, and finally, after years, so was she. So, if the cost of all this happiness meant that she always stayed behind the scenes in everyone’s life, then so be it. Some people weren’t meant to take center stage. They were supposed to live their lives on the periphery, and she didn’t mind that if it came with the freedom and security of living her life happily with her son.
And yet the incident from the mall continued to rattle her despite the assurances she gave herself. She couldn’t deny that it was a stark reminder of her past and the people she’d left behind, but hadn’t forgotten. If she was being honest with herself, it had scared her, and no matter how many pep-talks she gave herself, even months later, it still worried her. Again, right now, was not the time to dwell on it.
She exhaled, studying the crowd around her. Tonight’s event was an engagement party. Up ahead, Sabrina could see the bride-to-be, Kanika Mehta, floating through the lawns, her arm possessively wound around her fiancé’s as she guided him from one guest to another. Every now and then, Kanika’s eyes would wander to the entrance of the lawns, as if she were waiting for someone.
Dressed in a bright red shimmery gown, Kanika looked stunning. Her beauty was undeniable. It was a pity she didn’thave the personality to match it. She’d made Sabrina’s life hell the last month while planning this event, barking orders and throwing a tantrum over the shade of the paper napkins—she needed the exact yellow hue of the roses for the napkins—and whatnot. Sabrina had borne all her outbursts with a pinch of salt. After all, the Mehtas were important in Delhi’s social circles, and Kanika was marrying someone equally important from Mumbai. The event tonight was being held in his home.
Organizing a successful event in this crowd meant more such business might come Sabrina’s way, and judging from the appreciative comments she’d so far overheard, she hoped to land one or two clients from the event.
Sabrina went to the corner where Dilnaz, her assistant, was standing.
“Is everything okay?” Sabrina checked.
“Perfect so far,” Dilnaz said.
Sabrina nodded. She looked up and saw Kanika beckoning her.
Dilnaz groaned. “Here we go. God save us from bridezillas like her.”
Biting back a laugh, she left Dilnaz to go to Kanika. From up ahead, she saw her whispering something in her fiancé’s ear, before she left him to come to her. Sabrina straightened her spine, wondering what Kanika wanted now. She quickly scanned her surroundings; nothing was amiss.
“Everything okay?” Sabrina asked the second Kanika was in front of her.
“It is perfect,” Kanika gushed. “Just what I wanted.”
“I’m happy that you are satisfied.”
Kanika quickly glanced at the entrance. Her red lips twisted into a pout before she faced Sabrina again, her chin rising haughtily. “Initially, I was very apprehensive about hiring your services, but you came highly recommended. However, I wasn’tsure you’d do justice tomyevent. I wasn’t sure you’d givemeyour best like you do for the Sehgals, Balis and Jaisinghanias. They are, after all, your premium clients, aren’t they? Everyone in Mumbai’s social circles knows that you plan and organize all the events for their group. Since you, too, are a part of that clique, obviously, you’d give your best to them.”
