Page 92 of Right Where I Belong
Shauna made a face.
“Duh! Why do you think I called him?” Shauna looked at her grandfather. “She needs your help.”
Sabrina was completely bewildered and flustered as Shauna tugged her hand and pulled her to stand in front of the older gentleman. He was not who she’d expected Shauna would call. She’d assumed it would be Aisha or Diya. Janak’s clear gaze settled on her as he gave her a kind smile.
Words deserted her. She’d always held the man in the highest respect. Janak Sehgal was no ordinary man. He was renowned not only across India but also in several parts of the world. He was the driving force; the reason Sehgal Corporation had thrived generation after generation. He had trained his grandchildren to take over, distributing the massive business wisely among them. The only part of the empire he still personally oversaw was the media arm, the jewel in the crown of Sehgal Corporation, one hehad polished with his own vision—the vertical Shauna hoped to inherit one day from him.
“Good evening, Mr. Sehgal,” Sabrina greeted him warily.
“My dear…” Janak responded, his voice carrying both authority and kindness. “It’s good to see you, Sabrina. Now tell me, why do you look so troubled?”
Sabrina hesitated, not knowing how to begin, how to explain. Respect for him made her wary of revealing too much, yet his gentle tone made her want to open up.
Sensing her dilemma, Shauna squeezed her hand and leaned closer. “My grandfather is very wise. He’s the reason all my cousins, brothers, and my sister, Rhea, have such happy marriages. He listens, and he helps. I always go to him when I have a problem. You can definitely talk to him without hesitation.”
“He’s amazing,” Akash seconded. “I also always go to him when I’m worried about something. He’ll help you, too, if you can open your heart.”
Janak inclined his head, his smile widening slightly. “Sometimes, we carry our burden alone even though sharing it makes it lighter. Trust me, there’s nothing you can say that will shock me, and perhaps, together, we can find a way forward.”
Sabrina’s chest tightened, still feeling conflicted. It was easy for these two to confide in him. Shauna was his granddaughter, and Akash was Keya’s younger brother. Plus, Janak was his mentor. She observed the older man. They’d had limited interactions in the past, but he’d always come across as someone wise, steady, and gentle. Maybe she ought to take a chance and speak to him.
Taking a deep breath, she began. Her voice wavered at first, but soon her words found their way out. She told him everything that had transpired between Aditya and her, first in Singapore and then here in Mumbai.
“There are things in my past… things that happened before I married my late husband. I haven’t shared them with anyone, not even with Aisha. I hope you will understand that I can’t tell any of you either. Aditya deserves to hear it first, if he ever speaks to me again, that is.”
“The past shapes us, Sabrina,” Janak said. “But it doesn’t define all that we are. Secrets weigh differently when shared with the right person.”
She lowered her chin in a nod.
Akash, who had been quietly standing to the side, said, “I can’t believe Aunty Mamta spoke to you so unkindly. She’s always so polite.”
Shauna tilted her head toward him, her expression wry. “For the first time, I actually agree with you.”
Janak addressed Sabrina. “I’m not justifying Mamta. What she did was wrong, but you must also understand where she is coming from. Her husband left her with a mountain of debt and a business on the brink of collapse. She clawed her way back, fought tooth and nail, and single-handedly rebuilt it into something stable. She also trained Aditya to take over, and he took the business to heights no one thought possible. She carries immense pride… and fear, too. She is protective of him, perhaps overly so. And Aditya…” He paused, his gaze softening. “Aditya has never told her what he truly feels for you.”
Sabrina’s lips parted slightly as she considered his words.
Janak leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto hers with quiet strength. “But listen to me carefully. Despite their reasons, no one is allowed to disrespect you. Not even his mother. Respect is not negotiable. It is your right. So, don’t fear returning outside and facing her again. The same goes for his friends. They’re a protective lot. You hurt one, and all of them will stand against you. And while that is admirable, they haven’t heard your side of the story. You’ve done nothing wrong. IfAditya loves you, which I believe he does, then he will not stand by and let his mother or his friends walk over you. He will stand by you, even if he’s angry with you.”
“That’s just it…” Sabrina said in a small voice. “I don’t know whether he loves me or not anymore.”
“Of course, he loves you,” Shauna declared. “Who do you think told me where to find you? I’m sure he knew you were distraught, and that’s why he sent me to you.”
Hope flared again in Sabrina’s chest. Could that be true? Had Aditya sent Shauna to her because he knew she’d been upset, or had he simply just told her where she was? God, she hated the uncertainty.
“Give him some time,” Janak said gently. “He will come around. I’ve known that boy for a long time now. He’s hurt, and he simply wants to process everything in his own head before he talks to you. He fell in love with you—a strong, brave woman who, despite her past, has reached here in life and raised a wonderful son too. This is who you are, Sabrina. So, stand strong and show him that you are willing to fight for him. Don’t let anyone make you feel less of yourself. Go outside and do your job. Show the world what you’re made of.”
Something within her shifted and settled. The weight of his wisdom grounded her, gave her strength.
“Come on, let’s go now.” He held his hand out to her. She put her hand in his, and he wound it around his arm. “Walk with me.”
Sabrina walked back into the glittering lawns, Janak’s steady arm linked through hers. Several heads turned in her direction. She looked around. Aditya’s circle of friends—all of them—were present. They all looked surprised to see her with Janak. She’d expected disapproval and censure from all of them, but to her surprise, it wasn’t so. Other than Raashi, everyone gave her a smile, which meant Aditya had kept the news of him and her toa very small circle. The friendliest faces were that of Keya and her husband, Kabier. They both gave her a smile and a nod in acknowledgement.
Raashi broke from the group and came striding toward them, her eyes flashing with anger. She stopped directly in front of Sabrina and Janak.
“What are you doing with her?” she hissed at Janak. Her glance flicked briefly to Aditya across the lawn before darting back to the older man. “You don’t know what she did to?—”
Janak’s expression hardened to ice as he addressed Raashi. “Why are you forming judgments based only on what Aditya has told you? He is your oldest friend, yes, and naturally, your heart is biased toward him. But Sabrina is your friend too, isn’t she?”
