Page 108 of Right Where I Belong
“Why not him?” she countered.
“He’s annoying!” Vedant muttered.
She glared at him. “He’s not. He’s great, actually.”
“You just said it’s too new,” Mihir said.
“Well, it’s new because we’ve finally worked through some things. I’ve told him about my past, all of it,” Sabrina said. “But we have a lot more to resolve.”
“Just remember, we’re here for you,” Mihir assured her.
“And we know how to make people disappear!” Armaan winked.
She chuckled. “It still amazes me how powerful my brothers have become. I’d never imagined you all like this when we were younger.”
“Yes…” Mihir sighed. “We’ve all had a very different journey than what we all imagined at one time.”
A tear escaped her eye and slipped down her cheek. “But we’re here now, exactly as we were meant to be.”
“And you’re a mom,” Armaan said with a laugh. “I still can’t believe it. Our sister is a mother, and we are uncles already.”
Laughing, she wiped her face. “I can’t wait for you all to meet Ahaan. He’s fantastic. And he will love you all.”
“And we will love him too.” Vedant kneeled in front of her, squeezing her fingers. “We’re so glad to have you amongst us again.”
She hugged him first and then stood to hug Mihir and Armaan.
“We’re all together,” she said, holding their hands. “I never thought I’d ever see this day again.”
“Sometimes we find happiness at the most unexpected times,” Mihir said. “Our family is complete now. The future looks brighter already.”
“It does,” she said. “There is so much to look forward to. You three were my strength at one time, and now, once again, I feel stronger with you by my side.”
“But Aditya?” Vedant grumbled. “Could you not have been involved with anyone else?”
Sabrina threw him a dark look. “Can we address the fact that your girls had a crush on him? It wasn’t the other way around.”
Vedant and Armaan immediately shut their mouths.
Mihir laughed. “Shall we join the others? I’m sure they’re all waiting for us.”
“Wait, I just have one last question,” Vedant said. “Why did you choose the name Sabrina?”
She chuckled. “On the train from Delhi to Mumbai, I was terrified. I knew nothing about the city. An old woman seated beside me sensed that I was nervous and scared, so she politely pulled me into conversation. I gathered some courage and asked her about the city, and she was kind enough to answer all my questions. Her name was Saba. She didn’t ask why I looked so scared. Instead, she told me something that stayed with me and gave me the strength I needed. She told me that courage was not the absence of fear, but choosing to keep going even when you are afraid. Eventually, when she asked for my name, I opened my mouth… and stopped. Karina couldn’t exist anymore. Since Saba left such an impact on me, I borrowed her name, blended it with mine, and became Sabrina. Close enough to who I was, far enough to disappear, and also a reminder of the life lesson she’d taught me.”
Her brothers smiled. They all returned outside to a happy atmosphere. Sabrina found Aditya chatting with Rajiv’s sisters,while Rajiv and Sheena were sitting aside, talking to each other. Everyone turned when they entered.
Aditya arched a brow at her.
“Okay?” he mouthed. She nodded. He gave her a smile.
Ananya clapped her hands, beaming. “It’s time for a celebration. Champagne?”
“I’ll get it,” Armaan said.
Sabrina went to Rajiv and Sheena. “I know I haven’t been entirely honest with you and everyone else in our circle. But know that I had my reasons, and I need to talk to Aisha first before I tell you both my story.”
“Hey, that’s fine,” Sheena said warmly. “We’re here for you despite everything.”
