Page 15 of Right Where I Belong
“I’m so glad he’s not marrying her,” Aisha made a face. “Imagine her in our lives. Ugh no. Aditya is Rithwik’s closest friend. She would’ve been everywhere with us. Thank God that won’t be happening.”
“I still can’t believe why someone sensible like Aditya would’ve ever dated her,” Diya commented.
Aisha shrugged. “He was lonely, and she made a play for him. It was as simple as that. Also, everyone in our group is married or settled. Guess he wanted that for himself too.”
Sabrina stayed quiet. She wasn’t going to show in tone or expression that her heart felt happy knowing Aditya wasn’t going to be with that witch, Kanika. He was too good for her. Far too handsome, and…
She stopped her thoughts. It didn’t matter who he married. It was nothing to her.
Ahaan came running inside the kitchen and squealed when he saw Aisha.
He enveloped her in a huge hug. “Aish, Aish… you’re here! We were just talking about you. Where are Arnav and Raisa? Why didn’t you bring them?”
Aisha ruffled his hair. “They’re with your Uncle Rithwik, sweetheart. They couldn’t make it today.”
He went to Diya and pecked her cheek. “Hi, Aunty. How are Uncle Veejay and Ranvir?”
Diya smiled as she spoke to him about her son, Ranvir. Sabrina was so proud of her little boy. He was so polite and respectful.
Sabrina’s mother-in-law entered the kitchen, and just like that, the whole atmosphere shifted from light-hearted and carefree to stilted and frosty.
“I see the whole gang is here,” her mother-in-law said, her tone cold.
Aisha stood to hug her mother, who patted her back for a brief second before moving away. Sabrina sighed. For too long, Radha had blamed Aisha for the accident that had taken Ajay’s life. She’d put the blame on Aisha’s head, even though Ajay had been the one drunk driving that night. It was Rithwik who had finally convinced her to patch up with Aisha. However, the older woman was too damn headstrong, and she continued to put Ajay on a pedestal, which was still the root cause of discontent between mother and daughter. Despite that and the cold vibe, things were definitely better between them. At least they spoke to one another, and Radha was kinder to Aisha now.
“Is there a reason for your sudden visit?” Her mother-in-law asked Aisha and Diya.
Sabrina rolled her eyes at the curt question. Being used to Radha’s moody behavior, Diya smiled and said, “Oh, I just wanted to meet you, Aunty. It’s been so long.”
“And I don’t need an excuse to come here, do I?” Aisha asked pointedly.
Sabrina smiled. Falling in love with Rithwik had restored confidence in Aisha, something she’d lost after the accident that took Ajay’s life. At one time, Aisha used to walk on eggshells around her mother. Thankfully, that was no longer the case, and she faced her mother head-on at all times.
“Neither of you needs a reason to come here,” Sabrina said easily. “Sit, all of you, and let’s eat our breakfast.”
She put some pancakes in front of Ahaan, who poured cream and strawberries on them. She quickly whisked more pancakes for her friends, and cut a fruit for her mother-in-law.
The conversation around Sabrina continued in pleasant tones as she finally sat beside her son and ate her own breakfast. Neither her friends nor Ahaan paid any attention to the heavy silence from Radha. They all cleverly skirted around her, chatting with one another. Sabrina asked the girls several questions about their kids. Diya’s son Ranvir was two and a half years old, while Aisha’s son Arnav was two, and her daughter, Raisa, was nine months old. Sabrina adored their kids just like they adored her son.
Her mother-in-law suddenly stood. “I have to go to my friend’s house. I have that religious singing program today. But I will have lunch at home. Make vegetable rice for me.”
“Sure, have a nice day, Ma,” Sabrina said brightly.
“Ahaan, come drop me to the auto,” the older woman ordered.
Leaving his breakfast, Ahaan obediently followed his grandmother, who left without even a goodbye.
Aisha rolled her eyes when the door shut behind her mother. “Why is she so difficult today?”
“Tomorrow’s that day...”
“What day?” Aisha queried.
Sabrina gave a heavy smile. “On the fifteenth of every month, like clockwork, your mother mourns your brother. She’s unhappy and difficult around this time.”
“Still? Andeverymonth?” Aisha shook her head. “This is not good for any of you. It’s been years, Sabrina.”
Sabrina shrugged. There was nothing she could do about it. Ajay had passed away on the fifteenth of February. And hence on the fifteenth of every month, her mother-in-law ensured neither Sabrina nor Ahaan forgot they had lost him.
