Page 70 of Right Where I Belong
Ahaan’s voice went softer. “Because I don’t know how to swim.”
Aditya’s eyes flicked quickly to her, shock evident in his gaze.
Sabrina sighed, giving him a rueful smile. “We’ve all tried—Aisha, Rithwik, and I—but he’s afraid of the water. Once, he cried so hard in the pool that Ma gave us all a scolding. After that, she’s never let me try again. I’ve wanted to, but it keeps getting pushed aside.”
Aditya faced Ahaan. “Listen, buddy. Being scared of the water is normal. But learning to swim—that’s important. And I can help you. I’ve got a pool at home, and when you’re ready, I’d love to teach you.”
Ahaan hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his young face. “But… what if I can’t do it?”
“You can,” Aditya said, his voice steady, leaning in just enough to catch Ahaan’s uncertain eyes. “I’ll be right there beside you the whole time. I won’t let you sink; I won’t let anything happen. We’ll take it slow—step by step, together. And before you know it, you’ll be gliding through the water on your own. All you have to do is trust me and try. Can you do that?”
For a moment, the boy wavered, then finally gave a shy nod. “I’ll try…”
Aditya nodded. “That’s all I’m asking.”
“Thank you,” Ahaan added softly. Then, with a brighter grin, he pushed open the door. “And thank you for today, Uncle. The theme park was amazing. Will you come home tomorrow? I want to show you the new bat Mom bought me yesterday.”
At Aditya’s nod, Ahaan dashed inside their building. Her heart brimmed with joy. She turned and found Aditya’s eyes on Ahaan too. Watching Aditya slowly try to gain Ahaan’s trust warmed her heart. And in that moment, she realized just how much she wanted Aditya to be part of both their lives. They both needed him, and only now she was beginning to realize how much.
“Hey…” Aditya caressed her face.
She smiled. “Hey, you.”
He brushed a quick kiss over her lips, and she exhaled a heavy sigh. God, she missed being physically close to him. They’d barely had a moment to themselves these past weeks. Even her work had been hectic. Other than stolen kisses like this, there had been no time for more. And she missed their intimacy.
“I miss you too,” he said reading her mind. “Shall I book us a hotel room?”
Her heart twisted sharply at his words. Oh, how she wanted that… Wanted him. The thought of being alone with him again, without interruptions, just him and her, made her pulse race.
But just as quickly, hesitation crept in. She lowered her eyes, her fingers twisting together. “Adi, you know I want that too. But here, with our friends, Ahaan, and Ma… it’s not so simple.” She looked up at him. “Maybe… maybe Singapore will be easier. I have to be there again in two weeks.”
“How am I going to survive two more weeks of not having you?” He shook his head. “You really are merciless, beautiful.”
She quickly kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes. Hey, you’re coming for my mom’s birthday, right? It’s planned for the twenty-seventh at seven pm at The Sehgal Plaza.”
Sabrina smiled and nodded. “Let me just put it in my calendar.”
She tapped on the calendar app on her phone and frowned at the entry for that date.Mr. Dutta. Catering, décor, venue unknown.
“Oh shucks,” Sabrina said. “I have to cater an event that night. I’ve already committed to it. But I’ll wrap up from there and come as soon as I can.”
“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He clasped her hand in his. “You’re sure we can’t go to a hotel?”
She gave him a pointed look. “You know there’s a saying—absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
His grin was wicked. “My heart is already fond of you. But my body is desperate for you.”
A laugh burst out of her. “You’re impossible!”
She pushed open the door. For a heartbeat, she hesitated, her hand still on the doorframe, her eyes meeting his. Something unspoken passed between them—heat, affection, the promise of more. Shaking her head, she slipped out and closed the door gently behind her.
She waited until his car disappeared around the corner before heading inside, the smile still painted across her lips. It stayed with her through the elevator ride, all the way up to her floor, until she unlocked the door and stepped into the apartment.
Ahaan’s voice rang out from his room, high and distressed in the otherwise quiet house. “No, Ma, it’s not like that!”
She rushed closer, her heart pounding, and heard him speak again, his voice smaller, tighter this time. “He won’t do that.”
