Page 93 of Right Where I Belong
Raashi’s lips parted, but no sound came.
Janak continued. “Just because you’ve known him longer doesn’t give you the right to condemn her without understanding her point of view. I thought I taught you better than this.”
Raashi’s face fell. Janak gave her one final frosted look and led Sabrina forward.
“I’m sorry,” Sabrina whispered to Janak. “You were harsh to her because of me. I know how close you are to her.”
Janak gave her a sideways glance. “I’m close to all of them. Doesn’t mean I won’t call them out for doing something wrong. Raashi’s loyalty is her greatest strength, but it blinds her at times. Keya, on the other hand, has the uncanny ability to see things from another person’s perspective. Both are remarkable in their own ways, but sometimes even strengths can turn into flaws. It’s my job to tell them that, for as long as I can.”
Gratitude welled up inside her, leaving her momentarily speechless. She marveled at his quiet wisdom. No wonder people loved and respected him.
Across the lawn, Mamta Wahi’s eyes were locked on them, confusion etched on her face. She inclined her head in acknowledgment to Janak, but all Sabrina got was an icy look that cut straight through her.
Her stomach knotted. She’d probably never be good enough in Mamta’s eyes. She looked and found Aditya in the distance. He hadn’t seen her yet. God. Nothing else mattered as long as he was on her side. She would deal with everything, as long as he loved her.
Aisha came to her. She greeted Janak warmly before pulling Sabrina into a quick, fierce hug.
“Are you here for the party?” Aisha whispered. “Are you planning to talk to Aditya?”
Sabrina shook her head. “I’m the caterer and the event manager...”
Aisha blinked, shocked. “What? How? I thought you had that other event...”
“Apparently, it wasthisevent all along. I’ll explain later,” Sabrina told her.
From the corner of her eye, Sabrina noticed Rithwik standing a little apart, his gaze fixed on her. Aisha tugged him closer.
Rithwik greeted Janak respectfully, then turned to Sabrina. His eyes lingered on her, unreadable.
When he didn’t move, Aisha nudged him pointedly. “We spoke about this last night.”
With a reluctant sigh, Rithwik stepped forward and folded Sabrina into a quick hug.
“You hurt Aditya,” Rithwik said quietly. “But Aisha told me everything. I need you to fix this with him—and soon. Look at him. He’s unhappy. And I don’t like him unhappy.”
Her eyes sought Aditya across the crowd. He was deep in conversation with another man. Even across the distance, she could see the sadness tugging at his expression—the quiet hurtshe was responsible for. Her eyes drifted to the man beside him and her jaw dropped. Aditya was talking to the Chief Minister of the state. Fuck. She’d never truly grasped just how important and powerful Aditya really was. But seeing it now made her breath catch. His eyes met hers briefly. His gaze shifted to Janak, and then back at her, before he focused on the man in front of him, dismissing her entirely. Her heart leapt to her throat.
God, how was she going to convince him that she was sincere about them? That she’d made a mistake. Would he ever forgive her?
She glanced at Janak. By escorting her out with him, he’d made a powerful declaration to Aditya, his mother, and his friends that she had his support and his acceptance, and that she belonged amongst them all. Thanks to him, she could now return to her work, feeling bold and confident again. He’d steadied her at a time when she’d needed it the most. Her heart clenched at his generosity.
Ahead, she saw Dilnaz waving her over. She halted, rose on her toes and kissed Janak’s weathered cheek. “Thank you, Mr. Sehgal. You really are too kind. I have to go now; duty calls.”
“Stay strong and hold your head up high, always.” He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before letting her go.
Sabrina turned and headed toward her assistant, a newfound confidence in her step, and her mind made up. For now, she was going to ensure this party was a success. Once this was done, she’d find Aditya and convince him that they belonged together.
34
Aditya moved through the crowd, meeting and greeting everyone present with practiced ease, but no matter where he stood or who he spoke to, his attention never strayed far from her. He knew where she was at any given time. Like right now, he knew she was standing by the dessert table, speaking intently to Aisha.
He looked around the lawns. Everything was perfect. The dark green and gold colors of the theme looked beautiful, and the food he’d sampled was delicious. Even his mother would struggle to find fault. He’d heard several guests praising the evening, and each compliment had filled him with pride. It was allher. Sabrina. She was bloody brilliant at what she did.
He smiled at the woman in front of him, one of his mother’s friends. The older lady went on and on about the Mumbai weather, and he smiled and nodded, not saying much. From across the distance, he studied Sabrina. She was smiling at Aisha, her expression light, untroubled. None of her earlier distress showed on her face.
Guilt had pricked his chest when he remembered how shaken she’d been when he’d walked away from her. He wasalso pretty sure that his mother’s sharp words had added to her hurt. That’s why he’d sent Shauna to her. He was certain Shauna would cheer her up. What he hadn’t expected was Janak Sehgal.
Shauna must have called him to advice Sabrina, he guessed. Seeing Sabrina walk out with Janak, her head held high, not a shadow of pain on her face, had left him feeling proud and relieved. He’d also felt grateful to the older man for supporting her the way he had. By having Sabrina on his arm, Janak had dared anyone to go against her. Even his mother, for all her disapproval, couldn’t publicly insult Sabrina now. He exhaled. He had to talk to his mother. He didn’t approve of the way she’d confronted Sabrina, nor did he appreciate her cutting remarks to her.
