Chapter 22
Sabrina didn’t remember being so happy ever.
It had been two weeks since Aditya had showed up at her door.
Since then, they had made it a point to meet daily.
He’d either drop by at her office or pick her up from work and drive her home or to the event she was catering at, or they’d go out for coffee.
He’d come home for dinner several times, and he’d insisted on meeting Ahaan daily.
She was happy to see her son slowly getting used to Aditya.
Ahaan often asked about him, and the last time, he was waiting eagerly for him to come home for dinner.
Even Maya was happy to see Aditya. She kept going to him for pets and scratches.
Her mother-in-law, however, wore her disapproval on her face each time he was home, and ensured she remained in her room when he visited.
Yet, to Sabrina’s surprise, she’d never once confronted her, never once asked what Aditya meant to her, or why he was suddenly around so often.
She chose silence instead, ignoring him completely, as though pretending he didn’t exist would make him vanish.
Sabrina let it be, for now. She wasn’t going to let anything mar her joy.
She pushed her hair behind her shoulder.
She’d taken to wearing it down more often.
Even her attire had changed. Gone were the nondescript clothes she’d buried herself in for years.
She’d gone back to dressing like she used to in Singapore—stylish cuts, colors that suited her, clothes that celebrated her body instead of hiding it.
Being with Aditya had changed her. She felt it in her stride, in the way she carried herself.
More confident, more certain of her place in the world. More certain of herself.
She smiled, looking out the window of Aditya’s Range Rover.
They were just returning from a theme park, and Ahaan hadn’t stopped talking since they’d left from there.
It had been her son’s idea. He’d suggested it last night when Aditya was over for dinner, and Aditya had happily agreed to this plan.
And the three of them had had a wonderful time together.
She had loved every minute of seeing Ahaan and Aditya together.
Aditya had sat through every ride with her son, matching his thrill-seeking energy, encouraging him, and laughing with him.
They were still discussing all the rides in detail, which ones they liked the best and which ones were below standard.
Aditya stopped the car below her building and turned to Ahaan. “So, Ahaan, today was so much fun. Next time, shall we do a water park?”
The car suddenly went silent. She looked back to see her lively son gaze quietly out the window.
Aditya frowned. “What’s wrong? You don’t like water parks?”
“I’m scared…” Ahaan whispered, finally meeting Aditya’s eyes.
“Scared?” Aditya asked gently. “Why?”
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.”
The words sliced through her. She didn’t need more to piece it together. Of course. Her mother-in-law was prying into her son’s mind, filling it with questions, poisoning him against Aditya. Fury ignited inside her, swift and fierce. Without hesitation, she burst into the room.
Ahaan sat on the corner of his bed, shoulders hunched, his face twisted in distress. The sight of him like that ripped her apart. She hurried to him and pulled him into her arms. He clung to her instantly, hugging her hard.
More anger flooded her chest. Over his head, she lifted her gaze to the older woman.
Her mother-in-law stood stiffly by the window, her expression cool, unrepentant.
Sabrina’s eyes blazed as she glared at her, silent but scathing.
Ajay’s mother didn’t say a word. She simply turned, walked to the door, and stepped out, shutting it firmly behind her.
Sabrina held Ahaan close, her palm rubbing circles on his back until his breathing steadied. She pulled back just enough to look at him.
“Hey,” she whispered gently, “are you alright?”
Ahaan’s eyes were wide and troubled. “She kept asking questions, Mom. About Uncle Aditya. She said… she said he wants to take you away from me.”
Sabrina’s chest clenched. She cupped his face, forcing him to meet her gaze. “Listen to me, sweetheart. No one in this world can ever take me away from you. Ever. You’re my whole world, Ahaan. Everything I do, I do with you in mind. Do you believe that?”
His lip trembled, but he nodded slowly. “Yes.”
She pressed a kiss to his temple. “Good. And as for Aditya… he’s my friend, a very good friend. And he cares about you too. That’s all you need to know right now. If anyone tells you otherwise, you don’t have to listen. You can always come straight to me.”
Ahaan gave a small, shaky smile. “Okay.”
“That’s my boy.” She pulled him back against her, hugging him fiercely.
The anger still burned in her veins at her mother-in-law’s interference, but she forced herself to soften for her son.
“Now, enough of these heavy talks. How about we get you quickly washed up and brush your teeth? Tomorrow we’ll make pancakes for breakfast. Just you and me. ”
That earned her a brighter smile. He finally relaxed and went inside his ensuite bathroom.
Left alone, Sabrina paced across his room, her mind a storm of anger.
How dare her mother-in-law corner an eleven-year-old like that?
How dare she use Ahaan to wage her battles?
It was unacceptable. When Ahaan came out, she tucked him into bed.
“Sleep well, sweetheart,” Sabrina whispered, kissing his forehead.
He gave her a soft, sleepy smile as she switched on his night lamp. When she turned to leave, he caught her hand in his.
Worry flickered through her as she glanced back at him.
“I like him… Uncle Aditya. He’s nice and so much fun,” Ahaan whispered. “Maya also likes him.”
For a moment, Sabrina couldn’t breathe. Her throat tightened as warmth spread through her chest, chased quickly by the sting of tears she refused to let fall. She smoothed his hair gently.
“I like him too,” she said softly, her voice barely a whisper.
Ahaan gave her a sleepy smile and shut his eyes.
She lingered for a moment, watching his chest rise and fall, before quietly turning off the overhead light.
Pulling the door shut behind her, she stepped into the hallway, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions.
She was so happy that Aditya had managed to win over Ahaan.
She was filled with relief that her son liked him.
But overshadowing both was the sharp burn of anger.
For days, she’d wondered why her mother-in-law hadn’t said a word about Aditya’s sudden presence in their lives.
Why she hadn’t confronted her directly. Now she knew.
Instead of speaking to her, the woman had gone behind her back and tried to plant doubt in Ahaan’s mind. It was underhanded and cruel.
Ajay’s mother had always been single-minded when she wanted something, but using Ahaan was unacceptable. Sabrina wouldn’t stand for it. She needed to have a talk with her, and it had to happen now.