Chapter 24
Aditya smiled, thinking of Ahaan. The boy and his enthusiasm for everything was absolutely adorable. Added to that, he was polite and kind. Aditya enjoyed spending time with him and getting to know him.
The memory of their last weekend together at the theme park lingered especially strong.
He’d enjoyed every second of it, watching Ahaan light up with excitement, riding alongside him, and seeing Sabrina’s face glow as she watched the two of them bond.
It had all been wonderful. It was a common conception that being with someone who already had a child was complicated.
But with Sabrina, it wasn’t. He loved her.
And because Ahaan was a part of her, being with him and getting to know him had come naturally.
He still hadn’t confessed to Sabrina what he felt about her.
He’d thought to wait for Ahaan to get to know him better before he told her that he loved her and hence took the relationship to the next level.
But perhaps now the time had come. Ahaan had begun to trust him, and from the way his face lit up when he saw Aditya, he was certain the boy was becoming fond of him too.
His heart clenched as he remembered the look on Ahaan’s face when the boy had agreed to let Aditya teach him swimming. The boy’s hesitant nod, the way his small shoulders had squared as if he were trying to be braver than he felt—it had stayed with Aditya ever since.
They hadn’t gotten around to it yet, but tonight, hopefully after India won the watch, he would bring up the topic again. Ease Ahaan into it. Maybe promise him that they could start with just dipping his toes in the water.
He could already picture it. Ahaan at the pool’s edge, wary but curious, his smaller hand slipping into his, trusting him to guide him forward. And somehow that thought tugged at him more fiercely than any boardroom victory ever had.
A honk sounded behind him. He was so caught up in the image of Ahaan’s uncertain smile and the chance to be the one to turn it into confidence that he’d totally missed the signal turning green. He moved the car forward.
When he finally turned into Sabrina’s building complex, he found her waiting for him alone.
“Where’s Ahaan?” he asked once she was seated inside.
“He’s at his skating class.” She dropped a backpack on the backseat. “We have to pick him up from there. It’s close by. I’ll guide you.”
Aditya drove in the direction she pointed.
“How is your mother-in-law?” Aditya asked.
Sabrina had told him last week about their fight—how the older woman had even tried to turn Ahaan against him. He’d been furious, hating that she didn’t seem to want Sabrina to find any happiness.
“She’s been… quiet. Pensive,” Sabrina admitted. “I don’t know if she’ll ever come around. I think she’s surprised I finally stood up to her. I’ve never done that before.”
He reached over and took her hand in his. A smile tugged at his lips. “And you did it for me. Why?”
Her fingers tightened around his. “You know you mean a lot to me.”
“Yet you’ve never said it out loud. Tell me what I mean to you.” He guided the car into a right turn, then slowed to a halt in the traffic before he turned to face her.
Sabrina lifted her hand to his jaw, her lips parting to speak, then her gaze flicked forward to the jam of cars ahead. Worry crossed her face.
“This is crazy,” Sabrina said, checking the time on her phone as the line of cars inched forward but then stalled again. “We’ll be late if this doesn’t clear up. His class gets over in ten minutes. And this road is usually free of traffic. I don’t know what’s going on today.”
“Call him. Tell him we’re stuck and running late.”
“He doesn’t have a phone,” she replied. “Wait, I’ll just call his instructor and tell him to inform Ahaan that we’re getting late. Ahaan knows to stay inside the premises till I get him.”
A minute later, her worried eyes met his. “The instructor is not answering.”
“Ahaan’s eleven. You need to get him a phone, Sabrina. It’s for his own safety.”
“I was waiting until he turned thirteen,” she explained. “I don’t want him glued to a screen, like other kids his age. They’re all addicted to gadgets already.”
“I get that. But get him a basic phone at least. Nothing fancy. And give it to him only when he’s going to his classes. That way, you’ll always be able to reach him.”
Sabrina blinked, and then she smiled. Taking his hand, she kissed it. “Thank you. I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
He turned his palm to lace his fingers with hers, holding her hand firmly. “I just think it’s safer, and I don’t like the idea of not being able to get in touch with him.”
She tapped her phone, and he heard her speak to Ahaan’s instructor and requested him to inform Ahaan.
A sense of relief washed over him, and his chest eased.
It struck him then how naturally the worry had come.
How instinctively he’d thought about Ahaan’s safety.
He wanted to protect this boy and his mother.
He wanted to marry Sabrina, so he could have them by his side and keep them safe always.
His chest tightened. Marriage. God, was he truly considering it?
Yes, yes, he was. He could picture it easily—Sabrina in his home, her laughter filling his days, Ahaan running through the hallways, Maya behind him, all of them filling his home with sounds of happiness. He liked the thought. No. He loved it.
And just like that, he was sure. Sabrina was the one for him. He’d been waiting for so damn long for a life filled with someone to love and spend the rest of his days with. And now, he had not just one, but two persons to love. And he prayed to God that one day soon, they’d love him back as well.
He studied Sabrina. She looked so lovely dressed in simple blue jeans and a plain white tee.
She was the one, indeed. She made him steady, whole, complete.
She made his heart beat harder. And with her came this sweet boy, whom he already cared so much for.
Yes. Marriage. He was ready for it. He only hoped they’d be too.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the traffic began to move. When they finally pulled up at the skating academy, Ahaan came bounding toward the car, his haversack bouncing on his back. His face was bright with excitement as he slid into the backseat.
“Uncle Aditya, Mom! Are we still going for the cricket match?” he asked breathlessly.
“Of course, we are,” Aditya said with a grin. “Also, there is a small paper bag next to you. There’s something inside it for you.”
Ahaan quickly grabbed the bag and pulled out the tee. He squealed, “Mom, it’s the Indian team tee. See it has my name on it, and Kohli’s number, eighteen. So cool. I love it.”
Sabrina laughed. “What are we supposed to say?”
“Thank you, Uncle. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, buddy,” Aditya pointed to his own back. “Look, I’m wearing one with my name on it too. I put Dhoni’s number seven on it. Coincidentally, my birthday is also on the seventh of July, so it works for me.”
Ahaan grinned, quickly wearing his t-shirt.
“Wear your seatbelt now,” Sabrina said, watching as her son did as she said.
Once Ahaan was done, he peppered Aditya with dozens of questions about the stadium—how much time it would take them, what time the match would start, was he sure Kohli was playing.
Aditya answered all his questions patiently.
A few minutes later, the car lapsed into silence.
Aditya looked into the rear-view mirror and found Ahaan fast asleep, his head lolling to the side.
His heart filled with warmth, seeing him like that, looking so innocent.
“It’s so strange,” Aditya said, speaking softly. “One minute he was buzzing with energy and now he’s fast asleep.”
Sabrina glanced behind. “It’s always like that. But it’s a long drive to the stadium, so it’s good he’s getting some sleep.”
Aditya nodded.
“So, why didn’t I get a tee?” she asked, her eyes shining. “I like Kohli too; you could have got me one with his number eighteen printed on it!”
“Sabrina, the only name and number I want you wearing are mine.”
Her eyes darkened. “Is that right?”
“You’re mine. Never forget it.”
She slid her hand into his, squeezing it. “I’m thinking, let’s book that hotel room you suggested for tonight. I was planning to drop Ahaan off at Aisha’s for the night. She’s been asking to send him. I’ve got his backpack already.”
Aditya’s pulse spiked at her words. The thought of finally having her all to himself—no interruptions, no watchful eyes—made his chest tighten with anticipation.
“Oh, beautiful!” He lifted her hand to his lips, letting his mouth linger against her skin, enjoying her sharp inhale. “You just made my day! Now I can’t wait to get you alone!”
His mind flooded with a hundred different ways he was going to make her his again.
She laughed, tapping his temple. “Stop all those naughty thoughts flowing through your head.”
“I can’t!” He smiled, loving how she read him so easily. “My imagination is running wild, and it’s all your fault.”
A smile played on her lips. “I also need to tell you something important when we’re alone.”
He arched a brow. “Important? Tell me now?”
She chuckled. “Don’t be impatient.”
“Now I really want to know.”
“Patience, Adi. You really need to wait till we’re alone,” Sabrina teased.
Curiosity made his heart pound faster. What did she want to tell him?
Was she finally ready to admit what he too felt for her?
Could that be it? He knew she cared for him.
But love? God, he hoped it was that. Tonight, when they were finally alone, he didn’t just want to make love to her, he wanted to tell her that he loved her and that he wanted to be with Ahaan and her as a family.
Yes, he was going to propose to her tonight, and he hoped to God she’d agree.