Chapter 33 #2
Sabrina walked back into the glittering lawns, Janak’s steady arm linked through hers.
Several heads turned in her direction. She looked around.
Aditya’s circle of friends—all of them—were present.
They all looked surprised to see her with Janak.
She’d expected disapproval and censure from all of them, but to her surprise, it wasn’t so.
Other than Raashi, everyone gave her a smile, which meant Aditya had kept the news of him and her to a very small circle.
The friendliest faces were that of Keya and her husband, Kabier.
They both gave her a smile and a nod in acknowledgement.
Raashi broke from the group and came striding toward them, her eyes flashing with anger. She stopped directly in front of Sabrina and Janak.
“What are you doing with her?” she hissed at Janak. Her glance flicked briefly to Aditya across the lawn before darting back to the older man. “You don’t know what she did to—”
Janak’s expression hardened to ice as he addressed Raashi. “Why are you forming judgments based only on what Aditya has told you? He is your oldest friend, yes, and naturally, your heart is biased toward him. But Sabrina is your friend too, isn’t she?”
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 was this event 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 hurt she 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.