Chapter 40
Excitement filled his whole being. Today was going to be the beginning of the rest of his life.
He had finally found the one person who was truly going to be his.
Actually, two of them. He smiled. Right at this moment, Sabrina must be telling Ahaan about them.
And now, he couldn’t wait to meet Ahaan and scoop him into his arms.
Sabrina had gone straight from the airport to pick up Ahaan from school, while he’d driven home to shower and change. Now he was back on the road. The late-afternoon sun glinted off the windshield as he headed toward Sabrina’s office to fetch Ahaan and her.
His chest felt almost weightless. He was taking them to meet his mother.
And while things hadn’t been all okay between his mother and him, he was certain that all he needed to do was sit her down and tell her how much Sabrina and Ahaan meant to him.
As it was, his mom had been trying to talk to him for a while now.
He’d deterred all her attempts so far, but tonight he would explain everything to her.
His mother loved him fiercely, and she would come around.
He grinned. He was going to marry Sabrina soon.
He wanted her by his side, where she belonged.
On their way back from Dubai, they’d both called their friends and told them everything, and now everyone was excited for the two of them. Perhaps, tonight, once everything was sorted with his mother, he’d take Sabrina out to celebrate with all of them.
His phone buzzed. He smiled as he looked at the caller ID. It was Sabrina. His smile widened as he answered.
“Uncle Aditya…” a small voice said.
“Ahaan, hey buddy.”
“Uncle Aditya… men… guns… Mom…” Ahaan’s words were rushed, frightened. Men? Guns? Immediately, Aditya went on alert.
“Slow down, Ahaan. Tell me everything again.”
“They… they came in,” Ahaan gasped. “Two men. With guns. Mom told me to stay under the desk. They—”
Aditya’s breath stalled.
“They took her…” Ahaan cried. “They took my mom!”
Fear ripped through Aditya’s chest. His grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles blanched.
“Who took her? Did you see them?” he asked, his heart hammering in his chest. “Where are you?”
“I was playing under her desk when they came in. They told her they would shoot her if she didn’t go with them.”
“Ahaan, where are you?”
“I’m still under her desk, hiding. I’m scared.”
“I’m coming to you, okay?” Aditya pressed his foot on the accelerator. “I’m coming to you. Keep talking to me, buddy.”
“My m…mom,” Ahaan sniffed through his tears. “Will they hurt her?”
“Nothing will happen to her. She’ll be fine. She’s very strong and so brave.”
“You p…promise,” Ahaan whispered.
“I promise,” Aditya said. “Now tell me what you did in school.”
His distraction tactic worked because Ahaan began to speak, telling him about his day.
His heart clenched in pain. God, Sabrina.
Where was she? All he wanted to do was call for help.
But Ahaan was alone and scared. He had to get to him first. He had to ensure he was safe.
His eyes on the road, he quickly sent a text to his friends’ chat group.
He typed another text and sent it to one more person who, no matter what, he could trust without a doubt.
A few minutes later, Aditya rushed into the parking lot beneath Sabrina’s office and braked hard.
He bolted from the car, barely aware of the startled security guard as he pushed through the lobby and into the waiting elevator.
When the doors finally slid open on her floor, he sprinted down the corridor and into her office.
“Ahaan!” His voice echoed sharply in the empty office. “Ahaan, where are you?”
Ahaan’s small head peeked out from under Sabrina’s desk. The moment he saw Aditya, the boy scrambled out and ran straight into Aditya’s arms.
Aditya dropped to his knees and gathered the boy close.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured, holding him tight. “You’re so brave, you know? Just like your mother. I promise I’m going to bring her back to you.”
He leaned back just enough to look into Ahaan’s tear-streaked face. “Tell me everything again. Even the smallest of things you can remember will help.”
The boy sniffed and told him everything again.
“That’s it…” Ahaan said.
“Are you sure? Did they say anything about where they were taking her?”
Ahaan shook his head. “Umm… I think… Mom said the name AD…”
“AD?”
Realization hit Aditya like a jolt. JD.
“JD? Was it JD?” he asked quickly.
Ahaan’s eyes widened. “Yes, yes, it was JD.”
Aditya hugged him once more, a surge of cold anger sharpening his focus. One arm around Ahaan, he yanked out his phone and called Mihir.
In clipped, urgent words, he explained what had happened.
“Fuck,” Mihir cursed. “I knew that JD would be a problem. While I was searching for my sister, I had two of my men infiltrate JD’s organization. They’re still working for him.”
Relief filled Aditya’s chest.
“Give me a few minutes,” Mihir said. “My men will reach out. Meanwhile, I’m taking the next flight to Mumbai. We’ll find her. I promise you, Aditya, we’ll get her back.”
“Who was that?” Ahaan asked as soon as Aditya disconnected the call.
“It was your Uncle Mihir,” Aditya said. “He’s going to help us find your mother.”
At the confused look on Ahaan’s face, Aditya asked, “Did your mom tell you about him and your other uncles?”
Ahaan shook his head.
“Your uncles, Mihir, Armaan, and Vedant and your mother got separated many years ago,” Aditya explained. “But now, they have found your mom. They live in Dubai.”
Ahaan’s eyes widened. “Dubai?”
“Yes, they are great, and they will love you.”
The sound of rushing footsteps made them both turn. Aditya whirled sharply, his every muscle tense. He eased when he saw Rithwik and Aisha hurrying in. Aisha went straight to Ahaan, gathering him into her arms and holding him close. The boy clung to her, still trembling but calmer.
“Why did you come?” Aditya asked Rithwik. “I was clear that Aisha and you should go home from work and be with the kids.”
“I couldn’t stay away,” Aisha whispered, holding Ahaan close. “I had to come. She’s… Sabrina is…”
“I know, Aisha. I know, and I will get her back,” Aditya promised.
A second later, VJ arrived, his face tense and concerned.
Prince Viraj Jaisinghania, or VJ, was an ex-cop. In his text to his friends, Aditya had specifically asked for VJ to come. In a crisis like this, Aditya knew that VJ’s experience and his calm under pressure were exactly what was needed.
He told them about his conversation with Mihir, and VJ immediately began to make some calls.
The sound of more footsteps made him turn again.
His mother rushed to him. “I got your text. What happened? Is it true what you said about Sabrina?”
He nodded, his jaw tight. “I have to go find her. I can’t live without her. I… love her, Mom.”
He beckoned Ahaan to him. The boy approached him slowly, his eyes on Aditya’s mother.
“Mom, this is Ahaan, Sabrina’s son,” Aditya said, his voice rough. “Will you take him home with you and keep him safe?”
“Aditya, I can keep him with me,” Aisha offered quickly
“No,” Aditya said firmly. “Call your mother; make sure she’s safe. If JD has found Sabrina, then he could come after Ahaan, or… any of you related to her.”
Fear flashed across Aisha’s face. Rithwik and she exchanged a worried look.
“That’s why I told you to go straight home.” Aditya shook his head. “Anyway, get your kids and mother to my place. It’s the safest for you all right now. JD may know your importance in Sabrina’s life, but he doesn’t know about me.”
“The others are on their way,” Rithwik said. “Keya, Raashi, their husbands. I’ll drop Aisha, the kids, and her mother at your house and come back.”
“But—”
“—I will be with you,” Rithwik said, his tone final.
“Tell the others to reach my house. I’ll be in touch once Mihir calls.”
Taking Aisha’s hand, Rithwik led her out of the door. Aditya turned to his mother. She was talking to Ahaan in a soft tone.
“Mom,” Aditya called out, his tone urgent. “Can I trust you to keep him safe? He means everything to me. He’s… mine.”
His mother cupped his cheek. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner. I know where your heart is, and I promise to be on your side always. We have to talk, and we will, but first, go get her back.”
The relief he felt at his mother’s words was all the strength he needed. He knew his mother wouldn’t fail him. Whatever their differences, he could always count on her, and that’s why he’d texted her to come here.
She held a hand to Ahaan. “Will you come with me? The cook in our house makes the best milkshakes.”
Ahaan looked at Aditya, seeking his permission. His chest warmed as he gave him a nod.
Ahaan took his mother’s hand. “Can I get a chocolate milkshake, please?”
“You can get whatever you want,” his mother replied gently, leading him out.
Aditya watched them go, the knot in his chest easing a little. Ahaan would be safe.
His phone rang. It was Mihir. He put it on speaker, bracing himself.
“I know where she is,” Mihir said. “My men can get her out. You don’t need to do a thing.”
Aditya’s jaw locked. “Mihir, if you think I’m going to sit here while the woman I love is in danger, then you don’t know me at all. Send me the location. I’ll work with your men, but I have someone here who can help too.”
Aditya introduced VJ to Mihir. Mihir sent them a location pin, and together, they devised a plan to rescue Sabrina.
“You have to move fast,” Mihir said. “Stay sharp. I’ll have my team meet you there.”
Leaving the office, he got into VJ’s car.
Hold on, beautiful; I’m coming for you.