Chapter-9

Broken Hearts

Aalia took a long breath. She wanted to clear things between them. But there was something holding her back.

'What if he is calling me to talk about his marriage? What if he is calling me to ask me what kind of gift he should buy for his girlfriend?'

Aalia thought and looked at the ringing phone.

'I hope he is calling me to give me a clarification on what happened in the past. But what if it's a false hope. '

She cut off the call.

"I am sorry. I don't want your words and deeds to hurt me anymore. "

She said to herself and kept her phone away. He didn't call her again afterwards. Aalia spent the rest of the day laying down in the bed and crying hugging her pillow.

"Aalii....."

She heard her mom calling her.

"Come on. Open the door. Are you alright? Why are you staying in the room for too long?" (Mom)

"I am fine, Mom." Aalia assured.

"You haven't eaten anything since morning." (Mom)

Aalia opened the door.

"What happened? Why is your face puffy? Are you sure that you are alright?"

Her Mom asked.

"Hmm... I am fine mom. I am having a slight headache. That's it." Aalia explained.

"May be it's because you haven't eaten your food. I will bring food and medicine." (Mom)

Aalia wanted to say a NO but she was too tired to argue. Her mom returned with the food.

"Mom, actually I am not hungry." (Aalia)

"No. You can't have medicine without taking your food. Eat a little." (Mom)

After eating a bit of her food. She excused saying that she felt like throwing up inorder to escape from food. She was again left alone with thoughts. She sat at the corner of her room hugging her legs and holding her body close to herself. She unknowingly fell asleep.

At night, her phone rang. She was in a deep slumber. She took her phone and looked at the caller ID.

"Hanuz "

The call she was waiting for.

She took the call and they talked about each and every event that happened after her departure.

"Aali... You alright? " (Hana)

"hm... " (Aalia)

"Are You Alright? " (Hana)

Aalia stayed silent.

"Is it about Adnaan? " (Hana)

"hm. " (Aalia)

"Take a deep breath and tell me what happened?" (Hana)

Aalia told her every incident.

"Why didn't you pick up his call?" (Hana)

"I was afraid. "

At that moment Aalia started crying.

"Please ,come back, I want you near me." (Aalia)

"Shhh... Don't cry. Aalia stay calm. Breath. I will be there okay?" (Hana)

"Aalia...should I call your mom and inform her that you are not well." (Hana)

"No. I am fine." (Aalia)

Hana tried her best to cheer her up. But Aalia felt her energy oozing out. She wanted to talk to Hana but her body was not letting her.

"Hana. Will call you later. "

Aalia cut the call. She could hear the notifications on her phone. She was sure that it was Hana texting her to check whether she is alright. She wanted to check but she was feeling dizzy.

With a heavy heart and head Aalia laid on the bed trying to sleep.

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The next day Aalia woke up and looked at the time. It was 10:00 am. She felt her eyelids heavy and her head was hurting so badly. She heard a knock on her door.

"Aali.... You alright?"

"The door is open. " Aalia said.

Someone came in and sat next to her.

"Aali, why is your face so pale? Did you eat your dinner yesterday?Aali what have you done to yourself ?"

Aalia identified the voice. It was Hana's.

Aalia opened her eyes and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you for coming back. Thank you so much. " (Aalia)

Hana hugged her back. And patted on her shoulder.

Hana took her to the living room.

"Should I bring your breakfast here?" (Hana)

"No. I am fine. " Aalia stood up and walked to the kitchen but her mom was nowhere to be seen. She tried not to show her weakness.

"Mom?" (Aalia)

"They are at my house." (Hana)

Aalia nodded.

"Don't worry. They won't know anything about your present condition. " Hana assured.

They both sat on the couch.

Aalia's phone started ringing in her room .

"Should I take the call? " Hana asked.

Aalia just stayed silent.

"Wait. I will check." Hana went to Aalia's room in search of her phone.

Aalia felt her head heavy. She put her cheek against the cold side table.

She tried to call Hana. But her throat was dry and what she could feel was empty. She tried to stand up but her legs were no longer supporting her. She felt her eyelids becoming heavy. She stood up with the support of the side table and tried to hold on to her consciousness. Taking a step forward she collapsed on the ground drowning deep into the pool of emptiness.

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Adnaan's pov

It's been a difficult week. The business was getting tougher. My days and nights were dedicated to work.

My mom and dad have been forcing me to marry a girl. But I don't know why they can't understand that I am not interested in any sort of marriage right now. I was mad at Afna di as she was the root cause of the problem. I decided to keep a distance from my parents and my lovely dovely so called sister.

After all that work at the shop I returned home. Mom and dad were asleep as usual. Thay were really getting irritated by my attitude towards marriage. They were ignoring me like hell.

I went to my room. After taking a shower, I lay on my bed and found Aalia's missed call. I wanted to call her back but it was midnight and didn't want to disturb her.

As days passed, I was getting sick of everything. My life was becoming more and more lifeless. Miserable. Mom and dad was treating me like I was not a part of their family. I wanted to see Aalia. My hope. The reason of my happiness. But I was no longer contacting Aalia.

Aalia may be mad at me for not visiting her. But I won't. Obviously aunty and uncle are going to give me a lecture on marriage. And I am least interested in lectures.

One day I saw her with her dad. She seemed happy. Her smile brought a smile to my face. I went on with my work. Aalia's mom and dad called me once . We talked for a long time. I heard her voice in between the call after a long time. Uncle told me that they were looking for a good guy for Aalia and even sent me a picture of a 'not too handsome' guy. Genuinely he was good looking but it was clear from his face that he was not as innocent as he looks.

Since that day I have had a lot of questions on my mind.

'What if Aalia likes that guy? Will she say a yes? Will she marry him? What will I do? ' and alot more.

Right now I am sitting in my shop after finishing my work. My eyes were tired looking at the laptop. I took my phone. I am missing her. I am missing her so badly.

'Should I call Aalia? ' I thought.

I tried to ignore her and let her live her life but no. I can't. I can't stop myself.

Finally I called her. She didn't pick up my call. Maybe she is busy.

But the next day I felt something strange about Aalia . She never cut my call. But she did it this time. I was totally astonished. It was then Hassan called me. I picked up the call.

"Hello." (Hassan)

"Hey. What's up? " I asked.

"Good. It's been a long time. Where are you? " Hassan asked.

"I am actually kinda done with everything, business, family, everything is too much for me to handle. Right now. But everything will get better. And how are you? " I asked.

"Oh. Just take care of yourself man. Here, Everything is going smoothly so far." (Hassan)

"Hm.... Great to hear that from you. " I said.

There was silence. Hassan started to talk about the things happening there in my absence. He said that he was going to perform some kind of duet with Aalia. I felt a bit of anger.

"How's your practice going?" I asked.

"Actually Aalia was not well. So Hana asked me to skip today's practice. " Hassan said.

"what happened to her?" I asked.

"Yesterday night Hana asked me to pick her up from grandpa's house. She said that Aalia was not well and right now her mom and dad are here but Hana is with Aalia. I don't know what exactly happened." Hassan explained.

"I will call you back" with that I cut the call.

I dialed her number but she didn't answer my call.

"Is Aalia really alright?" I asked myself.

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Hana heard a sound from downstairs. She came running and saw Aalia laying on the ground. Hana ran to her and sat next to her.

"Aa- Aalia, open your eyes. Aalia" Hana was really confused. Aalia partially opened her eyes.

Hana took a glass of water from the kitchen.

"Aalia try to drink this. " Hana said and with Hana's support Aalia drank the water. Hana placed Aalia's head on her lap

"Aalia, wait a second. I will call someone." She took her phone.

"No need. " Aalia mumbled.

Hana ignored it and dialed her mother's number.

As soon as her mom answered the call, Hana said.

"M-mom, Aalia ff-fainted. I don't know ww-what to do. " Hana said.

"Aali...try to keep your eyes open."

"I...am fine.... now. " Aalia tried to convince hana.

It was then Aalia's dad came running. He held Aalia's hand carefully.

"Can you walk? " He asked and Aalia nodded.

"I am taking her to the hospital. " Her dad said.

Her mom and dad took her to the hospital.

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Aalia was lying on the hospital bed with an IV connected to her hand inorder to prevent dehydration. Aalia regained her health. The doctor said that the reason behind her fainting was a drop in blood pressure, which reduced blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

Her mom was talking with her and said that her dad was sad about her condition. Aalia asked her mom to call her dad into the room.

No matter whether she is sad or not she wanted her parents to be happy.

As soon as her dad entered Aalia asked:

"I am getting bored sitting here. When are we going back home? "

"We will leave soon. It's just a matter of 30-45 minutes ." Dad said slowly patting on her head.

"OMG. 45 minutes?! " Aalia exclaimed.

"I will sit next to you." Her dad sat on the chair next to the bed slowly massaging her hand.

"I want to watch a movie." Aalia said.

"Which one?" her dad asked.

"Thor: love and thunder." Aalia said.

"I will try to find it." He dad said.

"yyyyyeeehhh.. My dad is the best." Aalia cheered.

Her dad chuckled.

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Reaching home Aalia was taken extra care by Hana and her dad. Aalia talked a lot with Hana.

"Take a nap." Hana said.

"I don't want to. Stay here na.... " Aalia pleaded.

"No. Excuse." With that Hana left her alone.

Aalia thought about Adnaan

'Are you really doing good without me? '

'Aalia, leave it. He may be happy without you. It may hurt you but accept it.'

Aalia took a deep breath.

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Adnaan's POV

I was really having a bad gut. I called her mom and dad but they didn't answer the call.

"Damn" I was really getting angry.

I called Hassan. He picked up the call.

"Is Aalia alright? " I asked as soon as he picked up the call.

"Cool down, man." Hassan said.

"Tell me- IS AALIA ALRIGHT? I asked.

"Actually she fainted but now she is fine. She is alright. She was taken to the hospital. Nothing to worry, she is absolutely fine. " hasaan assured.

"Did you visit her? " I asked.

"No. Hana said that she was taking a rest. So I have decided to visit her tomorrow." Hassan explained.

"Hm.. " I had nothing else to talk about.

'Is she alright?' I thought.

"She is alright, man. Don't worry. " Hassan said as if he was reading my mind.

"Thanks. " I said awkwardly.

I heard him chuckle. I cut the call.

'Was Aalia really alright? Should I visit her? But what if she is alright without me? What if she is happier without me? What if she was me to stay away from her? '

These thoughts were pulling me back.

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The root of the problem was the lack of contact. The didn't know what they felt for each other. The silence between them was growing wider. A wall was rising between them. They never knew how strong it was. But not stronger than what they felt for each other.

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_rs