Fixing Broken Hearts (A Darshan Raval Fanfic)

V. Learning to be Alone

Aisha's POV:

I walked to the flower store and then the cemetery. I sat down next to the graves and smiled. I started talking about all the new developments and Darshan and the job. After talking for an hour, I wiped a tear away and walked back all the way home. "Hi," a voice greeted. I turned around. Hardil. I smiled and hugged him. "Cemetery?" He asked and I nodded. "You home alone?" He asked. "No. Niu's home. Tara and Alisha are in their respective parents' house," I replied. "Come over, na. Dono aa jao," he invited. "And, deal with Darshan? No way," I chuckled, humourlessly. "I will handle him," he clarified. I smiled and hugged him, nodding. I ran home and grabbed my overnight bag. Niu and I walked to the boys' house and knocked. Darshan opened the door. Standing in front of me, shirtless and in shorts, wiping his hair. Niu smiled at him and we walked in. I hugged Sid and H. "Chalo, movie dekhte hai," Jyugal said, picking Niu up horizontally and walking to the TV. "Jyugal," Niu shrieked. I laughed. 

Darshan's POV:

Aisha cuddled up with a big pillow and Niharika. She glanced smugly at Sid and he pouted. They had argued for the pillow and she won. We were watching 'Tangled' because the girls' wanted to. Aisha's head was laid on Niharika's shoulder, cheek squished. She was so adorable. She looked so at peace. 

At the end of the movie, Aisha started singing along to 'I See the Light' eyes closed, smiling. She sang both the parts so flawlessly. Tears coursed down her cheeks as she finished the song. "Ash, that was AWESOME," Niu smiled. She smiled, sweetly kissing Niharika's cheek. Niu hugged her. They were so cute. I smiled, unconsciously. Aisha was so beautiful even after so many years. Niharika hugged her and we finished the movie. Aisha ended up in tears. "Sweetie, it's okay," Jyugal and Niharika said, hugging her. She hid her face in Jyugal's shoulder and cried. She really loved the ending. I wanted to be the one who held her while she cried. But, she didn't even smile at me. I couldn't see her cry. "Ash, it's okay," Niharika said, kissing her cheeks. Aisha nodded and hugged her, rocking her back and forth. "Yaar, tum dono hi date kar lo," Jyugal giggled. "Okay," Aisha replied and Niharika laughed. Aisha whispered something in Jyugal's ear and he glared at her. She giggled. "Kya hua?" Sid asked. "You didn't tell them?" Aisha asked Jyugal. He shook his head. "Tell them later," Niu ordered. He nodded. The girls went to order pizza. "What happened?" Hardil asked. "We got physical a few days ago," Jyugal mumbled. We nodded and smiled. "Don't tease, please," he requested. We smirked. He smacked his forehead. I walked outside and saw Aisha and Niharika on the phone, laughing at something. Aisha was looking at Niharika sideways. They walked towards the TV room and Aisha bumped into me. Niharika didn't notice. I grabbed her and held her with my arms around her waist. She closed her eyes. I wanted to kiss her. But, she'd hit me if I did. She stood up and walked away. I looked at her. I wanted her to turn around and smile at me like she used to. I wanted to grab her from behind and spin her around and kiss her. I walked back to the gang and saw Aisha sitting in a corner, looking at her phone, upset. Sid and H were talking to their girlfriends on the phone and Jyugal and Niharika were talking about going on a date. I sat next to her and she looked at me. I shrugged and she went back to browsing. 

Aisha's POV:

Sometimes I wished my self-respect didn't matter so much to me. I wanted someone to talk to but I didn't have anyone. Everyone was busy. I knew I didn't need a boyfriend. But somewhere down the line, I wanted someone who'd take care of me. Love me. Darshan looked at me. I raised an eyebrow. He smiled and went back to whatever he was doing. My heart softened. He still had that loveable smile. I felt so alone. I wanted my parents. I wanted to go back to the time I had them. I wanted to fall asleep in someone's arms. Desperately. I shifted around. Darshan noticed that. He gestured me to come outside. I walked with him. "What?" I asked. "You want a hug, don't you?" He asked. I shook my head and turned around. He hugged me from the back and kissed my cheek. I pushed him away. I asked him to tell the others that I've gone home and left. I couldn't be here without wanting to cry. He followed. "Aisha, it is okay to accept that you need help," he said. "I don't need help. I want someone who loves me," I said, holding back my tears before walking home. 

Life wasn't gonna get any easier...