𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 [𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡]

ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ 50

𝙵𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛

Through the busy streets of Delhi, Alia drove carefully. They were on time so no worries about that. Parking in the lot they both got out and unloaded the bags. They walked through the entrance and stopped at the place through which only the passengers were supposed to go through.

He turned around to Alia and smiled, "That's it, I guess." He swung back on his toes and heels his nervousness creeping in.

"It's okay Baba," she smiled patting his shoulder. In the recent five years, he had successfully towered her. "Be happy and call me as soon as you land. And do focus on your studies too." She says and then started to cry, "I'm gonna miss you so much." She whispered as he brought her in for a hug.

"Sister, I am going to be the one who is probably going to miss you the most. Please take care of yourself and remember to eat alright? I'd like to come back to my sister healthy and happy?" He smiled and kissed her forehead making her smile with tears in her eyes too.

"Yes," she palmed his cheek, "Go now. All the best and don't look back." She knew that he won't leave her otherwise.

He brought her in for another tight hug, squeezing her thoroughly and then walked to his counter. As he disappeared Alia took stood there for a few minutes and then turned around to leave.

She took her car out of the parking and drove home, the two-bedroom apartment that she was staying in.
Sighing she placed the keys on the counter and stood in front of her mother's portrait. "He's happy, mama. I think I'm doing it alright." She smiled and walked away from the portrait of a smiling woman.

*********

Life has been hard and over five years, she had lost two more people, her grandparents from the maternal side. It had not been devastating as it was at the time when her mother had passed away, to be honest, Alia had never processed it to the full but those two had become her support system and when she lost them Alia had had a full breakdown.

Now she lived alone in a house that had two bedrooms and a 9 to 5 job. With her brother gone half of the responsibilities of Alia had vanished as well making her fire the maid and do all the housework herself. It somehow kept her busy and she appreciated it.

Maybe, she could adopt a dog? It has been two days since her brother had gone and the house was feeling lonelier than ever.

"Are you down for drinks tonight?" A coworker, Anirudh, asked her. He was a nice guy by Alia hated how persistent he got when you wanted something.

"No," she softly denied with a smile on her face. "Thank you for inviting me."

He didn't relent, "You knew you have to join us sometime right? As co-workers?" He wiggled his eyebrows grossing her out even more.

She nodded, "Yes, soon but not today. Anyway," she spoke as soon as he opened his mouth again. "I am going to get me a coffee, excuse me." She got up, took her cup and walked to the cafeteria. Feeling up her cup, she walked back to her desk, resuming her tasks.

Sighing she leaned back in the office chair. A presentation was due in 2 days and she had just started but wasn't satisfied with the work yet. She had to make sure that it was the best one till now as her appraisal was coming and so was the transfer of employees to another branch.

But it was already closing time so whatever she had to worry about was going to be continued at home.

She sighed and packed her bag. It had been a long and tiring day and all she could do was cursed herself for taking a job in the accounting department. Her mother has specifically warned her about it.

She walked to the lift waited as the doors opened. Walking in, she closed the doors and looked up to the screen.

16..15..14..

The lift stopped and someone came in. She glanced over only to have smiled back at a young girl. "Hello." She greeted.

Ah, awkward lift conversations. She smiled and greeted me back. "hello. How are you?"

She answered but also engaged in a full conversation-making Alia glare at the screen.

The lift stopped at G and they both walked out to the exit. The girl stopped in front of a car and squealed.

"I didn't know you were coming to pick me up!" She hugged the man and Alia glanced as she pulled out the keys from her bag which she should have done when she was at her desk packing her stuff.

"That's Alright kid," she froze, "I finished my meeting early so thought of coming and picking you up."
She turned around and left hurriedly, praying that she did not notice her.

Which he had for a long time.

Next on Monday.