Love Over Friends.

Chapter 2 - The day after

Aaliyah's Point of View:
Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop. The sound of blood hitting the sink fills the empty bathroom, echoing louder than it should. I stare blankly as the crimson droplets mix with the water, swirling down the drain. I can't believe it—I did it again. I cut myself. My hands tremble as I watch the blood trickle from the small wounds, and the pain, sharp at first, now feels numb. It's as if I can't feel anything anymore.

In the distance, I can hear Mama talking on the phone—his voice muffled through the walls who's talking to Alisha's mom. I didn't mean to overhear, but it's impossible to unhear now. They don't want me back. The words still sting, fresh in my mind. Alisha isn't supposed to come back either, at least not for another ten years. They want space, time apart from us, time to live without worrying about us. But why? Why am I suddenly feeling this weight of depression pressing down on me, suffocating me from the inside out? Alisha has no idea. She doesn't know that I've been cutting, and she definitely doesn't know about the phone conversation Mama had with our mothers.

If I told her, it would break her heart. But not as much as mine is breaking right now. The thought that I can't go back to America—that I'm stuck here—burns like salt in a wound. Alisha could go back if she wanted, after ten years, but me? Never. It feels so unfair. And I know exactly what I need to do. As soon as I finish college, I'm going to run away. I'll go to a university somewhere else—anywhere but here.

I clench my fists, feeling the anger and frustration build up. My hand trembles as I raise it, aiming to strike my own forehead in a desperate attempt to feel something. Just as I'm about to hit, my phone rings. Alisha.

Alisha: "Hey cuz! How you doin'?"

Me: (Wiping my tears quickly) "Oh, I'm just... just swell. What's up with you?"

Alisha: "Have you forgotten already, dummy? I told you this morning!"

Me: (A small pause) "You didn't tell me anything."

Alisha: "Wait, really? Ugh, fine, you win again. I must have forgotten! I swear it was Hussain's fault, though. That guy can make me forget my own name sometimes."

Me: "Of course it was. Let me guess—you're still at some party he dragged you to?"

Alisha: "No, no! I'm at a party with my friend, actually."

Me: "What friend? What party? And why didn't you take me?"

Alisha: "Whoa, slow down! Before you throw more questions at me, let me explain. Remember Becky? The English girl we met on the plane? Well, I ran into her at the park yesterday, and we exchanged numbers. This is her party. And don't worry, I'm not about to run off with some random boy. No shenanigans tonight, I promise! And the reason I didn't tell you is... well, because I knew you'd tell SRK Mama, and he'd flip out."

Me: (Sigh) "Fair point. But make sure you're back before 11, okay? And listen, I've got something important to tell you. We'll talk later."

Alisha: "Okay, I'll be back. Bye, Aaliyah!"

I hang up and stare at my phone, my chest tightening. How am I supposed to tell her? How can I possibly break the news that her mom doesn't want her back for ten years, and that my family never wants me back? She's going to be pissed and she'll blame me for it somehow. My stomach churns just thinking about it.

What am I even doing here? This house, this life—none of it feels real. I need air. I grab my jacket and leave, deciding to walk to the park. Maybe being out in nature will help me clear my mind.

Alisha's Point of View:
Oh my God, this party is insane! Music's blaring, and the energy is off the charts. Everywhere I look, there are cute guys dancing, laughing, and flirting. I'm half-wondering if Huss—

"Hey girl! What are you doing here all alone? Come on, I want you to meet some friends," Becky yells over the music, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Sure, but wait—where did all these people come from? And how do you know all these hot guys?" I shout back, trying to keep up with her as she drags me across the crowded room.

Becky laughs. "It's simple! They all go to my school, and when parents are outta town..."

"Ah, the classic 'throw a party and invite the whole year' move," I say, finishing her sentence.

"Exactly!" she grins, pulling me toward a group of people. As we weave through the crowd, my mind wanders for a second. I wonder what Aaliyah's doing right now. Probably eating aloo paratha while I'm here missing aloo samosas.

Suddenly, Becky turns to me, a curious look on her face. "By the way, what school are you going to?"

"We're starting at some place called QK next week," I reply casually.

Becky's eyes light up. "Wait, is your cousin's name Aaliyah?"

"Yeah, how do you know?"

"You're both in my tutor class! Oh my God, this is awesome!" she squeals, causing a few people nearby to look at us strangely.

"Seriously?" I ask, grinning.

"And get this—one of the guys was asking if the new girls were cute. Looks like someone's already interested in you!" she teases, winking.

"Uh, no thanks. I'm staying halal," I say, crossing my arms.

"What's that?" Becky asks, genuinely curious.

"Love after marriage," I explain.

Becky's jaw drops. "You're serious? Wow, okay, respect."

"Yeah, but we can still be friends, right? Who was asking, anyway?" I ask, slightly intrigued.

"He left the party, but his best friend is still here. Want to meet him?" Becky asks, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Why not?" I reply.

"Sidharth! Over here!" Becky yells. My heart skips a beat. That name—Sidharth. Suddenly, I think of Aaliyah and how much she loves Sidharth Malhotra.

"This is Sidharth," Becky says, and as I turn around, my breath catches. There he is. Tall, handsome, and very familiar.

"You must be Alisha?" he asks, flashing me a smile.

"Yes, I am," I reply, smiling back and shaking his hand.

"Are you really the Sidharth Malhotra?" I ask, trying to contain my surprise.

"Yep. Surprised to see an actor studying, huh?" he says with a chuckle.

"I don't believe it," I admit, still shocked.

"Most people don't. But I'm looking forward to seeing you and your cousin at school. It'll be fun having some new faces around," he says, and I can't help but smile.

Aaliyah's Point of View:
II walk through the park, my eyes fixed on the ground. Nothing feels right. I thought the fresh air might help, but it only makes me feel more alone. How am I supposed to live my life without Alisha by my side? The thought of it makes my chest ache.

Suddenly, someone bumps into me, knocking my bag to the ground.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Here, let me help," a voice says, bending down to pick up my bag. His voice... it sounds familiar. I look up slowly, and when our eyes meet, recognition strikes me hard.

"Thank you," I mumble, taking the bag from his hands.

"No problem," he says with a kind smile.

"Excuse me, are you—are you Hussain Asif? From DhoomBros?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He laughs, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I am. Who's asking?"

Oh my God. If Alisha were here, she'd lose her mind. "I'm Aaliyah," I say, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Are you a fan?" he asks.

"Kind of. But my cousin's the real fan. She's obsessed," I reply with a small smile.

"Well, next time we meet, bring her along. I'd love to meet her," he says casually, as if we're old friends.

I watch him walk off, not even saying goodbye. I wipe my eyes quickly, the weight of everything crashing back down. Why am I so unlucky? Why me?