Love Over Friends.

Chapter 14 - Aaliyah is found

Neel's Point of View:
Aaliyah looked really down. I was watching her play the piano, her fingers gliding over the keys with a beauty that both mesmerized and saddened me. I knew it was her decision to run away, but I wondered how long she could cope with being away from her family. I really wanted to help her, as I could see how much she missed them.

"Aaliyah, can I borrow your phone? Mine just died," I suddenly asked.

"Sure, Neel," Aaliyah replied, pulling her phone from her pocket and handing it over to me.

"I'll be back," I said, slipping out of the room.

"Okay, I'll wait here," she said softly.

Alisha's Point of View:
I can't believe I'm not going back to America. I wanted to leave since no one really wanted me here anyway. As I walked down the stairs, I put on my jacket and headed toward the front door.

"Where do you think you're going?" Shahrukh Mama asked with his voice stern.

"Out." I replied not bothering to look back.

"With who?" Mama asked with his irritation palpable as I turned around to face him.

"Becky." I replied with my irritation growing.

"No, you're not leaving this house until Aaliyah's found, and you're not going to be friends with Becky." Mama insisted.

"You can't tell me who to hang out with." I snapped.

"Aaliyah was your best friend, but Becky changed all that." Mama retorted.

"Aaliyah is family, not just my friend." I shot back.

"You need to learn some respect young lady." Mama warned.

"Cut me some slack and leave me alone!" I said with my voice rising not realising I was starting to sound really rude.

"What's with all this ruckus?" Bhai yelled as he approached us.

"Nothing," I replied dismissively storming up to my room.

Moments later, there was a knock on my bedroom door and it was Bhai.

"Alisha, have you been arguing with Mama? He's right; you shouldn't be friends with Becky." Bhai said.

"You don't even know her, so don't judge." I snapped, throwing my jacket onto the bed.

"Are you even listening to yourself? Don't make this worse than it already is. We're all worried sick about Aaliyah and I thought you were as well." Bhai said with his concern evident.

"Listen, bro, I'm your little sis." I shot back.

"Aaliyah is the youngest of us all," he replied with his tone sharp.

"But I'm your real sister, you never worry about me." I said with my frustration boiling over.

"How could you even say that? After everything that's happened back home and us I've always cared for you more than anyone else because you're my blood sister! But Aaliyah is missing. Aaliyah is missing!" Bhai yelled.

"Just... LEAVE ME ALONE!" I shouted, throwing a pillow at him while he quickly exited my room.

Neel's Point of View:
I walked back to Aaliyah who was still in the piano room.

"Thanks for the phone." I said handing it back to her.

"No problem." Aaliyah replied looking a little brighter.

"I'll be back. I need to do a quick job." I said and Aaliyah nodded as I made my way downstairs. I waited by the front door.

After a few minutes, I spotted the person I was looking for. I walked up to him, extended my hand and he shook it firmly.

"You must be Akshay?" I asked.

"Yes, and you are?" Akshay replied his expression tense.

"Neel. Her friend." I said trying to keep things casual.

"Tell me where Aaliyah is—" Akshay began, but he abruptly stopped when he heard the piano playing.

"Aaliyah." he whispered to himself as we rushed up the stairs and stopped at the banister.

Aaliyah's Point of View:
I kept playing the piano, my fingers lost in a melody that matched my mood. Life felt so depressing.

"Aaliyah?" I turned my head to see Bhai standing there.

"BHAI!" I yelled running into his arms and he held me tightly.

"Idiot, why did you do this? Did you even think about what I'd go through if you were gone?" Bhai asked with his worry evident.

"I'm so sorry, Bhai." I said tears welling in my eyes.

"It's okay. The past is in the past. What matters is that you're here now." Bhai reassured me, finally letting go. We both smiled, though I could still see the worry in his eyes.

"How did you find me?" I asked curiously.

"Remember me, Aaliyah?" Neel said appearing at the top of the stairs.

"Neel? You did this?" I asked astonished.

"Yes, I know I told you I wouldn't tell anyone, but you seemed so sad. I thought you needed someone from your family, so when I borrowed your phone, I called him." Neel explained.

"Thank you, Neel." I said walking up to him and giving him a small hug. Bhai cleared his throat, and we both stepped back smiling awkwardly.

"This is my best friend, Neel," I said, introducing him to Bhai. I decided to tell Bhai the whole story in detail and while looked angry but when he saw Neel he calmed down slightly.

"Thank you so much for looking after her. Name your price; I'll pay you." Bhai said pulling out his checkbook.

"No, no, sir, that's not needed. Having a friend like your sister is reward enough." Neel replied, a genuine smile on his face.

"Let's take you home, shall we?" Bhai asked, and I nodded eagerly.

"I'll text you later, Neel," I said, quickly packing my things before following Bhai out.

Neel's Point of View:
I'll miss you. I wouldn't say it out loud with her brother around, but I was starting to realise how I felt about her. Yet, I still didn't know what it all meant.

Alisha's Point of View:
I sat by the window sill, waiting for them to arrive. I hated feeling hated. I knew how I made Aaliyah feel and it hurt me. How could I do that to my own cousin? We used to share everything and keep secrets but that all changed when she started to blurt things out 'by accident.' I felt awful. I was hurting deep down, but she must have felt so much worse.

I think I'll text Shehry since I didn't know who else to turn to.

To: Shehry
Your brother isn't going to talk to me, and you don't have to either. I know none of this has spread around school for Aaliyah's sake but I'm sorry. I don't know who to say this to since my family is quite mad at me at the moment too. I realised I made a huge mistake, and I will make it up to her. If she doesn't forgive me, that's fine; I don't expect to be forgiven after how I hurt her. I don't care if you guys hate me too, but I'm so sorry.

I just wanted to let you know Aaliyah has been found. She's coming home today, hopefully. Bye.

Suddenly, I looked out the window and saw Aaliyah getting out of Akshay Bhai's car. She looked up at the bedroom window, but when our eyes met, she quickly looked away, tears glistening on her cheeks.