Broken (Wattys2016)

CHAPTER 9

Aarav parked his car outside a bungalow he recognised way too well. He turned to look at Aaliya who was wearing a worried face. He held her hand tightly and she turned to look at him.

"Don't worry, we'll get through this." He said and she nodded.

They were standing outside the bungalow where Aarav had spent twenty three years of this life, where he had grown up. They got down from the car and walked towards the door and rang the doorbell. It was after a minute that Riddhima opened the door.

"Jojo." Aaliya said with a big smile and Riddhima pulled Aaliya into her arms.

"I missed you." Aaliya whispered as she rested her head on Riddhima's shoulder.

It was after a month that she saw meeting Riddhima. Riddhima was like a mother to Aaliya. She knew she could share all her problems with her and then Riddhima would help her out. Initially, Riddhima was pissed with Aaliya when she heard about the divorce, but later she got to know that it was her son's demand and not Aaliya's. Ever since then Riddhima is on Aaliya's side and is trying to convince her son to not go ahead with this. Riddhima knew that Aaliya was putting on her strong front but deep down she was broken. She'd always call and check on her and it just tore her heart every time she heard her cry.

"I missed you too Ally." She said as she looked at her and smiled before kissing her forehead.

"Come in." Riddhima said completely ignoring Aarav.

Aaliya noticed Riddhima's reaction and she rolled her eyes at her telling her the obvious.

"Come in Aarav." Riddhima said and the two of them walked in.

Aaliya stopped the two of them at the end of the hallway and peeped inside the living room. Aarav's father, Rishab was sitting on the black leather couch and was reading the newspaper. His spectacles resting on his nose and his eyes glued to the newspaper.

"I am God. I'm impressed how you work so hard to keep your family happy. So I'll fulfil one wish of yours today. What's that you're missing young man?" Aaliya said in a hoarse voice.

She loved playing with Aarav's father in every possible way. It was like she was a twelve year old back again when she saw him. It seemed that Aarav's father brought out the kid in her that died with her family passing away.

"Stop that Riddhi." He chuckled.

"I seriously am God. I'll fulfill one wish of yours today. Tell me what you want." Aaliya again said in a hoarse voice.

He chuckled before answering, "Okay, I'm missing Ally and Aarav today a lot. Can I meet them God?"

"Papa!" Aaliya squealed as she ran towards him.

"Oh my Ally!" Rishab said getting on his feet and opening his arms for her.

Aaliya ran straight into his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist. It was like she was running into her father's arms after long and she knew that he would take away all her problems and might take her to the fair she wanted to go.

"I missed you papa."

"I missed you too, Ally." He said kissing the top of her head.

"My big boy is here as well." Rishab said and Aarav hugged him with Aaliya still under Rishab's other arm.

He loved to see Aaliya with his father, it always brought her back to life; brought her twelve year old self back. Sometimes he felt that his father loved Aaliya more than the two brothers but he had no problem with that. He wondered if the two of them would ever stay in touch with each other after divorce.