Aashiqui - Winner's Anthology

Dil Diyan Gallan

This  entry won our February prompt - Lovestruck - in our monthly contest series "Mohabbatein". Have a look at the entry that won cupid's heart!

Here's "Dil Diyan Gallan" by Livin2Write

The surrounding that day was so eerie for me. That was my first time in a funeral. I couldn't help but grieve for my brother Sohail's death. He lost his life that morning, due to his prolonged leukemia, or blood cancer.

I sat on the brown wooden bench, and saw everyone there. Mom and Dad were crying for their inevitable loss, while Sohail's friends were consoling them. All of our relatives expressed nothing and were simply chattering. Then, I saw her. Aisha Singh. Sohail's girlfriend. And I immediately looked away from her. I didn't want to look at her anymore.

Aisha and I hate each other like anything since our teenage and it went on. Sohail and Aisha's relationship too didn't bring any change in our strained relationship. We either end up fighting or ignore each other. And that would continue until either of us die.

She was in her plain white kurti, staring at Sohail's grave. Sohail's body was dug earlier then and everyone were dispersing. I went towards Sohail's grave, unaware that she was there, and read the message written in the grave.

You may have left the world, but never left our hearts yet. We will miss you, Sohail!

Sohail Luthra

13th May 1992 - 14th February 2022

I didn't know why but I started tearing up. I missed him badly. My heart ached a lot, and I took out my hankie from my pocket, to blow up my nose. I went away and sat back on the bench, to feel nostalgic all alone.

Two hours later, I saw nobody except Mom, Dad, and Aisha.

"Kabir. Can we go home?" Dad asked me.

"You go with Mom, Pa. I'll come along later," I said half-absent minded, while my mind was rewinding those beautiful memories I spent with Sohail.

"You sure, Kabir?" Mom asked.

"Yes, Mom. I'll come later." This time, I said with a little consciousness.

After looking at each other, Dad said, "Okay, Kabir. Don't forget to turn up before it's late."

Then they went towards Aisha and were speaking to her. As they were done, they came towards me.

"Okay, Kabir. We'll get going now," Dad said, while I responded with a hum.

They bid me a goodbye and left the place. I saw them going in their gray Honda car. As I turned back, I saw Aisha sitting on the bench where I was sitting earlier. I couldn't help but stare at her for no good reason, while she caught me staring.

"Why are you standing? Sit," she said, leaving me wonder why the heck is she so polite all of a sudden.

Obliged, I sat on the bench, but maintaining a distance between her.

"You know something? I had no parents to care for. I had no friends, relatives, nobody. Sohail was my first relation, be it romantic or in general. He took great care of me, making me forget all my worries and he was like a father to me. Maybe that's why we deeply loved each other. We also planned to speak to your family about our wedding. He promised me so. But that jerk..." She broke down into tears, which made my heart ache. She closed her face with her palms and started to cry. After crying for a pretty long time, she looked up.

I expected her to speak up, but she remained mum. And I felt a drop of water on my hand, making me look up into the sky. It wasn't clear, but was pretty dark and grayish.

Looking away from her, I said, "Seems like it's going to rain. Go home."

"That... That's okay. You go home. I can take care," she replied.

"No. I can stay back."

"Hmmm! Okay." Then I came back to the ordinary position. Few seconds later, it started to rain cats and dogs and I saw people rushing, in search of a shelter.

Looking at Sohail's grave, I mumbled, "It's Valentines Day today and you left your girlfriend all alone," and looked at Aisha absent-mindedly. I wanted to look away but I also didn't want to.

I was looking at her, noticing her features. Her honey brown eyes is worth dying for. Her face, it looked as calm as a lotus. Her lips, man, it was rose pink in colour and so kissable. But why was I doing that?

A part of me imagined myself of going towards Aisha, kneeling down and kissing her hand, while she reciprocated it with a hug. Butterflies started to fly in my stomach and for the first time, I was blushing a little. Which was something I was not supposed to do at my brother's funeral.

The February chills, refreshing rain and my fresh feelings gave me goosebumps through my spine.

"Can we step out for a coffee?" I mumbled, unaware that she was next to me.

"Huh? What did you say?" She asked with a confused look, which frightened me.

"Ummm, that... Did you hear me?"

"No. That's why I was asking. Just repeat what did you say."

I sighed a little and said, "Rest. In. Peace. Sohail."

She stared at me without any expression and said, "Hmmm! Okay. I think I misheard you."

And ultimately, the rain stopped.

"Can't it rain more?" I said, while she looked at me with a confused look, again.

"Why? Why should it rain more?" She asked.

"Ummm... I love rain."

"I hate it. Thank God it stopped raining," she said, standing up. "By the way, go home soon. Otherwise, Uncle and Aunty would scold you." She said, and left the graveyard in an auto.

Hatred was evident in her. But care and affection was more evident then.

"I don't mind even if you misheard me. But I like you, Aisha. I STARTED LIKING YOU, AISHA SINGH!"

****