Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 1

It was a typical morning at St. Xavier's High School, with the sun casting a warm glow over the lush green campus. The sound of chirping birds and gentle rustling of leaves filled the air as students made their way to their classes.

Meanwhile, Inside the Conference hall, the students were seated with bored expression as the principal said,

Principal : Neenga ellarum 12th la nalla padichu score panningana college la jolly ah irukalam.

Author mv : Ipdidhana da kaalam kaalama solli oora emathuringa!!

Lot of sighs and murmurs erupted after hearing what she said.

The teachers stood at the front tried to silence them.

Principal : This is your first day of stepping into 12 std. So, try to study well and focus on you board exams not on other things.

To one side, near the back, Siddharth sat with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on somewhere. His poker face and brooding expression made him almost invisible, just another face in the crowd.

Beside him, sat his best friend Arun who is a complete opposite to him. He sat there gawking at girls and trying to make conversation with them.

Siddharth rolled his eyes at his best friend's antics and continued to stare at the window.

Principal : Ellarukum na sonnadhulam purinjirukumnu nenaikuren---

Just as the principal was about to conclude her speech, the door to the conference hall creaked open.

The girl : Excuse me, Mam.

The petite girl with doe eyes slipped in, out of breath and apologetic. Every eyes turned to her expect Siddharth while she stood there with a embarrassing smile on her face and fidgeting with her fingers.

Teacher : Who are you ? Which standard are you studying ?

A teacher from the front asked her.

The girl : I am also 12th STD. I am the new student transferred from XYZ school Mam. I don't know about this meeting. I was searching for the class, then a girl directed me to go here.

Teacher : You must be Riya, right ?
our new student from XYZ school. We're glad to have you on board."

Riya: Yes! Thank you, ma'am. I'm sorry again for the interruption.

Teacher : No worries, Riya. You'll get familiar with the campus soon. Why don't you take a seat and join us for the rest of the assembly?

The principal continuing her speech. Riya's eyes scanned the room, taking in the sea of unfamiliar faces, before finally spotting an empty seat near the front. She made her way towards it, her bright smile and sparkling eyes drawing attention from the students around her.

Arun : Deii, macha anga paaru da, iva dhan da en aalu. Na fix panniten. Evlo azhaga iruka! He said looking at Riya dreamily.

Siddharth, still gazing out the window, turned to see the new girl his friend talking about. His eyes narrowed at her tiny figure as he was sitting at the last.

Siddharth : Muditu velaiya paaru da!! Avala patha romba periya edam pola theridhu. Nammakulam set agamatta. Veen vambula poi maatikadha.

Arun : Deii deiii, podhum da edhuku da Ivlo periya speech. Unkitta sonnan paru enna sollanum. He sulked and turned his gaze to Riya.

As Riya reached her seat, she caught the principal's eye and mouthed a silent "sorry", earning a warm smile and a nod of acknowledgement.

The students around her whispered and stared, sizing up the new addition to their class.