Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 3

Siddharth and Riya waited at the bus stop, the silence between them slowly dissipating as they gazed out at the road.

After a few minutes, Siddharth spotted the bus approaching in the distance.

Siddharth: Riya, bus varudhu. Vaa!" he called out, turning to his side.

But Riya was nowhere to be seen.

Siddharth's eyes scanned the surrounding area, his brow furrowing in confusion. That's when he heard her voice, soft and gentle, coming from behind a nearby car.

He walked over to investigate and found Riya crouched down, watching a newborn kittens stumble around their mother. Her face was radiant with wonder, her eyes shining with delight. While she talked in baby voice with them.

Siddharth: Riya Inga enna pandra. Elundhu vaa. He said scratching his head in irritation.

Riya: Inga paru evlo azhaga irukunu. Enaku onnu venum! Riya said, looking up at Siddharth with a pleading expression. "Ennakaga thookitu varingala!"

Siddharth glared at her amazed by her activities.

Siddharth: Ennalalam mudiyadhu ipo variya illaya.. illana bus poirum. Aprm na ingaiye vittu poiruven unna.

Riya's face fell, but she didn't budge.

Riya : Onnu onnu enakaga please!

Siddharth shook his head, his patience wearing thin.

Siddharth : No, Riya. Ennaku cat eh pudikadhu. Dhaiyavu senju elundhu vaa...

The bus rumbled closer, its doors opening with a hiss. Siddharth grasped Riya's arm, pulling her away from the kittens.

As they boarded the bus, they stood separately, surrounded by the gentle hum of conversations and the occasional rustle of bags. The bus was a bit crowded, with passengers packed tightly together, but as it stopped at various points along the route, the crowd gradually thinned out.

Riya's face was a picture of grumpiness, her arms crossed and her eyes fixed on some point outside the window. Siddharth, on the other hand, stood with his usual void expression, his eyes gazing blankly into space.

As the bus continued on its route, a seat became empty at place where Siddharth standing. He looked around, his eyes scanning the remaining passengers, searching for Riya. Spotting her still gazing out the window, he called out to her.

Siddharth: Riya vaa Inga vandhu ukkaru.. Edam iruku paru!

Riya turned her face away, shaking her head in a subtle gesture of annoyance. Her mouth twisted in a scowl, she seemed to be muttering to herself.

Riya : Hmkoom.. romba pasam dhan. Poda sidumoonji...

Siddharth let out a huff, his patience wearing thin.

Siddharth : Ivala... he muttered under his breath, before calling out to her again, this time more loudly.

"Riya, Inga va nu!"

Riya's eyes snapped towards him, the whole bus turned towards him, while her face still etched with a suprised reaction at his loud tone. She stuttered towards him, her feet dragging along the floor of the bus.

Siddharth : Kupta vara mattiya.... He asked with a sharp voice.

Riya : Adhu na gav--nika--la. she stammered, when she saw his angry expression.

Siddharth's expression remained stern, but his eyes stared at her.He didn't respond, instead moving away and letting her sit on the seat then turning his gaze back to the front of the bus.