Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 4

Read chapter 3 before reading this!

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Riya's eyes widened in shock as she answered the call, she was met with Anjali's sobbing.

Riya : Anjali? Hey, what's wrong?... She asked, her voice laced with concern.

Anjali's cryings grew louder, and Riya's heart sank.

Riya : Anju relax agu, first enna achu. Enna nadandhuchu vitla...Riya urged, trying to keep her own voice steady.

After a few moments of consoling, Anjali's sobs subsided, and she managed to speak between sniffles.

Anjali : Riya... my parents... they're transferring me to a school in Trichy... Na inime Inga varamattana anga ennoda periamma(aunt) vitla dhan thanganum..

Riya's grip on the phone tightened as she processed the news. She couldn't believe Anjali's parents would do such a thing.

Riya : Anjali enna unga appa ipdi pandranga na vena pesi pakkava ! Riya exclaimed,

Anjali's voice cracked again.

Anjali : Enga veeta pathi unaku theriyala Riya. Avanga mudivu pannita matha mudiyadhu. Avlodhan...

Enakaga oru help mattum pandriya ?

Anjali's voice was laced with desperation.

Riya's curiosity was piqued.

Riya : Enna achu, enna help na pandren.

Anjali hesitated before speaking.

Anjali :  Na nalaiku schooluku varuven. Enga appa voda transfer process kaga. Nee apo enna vandhu meet pannu. Na unkitta oru letter kudukuren.

Riya's eyes narrowed.

Riya : Letter ? Edhuku ?

Anjali's voice dropped to a whisper.

Anjali : Adhu Siddharth kaga. Avakitta kuduthuru.

Riya's mind was racing with questions, but she knew she had to support her.

Riya : Okay, Anjali. Na unna nalaiku pakkuren.

Anjali's voice cracked again.

Anjali : Riya, please enakaga idha mattum Pannu...

Riya's heart went out to her friend.

Riya: I promise, Anjali. I'll be there tomorrow. Andha letter ah Siddharth kitta sekka vendiyadhu en poruppu.

Anjali's sobs subsided, replaced by a determined tone. Before she could speak another words, the line went dead.

Riya sat in stunned silence, her mind reeling with the weight of Anjali's words. She couldn't fathom the depth of pain she must be feeling, forced to leave behind everything she knew and loved.

Though they had only met a day ago, Riya felt a strong bond with Anjali, a connection that transcended time.

The thought of being torn away from Siddharth, the boy she loved, was unbearable. Riya's own heart ached with empathy, as she tried to put herself in Anjali's shoes.

The thought of Anjali leaving, possibly forever, was a harsh reality Riya couldn't accept.

With a deep sigh, Riya stood up, her  mind filled with the thoughts of Siddharth and Anjali.

Later that night, Riya settled into her living room, to watch TV. She sprawled on the couch, her brother Sanjay beside her, both of them engaged in a heated debate over the TV channel.