Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 14

Please read till the last.

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The classroom was unusually quiet. Every student sat in their seat, eyes fixed on Ms. Sharma, who stood at the front of the room holding a sheet of paper in her hand. Tension hung in the air, thick and heavy, as everyone waited for what was coming next.

Riya sat in the middle row, her legs crossed under her desk, biting the inside of her cheek. Around her, she could sense the same energy: anxious, curious, and maybe even a little excited.

She glanced at Siddharth who sat at the back. He leaned back casually in his chair, but there was a tightness in his jaw that gave away his unease.

Ms. Sharma cleared her throat, drawing all attention back to her.

Ms. Sharma: "Alright, let's get to it." she began, scanning the names on the list in her hand.

A ripple of movement crossed the classroom as students shifted in their seats, straightening up.

Whispers ran through the back rows. Riya's heart thumped louder in her chest.

Ms. Sharma raised a hand, silencing the murmurs.

Ms. Sharma: "I'm going to call out the names. Please pay attention."

Riya's breath hitched as she waited. Everyone did.

Ms. Sharma: "Sruthi, you'll be paired with Aravind."

Sruthi let out a quiet sigh of relief, exchanging a quick smile with Aravind. The rest of the class stayed quiet, watching, waiting for their turn.

Ms. Sharma: "Rahul and Kaviya. Vikram and Ananya." she continued, her voice steady, but the tension in the room grew with every name.

Then, Ms. Sharma paused, glancing at her paper. Riya felt her pulse quicken.

Ms. Sharma: "Siddharth, you'll be paired with Priya."

Riya's eyes darted toward Siddharth, who sat up a little straighter, his expression turning stone cold. Priya, seated across the room, turned around slowly, her eyes gleaming. She gave Siddharth a sweet, almost flirty smile.

But Siddharth's face twisted into an unmistakable look of disgust, making it clear how he felt about the pairing. Priya didn't seem to mind though-if anything, she looked pleased.

Arun, who had been slouched in the back, burst into a soft, mocking laugh, nudging the guy next to him.

Arun: "Enna macha romba Sandhoshama iruka pola. Un face laye theridhu." he whispered, his voice carrying through the room.

Siddharth: "Naane semma gaandula iruken summa iru. Illana enta adivangiruva.."

Ms. Sharma ignored the snickering and moved on.

Ms. Sharma: "nd Riya..."

Riya's breath caught in her throat.

"You'll be paired with Arun."

Riya felt relieved, atleast she got paired up with Arun. She shot a glance at Arun, who was practically vibrating with excitement, grinning at her like a kid on Christmas morning. He let out an exaggerated cheer, throwing his arms into the air.

Arun: "Yes! Finally, I am coming Riya darling!" he said dramatically, giving her a playful wink.

Riya felt the heat rise to her cheeks, embarrassed by his antics and annoyed that she would have to deal with him for the next few months.

Siddharth: "Ivanuku engaiyo perusa macham irukunu nenaikuren." He murmured to himself.

Riya's eyes instinctively went to Siddharth, who had his gaze locked on Arun, his jaw clenched. He didn't like the pairing either, though whether it was because of Arun or Priya, Riya couldn't quite tell.