Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 18

Riya and Siddharth sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves, Siddharth suddenly turned towards Riya, his expression serious yet soft.

Siddharth: "Riya... thank you."

Riya raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.

Riya: "Thank you? For what?"

Siddharth hesitated for a moment, his gaze steady.

Siddharth: "Thanks for being there for me. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t helped me."

Riya's heart warmed at his words, and she felt the weight of his gratitude.

Riya: "You don’t have to thank me. I just did what any friend would do."

Siddharth smiled, but there was a hint of vulnerability in his eyes.

Siddharth: "Still, it means a lot to me. You always know how to pull me back when I’m lost."

Riya felt a rush of warmth, knowing her support had made a difference.

Riya: "I’ll always be here for you, Sid. No matter what."

As Riya smiled back at Siddharth, a flashback played in her mind, revealing the events that happened yesterday night.

Flashback:

The clock struck 10 PM, and Riya sat at her desk, staring at her homework. Her mind kept drifting, worry gnawing at her.

She picked up her phone and decided to call Siddharth, hoping he might help clarify her doubts. After a few rings, the call went to voicemail, and disappointment crept in. But something told her to try again.

On her second attempt, Siddharth finally answered, but his voice sent a chill down her spine. It was shaky and filled with panic.

Siddharth: "Riya... I... I’m scared."

"Sid? What’s wrong?" she asked, her heart racing at the urgency in his tone.

There was a pause filled with heavy breathing, and Riya could sense his struggle to find words.

Siddharth: "My mom... she has a high fever. Her breathing... it’s not right. I don’t know what to do. Akka vera vitla illa."

The anxiety in his voice struck a chord deep within Riya. She could picture him alone, overwhelmed by fear, and it hurt her to know he was suffering.

Without thinking, she replied,

Riya: "Stay calm, Sid. Nee bayapudadha, na enga appa va kuttitu varen."

After hanging up, Riya rushed to find her father, her heart pounding as she explained the situation. They drove quickly to Siddharth’s house, the weight of her determination pushing her forward. When they arrived, she found Siddharth pacing in the living room, his face pale and drawn, panic evident in his eyes.

Siddharth: “Riya!” he exclaimed, relief flooding his voice as he saw her. She rushed to him, placing a reassuring hand on his arm.

Riya: “Hey, Onnum illa... Relax. Let’s get your mom to the hospital,” she said, her voice steady despite her own anxiety. She could see the fear in his eyes, and it made her heart ache.

As they helped Siddharth’s mother onto the car, he held onto her hand tightly, whispering words of comfort that she couldn’t hear.

Riya squeezed his shoulder gently, offering silent support.

Once they got her into the car, Riya sat close to Siddharth in the backseat, his mother resting against him. The atmosphere was tense, but she could feel the warmth radiating from him, and it gave her strength. She leaned slightly closer, whispering,