Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 21

Siddharth watched as Riya walked towards him, her eyes avoiding his as she handed him his phone. Her expression was unreadable, and it was unlike her not to return his smile. His confusion deepened.

Siddharth: "Sorry riya, marandhuten bagla vechadhaye.." he said softly, hoping for a glimpse of her usual warmth. But she only nodded, her lips pressed together.

Pocketing his phone, Siddharth stood up, ready to leave. He wanted to ask if something was wrong, but before he could, Riya’s mother, Kavitha, stopped him.

Kavitha: "Siddharth, enna da ivlo seekram kelambura? Dinner ku irukalam la?"

He smiled politely, shaking his head.

Siddharth: "Illa aunty, Amma will be waiting for me. I should go."

Kavitha frowned but wasn't ready to give up.

Kavitha: "Atleast, oru tea, coffee... illa juice?"

Before he could respond, Riya cut in, her tone brisk.

Riya: "Maa, Avandhan kelamburenu solran la vidunga. Ne kelambu Siddharth."

The words stung Siddharth, her eagerness to have him leave so obvious. He glanced at her, hurt flashing in his eyes, but she didn’t meet his gaze.

Kavitha's eyes narrowed as she turned to Riya.

Kavitha: "Riya nee pesadha! Summa iru.. Enna ipdi pesura.. veetuku vandha pullaiya ipdidhan solluvangala... Siddharth, nee iru pa, I’ll make something for you quickly."

Reluctantly, Siddharth sat back down on the couch, his mind swirling with questions. What had he done to make her act so cold? He glanced across the room, where Riya sat on the opposite couch fiddling with her thumbs. Her distance felt both literal and emotional.

Meanwhile, Raghav casually walked over and sat beside Riya, unaware of the tension building between Siddharth and her. The sight of them sitting together made Siddharth feel even more uneasy. He couldn't help but wonder if Riya’s behavior was because of Raghav. Was she acting differently because of him?

His eyes kept drifting toward Riya, hoping she’d give him something—an explanation, a glance, anything—but she avoided eye contact entirely.

The room was thick with unspoken words and rising tension, and Siddharth felt himself growing more unsettled with every passing second.

---

After taking last sip of the juice, Siddharth placed the glass back on the table and stood up.

Siddharth: "Naan kelamburen, aunty. Thanks for the juice. Riya poitu varen."

Riya just nodded her head while Kavitha smiled warmly at him and stood to walk him out.

Siddharth turned, looking toward Riya, hoping she would follow or at least acknowledge him. But she remained seated on the couch, her head down, lost in thought. His heart sank. He didn’t understand why she was behaving this way. What had he done wrong?

As he reached the door, he stole one last glance back. Riya hadn’t moved, still staring at the floor, and beside her, Raghav was talking to her, seemingly unaware of the tension in the room. A surge of frustration coursed through Siddharth, his confusion turning into a knot of anger and hurt.

Kavitha noticed his lingering glance and the tension in his posture. Concern crept into her eyes, sensing something was amiss between Siddharth and Riya. She gently patted his cheek, her voice soft and reassuring.

Kavitha: "Riya ku konja thala valikudhunu sonna... Adhaan ipdi nadandhukhra. Nee edhum nenachikadha sid... Seriya. Ava okay aanadhum nane call panna solren...!!"