Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 29

As Nisha lay unconscious on the forest floor, Riya and Sruthi knelt beside her, their expressions a mix of concern and fear. Riya brushed Nisha’s hair back gently, her heart racing.

Riya: “Nisha, please wake up,” she whispered, glancing up at the boys who stood nearby, deep in discussion.

Siddharth looked at the group, determination etched on his face.

Siddharth: “Neenga ellam inga irunga, na poi Arun ah theduren,” he announced, trying to sound confident, but the worry in his eyes betrayed him.

Sruthi: “Nanum varen, please,” She interjected, her voice trembling as tears welled up. “I can’t just stay here.”

Vikram, shaking his head, stepped forward.

Vikram: “Illa illa, neenga rendu perum ingaye Rahul kuda irunga. Try wake Nisha. Nanum Siddhu um poi pakkurom.” He gestured firmly, trying to keep the girls from joining the search. “It’s too dangerous. We’ll find Arun faster without worrying about you.”

Riya clenched her fists, frustration bubbling inside her.

Riya: “Illa Thani thaniya yarum poga venam.... Nangalum varom!”

Siddharth: “Riya, listen,” he said, his tone softening as he looked at her. "Nisha ve elupa parunga, nanga poi pathutu varom..."

Riya: “But—” she started, but Sruthi cut in, her voice cracking.

Siddharth: “Trust me,” he replied, his gaze shifting between the two girls. “If we are not back in thirty minutes, then you can come after us. But right now, we need to focus.

Rahul: "Macha... Pathu ponga da. Na ivangala pathukuren."

The atmosphere was tense, the forest around them eerily quiet. Vikram and Siddharth exchanged worried glances before heading deeper into the woods. Riya turned back to Nisha, her heart heavy with worry for both.

Sruthi’s composure began to crumble. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she buried her face in her hands.

Sruthi: “What if something happened to Nisha? What if we can’t find Arun?” Her voice was muffled, choked with emotion.

Rahul, seeing her distress, stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Rahul: “Hey, it’s going to be okay. Nisha is strong. We just need to keep calm and wait for the boys to return.” He offered a reassuring smile, though worry flickered in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Riya gently splashed water from her water bottle onto Nisha's face, hoping to rouse her.

Riya: “Come on, Nisha. Wake up!” she pleaded, but Nisha remained still, her face pale and her lips tinged with blue.

Panic surged within Riya as she noticed Nisha's hands and toes turning cold.

Riya: “Nisha, please!” she cried, shaking her slightly. When there was no response, she felt a surge of desperation.

Riya and Sruthi exchanged frantic glances, and Riya quickly dug into her bag, pulling out a jacket. She wrapped it around Nisha, trying to provide warmth. The cold air and persistent rain only heightened their fears.

Riya: “Namma edhachu panniye aganum, ipdiye vidamudiyadhu!” she insisted, rubbing Nisha’s hands and feet, trying to bring some warmth back to her body.

Sruthi, her sobs subsiding slightly, joined Riya in the effort. Together, they huddled close to Nisha, their bodies providing what little heat they could.

The weather turned hostile, with rain pelting down in heavy sheets, soaking them to the skin. The forest around them was alive with sounds—rustling leaves, distant growls, and the patter of rain against the ground—but the girls felt eerily isolated.