Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 30

As they all settled near the river, the boys quickly got to work. Siddharth, Vikram, and Rahul gathered sturdy sticks from the nearby trees. Riya, Nisha, and Sruthi helped by holding the plastic sheet. Arun watched over the surrounding for any harm with a light in his hand.

Once the tent was set up, they all crawled inside, grateful for the cover from the cool night air. The space was snug, with everyone sitting close together.

Inside the tent, they all settled on the ground, tired from their long day of hiking and facing challenges. The moonlight streamed through the small openings, casting a silvery glow that illuminated their faces, lulling them into a sense of safety.

Siddharth pulled out the small stash of food they had packed earlier that day. They all shared the food with eachother and ate it. As they finished their meal, exhaustion began to creep back in, and one by one, they settled down, ready to rest.

A little later, Sruthi wandered away from group, her mind swirling with thoughts about the day. She moved to the riverbank, feeling the cool breeze brush against her skin. Arun, spotted her and grinned mischievously.

He tiptoed up behind her. Just as he was about to make his move, Sruthi felt a presence and turned around.

Arun: “Boo!” he shouted, his face lighting up with a grin.

Sruthi: “Arivu ketta Arun... Konja kuda moolaiye illaya da unnaku... Bayandhe poiten!” she exclaimed, stepping back and nearly losing her balance on the riverbank.

Arun: “Haha.. madam edho serious ah irundha mari irundhuchu, enna vishayam,” he said, crossing his arms with mock arrogance. "Apdi enna yosichitu irukinga? Enna apdi saagaadikalamnu dhana?”

Sruthi: “Maybe I am,” she replied, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Unna mari oru thollaiya kuda vechitu kashtapaduradhuku ore adiya pottu thaliralam..."

Arun: “Thollaiya!!! nana!!!? Oru chinna paiyanoda manasa ipdi kashta paduthuradhu romba thappu ma..."

Sruthi: "Nee chinna paiyana, korangu korangu..."she shot back, unable to suppress her laughter.

Arun: “Hey, I’m way cuter than a monkey!” he argued, "Enna irundhalum, na solra joke ku lam sirikiriye apo therilaya ennoda arumai?"

Sruthi: “Only because they’re terrible jokes!” she said, crossing her arms. “Aana, unna serious ah kekuren, Why are you so annoying?”

Arun: “Annoying?” he repeated, dramatically shaking his head. “I thought I was your favorite headache!”

Sruthi: “More like my favorite pain in the neck,” she retorted, sticking her tongue out at him.

Arun: “Touché! Aana unaku onnu theriyuma?” Arun leaned in closer, lowering his voice.

“I actually like you, you know? Romba pudikum nejamave. But you’re so busy being a pain that I didn’t think you’d ever see me as anything but a nuisance.”

Sruthi blinked, her playful facade momentarily faltering.

Sruthi: “Wait, Arun vilayadadha... Serious ah solriya?”

Arun: “Vilayadalam illa. En epome enna namba matringa. Nee vena paaru na mattum unna thollai pannama poita, nee enna romba miss pannuva.” he said, a confident grin spreading across his face.

Sruthi: “Adhu ennamo unmaidhan,” she admitted, trying to sound indifferent but failing miserably. “But you really do drive me crazy.”

Arun: “Crazy?” he echoed, pretending to ponder deeply. “Apo naa crazy ah panna, neeyum enkuda join panniko. We both will have fun together.”