Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 31

As the fire crackled softly in the middle of their circle, casting flickering shadows across the group, Arun leaned forward, his face illuminated by the orange glow. The others sat in silence, hanging on to his every word.

He started speaking with a hushed tone, a mischievous smile on his face.

Arun: "This one isn’t your typical haunted temple story, guys. This is different. Indha sambavan idhe mari oru place la dhan nadandhuchu…"

Everyone's attention turned toward him, their curiosity piqued. Vikram leaned back, tossing a small twig into the fire.

Vikram: "Oh? Seri nee start Pannu machan. Come on, Impress us!"

Arun grinned, glancing around the circle, and began.

Arun: "So, oru periya kaadu.... Adhula nammala mariye oru group.... enna achu na andha kaatukula maatikitanga… much like we are now. Then, Avanga enna nenachanga.....avangaluku vazhi theriyum kandippa veliya poiralam sollitu nadaka arambichanga...., but the forest has a way of playing tricks on you, making you lose your way. Avanga adha realise pandradhuku munnadiye, the sun had set, and the night closed in."

He paused, letting the tension build, the firelight flickering on their faces, casting eerie shadows around them. Nisha shifted nervously in her seat, already on edge.

While Riya cuddled closer to Siddharth, who was still more interested in her fingers than the story. Siddharth gently traced her palm with his thumb, his entire focus on her as if she was the only person in the world. Riya rested her head on his shoulder, her arms looped through his.

Arun continued, his voice lowering.

Arun: "Seri irutiruchunu sollitu... Same nammala mariye avanga oru camp pottanga, right next to a firepit. But when they sat around the fire, one by one… they started hearing something. Starting la.... adhu medhuvaadhan kettuchu kathoda(wind) kathah. But then it became clearer."

Vikram: "Oooh….Aprm enna aachunu sollunga Mr.Arun....Nee edho try pandra, pannu." He added with a smirk.

Arun ignored him, pressing on.

Arun: "Konja neram kalichu yaro avanga per-ah kupdura mari kettanga... Starting la porumaiya irundhuchu. But then louder… like someone was calling them. 'Arun… Riya… Rahul…' The names echoed through the trees, but no one was there."

Nisha instinctively clutched her arms tighter, leaning toward Rahul for comfort. Riya giggled under her breath, entertained by Nisha’s reaction, while Siddharth brushed a strand of hair away from her face still unaffected by the happenings.

Rahul raised an eyebrow, throwing in his dramatic flair.

Rahul: "Aprm enna pannanga... Odi ponangala illaya? Nana irundha ore ottam dhan."

Arun chuckled, his eyes glinting with excitement.

Arun: "Aana adhudhan illa... avanga odala, Rahul. Actual ah avanga adha pannirukanum, ana avanga pannala. Adhuku badhila... Enna pannanga theriyuma?"

Sruthi: "Enna pannanga...?"

Arun: "Enna pannanga theriyuma...?"

Nisha: "Ada chi solli tholai..."

Arun: "Iru ma solren....Adhu..... ellarum thani thaniya pirinju poi yaru avangala kupduranganu theda arambichanga..!!"

Vikram: "Thevai illadha velai…Edhuku piriyanum. Amateurs."

Everyone laughed, but the fire’s crackle seemed to grow louder in the night air, the dark forest around them suddenly feeling a little more alive.

Arun: "Angadhan Ellam vithyaasama nadaka arambichuchu. One by one, they vanished into the trees… no footprints, no sounds, just—gone. Kadaisiya oruthan mattum dhan anga irundhan, apodhan avanuku oru satham kettuchu."