Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 33

Characters:

Mrs. Meenakshi - Teacher
Mr. Sathya - Teacher

Ashok - Riya's father
Kavitha - Riya's mother

Leela - Siddharth's mother

Ramesh - Nisha's father
Janaki - Nisha's mother

Nataraj - Vikram's father
Indhu - Vikram's mother

Raghavan - Sruthi's father
Sandhya - Sruthi's mother

Suresh - Rahul's father
Lakshmi - Rahul's mother

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The atmosphere inside the hotel lobby was charged with tension, a stark contrast to the usual bustle of visitors and travelers.

Parents huddled together, their expressions a mix of worry and disbelief as they paced the polished floor, their voices rising and falling in anxious whispers. The lobby, typically filled with laughter and chatter, was now heavy with an unspoken fear that lingered in the air.

Mrs. Meenakshi, stood near the reception desk, her brow furrowed with concern. She was with another male teacher - Mr. Sathya, who was attempting to calm down the parents.

Mrs. Meenakshi: "Please, everyone, try to stay calm," she urged, her voice steady but tinged with the weight of the situation. "The rescue team has gone into the forest. They're doing everything they can to find the children. We just need to be patient."

Riya's father stood rigidly at the reception, his eyes scanning the room. His expression was a mask of composure, yet worry gnawing at him. Kavitha, Riya's mother, was visibly distressed, her face pale as she clutched her husband's arm, glancing around the room with wide, fearful eyes.

Kavitha: "What if something happened to her, Ashok?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Na avala pogave vitruka kudadhu, ennoda thappudhan."

Ashok took a deep breath, trying to project confidence despite his own anxiety.

Ashok: "Maa, avangaluku onnum agadhu. Nee kavalapadadha, kandippa thirumba vandhuruvanga.. Ellarum dhairiyamaana kozhandhainga dhan. Siddharth um Arun ellarum kudadhan irukanga bathrama pathupanga."

Nearby, Siddharth's mother, Leela, stood tall, her demeanor calm and collected amidst the chaos. She was a picture of strength, her eyes shining with confidence.

Leela: "Yarum bayapadadhinga, Namma pillainga bathrama varuvanga nambuvom." She asserted. "En paiyan mela ennaku neraiya nambikai iruku. Yaarukum edhuvum agadhu."

Kavitha turned to Leela, gratitude and desperation mingling in her gaze.

Kavitha: "Nanum ungala maari dhairiyam ah irukanum nenaikuren aana mudiyala... Edho thappa irukamariye feel agudhu..."

At that moment, Nisha's parents joined the group, their expressions mirroring the anxiety felt by the others. Nisha's father, Ramesh, rubbed his temples in frustration, trying to manage his own fears while listening to Mrs. Meenakshi.

Ramesh: "Edhachu news vandhucha illaya, evlo neram ipdiye irukardhu." He said, his voice strained.

Mrs. Meenakshi: "Ennaku puridhu ungaloda kashtamum kavalaiyum, ungalamari dhan nanum iruken, avanga ungaluku Epdiyo Apdidhan ennakum. Aana Namma poirukavangala nambidhan aganum. They have experience in these situations, and they are determined to bring our kids back."

Nisha's mother, Janaki interjected, her voice trembling.

Janaki: "Avanga evlo neram aagum thirumbi vara.... Nethu kaalaila tholanja pillainga... Enna pandrangalo, epdi irukanganu Edhume therila... Yaarukachu edhavadhu aana nanga enna pandradhu madam..."