Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 34

As soon as Riya collapsed, the scene around her spiraled into a frenzy. Her mother's scream shattered the air, raw and full of fear.

Kavitha: "Riya! Riya! Oh, my God!" her mother cried, falling to her knees beside her daughter, clutching Riya's limp hand. Her father, pale with horror, was trying to console her but couldn't hide the dread in his own eyes.

The teachers pushed through the gathering crowd of classmates, their voices wavering with worry as they tried to take control.

Mrs. Meenakshi:  "Sathya, Call an ambulance, Yarachu thanni eduthutu vaanga." She asked.

Sruthi came with water while she poured some onto Riya's face, but her eyelids remained shut, unresponsive. The crowd's panic only deepened as they murmured among themselves, worry spreading like wildfire.

Nisha: "Riya elundhuru!" she said, tears forming in her eyes. Then came a voice from the back—familiar, steady, and filled with authority. 

Raghav: "Step back!" he, pushing through, his face set with resolve. He knelt beside Riya, lifting her shoulders slightly, as if trying to cradle her closer. But before he could secure his hold, Siddharth had stepped forward.

Siddharth: "I've got her," he said firmly, his hands gripping her other shoulder, his gaze challenging Raghav.

Raghav's eyes narrowed.

Raghav: "Step aside, Siddharth. I can take care of her," he said coldly, making it clear he wasn't backing down. But Siddharth's hold tightened, his voice fierce and unyielding. 

Siddharth: "I'm not letting you near her. This isn't about you." Just as the tension was about to boil over, Riya's mother cried out again, her voice filled with desperation.

Kavitha:  "Riya ma elundhuru dii!" Then, suddenly, foam began to bubble from the corners of Riya's mouth, startling everyone around her.

Arun: "Ayioo, enna agudhu avaluku?" he said as he stood beside Siddharth.

Ashok: "Kavitha, bayapudadha... onnum illa, Namma riya ku onnum agadhu." Riya's mother's face went ashen, and she clung to her husband, who was visibly shaken but tried to stay composed.

Kavitha: "Riya! Open your eyes, sweetheart! Please," her mother begged through sobs, her hands trembling as she reached for her daughter.

The teachers were no longer just frantic—they were panicked. One of them tried to get closer, waving their arms to calm the crowd while fumbling with her phone. 

Mr. Sathya: "Sir, Padhata Padadhinga, Na hospital ku inform pannitten they are coming!" he said, his voice shaky.

Amid the panic, Raghav leaned closer, trying to support Riya's head to keep her airway clear, but Siddharth didn't back down, his hold equally strong.

Siddharth: "Back off, Raghav. You're just making it worse!" his voice was sharp, his concern and frustration boiling over.

Raghav shot him a dark glare, his own worry evident.

Raghav: "You think you're the only one who cares about her, Siddharth?" he bit back, his voice low but full of fury. "Get out of my way."

Before either of them could go any further, Riya's father pushed through, his face grim and resolute. Without hesitation, he shoved both boys aside, his hands gentle but firm as he lifted his daughter.

Ashok: "Enough! Both of you! Unga rendu peroda sandaiya aprm ah vechikonga. Ellarum inga bayathula irukanga. Neenga adichikitu irukinga," he said, his voice filled with authority.

Riya's mother clasped her husband's arm, her eyes still streaming with tears.

Kavitha: "Ashok, innum evlo neram agum, namma ponna kaapathunga please!"

As Ashok knelt beside Riya, his face was a mask of worry. He gently patted her cheek, murmuring,

Ashok: "Riya, please open your eyes, baby... please." He wiped the foam from her mouth carefully, his hands trembling, but his focus unwavering.

Her mother was beside him, clutching her hand, her tears flowing silently as she prayed for her daughter to wake up.

Ashok took a deep breath, steadying himself, and looked up.

Ashok: "Mrs. Meenakshi, please Ella pasangalayum ulla kuptu poirunga, Yaarum Inga iruka venam." he requested, his voice firm despite the turmoil within.

Mrs. Meenakshi nodded quickly, understanding the urgency. Mr. Sathya, stepped forward.

Sathya: "Yes, ma'am, please take the others inside. I'll stay here to help," he assured her, giving a slight nod of support to Ashok and Riya's mother.

Mrs. Meenakshi ushered the students back, but Sruthi, Nisha, Arun, Rahul, Vikram, and Siddharth—refused to move.

Their parents were with them, checking each one for injuries expect Arun he stood beside Siddharth.

Mrs. Meenakshi: "Come on, kids, you all need to rest and freshen up," she coaxed gently, glancing at their parents for support. "Riya will be okay; I promise. Let's get you some rest."

But they shook their heads, determined.

Siddharth: "Illa na ingaye iruken." He said firmly, echoed by nods from the others. They were resolute, unwilling to leave, and their parents respected their choice, standing close.

Meanwhile, Siddharth's mother stood beside Riya's parents, her hand on Riya's mother's shoulder.

Leela: "Aenga... Avaluku onnum agadhu, Dhairiyama irunga." she whispered, her tone soothing, though her own worry was evident.

Just then, the ambulance's siren sounded, and everyone's heart skipped a beat. The medical team moved quickly, securing Riya on a stretcher. Ashok held his wife close as they lifted Riya into the ambulance, her mother and father climbing in to stay beside her.

Raghav, seeing the chance to stay by her side, got in as well, positioning himself near Riya as the medics worked around them.

Siddharth took a step forward, his jaw clenched. He wanted nothing more than to be in that ambulance, to make sure Riya was safe. But his mother stopped him gently, holding his arm.

Leela: "Vendam pa, avanga ipo pogatum." she said, her tone firm yet understanding. "Neeyum first uh refresh agu...Namma sikram polam."

Reluctantly, Siddharth nodded, though his gaze stayed fixed on Raghav inside the ambulance. He felt an ache in his chest, frustration welling up that it was Raghav by Riya's side and not him. His fists clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to step back, watching helplessly as the doors of the ambulance closed.

As the vehicle pulled away, everyone around slowly moved back inside the hotel, except for Siddharth. He stood there, rooted to the spot, watching the ambulance's flashing lights until they disappeared down the road.

Arun, sensing his friend's distress, stepped up beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Arun: "She'll be alright, Siddharth," he murmured softly. "Avaluku onnum aagadhu da, unaku theriyumla ava evlo strong ana ponnunu. She's got her parents and the doctors with her now."

Siddharth swallowed hard, his eyes still on the road.

Siddharth: "Na ava kuda poirukanum, Arun. I should be the one by her side."

Arun: "I know, Ipodhaiku adha pathi yosikadha, ipo nammaku mukkiyam Riya dhan, konja nerathula nammalum pogalam." he replied, his voice calm and steady.

Siddharth took a deep breath, trying to shake off the helplessness that clung to him. With a final look at the empty road, he turned and followed his friends back inside, his heart heavy yet resolute, vowing silently that he would be there for Riya, no matter what.

_____

To be continued!

A short chapter while working through some writer's block.

Also, I am having some issues with my phone, which caused a delay in the update.

Please bear with me....