Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 38

The next morning, Siddharth waited at the bus stand nearest to Riya’s home, scanning the road as he leaned against a lamppost, hands in his pockets.

Siddharth: "Innum enna padra oruvela thoongitalo..."

The minutes ticked by, but there was no sign of her. They were already running late.

Siddharth: "Nammale poi pathuruvom..." He decided within himself after a moment’s hesitation, and walked to her house.

As he arrived at the front door, the neighborhood was still calm in the early light. He pressed the doorbell, and after a few moments.

The door opened to reveal Riya's mom, looking surprised and a bit disoriented with her hair tousled and eyes still heavy with sleep. Her expression quickly softened when she recognized him.

Kavitha: “Oh, Siddharth! Come in, come in! Edhuku pa veliya aal mari bell adichitu... Ulla varavendiyadhana.” she said, ushering him inside with a welcoming smile.

He stepped in, smiling politely as she rambled on,

Kavitha: “Tea edhachu kudikiriya? Or maybe coffee? Or juice? Illa pancakes ready pannava..."

Siddharth: “Aunty, actually…” he began, trying to find a break in her eagerness. "Na Riya va thedi vandhen, romba neram ah wait pannen. Enna achu ava school ku varalaya..."

Riya’s mother blinked in surprise, and her smile faded as realization dawned on her.

Kavitha: “Ayiooo, pochu pochu. Rendu perum nalla thoongitom, school irukardhaiye marandhutu.” she said, her voice hurried as she glanced at the clock on the wall.

She started to ramble in embarrassment,

Kavitha: "Avanga appa kelambumbodhe sonnaru... Thoongiradhinganu, manushan crct ah sollirukaru. Indha alarm adichidha kuda theriyama thoongirukom..."

Sid nodded, smiling reassuringly, trying to calm her.

Siddharth: "Onnum illa aunty, innum konjam time iruku, neenga avala elundhu kelamba sollunga..."

Riya’s mom nodded and hurried down the hallway, calling out,

Kavitha: “Riya! Riya, wake up, schooluku late achu di! Siddharth vandhurukan..."

Sid chuckled softly, hearing her mom’s frantic attempts to wake Riya, and he leaned back, waiting.

In upstairs,

Kavitha: "Apove sonnen, night la movie pakkadha di nu... Ipo paaru epdi thoonguradha..." She put the blame on Riya.

Riya: "Amma.. idhu unnaku nyayama illaya, needhana na vena vena nu solla... Andha Korean drama pathe aganumnu sonna. Iru appa varatum solren."

Siddharth chuckled to himself as he listened to the muffled chaos from upstairs.

Siddharth: "Nalla kudumbam..."

He said as his gaze lingered on the family photos on the wall, a snapshot of Riya’s life outside of school.

Siddharth: "Enga Namma edhir pakkura aal ah kanom..." He murmured looking around the house.

He half-expected to see Raghav around. Sid thought with a smirk, If Raghav were here, he’d make sure Riya was up and ready. Always ready to play the hero.

A few minutes later, Riya finally appeared at the top of the stairs, fully dressed in her uniform.

Riya: "Siddhu, vandhuten!!" She chirped as he smiled back.

But something made, Sid pause and look twice—she was wearing her glasses, something he’d rarely seen.

The frames perched on her nose made her look different, almost adorably so, and he couldn’t help the soft smile that crept onto his face. She looked up, catching his gaze, and raised an eyebrow.