Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 42

After the math exam, Siddharth continued to ignore Riya entirely. He didn't spare her a single glance, leaving her fuming.

This time, however, Riya decided not to approach him or try to understand his behavior. She thought to herself, "I don't deserve this. If he has something on his mind, he should be the one to say it."

That afternoon, everyone settled back into the classroom. The usual chatter filled the room as the period was free, but soon a particular topic started spreading like wildfire, catching Riya and their friends' attention who were sitting together. She could hear whispers, snickers, and murmurs—people were talking about Siddharth and Priya.

Sruthi leaned closer to Riya, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Sruthi: "Hey...Ellarum enna pesuranganu kekkudha?"

Riya shook her head, trying to push down the anxiety rising in her chest.

Riya: "What are they talking about?"

Arun joined in, his expression darkening as he whispered,

Arun: "Ellarukum paithiyam pudichiruka enna? priya vaiyum Siddharth aiyum sethu vechi pesitu irukanga, adhuvum ava propose panna, ivan wait panna sonnanu sollitu irukanga..."

Riya's heart plummeted. Her face paled, and she struggled to keep her composure. She exchanged looks with her friends—Sruthi, Nisha, Rahul, and Vikram—all of whom looked just as shocked and skeptical.

Nisha: "This has to be a rumor. Siddharth apdilam pannamatten....not with priya. Idhungalam, Kaalaila avanga onna irundhadha pathutu ipdi pesitu irukanga..."

Rahul: "Adhu irukattum, ivan en silent ah irukaan... Poi oru arai kuduka vendiyadhaana..."

The weight of these rumors felt suffocating to Riya. The idea of Siddharth being with Priya, made her stomach twist painfully. Her mind was a mess, torn between disbelief and heartbreak. She tried to steal a glance at Siddharth, who was sitting quietly in his seat, his expression unreadable.

Arun, Rahul and Vikram walked towards Siddharth and spoke,

Arun: "Deii enna da nadakudhu inga, aal aaluku ennamo pesittu irukanga, en da amaidhiya iruka?"

Siddharth remained silent, not bothering to address the whispers or confront Priya.

Rahul: "Macha, Un manasula edhachu irundha sollu... Neeyum kashtapatutu Riya vaiyum kashtapaduthadha... Paavam da ava. Mrng la irundhu orumari iruka..."

Siddharth: "Yaarum enna edhuvum kekkadhinga... Please."

He said but inside, he was furious with priya for spreading these lies, but he masked his anger, choosing not to react just yet. He had his reasons for letting things play out in the morning, but not like this- seeing the hurt on Riya's face from the corner of his eye made it harder to hold back.

Sruthi, sensing Riya's distress, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Sruthi: "Riya, idhellam nambadha di. Ellara vida Siddharth ah pathi unnaku nallave theriyum. He and Priya... Vaippe illa. Nee Avan kitta pesu..."

Riya took a deep breath, nodding, but the rumors had already left a painful impression. She fought to keep her anger in check, determined not to let it show. But deep down, her heart ached at the thought of Siddharth choosing silence over clarifying the truth.

Riya: If he wanted to avoid me, fine. Adhukaga avakitta pesanumnu enna avasiyam. En ipdi pandra Sid?" She thought to herself.

Siddharth sat still, his face unreadable, but inside, he was wrestling with his own frustration.

His plan to keep Riya at a distance had backfired terribly. He didn't realize how much his actions with Priya would stir up rumors, let alone how it would affect Riya.