Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 43

As Siddharth watched from the terrace, his heart twisted at the sight of Riya standing outside, looking lost and hurt.

She stood there for a moment, glancing from side to side, clearly disoriented. Her steps faltered as she started in one direction, stopped, and then tried the other, her face reflecting her inner turmoil.

Riya: "Endha pakka poganumnu therilaye..." She stood biting her nails. She was so tired to even think  about it.

Siddharth quickly ran downstairs.

When he reached her, he called her name, his voice softer than he intended, laced with worry.

Siddharth: "Riya... Na vena kuda varava."

But she didn't even look at him, her jaw set, her face pale and tense. She closed her eyes, taking in a deep, shaky breath, and raised her hands as if to shield herself from him.

Ignoring his words, she turned away and started walking, taking long strides in the opposite direction.

Siddharth: "Riya, vazhi andha pakka illa." he said again, his voice almost pleading now. He watched as she paused, closed her eyes for a second.

He could see the anguish in her face as she looked around helplessly and walked towards his house.

Siddharth: "Riya, enga pora..."

His heart pounded as she finally called out.

Riya: "Keerthi akka!"

His sister stepped outside, her face showing confusion and concern.

There was an unspoken question in her eyes, as if she sensed something was deeply wrong but couldn't place what.

Keerthi: "Enna achu da...? En veliya nikkura ulla vaa..."

Riya forced a smile, but it was brittle, as if it might shatter at any moment.

Riya: "Illa ka, time achu. Veetuku ponom. Neenga endha pakka main road ku poganum mattum sollunga?" Her voice was shaky, each word edged with hurt.

"Na marandhuten... Sorry." She added with a embarassing smile.

Keerthi shot Siddharth a sharp look, as though piecing together what must have happened. She smiled at Riya sportively and patted her head.

Keerthi: "Nanum unna mari dhan. Idhuku edhuku sorrylam."

She said gently and gave Riya directions.

Riya: "Thanks ka!!!"

Keerthi: "Pathu poiruviya illa na varava!!"

Riya: "Illa illa ma poiruven..."

Keerthi: "Paathu bathram, poitu call pannu..." She reached out, her hand lightly touching Riya's shoulder in a comforting gesture.

But Riya barely seemed to notice. She nodded, blinking back the tears that were now threatening to spill over, and turned to leave.

Siddharth took a step forward.

Siddharth: "Riya, please—"

But she spun around, her eyes filled with fire and pain.

Riya: "Don't you dare," she said, her voice wavering but laced with a quiet intensity that stopped him in his tracks. "Just... get lost, Siddharth. Ennaku theriyum epdi poganumnu - thaniya. En pinnadi varadha thayavu senju!!"

Each word was like a dagger, and for a moment, he stood there, stunned. He wanted to reach out, to say something, anything, to erase the bitterness in her eyes.