Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 45

Riya stood in front of Raghav, still holding her phone with Siddharth on the other line. Her confusion showed, but she tried to mask it with a small smile. Raghav held out a bag, his eyes searching hers.

Raghav: "Riya," he said , "this is a small gift for you. If you've really forgiven me... wear this tomorrow when we go."

Riya forced a polite smile. She didn't want to drag out this conversation any longer than it had to be.

Riya: "Idha neenga kalaila kuda kuduthu irukalam. But... okay, I'll think about it."

Raghav scratched the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

Raghav: "I thought you'd be awake, that's why I came now."

Riya: "It's fine," She replied, her hand tightening around the phone. "Seri ennaku thookam varudhu na pogava?"

Raghav nodded, looking a bit disappointed.

Raghav: "Of course. Goodnight, Riya."

She closed the door with a quiet sigh, quickly pressing the phone back to her ear.

Riya: "Siddharth... please, just go home. Mazhaila nenanja enna aaguradhu. Please veetuku po."

But Siddharth's voice, firm yet desperate, came through.

Siddharth: "No, Riya. I won't leave until I see you. Please... just five minutes."

Riya glanced out the window, and her heart tightened seeing him, drenched and shivering in the rain, his determination unwavering.

Riya: "En da ipdi pandra..." She cried out desperately.

She bit her lip, feeling tears prick her eyes. She ended the call, knowing he wouldn't leave no matter how much she begged him to.

Determined, she quickly threw on a sweater and grabbed an umbrella. She quietly cracked open her door and looked around, making sure the hallway was clear and that Raghav had left. Once certain she wouldn't be seen, she made her way downstairs.

Meanwhile, Siddharth stood shivering in the rain, arms wrapped around himself, drenched and cold.

He hadn't expected to end up here, but he couldn't shake the urgency he felt to see Riya, to make things right.

The sting of her words over the phone and through Sanjay echoed in his mind, reminding him of the hurt he'd caused her.

The idea of her leaving tomorrow  without him having a chance to make amends, kept him wide awake. He knew he couldn't just wait until morning.

As he waited, Siddharth's eyes caught sight of Riya emerging from her house. She moved towards him, her expression guarded, an umbrella in one hand, a towel and an extra umbrella in the other.

A small, bitter smile tugged at the corners of Siddharth's lips. Even now, even after everything, she couldn't help but care for him.

She stopped in front of him, holding out the towel and umbrella without a word. Her face gave nothing away, and the silence stretched between them.

But Siddharth made no move to accept her offering. Instead, he looked at her, his voice gentle but firm.

Siddharth: "Riya... please, na solradha keppiya. After that, I'll take the towel... or anything you want me to."

Riya paused, her eyes flickering with a mix of hesitation and guarded emotions, as if she wasn't sure whether to trust him or to turn away.

Siddharth: "Ennaku puridhu nee enna namba maattanu. Unakaga dhan di... Indha mazhaila vandhu ninnutu iruken. Sathiyama vera edhukum illa. Nee venum avlodhan. Na solradhu konjam kelu. Ennaku adhu podhum!!"