Leela: "Nee en paiyana love pandriya?"
The words hung heavy in the air, catching Riya off guard. Her smile faltered as her breath hitched, and she blinked rapidly, unsure of how to respond.
Riya’s mind raced. Was this a confrontation? A test? Or something else entirely?.
Her tone was calm, but her gaze was sharp, making Riya freeze.
Riya: ''A-aunty... Adhu... uh...''
Leela sighed, walking closer, her expression softening.
Leela: ''Sollu Riya... Ennaku ellame theriyum ma. Avan en paiyan, Avan enna pandranu kudava ennaku theriyadhu. Avanuku unna evlo pudichirukunu theriyum."
She looked at Riya who was fidgeting with her fingers. Then, she continued,
"Na ungamela kovalam padamatten. Orutharku oruthar pudichiruku, support ah kadaisi vara irupingana sandhosam. Neenga chinna pasanga, enna mudivu edukanumnu theriyadhu, edhunalum yosichu porumaiya pannunga. Ella parents mariyum love panna thappunu sollamatten. En paiyan mela ennaku neraiya nambikai iruku. Aana adha neenga thappa payanpadutha kudadhu."
Riya: "Apdilam pannamattom aunty..."
Leela: "Hmm...Neeyum en ponnumari dhan, sandhosama irunga, ipo padikanum aprm nalla velaiku poganum. Adhaiyum sethu pathupinganu namburen. Neenga crct ah irundha, oru amma va na irupen ungalukaga!!!''
Riya looked at her with unreadable expression. Because she didn't expect this.
Riya: ''Aunty, nanga unga nambikaiya odaikamattom. Ennaku avana pudichuruku, kandippa thappa edhuvum nadakadhu. Nambunga, adhu podhum.''
Leela: ''En paiyana nalla pathuko, avana samaalikuradhu konjam kashtam dhan. Aana romba thangamana paiyan. Unna pathiyum ennaku theriyum. Ennoda bayam ennana, indha feelings nala unga life spoil aga kudadhu, mathapadi ennaku endha objection um illa. Vaazkai romba perusu, endha nilamai laiyum ungala lose pannirama irunga...''
Riya nodded, smiling softly.
Riya: ''Thank you, aunty.''
Leela: ''Sari vaa povom, illana Sid ulla vandhuruvan.''
Riya chuckled for it. The two walked back to the table together, and Siddharth, noticing their return, straightened up nervously.
Siddharth: ''Enna achu?''
Leela: ''Onnum illa.''
Riya sat down beside Siddharth, unusually quiet. The chaos continued with Arun's teasing, Keerthi's scolding, and Vikram and Rahul's bickering. Siddharth leaned closer to Riya, brushing her hand lightly under the table.
Siddharth: ''Are you ignoring me now?''
Riya glanced at him, biting back a smile but said nothing.
Soon, everyone finished eating except for Leela. The group moved to the hall, chatting, while leela got ready to leave for work. Just as she reached the doorstep, she paused and turned back.
Leela: ''By the way...Neenga ellarum nalla act panninga kaalaila. Adhukagave periya paaratu. Adhulayum indha Rahul irukane, pahh enna acting uhh.''
The room fell silent. Siddharth, mid-sip of water, choked and spilled it all over his shirt. Arun dropped the plate he was holding with a loud clatter. Keerthi looked around, confused.
Leela: "Unga baashaila sollanumna, enkitta irundhu ungalala odavum mudiyadhu, oliyavum mudiyadhu. Na poitu varen..."
Riya held back a smile, looking at Leela, who left without another word.
YOU ARE READING
Fragile Hearts
Fanfiction~ When two young hearts destined to heal eachother ~ A High School love story
