Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 54

Siddharth was sound asleep, sprawled across his bed, his face buried in the pillow. Suddenly, he felt a light poke on his cheek. He groaned and turned to the other side, mumbling something.

But there it was again—the persistent poking on his cheek. This time, he swatted the air lazily, hoping whatever it was would go away. It didn’t.

Frustrated, Siddharth cracked open one eye. Riya smiled but didn’t say a word. She simply walked over to his bed, nudged him aside, and plopped down beside him, lying on her back.

Siddharth lay still in bed, his eyes half-open, adjusting to the faint light in the room. His gaze landed on Riya, who was now lying beside him, silently watching him.

He blinked a few times, unsure if it was real. Slowly, he moved closer to her, his proximity sending a wave of unease through Riya. She clenched her fists, trying to control her reaction, staying perfectly still.

Siddharth brought his hand up, his fingers grazing her forehead gently.

Siddharth: "Riya… I missing you so much. Rendu naal agudhu unna pathu, aana romba naal aana mari iruku."

Riya bit her lip, her heart racing as his touch lingered. She kept her composure, her face calm.

Siddharth smiled faintly.

Siddharth: "You know… it feels so good to see you, aana enna idhu kanavunu nenaikumbodhudhan kashtama iruku."

He traced his fingers down to her eyes, his voice dropping to a whisper.

Siddharth: "Unaku onnu theriyuma!! Ennaku unnoda kannu dhan romba pudikum. Nee pesalanalum unnoda kannu ellathaiyum express pannirum. Ana anaiku indha kannula vera edho onnu pathen. Adhu mothama enna odachiruchu Riya. Adhunaladhan, ennala unna face panna mudila."

Riya blinked, her throat tightening, but she didn’t say a word.

His fingers moved to her nose, pausing for a moment as he sighed deeply.

Siddharth: "You even look more beautiful in my dreams. Typical Riya…"

His fingers brushed her lips lightly. He traced her lips, slightly.

Siddharth: "Ennaku unna face pandradhuke romba bayama iruku… to face anyone, really. I hate what happened that day. I hate what I’ve become."

Riya’s chest tightened as she felt the raw vulnerability in his words. She wanted to speak, to comfort him, but she knew if she interrupted, he might shut down completely.

Siddharth moved even closer, his forehead almost touching hers. His voice cracked as he continued, looking deeply into her eyes.

He gently cupped her face.

Siddharth: "Aniku sports day la nadandha prechana… it broke something in me. I’ve been avoiding everyone because I don’t know how to face them. I feel so ashamed, Riya. I worked so hard, and in one moment, I ruined everything."

Riya’s eyes began to water, the weight of his words pressing down on her. She desperately wanted to reach out and hug him, to tell him it wasn’t his fault. But she held back, letting him pour out his heart.

Siddharth: "Aana, Adhumattum ennaku prechana illa di. Inga vitla-- amma ovvoru naalum, avanga padura kashtam. Akka ku marriage pannanum. Amma romba adhigama velai seiranga, avangaluku odambu kuda mudila. Engalukaga dhan avanga irukanga... Ana na adha pathi yosikama ellam panniten. Sir amma kitta sollumbodhu avanga enna thittirundha kuda paravala. Ana avanga en pullai kandippa apdi panirukamattan sollitu vandhutanga!! I broke her trust, Right? You know, I'll never be a good son, good brother, good boyfriend, not even a good friend."