Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 56

The bedroom was alive with laughter. Keerthi pulled out an old photo album from the pile scattered across the floor.

Keerthi: "Riya idha parru," she said, holding up a picture of a young Siddharth wearing an oversized superhero cape and crying hysterically, "Semma comedy ah irukanla, sir periya super hero nu nenapu, parakuranu sollitu keezha vizhundhu varitan!"

Riya burst into laughter as she looked at Sid, who sat beside her, visibly grumpy.

Siddharth: "Keerthi, Podhuma niruthiriya! Cha.. adha pathi edhuku ipo pesura?" he groaned, sinking deeper into the beanbag.

Keerthi smirked.

Keerthi: "Na un akka da! Apdidhan pannuven." She flipped to another picture of Sid smeared in cake, his hands mid-air as if he’d been caught in the act. "Avanoda first birthday, nanga ellam andha cake ah sapduradhuku munnadiye ivan ellathaiyum saptan. Seriyana thinni maadu!"

Siddharth: "Ipo un vaiya odaika poren, keerthi. Riya, nee vaa namma polam..."

Riya giggled.

Riya: "Kovapadadha sid... Ana seriya vaalu paiyana irundhuruka..."

Sid crossed his arms, pretending to sulk.

Siddharth: "Neeyum avankuda sendhutiya. It’s not funny."

Just then, Leela entered the room, balancing a plate of food.

Leela: "Enna pa, ore sirippu sathama kekkudhu. Apdi enna panitu irukinga?"

Siddharth: "Maa.. en moonja pathadhuku aprm ah kelu...Un ponna olunga inga irundhu kuttitu po.."

Leela: "Enna di panna en pullaiya.."

Keerthi immediately replied,

Keerthi: "Adhu onnu illa ma. Sid oda arumai perumaigala solitu irundhen." She winked at Riya.

Leela placed the tray on the bed and said,

Leela: "Sari, sari, pathadhu podhum. Riya indha ma... Saptu paarunga."

Sid grinned mischievously.

Siddharth: "Maaa, neeye enakku ooti vidu. Ennaku tired ah iruku."

Keerthi: "Amma, apo naanum! Feed me too!"

Siddharth: "No nandhan first kettan."

Keerthi: "Adhuku?"

Leela rolled her eyes and slapped her forehead dramatically.

Leela: "Paaru Riya! Epdi pandranga rendu perum. Ellathulaiyum renduperukum sandai dhan." She shook her head but sat down on the bed, taking the first bite and offering it to Sid.

Riya watched the scene with a soft smile. It was a warm moment, filled with love and care.

Leela: "Unnakum ooti vidava?"

Riya: "Illa Aunty, naane saapduren," she said politely.

Keerthi, however, leaned forward, holding Riya’s hand.

Keerthi: "Riya, amma ellarukkum ooti viduvanga. Avanga kaiyala sapta nee solran gunda ayiruva. It’s her special skill. Amma solunga!"

Leela chuckled, breaking a piece of chapathi and offering it to Riya.

Leela: "Romba formal ah irukadha. Idhuvum um veedudhan."

Riya smiled and looked at Siddharth who smiled at her back widely.

As they ate, Keerthi couldn’t help but bring up more stories.

Keerthi: "Amma, nyabagam iruka? Chinna vaiyasula, Sid bathroom kulla poi lock pannikittu, aprm open panna mudiyama irundhane."