Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 57

The next morning Riya, Siddharth, and Arun made their way to school together.

Siddharth walked in the middle, holding Riya’s hand on one side and Arun’s shoulder on the other.

Arun: "Na mudivu pannitan." He began dramatically, spreading his arms. "Na school mudichadhum, na oru millionaire agalamnu iruken... No, no billionaire..."

Siddharth: "Ohhh epdi... Unnoda mokka jokes vecha.."

Riya: "Apo doctor aga poranu sonnadhu lam poiya gopal.." she scoffed.

Arun: "I have changed my mind. Na business start panni.... Oru machine kandupudikalamnu iruken, namma homework la seiyura machine!! How is my idea, buddies?.."

Siddharth: "Ana, Unnoda brain use panna vechiko... Andha machine ella homework um thappa dhan pannum.." he teased, laughing.

Arun clutched his chest as if she’d wounded him.

Arun: "Sid!! Darling!! How could you doubt me? I have brilliant ideas, thank you very much."

Siddharth shook his head, smiling.

Riya: "Ennaku nee ennadhan agaporanu nanum pakkuren..."

Arun: "Hey! Nanum periya aal aguven, neengalum pakkadhan poringa..." He said, pointing at Riya. "Einstein wasn’t taken seriously at first either!"

Siddharth: "Einstein didn’t try to invent a homework machine, Arun," he pointed out, his voice laced with amusement.

Arun: "Well, he missed an opportunity," he shot back, grinning. "But I, Arun the Great, won’t miss mine!"

Siddharth shook his head.

Siddharth: "Ipdiye kanavu kandute iru!!"

Arun: "Siddharth!! You are my bestfriend. So, you should support me..."

Siddharth: "Yaru sonna, nan lam yarukum bestfriend illa..."

Arun: "Ouch!! It hurtsss." He said holding his chest making Sid and Riya laugh.

They continued walking, Riya couldn’t help but watch Siddharth. His carefree laugh melted her heart, and though she appeared to be listening to the conversation, her focus was entirely on him.

His fingers gently caressed her hand, a small but intimate gesture hidden from Arun’s view. She felt her cheeks flush, but she tightened her grip on his hand in response, earning a soft smile from Siddharth.

Out of nowhere, Arun suddenly remembered something.

Arun: "Sid!! Solla maranten. Coach namma rendu per ah vandhu pakka sonnaru, lunch time la..."

Siddharth: "Coach? Edhuku?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Arun shrugged.

Arun: "Maybe, ennoda skills ah pathutu avaru enna paarata poraro ennamo.." he said with a proud smile.

Riya: "Ennaku ennamo, rendu perum vangi kattika poringa nu thonudhu!"

Arun: "En ma? En? Unga amma eppavum nalladhu pesanumnu sollitharalaya." He groaned.

Siddharth: "Seri vidu machan!! Tension agadha.. papom ennanu madhiyam."

_____

In Afternoon:

Siddharth and Arun walked toward the coach’s office, their footsteps in sync as they laughed at another one of Arun’s ridiculous jokes.

Arun: "Hello, Mr. Siddharth!! Enaku nee sagura varaikum nandriyoda ah irukanum..Vera yarala unna ipdi sirika vekkamudiyum? Only I can do it."