Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 59

Arun entered his house, his
shoulders heavy with exhaustion, both physical and emotional.

Arun: "Kadavuleyy! Ingaiyum enaku konjam kuda nimmadhi illaya?"

He said as the faint smell of alcohol hit him even before he saw his father. There he was, sitting at the center of the dimly lit room, a bottle in hand, muttering to himself. Arun’s stomach churned in disgust, but he ignored him. He had no energy left to argue tonight.

Father: "Arun! Vaada inga…"

Arun clenched his jaw, pretending he hadn’t heard. He walked straight to the small room where his mother lay on the old cot.

Arun: "Maa..." He whispered.

She was asleep, her breathing shallow but steady. For a moment, he just stood there, watching her. Her condition had worsened over the months, but Arun held onto his faith.

Arun: "No... Apdilam yosikadha da arun. Amma unkuda dhan irupanga... She won't leave us!" He said to himself.

Then, he sat beside her, taking her thin, cold hand into his. A lump formed in his throat as he fought back tears.

Arun: "Amma, ennakum ellarmariyum unkitta ennoda kashtatha share pannanumnu thonudhu, aana adha sonna nee innum kashtapaduviye nu thonudhu. Na enna ma pandradhu?"

He forced a small smile, knowing that even in her weakened state, she would notice his sadness if he let it show. His fingers gently brushed her hair, a silent promise that he would protect her no matter what.

Then came the sound he dreaded—the stumbling of heavy footsteps.

Father: "Deii...Arun." his father appeared at the doorway, leaning against the frame for support. His bloodshot eyes darted toward Arun, his face twisted in anger.

Father: "Evlo neram ah unna kuptutu iruken. Enna madhikama ava kuda enna pechu? Inga elundhu vaa da!"

Arun stiffened, but he didn’t respond. He stayed seated, his eyes fixed on his mother’s sleeping face.

Father: "Ohh... Ennaiye madhikamatriya.. Konjam valandhuta nee enna periya ivana. Inga paru indha veedu innum ennaladhan oditu iruku. Adhu nyabagam irukattum!"

Arun stayed quiet. His silence only seemed to enrage his father more.

Father: "Enna pesama amaidhiya irundhuta unna vitruvana... En panam enga? Unga amma olichu vechirupale enga? Ennaku sarakku theendhu pochu. Poi oru bottle vangitu vaa..."

Arun stood up, his fists clenched by his sides.

Arun: "Ivlo neram kudichadhu pathalaya? Innum venuma. Please, enna vidunga iniku orunaal achu. Poi gammunu padunga."

Father: "Ennaiye order pandriya? Idhu en veedu inga na solradhudhan sattam. Ipo poriya illaya?"

He stumbled forward, grabbing Arun by the shirt. Arun tried to hold his ground, but the weight of his father’s grip and the stench of alcohol made his stomach churn.

Father: "Unna pethadhuku aprm dhan ivan ipdi ayita. Edhukum odhavama iruka neeyum. Epo pathalum, football - football nu suthitu iruka. Neeyum unga amma maari dhan... Useless - Edhuku thandama irukinga? Poi sethu tholainga...En kaasa en waste pandringa?"

The words hit Arun like a blow to the chest. His hands trembled, his heart pounding in anger and pain. He pushed his father back, forcing him to stumble into the doorway.

Arun: "Amma va pathi innoru varthai pesuninga avlodhan ungaluku... Avanga illana neenga eppaiyo poi sendhurupinga adhu nyabagam irukattum."

Father: "Enna da sonna?"