Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 63

The room was filled with tension. Siddharth sat on the couch, his face still pale, bandages visible on his wrist. His voice echoed through the house, slightly rough from strain.

Siddharth: "Amma, ethana vaati solradhu! Complain la panna venanu sonna kelunga.." he snapped.

His mother stood near the kitchen, trying to reason with him.

Kavitha: "Enna da summa vena vena sollitu iruka? Unnaku nadandhadhu vera yarukachu nadandha enna pandradhu, na summa Iruka mudiyadhu!"

Siddharth: "Complain panna mattum enna ayida podhu?" He shot back. "Konjam naal suspend pannuvanga. Aprm motha school um engala pathidhan pesuvanga. Enna pathi pesuna paravala, Riya va pathi pesuvanga... Avanunga kadhaiye maathi solliduvanga... Already Iruka prechanaila adhu vera vena. Ennala ava edhuku kashtapadanum..."

She sighed, seeing the pain in his eyes.

At corner, just around the corridor wall, Arun stood silently. A plastic cover with grocery items hung loosely from his fingers.

He went and put everything in the kitchen but he didn't react, didn't step in. Just like he had done since Siddharth was discharged, he took care of everything-his medicines, his clothes, getting the house back in order-without saying a single word to him.

Siddharth's mother noticed. So did his sister. But neither said anything.

After trying to convince sid for sometime, his mom left back to prepare the lunch.

Vikram and Rahul sat on the ground, legs stretched out like they owned the place. Rahul was chewing on a biscuit like it was his last meal.

Vikram: "Bro," he said dramatically, "Enna veedu oreyy amaidhiya iruku... Edho oomai padam pakkura mari iruku da machan... Edho hero heroine pesama sandaila iruka mari iruku... Arun roaming like he's starring in 'Kannathil Muthamittal 2'."

Rahul: "Aama da ivanungala epdi pesa vekkuradhune therila,"he added. "Kalaila irundhu kadaiku poran, milk uh, biscuit uh, bandaid uh, tablet uh ellathaiyum vangitu varan. Na kuda edho first aid camp vekka poran nenachiten..."

Siddharth chuckled lightly, trying not to show it.

Siddharth: "Dai, don't start... Summa irungaa..." he mumbled.

Vikram: "No macha, seriously," he continued, "the way he adjusted your pillow and blanket yesterday night? Even nurses would say 'Anna, please take rest.'"

They all burst into laughter, including Siddharth.

Rahul: "But Arun vera level da nee," he smirked. "He's angry, hurt, maybe broken-but still treating you like ICU patient! Evlo paasam nanban mela..."

Just then, Siddharth's mom came out of the kitchen.

Kavitha: "Podhum... Avana kindal adichadhu... Avanaachu ella velaiyum seiran neenga rendu perum vaai pesadhan... Vandhu sapdunga vaa..."

The three boys got up with a puppy faces.

Arun, who had just returned from putting something in the fridge, quietly picked up a plate and went to sit at the far end of the dining table.

But Vikram wasn't going to let that slide.

Vikram: "Dai! Enna da idhu? Idhu enna exam hall ah avalo dhoorathula ukkaradhuku? Come sit here. Next to your patient."

Arun: "Illa na ingaiye ukkandhukuren," he said softly, not looking at anyone.

Rahul joined in, grinning.

Rahul: "Ayyo! Come Arun... we want to see if proximity increases healing speed. Doctor recommend pannirukaanga!"

Vikram: "Yeah, yeah," he laughed, "and if you both sit together, there's a 99.9% chance of emotional reconciliation and biryani-level bonding!"