"There's truth in Siri's words... I have mistaken that new guy, well let me Thank him first, then I will talk to him directly about the accidents..." thought Punya lying in her bed. Now that she decided, she could sleep peacefully that night.
"Mom, where's my red chiffon chudi? I'm not finding it anywhere" Punya screamed standing in front of her wardrobe.
"It must be on the top row" replied Narmada from kitchen.
"Ok got it...." replied Punya picking it up from the top row. She wore it in few seconds and stood in front of the mirror admiring herself. She wore a light make up, wore little red earrings, a neck chain, bangles and a shining red bindi in between her eyebrows... "Why am I paying so much attention to dress up like a doll? Is it to meet this new guy?" she wondered and thought she'll change it.
"Breakfast dear" reminded Narmada from downstairs.... Rishi had left to school. Grandparents were out of town for a marriage.
"Coming Amma" said Punya "Chuck it, I'll go this way" she thought having a final look into the mirror.
"Hey Princess, you look beautiful, what's the matter? Is there someone in college who interests you?" asked Varun.
"No Appa, I.... I... wanted to wear it, that's it" Punya stammered as she lied.
"You can't lie to me baby" said Varun smiling.
She took a deep breath and decided to tell the truth "Ok, That guy who injured my wrist on the beach couple of weeks back, he's my senior in college. He saved me from the bull in the Mela that day and just day before yesterday, he saved me from an accident in parking lot" explained Punya.
"Well, you have learnt to keep secrets" said Narmada in a worried voice as she sat in another chair, carefully listening to Punya.
"No, Amma, I thought it's not that important, please don't mistake me..." pleaded Punya.
"Nammu" Varun nodded his head sideways, gesturing not to talk... "Were you hurt in college accident?" he asked turning to Punya.
"No not at all, he stood between me and the car which came crushing down" she explained how much she remembered.
"Oh that's Great, did you thank him for that" asked Varun.
"No Appa" said Punya bending her head down.
"Can I know why?" her father intrigued.
"I thought he planned these accidents, so he can save me and then talk to me" she complained.
Varun burst out into laughter... "How can he plan a bull run into you and tell someone to crush you when he doesn't even know you're in his college?? Stop imagining Punya... Today go and apologize, don't over think... " he ordered.
"I will, I decided to apologize last night but wasn't sure enough, now that I got your back, I know I took right decision... Thanks Appa. In fact I wanted to look presentable so I" she said as she got up to leave.
"I understand…Wait, I have got you a new friend.... Come with me" Varun said as he put his hand around her shoulders to the portico.
"Here he's Thrishul, Pavan Uncle's son.... He's in your college itself... Have you met him there??" he asked showing a good looking guy standing with Pavan Uncle.
"Hi" the guy said, "Hi" Punya answered to Thrishul and said "I haven't seen him in college" turning to her father.
"I've seen you in the class, you're the girl who answered most of the biology questions right??" Thrishul asked as he recognized her.
"Yeah I love biology, so I think I answered a couple of questions" Punya replied to Thrishul.
"Hope you both can keep each other's company" said Pavan who was silently watching them till now.
"Off you go, it's time for your college" said Varun as he bid a good bye.
"You look beautiful Punya... Punya Right?" said Thrishul as he was completely mesmerized by Punya's looks. "Come let's take a ride" Thrishul invited Punya.
"Thanks for the compliments, and I hope you don't mind if I say that I like to ride to college in my own scooty" said Punya smiling.
"No, that's cool, see you in college" Thrishul said as he went to take his bike.
"My daughter prefers to be independent" said Varun...
"Yeah I can see that" said Pavan.
Pavan was Narmada's brother. Pavan's father was with Eshwar in the Army. When their father died in a war, Pavan and Narmada were still in school. Varun's father took responsibility of their family, of course with Gowri's help. All three kids grew together. Pavan and Varun studied Architecture in the same college back then. When Narmada was in final year of degree, they lost their mother. Gowri suggested Varun can marry Narmada as Eshwar was very attached to his friend's children. Varun laid a condition that Pavan also should marry on the same day as his... Everyone agreed happily.... friends, neighbors from childhood turned into relatives. 40 years of togetherness had made it a great bond. Now they wanted to make the bond stronger.... by bringing Punya and Thrishul together. Thrishul was a naughty kid hence he was sent to residential school in Ooty all these years. As Eshwar and Gowri demanded, Pavan decided to bring back the boy home. Varun admitted him to same college which Punya had joined. Either Punya or Thrishul had no clue about this plan... Even their parents didn't want to influence them.
Punya parked her scooty and went in search of the new guy as her first hour was a leisure... She searched in parking lot, corridors and cafeteria... She didn't know which class he was, so it was difficult for her. Meanwhile everyone at the college were staring at her, she thought because she was dressed well and ignored them.
"Hey Punya" Thrishul came to her in jumping pace.
"Hi again" said Punya in a low tone... She didn't like the way he yelled her name to draw everyone's attention towards them.
"It's leisure now, can I get you a coffee?" he asked.
"No I have to note down some points, so I'm heading to the library, Moreover I don't drink coffee" she tried to be polite.
"Ok see you in the class then" said Thrishul disappointed.
Punya went in search of the new guy....