"I shouldn't decide that I'm in love just because I felt the symptoms as described by the lecturer. As Appa says there's a lot of things I should know about him. With love comes responsibility, I'll become a responsible person first then find love. Whole college knows that he is with Roshni, I stand no chance. So better I stop here" thought Punya. She was rolling in the bed as she couldn't sleep. Weird thoughts haunted her badly.
At the same time at farm house, Prakruth was thinking about Punya, "Punya eyes show admiration, attraction and passion towards me. She has apologized for being rude plenty of times seeking friendship herself. I see a spark in her eyes for me. Shall I tell her all my feelings now?... NO, NO, I will give some more time for her to come closer" he decided.
After 3 weeks at college. One day, Punya had decided a surprise with her classmates for Jyoti on the terrace. Rain had taken a break but day was still cloudy. Siri held Jyoti's hands and led her to the terrace, as Jyoti's eyes were blindfolded.
"Happy Birthday Jyoti" all girls screamed monotonously as soon as Jyoti removed the cloth from her eyes.
"Thank you, Thank you, this is a great surprise" Jyoti expressed her happiness.
"Come cut the cake" Punya invited. All girls sang the birthday song. Jyoti distributed the cake and everyone started leaving after wishing her again. Three girls along with another new girl were left behind.
"She's Disha, my new friend" Jyoti introduced the wheatish skinned cute girl.
"Hi" Siri and Punya waved at her and introduced themselves too.
"Punya, You're Punya...The silent sensation of college, you're really a wonderful girl..... You're worth the heartthrob of our college" exclaimed Dish looking at Punya from top to bottom.
"What?" asked Siri curiously.
"A senior guy who is kind of heartthrob loves her" whispered Disha.
"How do you know that?" asked Jyoti.
"Dikshith, my boyfriend from senior year told me" said Disha.
"Did that senior tell Dikshith that he loves Punya?" asked Siri curiously.
"No, he's reserved type, he won't reveal anything to his friends too. He likes to give surprises, may be he has planned for a surprising romantic proposal" Disha chuckled.
"What will you do if he proposes in a flawless way that you can't reject Punya???" asked Siri. Punya who was nibbling her cream laid fingers hearing to this conversation gave a thoughtful look at her friends, and she started walking away...nodding her head sideways. She had avoided meeting him from three weeks giving internals, practicals and quarterly test reasons.
"Stop, where are you going? We want you to answer now" Siri demanded.
These four girls were unaware of pairs of eyes prying at their back. Punya turned towards them, "What do you wish to hear?" she asked raising her eyebrows.
Siri started "Imagine the college heartthrob comes and asks....."
"That's impossible, it can only be imagination" Punya said interrupting her.
"Prakruth never allows anyone to gossip hence no one speaks in college about him, as Deekshith is close to him it can't be a false news" Disha explained.
"I play badminton with him, he always prefers you upon me. He even ignores college dream girl for you, I think what Disha is saying is true" added Jyoti.
"You know how love happens in college? 99% is because of friends like you..." Punya blamed the trio.
"Punya what if it's true, ok take it as imagination at least, tell me what you do?" asked Siri.
"I'm raised to be independent, so I will concentrate on studies first, earn money and achieve something. Then decide about these stuff. As of now I'm not interested" shrugged Punya.
"That's your ambition Punya but I need an answer for the guy who's waiting for you" said Jyoti. "Imagine he does that now" added Siri.
"You mean if he comes and proposes to me in a most romantic way?" asked Punya.
"Yeah???" all three asked together.
"I will say yes and marry him, after some years I'll have two kids, become old and die peacefully with him..... HAPPY??" Punya frowned.
"Really!!!!!! I will feel very lucky if you say so" said a male ecstatic charming voice.
All four girls turned back. Prakruth stood there with Dikshith, Rahul and Prajwal.
Prakruth walked slowly towards Punya and asked again "Really???"
She blinked a couple of times, scowled at her friends and said ".... Hope you understand sarcasm" and stormed out.
Disha had informed about terrace party to all these boys and they were here to wish Jyoti as she was Prakruth's badminton co-player. When they were on stairs Prakruth stopped them as he heard girls talking about him. They had heard the whole conversation and entered just when Punya said yes. As Punya walked away, He wished Jyoti and followed Punya as if others didn't even exist.
"Punya stop!" he called.
"Yes" she stood 10 steps away from him.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not, I'm just busy with my internals, exa..." He cut her off and asked "You have time to celebrate your friend's birthday but not even say Hi to me?"
"Today we finished our exams" she said in a low voice.
"Good, you have time now, come we'll go out" he walked to her, held her hand.
"No, leave me. I don't want to come with you" she raised her voice.
"Why are behaving like this? It's hurting me badly. I can't stay away from you, I'm addicted to you. You're my personal brand of heroin. Please understand"
"No, I won't understand. I have lots of goals set for myself. Leave me alone" she scowled.
"I promise you that I will support you in anything you want to do. Trust me" he pleaded.
"No, no, no. I know what you will tell next. You can't flirt with me saying fancy words. Try with others. I hate you completely" she almost screamed.
"You hate me? This can't be true, I have seen the spark, the admire in your eyes for me" he said like throwing a challenge.
"Oh oh Hero, you've mistaken. I hated you from our first meet.... but I started taking lessons from you treating you as my friend. Never thought you would shift so easily between girls"
"What are you talking?" exclaimed Prakruth.
"Did Roshni ditch you???"
"We were never meant to be, she's my father's close friends daughter. I move with her in obligation"
"OBLIGATION, yeah she's obligation, I'm the necessity, another girl for fun and one more for....."
"Punya... " screamed Prakruth in anger, raising his hand to hit her but he stopped there itself. "Don't speak rubbish just because I don't hurt you" he folded his fingers and controlled his anger.
"Whatever it is, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you" Punya said raising her voice every time she repeated the words.
Whole campus turned at them, they were easily visible at the edge of ground floor corridor.