Punya was boiling inside, recalling the morning incident.... sitting in the biology lab.
That day morning when Punya came to the college, a girl called her...
"Hey Junior"
".... Did you mean me?" Punya asked.
"Yes come here" she gestured.
Punya walked towards three girls who stood at the exit gates of PU block.
"You're Punya right?" asked a fat girl...
"Yes, but I don't know you" Punya shrugged.
"Yeah, you don't know us, because you don't care about anyone, you are head long" she sneered.
"I hope you can mind your tongue" frowned Punya.
"How dare you say that to your seniors, you mindless stupid girl? Seniors must be respected... " another girl among the three spoke defending her friend.
"I think you people don't know that Respect can be earned only when you respect others." said Punya sarcastically.
"Girls Chill, We shouldn't reduce our standards by being rude...." said the most beautiful girl among the three.... "Hi I'm Roshni, I'm your senior..." she held her hand forward for a hand shake.
No wonder she's the most popular girl in the campus, she's indeed beautiful thought Punya and shook her hands "Hi, I'm Punya..."
"I know, you're already talk of the campus. Nice to meet you" Roshni said sweetly.
"Thanks, it's my pleasure meeting you" said Punya.... But she could sense bitter heart behind sweet words.
"Punya, I don't have time to waste on you. I just wanted to give you a piece of advice as your senior" said Roshni.
"Yeah go on, but I can't promise I'll be able to receive it and follow it completely"
"We know that you're adamant" said the fat girl.
"Betty, relax. Let me speak" said Roshni to her friend and put her hands on Punya's shoulders.... "Dear Punya, what do you think about Prakruth?" she asked.
"I think that doesn't matter to you at all" said Punya as politely as possible.
Roshni froze her anger inside and continued "Ok, but he's not as good as he behaves with you. His looks are very deceptive, don't fall for his sweet words and gestures. Moreover we're known as couple in the whole campus, your relationship with him might sound illegal.... So better you keep him away.... "
" I don't have any relationship with him, you've mistaken senior, we meet in the library and he helps me with the difficult chapters, that's it" said Punya.
"I think your parents can afford a tutor for you, even you're independent, bold and intelligent girl... Why do you think he's using the study reason?"
"Thanks for the compliments.. I asked him to teach me and he's doing it honestly. Now what's is your advice?" asked Punya.
"Better stay away from him, popular Punya shouldn't become Mistress Punya...." said Roshni coldly with extreme sarcasm.
Punya started boiling hearing the word mistress, "I'm not sure what made you say that word, but you've completely underestimated my character with that... What if I say, I don't care for gossips?...."
"Ha ha ha, Prakruth told me that you are meant to be like a mistress, you're proving it?" Roshni asked. Though Roshni used all her ideas against Punya, Punya was proving to be mentally stronger so she decided to use Prakruth's name.
"Did Prakruth tell you this?" Punya bewildered. "Yeah or else how will I call you like that?" asked Roshni.
"Fine then that calls off the friendship with him. Bye" said Punya and walked away fiercely towards the classes.
The whole conversation spoiled her mood completely and broke her heart. She had seen a very good friend in Prakruth and was gradually falling for his character but this incident was a bad blow. It destroyed her juvenile infatuation too.
Added to this, her friends enraged her during Birthday party so she completely burst out her anger on Prakruth screaming I hate you so badly. Her thoughts were as confused as her now.. Once she felt "I have hurt him completely, he'll never forgive me. I shouldn't have trusted that girl". She had insulted the most decent and topper of the college in front the whole campus. After some time she thought, "What if my feelings for him misled me?.... What if he has acted in front of me?? OMG my head is bursting..." She left the lab immediately after the bell and went out. It was raining....
All the students of the college stood at the exit gates under the building waiting for the rain to stop. All eyes were set on Punya, making her feel guilty... Hence she walked away from the crowd towards Parking area, she decided to leave before others question. Unfortunately her vehicle had a flat tyre, she stood there disappointed.
"Oh God, how will I go home now???" she asked herself and dialed her father's number on her phone. It didn't connect as there was no network. Drizzles turned into heavy rain, making everything almost invisible. Suddenly a car came in front of her and stopped.
"Get in" said Thrishul. Punya thought for more than a minute, he flung open the door. She silently sat and closed the door.
"Two wheelers can't be dependable Punya."
"No, I'm fine with it.... It's just a flat tyre, Someone has done it purposely" she said.
"Oh" he said. Thrishul's friend had executed this plan to bring Punya to his car.
"How come you spotted me amidst such heavy rain?" Punya asked curiously.
"Tha... That tha that's not planned... I just saw you while taking reverse" he stammered revealing that all this was planned.
Punya chuckled as she felt happy that he's trying to impress her. Unique teenage tendency, the onset of care at the end of betrayal.... becomes base for new acquaintance. She felt privileged. Her smile encouraged him to be more sweeter. He played soothing songs during the travel and gave her a chocolate box....
"Why this now?" Punya asked delighted.
"Just like that.... After I came home, we didn't get along well so I thought let's start everything sweetly" said Thrishul smiling.
"Sorry, I take time to open up so you might have felt so...".
"It's Ok, now we're proper friends... Isn't it?...Remember that, I'll always be there for you" he said and pressed her hand gently....
"That's great... I will mark those words" smiled Punya .
"Punya, can I know what happened at college today, did he hurt you or something?" he asked slowly.
"He didn't, but don't ask anything further. I need time to figure it out myself and please don't tell anything at home." she ordered.
"Of course no...Best friends keep secrets" he assured as he entered the portico of Punya's house.
Punya got down and wished him a goodbye. Seeing Punya getting down from Thrishul's car happily, grandparents who were sitting in the veranda* felt contented. Their dream seemed to be fulfilling....
*Veranda - open space inside the house from where whole garden or space outside can be seen.