Punya came home after three weeks. Granny welcomed her with aarthy* blessing her a healthy life ahead.
Punya was unhappy as her room was shifted to ground floor. Her parents had shifted upstairs so that there will be no further accidents like the one that happened. Whole family was relieved after her arrival.
After three days, she called Prakruth on his cellphone, it wasn't reachable. She thought as he stays in farmhouse, there might be signal issues. It was very difficult for her to stay away from him. Next day morning with the help of Granny, Punya dressed up for college.
"You could stay at home for this week at least, you never listen to me" blamed Narmada.
"Amma it's been three weeks, I have missed many classes already, please don't stop me" Punya begged.
"I know that.... Anyway you're getting lessons from Thrishul and Prakruth, what else do you want?" she asked.
"Prakruth said he doesn't want to come home, Thrishul is giving only theory part, but it is better I study in college right? At least I'll attend the second preparatory if I go to college...." Punya continued begging.
Varun who was hearing this conversation interrupted them saying "Yes she's right, don't worry. She's responsible enough not to hurt herself more, let her go" said Varun in a assuring voice.
"Thank you Appa" said Punya and hugged her father.
"You always support her, you pamper your darling daughter, whom am I to tell anything? Do whatever you want" scowled Narmada.
Varun approached Narmada and embraced her warmly from behind "Who are you huh? You're my sweetheart. Only wife I have...."
"Stop it Varun, Punya is here" said Narmada trying to get rid of his arms around her. Punya went out giggling.
"Where? No one is here. Tell me one thing, is your face red because of anger or are you blushing?" asked Varun turning her towards him.
"Shut up now, go call everyone for breakfast" she ordered getting away from his arms.
After breakfast, Thrishul walked in wishing "Good Morning Everyone"
"Good morning young boy, what brings you here this early in the day?" asked Grandpa Eshwar.
"Punya texted me that she's coming to college, so I thought I'll take her along" said Thrishul smiling.
"Oh, that's so cool, I was ready to drop her on the way but picking her back would be a problem. Now you can do both" smiled Varun.
"I would pick her back, simply why trouble Thrishul?" sighed Narmada.
"Aunty, No not at all, anyway I'm going alone in car, it will be genuine use of fuel, please let me do the honor" said Thrishul bowing down.
"Thrishul stop using big words, come let's go" said Punya and walked past the door. Thrishul followed her politely.
.......
At college parking lot, Punya eyes were searching for someone else rather than concentrating on Thrishul's words.
"Punya!!" he raised his voice. He knew that she's looking for Prakruth.
"Yes Thrishul" she said still looking away.
"I'm talking to you and you are looking somewhere, whom are you searching for??"
"Siri, Jyoti and Tarak" she answered.
"They'll be in class come" he held her hand.
"I know where's the classroom, I'll come you go" she said pulling her hand away.
"Your parents have sent you here on my responsibility, so come" he ordered.
"Appa believes that I'm responsible, thanks for the drop, I'll look after myself. Don't create a scene here, better go" she raised her voice.
He tried to tell something but Punya screamed softly "Please go".
She calmed down on the count of ten and went in search of Prakruth. He was sitting in the library noting down points in a book. She walked towards him.... and said softly "Hi".
"Oh Hi, didn't expect you here" he said in a delighted voice yet softly.
"Come out please, I want to talk to you" she pleaded.
"Oh Sure Come" he walked with her after packing up the books.
"So why did you say that you won't come home?" she asked as they sat at a table in cafeteria.
"Punya, it looks odd. A guy coming home every day to teach, our reason is good and genuine but.... though we're pure in our relationship, people around speak rubbish and I hate it." he said.
"You're scared that they'll gossip against you?"
"No one even dares to speak about me, I'm worried about you Punya" he said as he ordered two coffee.
"I know you will protect me from such filthy mouths" she said proudly.
He chuckled softly and said "They'll be in hospital the next moment they mess with you, but my concern is about the people in your area, the elders, the colonists and neighbors. Why them even Thrishul doesn't like me around you, he might spread out the word."
"Well then, how will I study for preparatory?" she asked in a teasing tone.
"You're bold enough, you've come to college in spite of clear bed rest instructions, you'll pick them up in class" he smiled.
She wanted to tell him "I didn't come for classes, I came for you" but she said "I'll try but I need some help too"
"You can always count on me" he grinned.
"Awesome" she raised her hand for high-five but he didn't respond. He just smiled.
"Why won't he behave with me like before, he's not comfortable too... Everything is my mistake... I've put him under speculation. We won't get back that closeness again" thought Punya and sighed.
She went to classes and he followed his routine after the coffee, Prakruth syllabus was tougher than first year but he never complained about it. Evening Prakruth was waiting for Punya at the parking lot. She came with her whole bunch of friends, Siri, Jyoti, Tarak, Vedant and Thrishul. As soon as she saw Prakruth, she rushed to him jumping happily. Thrishul couldn't take it.
"Shall I drop you home?" asked Prakruth.
"Yeah no problem, that would be awesome, I can talk to you all the way" said Punya delighted.
"Hop in, then" he said.
"I will inform my cousin and come, two minutes please" she said.
He smeared his lips with his tongue and said "Ok be quick" in a plain voice.
She walked towards Thrishul and said "Thrishul, he'll drop me home. You finish your basket ball and come, I'll go"
"No, can't you wait till I finish my practice? Or... or... I'll drop you first and then come back for practice. I'm not letting you go with him" he said in anger.
"Thrishul relax, you need not worry, parents know him too. I'll reach home safely" Punya tried to explain.
"Won't you understand that I can't let you go with him for any reason" he growled.
"Thrishul don't act foolish. I'm going with him, you carry on with the practice" she frowned.
She then walked away from him and entered Prakruth's volvo.
A cold war broke between Thrishul and Prakruth.....
"Damn it, why won't she listen to me? I think I must do something to him or else she's gone" he shouted at his friends.
"Relax they're just friends, you know that Prakruth can't escape from Roshni's clutches. Inform her, she'll take care of him" said Tarak.
"Brilliant Tarak... Thanks... I'll do it tomorrow... Come now let's go" said Thrishul as he ran towards the basket ball court bit delighted.
Siri and Jyoti who were witnessing the argument, looked at each other in dismay.
*a diya lighted in a plate containing red water usually used to get rid of evil eyes.