Announcement on a College Notice board was as below:
1. Farewell party will be organized by the management on February 28th. Morning session is meant for awards and prize distribution followed by lunch.
2. Students are supposed to pay prescribed fees for the event and participate to make it a grand success.
3. Junior students can plan cultural activities after 12 pm. Enroll for the activities with concerned department lecturers.
4. Final exams for juniors will start from March 9th and for seniors from March 22nd. Kindly note the time table attached with this notice.
Any queries or requests please contact the office.
Siri read the notice and rushed to her classroom. "Punya... Did you see the notice board?"
"No, I had early morning physics lab didn't go near the office, why what is announced?"
"Farewell party for seniors"
"Well we can plan for cultural programs then.. Awesome" said Punya excitedly.
"That's not the point, seniors will leave college after the farewell" said Siri in disappointment. "Of course, whom will you miss if seniors go?" teased Punya.
"Idiot not me, don't you miss Prakruth?" asked Siri.
Before Punya could answer, "Silence" said the lecturer who entered the classroom.
Punya was pushed to deep thoughts... "Prakruth will leave college after exams, we will not be able to meet as frequently as now. He might go to medical or engineering college, he definitely won't come for degree here. What will I do? I should talk to him this afternoon and know his future plans".
But she couldn't meet him in the lunch break. After the college, she was waiting in the parking lot.
"Hey Punya, whom are you waiting for? Come we'll go home, today is your parents anniversary. They'll be waiting" said Thrishul.
"Yeah I know, I'll come immediately after you. Carry on" she said.
"Oh why, what is so important than your parents?" he smirked.
"Siri will bring a book from library, I'm waiting" she lied.
"Ok come fast" he said and left in his car.
Prakruth was on the other side of lot, talking to his friends. Punya walked towards him.
"Hi Prakruth"
He turned in the direction of the voice and said "Hi, I didn't see you from morning, I thought you were absent. Where were you?"
"I came at 8 am so I couldn't attend the assembly" said Punya.
"I wish you were absent, it is better if you both don't meet everyday" said Roshni.
"Roshni you can't be so rude" said Prakruth coldly.
"Did you see the notice board?" asked Punya.
"Oh exams are announced, so she needs free tutoring from Prakruth, ha ha ha" Roshni teased Punya sarcastically. Two of her friends started laughing.
"Did anyone tell you that you're a cheapest woman in this whole college? You don't have common sense to keep quiet when someone else is talking" scowled Punya.
"Punya come we'll go away, it is better we stay away" said Prakruth holding Punya's hand and took her away.
"Prakruth you can't do this, remember that you're supposed to stay with me forever not with her" screamed Roshni.
He didn't even turn back. Roshni was furious.
"Tell me Punya, what is on the notice board?"
"Farewell party is announced"
"It is usual procedure, what is shocking in that?"
"After farewell, we will part our ways" her voice started shivering without her knowledge. The feeling behind her words striking a sweet pain in his heart.
"That doesn't mean we'll not meet at all right?" he tried to remain calm.
"But we can't meet everyday, we can't exchange thoughts and feelings like now" she complained.
He also felt bad about it and said "Oh that we can't do, but I promise that I will talk to you at least once in a day over the phone and meet you whenever possible."
"Ok what stream are you planning on? Medicine or Engineering?"
"Engineering - Mechanical"
"Your parents might not like your decision, they want you to be a doctor and look after the hospital"
He sneered. "I don't want to lose my personal life in the name of serving people. You may call me selfish but I want to have a good family and great life. If I get into my parents clutches, I'm sure I will be a robot. So I've decided to go in a different stream." he explained.
"Oh, then Lifeline hospital?"
"I can manage it. You don't have to be a doctor to manage a hospital right?"
"Yeah that's true..."
"Will you be disappointed if I'm not a doctor?"
"No no, you're a intelligent student. Like everyone I also believed that you will become a doctor"
"I don't follow paths which are taken, I will create my own path" he said confidently.
"Which college? Any plans of shifting to Bangalore?" she asked to know where he'll go, stay here or will go far.
"I can't leave Mangalore. My farms, my people and animals need me."
She was satisfied with his reply. She started smiling.
"Why such a big interrogation? Would you miss me if I go away?" he asked.
"No, why will I?" she lied and got up to leave.
He held her hand and pulled her back and said "The panic which was initially on your face and this smile now, reveals more than your words"
"When you can read me like a book, why do you ask?" she pinched his nose and ran off.
"Bye see you tomorrow, today my parents are celebrating their anniversary. I must go. Please come if you've time for me." she invited in loud voice walking away.
"Ok, I'll try. Bye" said Prakruth. "I'll miss you" he whispered.