Punya was walking in her balcony and reading a book seriously, sometimes lifting her head as she was trying to recollect what she read.
"Baby" said Varun who came towards her.
"Hi Appa" said Punya.
"Why is your phone switched off? I tried calling you a couple of times."
"I have exams, I myself switched it off two days back. Why did you call?"
"I was buying snacks thought I'll ask you what you want" he said "So you're seriously into studies?" he asked.
"Yes Appa, exams are in a couple of days. I must prepare well"
"Hmmm... Don't you think you can study with Thrishul, it might be helpful"
She chuckled, "I'm not used to combined studies Appa...Did he ask you something?"
"No, he was in hostel all these years so he is used to have friends with him while studying. Even now he has gone to his friends place...I think Tarak. But later at night, Pavan felt that Thrishul feels lonely, so I thought you both can study...it is a suggestion" he shrugged.
Punya thought for a while...."Ok let him come, I can keep him company" said Punya smiling.
"Good" he said and was about to leave. "Oh I forgot, here are your favorite rasgullas." he said handing over a tin box.
"Thanks Appa, I love them" she said hugging him.
That evening....
"Hey, what's up?" said Thrishul who walked into the hall.
Punya was solving some numericals sitting on the couch. "Hi, come. Appa told me you're coming"
"So we're sitting here to study?" he looked around.
"No, we'll go to the study room upstairs" said Punya and started walking towards the stairs.
"Punya you haven't shown me your room?" he asked.
"Room is my personal space, I'm sorry I don't like to show it with anyone"
"Oh it is ok" he chuckled.
"Take the chair, which subject are we doing now?" said Punya sitting in the opposite chair across the table.
"Chemistry, if you are Ok"
"That is our first paper day after, ok we'll finish it first" she said.
The duo started studying, discussing the topics and practicing. "He's a studious guy, not bad....I was judgmental about him" thought Punya.
........................
On the Exam day, Prakruth approached Punya near the campus garden. She was sitting under a tree glancing through the chemistry book, alone.
"Hi, how are you? Prepared well?" asked Prakruth.
"Yeah, pretty well" said Punya lifting her head.
"No calls no messages from a week?" he asked sitting next to her.
"Studies, I was busy studying... I didn't want distraction" she said.
"Am I your distraction?" he asked brushing her hair and tucking it behind her ears.
"Biggest" she chuckled. He started laughing.
"Month end I have exams, even I will switch off my phone to stay away from you" he said still playing with her hair.
"Good, I don't mind. We should focus on the need of the hour, Right"
"Yes dear, as you say. All the best, do well" he embraced her and kissed her forehead.
"Thanks, go...I need to focus. Later you will tell me that I drove you crazy" she chuckled.
"Ok I'm going, will not show my face for almost six weeks. Remember that" he warned.
She nodded looking at his face. "I'll wait" she said.
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After two weeks, Punya was busy spreading newspaper inside her closet. Her clothes and accessories were lying scattered all over her room.
"What is this mess Punya?" asked Narmada who walked into her room.
Punya gasped, "Amma, shouldn't you knock before coming in?" she asked.
"I just came in to give you the juice, am I a stranger?" said Narmada sitting on the bed.
"Amma not like that, I was busy here. Your voice scared me, that's it" said Punya closing the door of her closet.
"Why have you removed all the clothes from closet?"
"I'm just cleaning and re-arranging it" said Punya sipping the juice.
"Ok shall I send the maid to help you?"
Punya choked and started coughing..."Drink slowly...why are you in hurry?" asked Narmada.
"No, No, I'll do it myself. Thanks" said Punya.
"OK you've got a letter, take a look at it" said Narmada giving a cover.
Punya gave the juice glass and opened the cover. "Amma, I'm selected for National level badminton championship..oooohoh" she hooted in happiness reading the contents.
"Congratulations, where is the competition venue?"
"Shimla, I'm going to Shimla...I'm going to Shimla" she started dancing.
"Ok relax dear...when?"
"In the month of April, 18th is the competition"
"Ok inform Appa too, he'll make arrangements" said Narmada and walked away.
That night after dinner, when Varun came to know about the championship, he was startled.
"How can you go alone so far?" he asked.
"There are others from my college and many more from our state" said Punya.
"Even then. Ok I'll come along" he said.
"Appa I'm not a small kid. I'll be 17 in a couple of months, don't worry. Moreover how can you leave all work and come with me?"
"Is Thrishul coming along?"
"No!! why will he come, he plays basketball not badminton. Our college coach will come along with us, we'll be taken care of".
"I'm happy about your achievement but I'm not happy about the venue" he said making a sad face.
"Ok anyway Amma has vacation, I'll take her" said Punya.
"Then OK, you can go" said Varun. Narmada also agreed.
"Problem solved" said Punya.
She called Prakruth later that night, his phone rang to her astonishment "Hello my angel" he said.
"Hello" she chuckled.
"At least now you remembered that one little heart is waiting for you?"
"Not like I forgot you or something, I didn't want to spoil your preparation"
"You can't Punya, It has been more than a year that you've started living inside me. Have you ever seen that affecting my studies?" he asked in his usual charming voice.
"No, I wonder how you're so focused?"
He just chuckled.
"I called up to tell you a happy news"
"Yeah tell what is that?" he asked excited.
"I'm selected for National badminton tournament in Shimla"
"Congratulations, I know you will win"
"Jyoti is also selected. She herself is a tough competitor and you're confident that I'll win at National level?" she asked.
"There's nothing wrong is dreaming big. Be confident, you can achieve anything"
"I will. How's your studies?"
"I don't sit and study shutting my phone for weeks together" he teased.
"We're not brainy people like you, Sir. I must read well before exams, or else I'll panic" she said.
"I know, many are like that. I was just kidding"
"Are you writing entrance exams for Medical and Engineering?"
"Yeah only engineering"
"Oh, have you told this to your father? He won't be welcoming your decision."
"I know. I will tell him shortly."
"Ok Good. bye, I'll catch you later"
"Hey stop, why so early?"
"Do you have anything to tell?"
"Yes"
"Tell me, I'm all ears" she said.
"I Love you"
She controlled her chuckle..."I know that, tell me something else" she yawned.
"So mean of you, I'm not able to sleep peacefully here and you're yawning there. Whole night you sleep like Sleeping beauty. Bye" he hung up.
She started laughing. She got up and opened her closet, she divided the hanging clothes at the center to reveal Prakruth's life size portrait. "Even I miss you Prakruth but I don't want to distract you now" she said to the photo and kissed it.