At night 12.10 am.... Narmada's phone started vibrating.... She saw the screen and it was Prakruth. She walked out to the balcony as she didn't want to disturb the girls who were asleep.
"What happened Prakruth?? Is your hand hurting??" she asked in a panicked voice.
"Aunty No, no, relax.... I just wanted to tell you to be ready by 6am...we need to visit Himalayan bird park at sunrise" said Prakruth. "Don't you think you're risking yourself?? You still have the tournament day after."
"No Aunty, I'm totally fine. I want to visit all places before I leave to Mangalore... please" he pleaded.
"Your wish, I'll be ready" she agreed.
"Aunty even the two girls should join, but tell them it is just practice session."
"Oh you want to surprise them... Crazy boy...."
"Yes Aunty.... Goodnight Sweet Dreams" he chuckled.
"Goodnight" she hung up.
Early morning, Narmada was trying to wake up the girls. "Punya, get up dear... You've practice." She just turned opposite side.
"Jyoti, get up ma... Coach will start scolding" said Jyoti.
"It is cold Aunty. Two minutes please" she hid her face in the blanket.
"Offo... Prakruth is waiting downstairs for you... Get ready" said Narmada in a higher tone.
Punya suddenly got up in shock hearing Prakruth's name and asked "How's his hand Amma??"
Narmada was startled by her sudden response yet she replied "I haven't seen him... Get ready... You can see him by yourself."
"Ten minutes Amma" she said and rushed to the washroom. She was walking around like a busy bee, fast and accurate on her steps.
Narmada wondered "how on Earth did Prakruth become so important to her... Or is it just sympathy??".
Punya wore a white T shirt, blue track pants and blue jacket with a white cap on head as accessories. After few minutes when Punya was ready she pulled Jyoti's blanket and ordered "Get ready fast". She didn't allow her to sleep again.
"Amma I'll go see how's his hand... I'm not able to stay till this girl gets ready" she said to Narmada and walked out without even waiting for permission.
She went upstairs and knocked at the room door... No response. She again rang the bell.... No response again... She tried the door knob to see if it was locked and it clicked open... She opened the door wide and stepped in calling out "Prakruth"....
"Look out... Knock before you enter" he screamed. He was just out from bath wearing a towel around his waist and nothing else. Coach was in the bath room, bathing.
Punya turned back and closed her eyes seeing him half-naked "Sorry Sorry... I knocked but there was no response. So I entered" said Punya apologetically.
"Oh is it only you?" asked Prakruth as he approached her.
"Yes, Jyoti was taking bath so I came to see you" said Punya still closing her eyes.
He embraced her from behind and started caressing her neck through her hair.... She was startled. His strong arms held Punya warmly and he took off her cap...
"Prakruth, what's this... You shameless boy" she smirked.
"Why should I be ashamed in front of you sweetie....? You smell so good" appreciated Prakruth.
"You're half-naked.. For that you should feel little shameful"
"Oh you wanted me to be completely naked?" he teased.
"Yew... No.... You're mad... Leave me" she tried to get rid of him.
"No I won't....We're in one of the world's most popular honeymoon spot.... It is so cold... How can I leave you without something???" he crushed her in his arms.
"No, no... Nothing doing leave...I will kick you"
"I won't.... Am I not warm... Don't you like me?" he asked as he caressed her.
She was mesmerized by his overflowing love. She started relaxing slowly into his arms, enjoying the warmth of his body. He could feel her getting comfortable hence he released his firm grip on her.... She turned and hugged him from front.... resting her head on his chest and tightened her embrace.
"Wish I could stay like this forever!!!" said Punya closing her eyes.
"Someone wanted to kick me a few minutes before..." chuckled Prakruth "Your wish will be granted only after 7 or 8 years" he said patting her back.
"I can't wait so long.... Can't we marry next year??" she asked.
"We're already married Punya... Legal celebration has to be done. For that you've to wait" he said rubbing her head.
"Hmmmph" she sighed.
The couple stood for almost 15 long minutes engrossing the wonderful dream world which unveiled in each others embrace. 8°C of Shimla was no more bothering Punya who used to shiver. A feel of shame or disgust didn't bother Prakruth as he was comfortable in his skin with her.
The bathroom door clicked from inside, indicating the coach arrival... bringing the couple to present world.
"You're so addictive... Go away!!" said Punya.
"Oh really... Now you've started feeling like me... Good" appreciated Prakruth.
"Ok get ready and come fast... We'll be downstairs" said Punya walking out of the room.
Prakruth sent a flying kiss in air at her as she started climbing the stairs...
"Prakruth you're not ready yet??" asked the coach.
Prakruth didn't have reason for being late. "I was pressing my clothes... Two minutes Sir... I'll be ready" he lied.
Coach's phone started ringing... He got diverted.
When Punya came back, Jyoti was doing her hair.. Narmada asked... "How's Prakruth?"
"What's wrong with him, he's totally fine. Why Amma?" asked Punya.
"Good... I was worried about his arm... Did you ask him if it is still painful???" she asked.
Punya was startled... She had completely forgotten about his injury... She didn't even remember whether there was a bandage on his arm or not... She was wondering how could she become so forgetful...
"Hey Punya, why are you standing like this???" asked Jyoti.
"Nothing let's go" she said stepping out.
"You didn't ask him about pain, right???" asked Narmada.
"Yes Amma" she said walking downstairs.
Coach and Prakruth came out of their room at the same time. The whole team reached Himalayan bird park at 6.15 am. Sunrise was at 6.35 am. They reached a point where sunrise and birds could be seen clearly.
"Oh today no practice?" asked Jyoti surprised.
"Evening you'll have... Now it's exploring time. This bird park is a great place in summer" replied the coach.
Both Punya and Jyoti were happy about the outing... "You could've told me before" scowled Punya at Prakruth.
"Surprise" he whispered.
"Shsshhh, listen" instructed Narmada. Birds were chirping from their nests, some birds had started their day as there was light at the horizon. As the light became intense, number of birds moving in and around the trees increased. It was an awesome experience to everyone... Punya clicked many photos in her digi-cam.
From bird park, they were taken to the famous Ridge. Coach guided the three students to ice skate and skiing. It was like a warm up session.... They enjoyed the rides though there were few trips and falls. Narmada also tried skiing for a short distance... Just for an experience. Camera captured all the sweet memories.
Later they reached out to Johnnie's wax museum closer to the city after their breakfast. Museum had collection of wax statues of many well known famous people and great celebrities. The art of wax idols was a feast for eyes. The details were so accurate on each statue making it unbelievable to be man made. Punya, Jyoti, Narmada even the coach took photos with their favorite characters in the museum. Prakruth was chief photographer for all of them. Narmada forced him to pose with some idols and he looked like he's obligated in the photo too disappointing others to force him further. Afternoon they decided to go back to the rooms for rest.
"Practice at 5" reminded the coach to the girls who were climbing stairs.
"Sure Sir" said the girls simultaneously.
Inside the room... "Prakruth, shall I do one more dressing?" asked the coach...
"Doctors have advised not to open till tomorrow morning. They'll send a nurse to badminton stadium for dressing. She'll stay till the end of the game" explained Prakruth.
"How could you manage this VIP treatment here?" asked the coach.
"You must've told my father about this, it is all his arrangement" he sighed.
"Your father is pretty influential...you rest. I'll come to the grounds at 5. Bye" said the coach and left from the room.
"I'm getting special treatment from you too, because I'm his son....I know" thought Prakruth and headed to sleep. His tablets made him dizzy.
At Evening 7, Narmada took two girls to shopping to the famous Mall Road.... It had huge collection of artifacts, textiles, designer wears, hand made sweaters, bangles and many more specifically designed by local artists and professionals.