"Prasad, get the tractor back from the person who came yesterday. He told he'll be back by afternoon. If he doesn't, call him" Prakruth instructed work to Prasad.
"Ok saab... What time you'll come back?" asked Prasad.
"I may stay at Mangalore today" said Prakruth.
Prasad nodded.
Varun came towards them, Prakruth wished him with a smile.
"Hello Uncle, how's your new farm manager Anil???" asked Prakruth.
"I don't know much about farming, you only should follow up. I'm troubling you with additional work" said Varun
Prakruth chuckled... "It is my pleasure Uncle, you please take care of our hospital. We'll do that farm work" assured Prakruth.
"That's easy for me. By the by you're going to CET counseling right??" asked Varun.
"Yes Uncle, I think I will stay back tonight. Anything important??" asked Prakruth.
"No, No... If you need anything let me know" said Varun
"As of now, I am fine" he said and walked towards his car.
"Ok All the best... Bye" said Varun. Prasad waved his hand.
....
At Counseling center, Dr. Murthy called him over the phone.
"Hi my son" said Dr. Murthy casually.
"Hi Dad" responded Prakruth.
"Congratulations my son" said Murthy excitedly.
"Thanks Dad" said Prakruth calmly.
Silence swept between the duo for 10 long seconds. Then Dr. Murthy initiated the conversation "Prakruth, forget our fight. It is ok you want to persue your dreams.. But if you can change your mind, I can get you into medicine. What say?" asked Murthy like a caring father.
Prakruth didn't want to show attitude, so he replied politely..."No Dad.... I'm doing engineering. Don't force me"
Dr. Murthy sighed heavily and asked "Which college??"
Prakruth replied "Karavali Institute of Technology"
"That's one of the best college. But why don't you go to Bangalore. World's Best colleges are there" said Murthy.
"I don't want to leave Mangalore, hope you understand why" he said.
"I know farm land is important but your education is also more important" said Murthy.
"I know, I topped PU exams in college here. Won't I be able to make a career here? Moreover it is not just farmland now. I've other attachments too" said Prakruth.
"I know" said Murthy.
Prakruth was wondering if his father knows about Punya... But Murthy cleared his doubt by saying "I know it is the new charitable hospital which you're building in your grandparents name".
Prakruth wasn't astonished as he knew a person so influential will know what's happening in the city at his fingertips. He got up from his seat as his name was announced for seat selection.
"Ok Dad, I will call you later" he said.
"Prakruth stop, think again.. Last time I'm asking you to change your mind...." insisted Dr. Murthy.
"No Dad, I'm very sorry... I can't curse you whole life so better you bless me now though you scold me forever." said Prakruth as politely as possible.
"Go to hell... I don't have a son hereafter" growled Dr. Murthy and hung up.
Prakruth wasn't astonished by his father's behavior, he had expected it to be worst than this... He walked up to the counseling table, selected his favorite stream mechanical engineering and his desirable college. When he was supposed to pay the fees, he said to the staff "Sir, I'm under student loan basis. Here are my documents. Please verify"
Staff was astonished "the topper has financial problems for studying???" he thought. He just took the documents and verified it, signed up for the candidature and completed the procedure as the documentation was perfect.
"Thank you Sir" Prakruth thanked the staff with a smile.
"Prakruth, take a look at this scholarship program.... It may help you" said the staff handing over a brochure with application form.
"Sure Sir, I will" said Prakruth and shook hands with him.
He left the counseling center happily. He had no regrets about his father's behavior nor was he afraid of the loan amount. He walked confidently lifting up his head.
When he walked to the parking lot, he found a paper stuck to his car wiper. He took the paper slip and it read "To whomsoever it may concern.....
I'm Punya, student of so and so college. I would like to lodge a complaint about my heartless brainless darling, who has forgotten that he has a girl who loves him madly. He's missing from last month. I had seen him in Shimla a while back.... after the trip he's completely missing. I don't even remember what he was wearing when he went missing. He is smart, handsome and very talented topper. Some girls might have kidnapped him, kindly search for him and bring him back to me.
If not found within a day or two, I may lose my breath forever.
- Unlucky Punya. "
Prakruth read the complete letter and chuckled softly. He looked around the area and found Punya sitting on her scooty... He smiled at her. She gave a angry look and drove away.
"Punya.... PUNYA...." screamed Prakruth. But she was gone.
He called her over the phone and she didn't receive the call. He wanted to follow her but he had to rush back as Dr. James had sent him a message to come back immediately. He folded the letter, kissed it and placed it in his pocket carefully.
When he arrived at the farm, it was 6pm. All the laborers had left. Pavan and Varun were talking to Dr. James.
"Hi everyone" he said.
"Prakruth, why did you take such a long time? I don't understand anything about construction and the engineers are telling me all sorts of rocket science" said James in a panicked voice.
"Relax James, I'll look into it" said Prakruth and asked Varun "Uncle what's it?"
"We're suggesting to have wooden partitions inside instead of brick walls. James feels like we're explaining rocket science" said Varun.
"Everywhere we can't have wooden partitions, X rays and Radiology departments need brick walls" said James again in a excited tone.
"No James we're not telling all the walls. See as per the plan, each department will be separated by brick walls but inside the department, sections will be partitioned by wood" explained Varun. Pavan nodded.
"How will you give electric and water points to wooden walls??" asked James.
Varun was fed up by his questions.... He rubbed his forehead in tension.
"Uncle let me explain" said Prakruth "James, look these are brick walls, these are wood and glass partitions. Water and electric lines are here on this brick wall, some lines can be mounted on the wooden wall too. I think the lines visible here in the plan are enough for present need. Moreover wooden walls reduce space consumption inside. Trust me this is best plan and V&P are best group of engineers".
"Great now I understood" said James.
Pavan applauded in excitement "Prakruth now I understood why you topped in exams... Great man... Keep it up. We tried from almost a hour to convince him. You did it easily" he appreciated by patting on his back. "Varun, I'm so sorry. I had underestimated this guy but he's a true genius" said Pavan turning to Varun.
"Thanks Uncle" said Prakruth bowing.
"Hey come on son, how was counseling? Got into your favorite college??" asked Varun.
"Yes Uncle, I completed admission procedure too" said Prakruth.
"Good... When does the college commence??" asked Varun.
"From July 1st" said Prakruth.
"Then hospital construction??" asked James.
"V&P are right here don't worry doctor" said Prakruth.
"If there are any problems or delays in the work, doctor you can punish us by using medicine" said Varun.
"Hey hey... I won't do that. I will send questioning patients directly to you" said James smiling.
Everyone laughed.