Roshni was still in bed when her close friend Reshma came home the next day morning.... Roshni's room was cozy, cool and rich. Her bed was round shaped at the center of a big room. At one corner was a study table which had a book rack next to it, a beautiful guitar was hung on the wall. A big window which had wall length sliding glass door at the center led to the balcony. Balcony had a collection of different flowering potted plants. Roshni was sleeping with baby pink mosquito net hanging from the ceiling covering her bed, cool breeze from the air conditioner had kept her unaware of the hot summer day outside... The parties after effects were still lingering in her mind. She was smiling in her sleep.
"Hey baby.... Good morning" said Reshma opening her room curtains.
"Who told you to wake me up so early, you dog" scolded Roshni changing sides....
"It is 11am and it's early for you. Ok your dog is going... Bye" she said walking towards the door.
"Baby I'm sorry.... Come here..." she invited her by opening her arms wide... She wasn't in a position to resist her financial aid, so she was her puppet now.... She ran into her arms and they had pillow fight on bed.
"Dear, what was yesterday's party all about???" asked Reshma panting for breath.
"I wanted to apologize for being rude with my friends and juniors" said Roshni resting on the bed.
"That story is for the town.... Tell me the truth..." Reshma insisted.
"Well Jyoti gave me a beautiful idea last week. You can earn someone's love by being nice... At least acting nice" winked Roshni.
"Does that mean you won't harm Punya or try for Prakruth??"
"Did I mean that??"
"What's the plan now???"
Roshni chuckled "I will do what I used to do but cover my tracks with good, clean and lovely behavior" she said.
"Woah you're a genius" said Reshma.
"Breakfast??"
"Yeah I'm hungry...."
"Come we'll have the best breakfast" said Roshni pulling her out of the bed.
As weeks passed, all the kids had to return to academics. Last week of their summer holidays, all juniors planned for a two days trip. Punya, Jyoti, Thrishul, Siri, Tarak, Vedant were excited about the trip.
"Ooohhhh it's happening...." yelled Siri.
"Yeah..." said Vedant.
"Should we invite Disha???" asked Tarak.
"No, she'll bring Dikshith also... Let it be junior trip only" said Thrishul.
"Does that mean seniors aren't part of the trip? Punya might miss someone...." teased Tarak.
"I'm not missing anyone... Can we all disperse...? Tomorrow we've to leave early in the morning...." said Punya. Punya hadn't spoken to Prakruth for three weeks. Though she came in terms with friends she couldn't digest him lying to her.
"Yup... We need to go" said Jyoti supporting Punya.
When Punya came home, Thrishul came behind her... She walked straight to her room. Though she was with everyone, she wasn't completely involved.
"Good Evening Uncle, I need a help from you" said Thrishul.
"Come on Thrishul, why are you so formal?? tell me what's it...??" asked Varun.
"We six friends want to go out for three days before our respective colleges start... So I need your Innova car"
"Ohh where have you planned???" asked Varun.
"Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu"
"Cool... Who'll drive??"
"Myself Uncle"
"No, no, it's dangerous... Ghat section, hairpin curves and steep roads... I'll do one thing. I'll send a driver with you so you'll be safe, we'll be tension free and your privacy isn't affected too" said Varun.
"Wish you were my Dad.... Love you Uncle" said Thrishul overwhelmed.
"He's also like me but he loves you so much that makes over-protective... "
"Uncle you always defend your friend.... Ok Uncle, I'll leave now. Need to pack. Let car be ready at 6am in the morning please" requested Thrishul.
"Sure, Krishna will come with you. He's experienced driver" said Varun.
"Ok Uncle, Bye. Goodnight Aunty" said Thrishul leaving.
"Have dinner Thrishul. You can go and sleep" said Narmada.
"No Aunty, Dad will wait for me. Dinner is the only meal we'll have together" said Thrishul and took leave.
Punya was grunting angrily in her room. "How dare you lie to me. You're the only person I trust and you lied to me?? I owe my life to you and you....." she threw Prakruth's photo on the ground.
Next moment her heart felt heavy, she lifted that photo and hugged it. "I'm going mad.... I can't stay away from you. Can't you call me? Don't you miss me?? Idiot" she spoke to the photo. "You called till last week, this week two days, no phone calls or messages...." she added.
Immediately her phone rang.... Her heart started racing.... She wanted to receive the call but there was another part of her which equally ignored the desire. Phone kept ringing.. Irritating her more... She lifted the phone and crashed it to the ground and burst out crying.
Prakruth's situation wasn't different... He was suffering from the guilt haunting him... He didn't keep secrets... All he did was to protect her but Roshni ruined his life.... He was glad that she changed. Something good among many bad things... He thought. Staying away from Punya, not possible to talk to her was killing him inch by inch. He had no interest in college, clothing, food or anything. Rahul used to scold him for his absent mindedness... One day Prakruth wore a dirty shirt to college, Rahul had to forcefully bring him back home. After that, Rahul came home everyday to ensure such things didn't repeat. A person who was self employed and self sufficient received a lot of respect in the college among the teaching staff and students. Now Rahul didn't want this emotional trauma ruin all of it.... Rahul regarded Prakruth as an inspiration and he tried his best to bring his life back to normal. With his efforts, Prakruth wasn't messy to college anymore but he had given up smiling. Cold person had turned into frozen walking idol.