"Hey where should I sit??" asked Thrishul standing in front of his friends... Punya had pulled Vedant forcefully next to her...
Siri and Tarak were together.
Rahul took the next seat to the driver... Everyone had boarded the vehicle to return home.
"Can't you see there's a seat next to Jyoti" said Punya... Vedant giggled. Thrishul gave a cold look at him and walked back. Jyoti was closing her eyes as she was busy with music. She didn't notice Thrishul next to her. As the journey continued she rested her head on his shoulder... He just sat like a rock not to disturb her sleep.
He took his mobile carefully and texted Punya...."Wish it was you here..." He meant to have Punya on his shoulders sleeping like Jyoti.
Though Punya understood, she texted "Yeah, I know that sleeping beauty is boring.... I wouldn't let her sleep. I would talk and make the journey lovely"
He sent a confused emoticon.
"You meant that I should sit next to my friend right???" she replied.
"No.. I meant.... Nothing leave. She's my friend too and I won't disturb her sleep like you" he texted.
"Oh so much care..." she sent with a surprising emoticon
"I hate you"
"Thank you" with smiley... replied Punya.
Siri and Tarak were giggling and having fun with each other which made Thrishul more uncomfortable but he didn't move an inch. As he said he didn't disturb Jyoti's sleep.
They all reached home at 6pm. As it was Sunday, Punya's family members were at home. She ran inside like a kid as soon as she got down from the vehicle, screaming
"Daddy, Mummy"....
"Baby" said Varun and lifted his daughter.
"She's not a baby, leave her down" said Narmada who came from behind. Varun landed her safely and made a face at his wife. Narmada giggled and hugged Punya warmly. Her grandparents also embraced her passionately. Rishi who came from upstairs came and wrapped his arms around her legs. She bent and kissed his forehead.
"Where's Thrishul??" asked Varun.
"He went home" said Punya.
"Call him, there's no one at his place"
"Ok." ... She called and informed. "I'll fresh up" she went into her room. She called Prakruth but he cut her call. She tried again, he rejected again. He texted her back.
"I've come to Bangalore on emergency work, will be back after a week. Take care"
Punya was disheartened.
Later at Dinner time, when everyone were having dinner at dining table, door bell rang.
"I'll see" said Punya and got up from her seat. She opened the door to find Prasad with a basket full of fruits. He walked in and placed the big basket safely in the hall.
"Saab told me to deliver this ma'am" he said.
"Why did he go to Bangalore now? Was it so emergency??" she asked.
"Even I don't know ma'am, Roshni and her mom have come to our Naturopathy hospital for treatment. In spite of it he went ma'am" said Prasad.
Punya smiled thinking of Prakruth's plight. Prasad took leave as he had to head back to farms. Punya saw a folded paper in the basket, she pulled it carefully and was about to open it. "Punya" called her mother Narmada.
She put it in her pocket and came to the table.
"Who was it??" asked Varun.
"Prasad, he has brought some fruits from farms" she said sitting down. Thrishul as usual sat next to her even though she ignored.
"Is it a special gift from the special person?" he asked sarcastically.
"Even friends can send fruits Thrishul.... stop being sarcastic" whispered Punya.
Breakfast ended peacefully. Varun and Pavan left to office. Grandparents headed to rest in the garden. Punya sneaked carefully to her room to read the letter. It read -
To My Love,
If you're reading this, Prasad has delivered fruits to your home.
First of all I want to say, I love you... It's been like years since I saw you...I should've been there to receive you but .... Dear I'm so sorry for leaving suddenly. I miss you very badly and I know I've made you angry by going away like this. Roshni and her mom have made my life miserable in the farms so I had to leave. You know na how she'll torture me. I will be back soon. Miss you baby...LOVE YOU LOADS.... Your Sweetcorn...
Punya chuckled reading the letter, she read it twice more and put it in her closet in a safe place. Thrishul knocked at the door while she was still busy in the closet. She turned back and invited him in with a smile. Her sketch book was on the bed, Thrishul picked it up and started turning pages.
"Hey this is the swing under the almond tree right? I remember this spot" said Thrishul.
"Yes, we also used to play there when we were kids" said Punya.
"Is it? I don't remember much" shrugged Thrishul.
"That's mean....How can you forget such sweet memories??" asked Punya.
As he turned many pages, he said he didn't remember many of them and got scolded by her.
She mocked anger and went to the balcony. She slowly started humming a old song... Thrishul followed her and played the song tune on his mouth organ... taking Punya on surprise.
"Woah you remember this tune..."
"Yeah I do" he chuckled.
"How come you forgot other incidents? This tune is older than those photos. Your mom used to sing this for us and those memories were after her....." she stopped as she didn't want to continue.
"After her death.... I know I remember everything. I was just trying to make you angry"
"Uggghhh but Why?" she growled.
"You are beautiful but even more beautiful when you get angry" he teased.
"Shut up, don't flatter" she sighed.
"No, Listen. Your cheeks turn red, eyes twinkle and lips twitch .... ears become red hot. You will look like a damsel. I'll trigger anger in you so that I can see my angry bird" he explained.
She gave another angry look. "Ahhh that killer look"!!!! he acted a heart attack and fell on bed.
She took the pillow and started hitting him, both were laughing during the fight.