15 Misunderstandings and Confessions. (1/2)

”Why did I panic while he held my hand? I studied in co-ed school, shaking hands with boys was never a problem for me. I couldn't sit there peacefully, I didn't even ask his name. I was the one who invited him to talk, What's happening to me? If my Dad knows that I'm behaving like a coward, he'll feel bad about me. It's not that I'm scared, there's a lot of weird things which happen inside me when I see him, I feel a great attraction towards him. His looks are mesmerizing – Punya all that glitters is not gold, control yourself!...” said Punya to herself while riding away from college. She had forgotten about her friends and drove as if someone chased her away.

She came home, changed her dress to comfortable T-shirt and long skirt and decided to focus on the problems she learnt today in class. As she removed books from her bag, she heard her name from downstairs.

”Aunty, is Punya home?” asked Thrishul.

”Yeah, she's upstairs. Sit down I'll call her” said Narmada… ”Punya, Thrishul is here, come over” she told in a high tone and entered the kitchen.

”Hi Thrishul, you came directly from college” Punya said as she observed him in same clothes as morning.

”Yeah, I was thinking if we can sit and study together as we're from the same class?” asked Thrishul in a doubtful tone.

”No, I don't have the habit of studying with others” Punya said rudely. Narmada who had brought two glasses of juice didn't like the tone of Punya's voice. She knew that she hurt the boy hence she had to pacify Thrishul.

”College has just started Thrishul, there may be not much to sit and study, so you both can do that during exams… All these years, she was also alone, she'll need some time to get comfortable with you. Right?” explained Narmada as she offered him the juice.

”Yes Aunty, I understand. Sorry Punya, I think I hurried. Do let me know if you need any help in studies or college… I'm always there” said Thrishul as he started sipping the juice.

Punya was about to blast, Narmada held her hand and pulled her back and gestured not to talk, ”That's so sweet of you, Thrishul. She'll ask you if she wants anything” said Narmada.

”Ok Aunty, I'll leave now. Mom might be waiting” said Thrishul and walked towards the door.

”Amma, you should have allowed me, I would tell him that I don't need any help from him. I can handle my studies myself. Why is he trying to be so friendly?” frowned Punya after he left.

”Relax dear, he's also member of our family, you can't be rude. I'll see that he won't disturb you further. OK?” asked Narmada.

”Ok. Thanks” said Punya and walked upstairs.

She went through the examples in the text book and could understand the Maths chapter which was thought today in class.

Narmada entered her study room and asked ”Do you want any help dear?”

”No Amma. Its just started, so I'm able to understand. Further it may get difficult, I must concentrate in class or else I'll drop in my grades. There's a lot of difference in school teachers and lecturers here. They go too fast, I can't understand” complained Punya.

”Syllabus for the year is more in college, hence your lecturers will be fast. They teach only concepts, you have to learn methods yourself. School is more basics, college is more complex” explained Narmada.

”Amma, will you be able to teach me higher maths also?” asked Punya.

”I can help in Science but Maths No… Appa may be helpful as his background is engineering but he doesn't find time to teach. We can do one thing, we can try some tutorials instead”

”No Amma, I'll handle myself now, we'll see that option for 12th grade”

”Yeah, that's also a good plan. Won't you go to your music classes it's 4pm” said Narmada pointing at the clock.