16 Friends…!!! (1/2)

Rainy season had just started. Last night's rain had left puddles on the street, light drizzles made the day look gloomy. Prakruth and his friends were chatting in the cafeteria. Rahul came running and stopped at their table, he grabbed a glass of water from the table and drank it in a shot, others at the table were waiting for him to speak.

”Prakruth, that girl of first year is in trouble, some guys are teasing her in the parking lot, she might need help” said Rahul in a panicked voice still panting.

”Which girl?” asked Prakruth.

Rahul who had relaxed a little said ”I want to talk to you personally…that girl” mimicking Punya's style.

Prakruth chuckled. ”Ok, come let's go. Why didn't you yourself help her?”

”There are three boys and your girl is quarreling with them, I thought she might need your help, so I came in search of you. You must become hero in her eyes, not me” he winked.

......

”Idiot, we asked sorry right? Can't you let us go?” Punya raised her voice.

”No, she has to come clean my dress now” a tall dark guy with weird beard and rough face scowled at Siri. Siri while coming to college in two wheeler, had splashed water against this boy who was walking on the pavement. He and his friends stopped her and started ragging her, hence Punya volunteered to help her friend.

Tall guy moved forward and held Siri's hand ”Come baby, clean me up, then you can go anywhere” he told in a teasing tone. Two boys behind him were laughing.

”Leave her hand now, or you will face the consequences” Punya threatened him.

”Man, she's in serious trouble. Look at that guy, he's from degree class I guess” said Rahul who was watching this fight from a few steps away.

”You're her friend right, come you also join her” the bad guy passed a flying kiss towards Punya.

Prakruth's anger triggered like a rocket seeing this…”I'll kill him now.” Prakruth started running towards the bad guy. Before he reached, he heard a loud voice.

”Aaahhhh” fell the bad guy on the ground. Prakruth stopped as he saw the guy on the ground. He couldn't believe his own eyes. Punya had punched his jaws and kicked him in the center, between the legs which made him lie flat on the ground in pain. The other two boys tried to attack her. She lifted her leg and kicked one fellow's head who fell sideways, attacked the other guy by punching him in his stomach and kicked his face by her knee when he bent down holding his stomach. This kick was bit hard making the boy bleed from his mouth.

Punya was frowning in anger. Prakruth stood just behind these three boys who were lying flat on ground and rolling in pain. She saw the bleeding guy and held her mouth tight as if she was controlling herself from vomiting. She closed her eyes and moved two steps in swaying manner. Siri came running towards her but Punya landed safely in Prakruth's arms. She had fainted. Prakruth carried her to his car. He laid down her carefully on the seat behind and headed towards the driving seat.

”Hello Mr.” said the girl who had come running behind him.

”Yes”

”Punya is my friend, I will come along”

”Errrr...What's your name?”

”Siri”

”Siri, you go to class, I will take care of her”

”I can't leave her alone with you” said Siri touching Punya's hand through the window.

”I won't hurt her, I will bring her back immediately after treatment. We have to hurry, please understand” he pleaded.

”Are you sure?” she asked.

”Yes, don't worry…It's your first physics practicals, you can't miss on basics. Go” he commanded. She walked towards the lab reluctantly.

Prakruth drove towards his father's hospital as it was just 10 mins away. He parked his car and carried Punya in his arms carefully from the back seat. Ward boys came to help but he refused. He entered the Emergency section and laid her safely on the tall bed for examination.

A Nurse gasped seeing Punya.

”She just fainted seeing a boy bleed” said Prakruth.

”Oh, let her rest, I'll send the Doctor to check” asked the Nurse.

”Yes sister, Please hurry up” demanded Prakruth.

”Sure I will” she said and walked away.

Someone had informed Dr. Sarala about her son who had come so she walked into the Emergency ward to see him. Prakruth asked her to treat the girl...”Mom, please”

She checked the pulse of the girl lying on bed and also with her stethoscope and turned towards Prakruth.

”She's fine. This phase will pass. Give her something to drink…OK?

”Yes Mom”

”Is she your classmate? What's her name?”

”No Mom, my junior. Punya- her name is Punya.”

”Nice Name and pretty girl…I'll send a glass of juice, give her after she wakes up” said Dr. Sarala and left. Prakruth was left alone with Punya. Punya's face had turned pale but he couldn't help staring at her. He wouldn't miss this chance of seeing her beautiful face peacefully for a long time unlike previous encounters. He touched her face from his fingers and felt excited. He took her right hand and kissed it closing his eyes. ”You're my life dear, I'll never hurt you. I Love you forever” he whispered in her ears. ”Hmmmm” She moaned. Prakruth left her hand and put his chair a little away. After few seconds she started moving, she slowly opened her eyes and could see Prakruth's blur image while blinking.

”Water” she whispered.

Prakruth grabbed the glass of juice and helped her to drink as he held her tight in his arms. She came to conscious. She held her head in both her hands and asked ”Why do I fall in your arms always?”

It was a unexpected question… He startled. ”How are you feeling now?” he asked ignoring her question.

”This is not the answer, when there are so many people out there, why is it you again and again? Do you follow me always?” she raised her voice.