16 Friends…!!! (2/2)

”No, not at all. I'm also as surprised as you. Trust me” he said honestly. His face was so innocent that Punya couldn't doubt anymore but had to believe him. Silence prevailed for seconds.

Prakruth giggled breaking the silence.

”What? What's so funny?” Punya asked. She was feeling better now.

”Have you learnt karate?”

”Yes, My Dad feels self defense is the most required skill”

”Good, you were good out there. Black belt?”

”No, will reach there soon.... I just wanted to scare them away, I think I hurt the last boy badly”

”Don't worry, he's taken care of but ..”he started giggling again.

”Again. Why?”

”The girl who fought so well fainted on the sight of blood. It's like you hit them hard enough and you faint before them” he burst out laughing.

”Yeah, the sight and iron-rusty smell of blood puts me off. I feel my stomach heaving” she sighed.

Prakruth chuckled again. ”Stop laughing, my plight entertains you?” she frowned.

”No, No, Its like the Lion fainted seeing the deer's blood” he explained. She understood the inner meaning and started laughing.

”Ok. Can we go out? This medicine smell is provocative” she asked as she tried to get down from bed. It was a taller bed, she couldn't reach the floor so she looked at Prakruth and asked ”How will I get down?”

He immediately held her by waist, lifted her off the bed and slowly landed her on the ground.

”Idiot, you could have given the stool which is behind you” she smirked and walked towards the door.

”Punya Sorry…I didn't think… Sorry” he ran behind her.

Both stopped as they saw a Doctor coming in pushing the door.

”How are you young lady? My staff told you were brought faint” asked Dr. Murthy.

”I'm Fine now Doctor. Thanks” said Punya.

”Wait, let me check” said Doctor and examined her eyes with a torch. He held her wrist and checked the pulse, ”You're fine, do you feel dizzy or does anything look blur?” he asked.

”No, nothing like that” she smiled.

”She didn't drink her juice Dad” Prakruth complained.

”Is this your Dad?” Punya exclaimed raising her eyebrows.

”Yes” Prakruth shrugged.

”I'll complain to your Dad about you following me?” she whispered in a low tone that only Prakruth heard.

”Yes you can, go ahead” he said in a normal voice.

”What's that young lady, any weird symptoms?” asked Dr. Murthy.

”Nothing Doctor, Can we go?” she asked slowly.

”Drink the juice, I think you skipped your breakfast. After that you can go” Doctor said.

”Ok…I will… Thanks doctor”

”I heard you hit three boys, you're a brave girl. Keep it up” he appreciated Punya, and said ”Prakruth, take her back safely”. Dr. Murthy walked out of the ward smiling.

Prakruth took the juice glass and stood before Punya.

”Prakruth… Nice name” she smiled and took the glass from his hand.

”Oh we haven't introduced ourselves at all. I'm Prakruth, 12th grade in your college. Son of Dr. Murthy whom you just met and Dr. Sarala who examined you when you were brought here” he explained. First time Punya heard him speak for such a long time. ”Handsome, charming, brilliant and exceptionally smart... also a gentleman”- she thought as she sipped the juice.

”Hello”, he waved his hand over her face seeing her distracted. Punya smiled sheepishly. ”You didn't tell me about yourself” he asked.

”I'm Punya, 11th grade. Daughter of Varun, Owner of V&P Iron and Steel pvt ltd” she said.

”That's Nice. Friends??” he held his hand towards her for a hand shake.

She shook his hand for a second and withdrew it immediately. She trembled. She felt a electric wave pass down her spine. ”We can't be friends. Sorry” she almost screamed.

”OK relax, your wish... come we'll go to college” said Prakruth.

”No, I'll take a taxi from here. Don't follow me” she frowned in anger.

Prakruth stood there demented.