28 Thrishul is a Sweet boy. (1/2)

Prakruth stood by the family, took them to lunch, helped them gain confidence by his assuring words.... The whole family liked his warm heart. Punya gained conscious by late evening.... A nurse came and reported that the patient is whining ”Amma” to the family...

”I'd better stay out, she might not like my presence” thought Prakruth and didn't enter her ward.

.....

Later that night, Varun decided to stay back at hospital. He wanted to talk to Punya and know the reason behind her long silence.

”Darling” he wrapped a warm shawl around her.

”Thanks Appa... You didn't sleep??” she asked.

”No, I can't sleep peacefully when my darling daughter is not yet asleep” he sighed.

Punya realized her mistake.... She was searching for words to ease her father... but Varun spoke again

”Darling, you know that you can always rely on me, share things with me without any hesitation.... I've always been your best friend but not now....” he told in a low tone.

”Appa, yes I know you're a great support for me... You're my best man on this earth... But sorry for my silence... I thought it is silly, will go away but these are haunting me badly now”

”Can I know what are they?? Your grades have drastically reduced this midterm.. Is that your worry???” he was bit curious.

Punya's thoughts went deeper and deeper.

”Dear you don't need to worry about it much, I know you're putting your enough efforts on studies, syllabus is heavy and teaching is different so it might be difficult for you to get grades... Take time, next year we'll hire a tutor and you will shine... For that, you don't have to worry so much. Its first year only” he tried to calm her down. He didn't want her to be stressed.

Punya felt overwhelmed and her eyes welled up to have such an understanding father.... ”Thanks for standing by me... But the matter which is troubling me is not studies... I will share that with you, if you feel I'm going wrong you've all the rights to slap me right now....”

”Slap you... No chance... Please open up dear” he held her hand and pressed it gently.

Punya sighed and after a deep breath she started ”I'm not sure what I call this state of mine, I choose my friends carefully and maintain a good relationship with them....”

”Hmmm...I know”

”But one boy, who was close friends of mine, shared my thoughts, learnt from him, and had memories turned out to be something else. He was my guide, mentor and a great support like you. Initially my math grades improved because of his help... I could rely upon him completely....” she stopped at that.

”Very Good, then what happened to that boy?” he asked confused.

”Nothing he's fine.... He used a bad word against me” she complained.

”Oh when?? Did you fight for anything??” he raised his eyebrows.

”No, not at all... He was very sweet to me, used to respect me and my thoughts, bear all my mischief...but never lost temper” she explained.

”So where did this bad word come?”

”His another friend told me that he looks low at me, he used this word at me..” said Punya sadly.

”His another friend told you, not the boy directly?? Did you ask him about this?” he intrigued.

”No I was so upset upon hearing that word, I shouted at him very badly in front of the whole college insulting him” she put her head down.

”Oh that's rude... I have understood the reason behind your silence... Now you have realized that he didn't use that word and you want to apologize but you're scared about his response right?” he asked....

”Yes perfect, will he forgive me or insult me back??” she asked...

”Well that depends on him... But your duty is to apologize first so you'll get rid of this guilt. Later you can think about his relationship with you...” he said nodding his head in agreement.

”OK but what if he has used such word”

”You can ask him directly when he starts talking to you normally... but you've to be extra polite when you approach him”

”Sure Appa” she smiled.

”Anything else apart from this dear?”

”No appa, nothing else...” she nodded sideways ”Don't tell mom, she'll panic on mentioning boys” she added.

He giggled. ”I won't, but this matter isn't so serious to think so much while you walk. You were so careless that you broke your arm and hit your head badly... There are 8 stitches on the right side of your head...” he explained in a sad tone.