43 Mixed emotions. (2/2)
”Amma, no... I'm fine alone... you have a nice time. I'll sleep early today” said Punya.
”Have dinner and sleep, it is ready on the table” said Narmada and they walked past the door. Punya locked the door. She thought ”I can sleep peacefully tonight”
Next day morning, Punya brought a pair of dresses and asked her mother, ”Amma, which suits me well?”
”The red one” chose Narmada.
”What is so special baby? No college right?” asked Varun
”Appa... aaaa”
”It is OK, if you don't wish to tell, No force.” he said.
”Nothing like that, I'm going out with Prakruth. Felt like spending some time in his farms, I needed a recreation so I thought...” said Punya honestly.
”Well that's great, heard that you dedicated a nice song for him in college yesterday” said Narmada.
Punya gasped ”Did Thrishul tell you?” she asked.
”No, we met Disha and Dikshith in the theatre last night. Dikshith was praising your performance and looks” said Varun.
Punya put her head down struggling to find proper words to explain herself.
”Appa, as revenge on the warning from a senior, I used this song... Trust me we're good friends” said Punya explaining the tiff between her and Roshni in brief.
Varun walked close to her and lifted her face in his hands and said ”I respect you and your decisions, I trust you. My darling daughter can never be wrong”
”We're aware of the generation change but Punya be cautious in all the steps you take” warned Narmada.
”Remember we're there to support you always, whatever may come” said the Grandpa Eshwar who was reading newspaper silently till now.
Punya's eyes welled up. ”Thanks Appa, Thanks Amma. Thank you Ajja...I promise that I'll never let this family down. I chose that song only to enrage Roshni” said Punya almost in tears.
Varun embraced her, ”Darling, don't cry...go get ready. I didn't ask you a explanation... Relax. Ask that hero to come home and pick you up. I don't want gossips and loose talks about you” he said.
”Sure” nodded Punya.
When Prakruth came home, Punya was waiting in the portico. Her grandfather warmly welcomed him inside but Prakruth said ”No Sir, some other time. It will get late, we have a lots to talk”.
”Ok young birds, I know you always want to fly but remember to land safely” said Eshwar.
”Sure Sir” he said helping Punya board the car. He closed the car door after she sat.
”Enjoy yourself” said Eshwar waving at them.
”I never knew that your family is so up to date” said Prakruth driving. He couldn't believe their generosity.
”My Dad believes in walking with the present generation, he's not orthodox type. My family believes in each others capabilities and freedom” she said.
He was speechless. ”Hey you came empty handed?” asked Punya.
”Yes why? should I bring something?”
”No, Nothing” she smiled and murmured ”zero in romance”
He chuckled as he could read her feeling. ”By the by why should I bring something to impress you?” he asked.
”Because I'm your personal brand of heroin, you're addicted to me and according to those immense romantic feelings in the letter... I expected something”
”You mean the first letter, I thought you didn't like and ignored the feelings in it. I didn't want to lose your friendship, Punya.” he turned his head away.
”Wish I read it before” she sighed.
”When did you read that?” he asked.
”Day before the farewell”
”What?!!! He gasped... ”My Goodness. So fast response, why didn't you read before then?”
he asked in anxiety.
”I had forgotten the letter and it was in my bag from almost seven long months” she said.
”Yeah I understand why you forgot”
”Why?”
”You hated me, you see me as only your close friend, I'm an Idiot who hurts you always... So you ignored right?” he asked.
”I hated you because you made me want you so badly and I couldn't concentrate on anything else. I hated you because you haunted me even in my dreams every night” said Punya.
”Who haunted whom... The desire of wanting you haunted me every day, every hour, every minute and every single second” he almost screamed... And stopped the car in his farms.
Both of them got down.
”Thank God you read it finally, that means you've understood my feelings for you” he held her hand and walked towards the river bank.
”Yes”.... She walked along with him smiling.