51 Early morning practice... (1/2)

Early in the morning, Coach knocked at the door. Luckily Punya and Jyoti were ready for practice, they locked the door behind them as Narmada was asleep.

”Oooohhh it is so cold” shivered Jyoti.

”Run for some distance, you'll warm up” said Punya.

Prakruth, Punya and Jyoti started jogging. Coach was walking behind them.

After some distance, Punya started shivering... But she didn't complain.... Her teeth cluttering gave Prakruth the hint of her shivering. He felt very bad about it but he was helpless. He saw a tea shop at a visible distance.

”Sir, why don't we drink some tea, so we'll get some energy to run” he asked his coach.

”Well not a bad idea” said the coach and headed towards the tea shop.

”Three tea and one milk” he ordered.

”Prakruth you won't drink tea?” asked the coach.

”I do Sir! Milk is for Punya.... She doesn't drink coffee or tea” he shrugged.

”Good, that's team spirit... You should care about fellow players. I like it” said the coach.

He just smiled. Punya and Jyoti were still shivering... Hot cup of milk and tea saved them.

Punya held the cup in both her hands and felt the heat radiate through her body. She was enjoying the warmth it was passing... Prakruth engrossed her every expression and felt happy. Coach said ”These girls are shivering on summer morning here, imagine if we bring them in winter... We've to bring medical facilities along” and started laughing, Prakruth was busy observing Punya.

”No Sir.... We're not so weak. We're just little sensitive to sudden change in temperature, night was warmer” said Jyoti.

”We'll see, start warm up... We need to practice too” instructed the coach.

”Sure Sir” said Punya.

Again they started jogging to the nearby stadium but pace was faster more like running. Coach guided all three of them to practice... Punya and Prakruth were one team and Coach was with Jyoti. He gave a tough contest to Prakruth but he returned his lessons to him. Prakruth was quick on his steps and Punya was strategic. They won most of the points but at last coach tried a new technique to confuse them and they lost.

”Sir this new technique you haven't thought to us” complained Prakruth. He was very friendly with the coach hence he took liberty to object...

”Yes... I will teach this now... The north east duo use this trick when they're about to lose a game..” the coach explained the trick. He even thought them how to defend it.

Prakruth, Punya and Jyoti listened and followed the coach carefully. After two hours of practice, they reached the hotel.

”Ok you all relax, we'll meet for practice at 5” said the coach.

”Sure Sir” said Punya and Jyoti. They reached the room exhausted.

Narmada opened the door, ”Come, you're on time... I've ordered breakfast. Take bath fast” she instructed.

”Aunty, I'll rest for sometime” said Jyoti and fell on the bed.

”Lazy girl, get up. We've to go out now” said Punya.

”You take bath, I'll rest till then” she argued.

”Ok” shrugged Punya.

When she was back from bath, Prakruth knocked at the door... Narmada opened the door and welcomed him.

”Good Morning Prakruth, you're on time. Good” she appreciated him ”See these girls are still taking time, Jyoti just went to fresh up.” she blamed.

”Amma I'm almost ready, why is that you always complain?” said Punya who came brushing her wet hair.

Prakruth was speechless seeing her. She wore a white knee length frock with small red floral prints, she was just out from bath. Her looks were mesmerising, fresh like a new flower covered in morning mist... He had never seen her with loose hair, as couldn't control his desire to feel the strands of her long hair... He randomly started planning for an opportunity.

”Aunty you said you've ordered for breakfast?” asked Prakruth.

”Yeah it hasn't arrived yet, wait I'll call them. Where's my phone?” asked Narmada.

”On the dressing table” said Punya.

”Two minutes Prakruth, I'll be right back” said Narmada and walked inside.

Immediately Prakruth approached Punya, she was facing her back at him... He hugged her from behind and inhaled the perfume of her wet hair... Punya was shocked by his embrace.

”Prakruth what's this? Amma might come, leave” she objected softly.

”Wow” he exclaimed ”Your hair, My God” he appreciated feeling the strands in his fingers.

She chuckled, ”Ok leave... We'll be caught” she ordered.

”Man... You're so addictive” he said and kissed on her neck before leaving her. He went and sat with innocent face as if nothing happened. Luckily Narmada walked in after few minutes and said ”Breakfast is at the door”

Punya exhaled deeply. She gave a angry look at him, he chuckled hideously.

Jyoti who came from bath, sat next to Narmada on the bed for breakfast...leaving only the chair next to Prakruth for Punya...

Punya looked at her surprised...

”What?” asked Jyoti.

”Nothing” nodded Punya and sat next to Prakruth.