58 Fire and Ice (1/2)

When Punya stopped the car in her neighbor's farm, Thrishul felt so happy seeing the pet animals in that farm. None of them came near him as he was a stranger but they recognized Punya easily... She lifted a rabbit gently and held it towards Thrishul... Rabbit panicked though he just touched it. He took his hand away.

”They're familiar with you...” he said.

”Yeah I've been here twice” she said.

”Oh is it?” he asked raising his eyebrows.

”Yeah” she pulled a lamb close to her which came running towards her. She started cuddling it.

”Punya I'm hungry, where is your friend?” he asked.

”Oh I'm so sorry, come we'll go inside” she invited him to the farm house. ”Sit here and relax... I'll be back in a moment” she said and walked into the washroom. After freshening up, she headed to kitchen. She was walking around comfortably as if she's the owner of the house.

House was clean and artistic, with love birds and fishes as indoor pets. Thrishul wondered ”who's that friend??? Who has such a good taste?”

”My friend is not at home, he'll come in half an hour, come let's have lunch” said Punya carrying a vessel from kitchen with a mid-aged maid.

”Well Ok... I can't wait” he said and headed to the washroom.

They had the lunch without the owner of the house. They came and sat at the center of the house, where the ceiling was open showing the sky above. Maid brought fruits to relish. Thrishul sat on a easy chair with his eyes closed ”Such a peaceful place Punya... Your friend is really a great nature lover and also he's lucky to have all these” he said. ”By the by what is his age? May be your Dad's friend right?” he asked.

”He's only 17...not some old man” she said.

”This must be his father's property then” he said still closing his eyes.

”Grandparents... But he himself is looking after everything here” she said.

”Really great” he said resting with a deep sigh.

”Hi Punya” said a male voice from the entrance.

”Hi.... We've invaded your house without your permission” she said walking towards him. He just chuckled...

”We've eaten your lunch too. It was good” said Thrishul getting up from his chair and turned towards the male who was standing behind him. ”Thank you for the lunch” he held his hand ahead for a handshake.... He was shocked. It was Prakruth....but Prakruth received his hand and accepted his gratitude calmly. Thrishul turned red in anger.

Prakruth handed over the bags he had brought to the maid and headed to the washroom.

”Thrishul fruits??” offered Punya. He took a piece of apple.

”No... Can we go Punya??” asked Thrishul.

”He has come just now.. We'll talk to him then leave...”she said.

He just nodded... Gritting his teeth in anger and crushing the apple in his fist...

Prakruth came and sat down opposite to them... ”How was lunch?” he asked.

”Good.. All natural... It has special taste” said Punya.

”Rajamma cooks in mud pots.... She won't use gas stove like present generation...” said Prakruth.

”Saab, lunch” Rajamma gave him the plate.

He nodded in gratitude and turned towards Thrishul.... ”How are you? We haven't met in a while...”

”Everything was fine till now...” he said.

”Now what happened?”asked Prakruth casually.

”Nothing... I'll be back” Thrishul got up and went out.

”What's wrong with him?” asked Prakruth.

Punya shrugged and nodded sideways.

He chuckled and concentrated on eating.

Punya got up from her seat and went behind him. She put her arms around his neck ”I missed you so much” she said kissing him on the cheeks.

”LOL... We had met last week” he said.