Expect the Unexpected!

"Good Morning Dear, how come you're not in hurry today?" asked Varun.

"Where should I go Appa?" asked Punya.

"No college??" he asked raising his eyebrows.

"Study holidays for Preparation Appa" she shrugged.

"Oh... Anyway you're not attending this pre-boards right? come along with me, I'll take you country side. It will be fun...." he invited.

"Business trip??"

"Uh hmmmm"

"It will be boring Appa, you carry on"

"No we're visiting a farm land as that owner is selling it. This is on the banks of the river Phalguni. Come have a look, if you like it, I'll buy it for you" he triggered interest in her.

"Mmm ok then I'll come, ten minutes please... I'll get ready and join you" she went to her room. She came in ten minutes as she promised, she believed in inner natural character rather than external beauty. Varun and Pavan were already sitting in the middle row of the car, driver was waiting for her arrival.

"Keys please" she asked the driver. He looked at Varun and Varun signaled to hand it over.

"Thank you Swamy" said Punya and took the driver seat. Swamy, the driver sat next to her, to tell her the route.

"Appa, this place is on the route of Bantwal right??" asked Punya after seeing the board which read Bantwal - 5Kms.

"Yes dear, why... do you know anyone there?" he asked.

"Actually my senior Prakruth stays in one of the farms there, so I thought if we could visit him after your work"

"That's Fine..." said Varun.

"What does he do in farms? The doctor couple travel 25Kms up and down to hospital everyday?" asked Pavan.

"No Uncle, his parents stay in Mangalore. He stays alone here to look after the farm lands. This was his grandfather's property. His mother told me that he is very attached to it." explained Punya.

Varun got a phone call from the agent who was supposed to show the farm land. He narrated the route over the phone and Punya followed the directions given by her father. They reached the farm land but Pavan had more questions to ask.... Pavan and Varun got down from the car, driver followed them.

"Punya aren't you coming?" asked Varun

"I want to see the festival, can you send someone with me who can take me around?" asked Punya.

"Ok wait here, we'll finish our work fast and come back. We'll go together" said Pavan.

"That's cool Uncle, I'll wait"

Trio walked down the lane away from the car....

"Namaste saab, I'm Prasad" introduced a average sized person who walked towards the trio.

"Namaste... What's the celebration in the village, all roads look fresh and houses, cattle everything decorated?" asked Varun.

"Saab, it's festival of harvest today. We'll have celebration, contests, games and main thing is we offer our first crop of the year to Great God.... evening bonfire jumping for decorated cattle. We feed our cattle with nice food today Saab" Prasad explained.

"So Prasad will you show me the farm land now or after the festival?" asked Pavan.

"Take him now Sir, or he'll abscond into the gambling game at noon and will be seen only tomorrow morning" said a new voice from behind.

All of them turned in the direction of the voice...."Prakruth, what a pleasant surprise? Didn't expect you here at all" said Varun who recognized him in seconds. He had gratitude towards Prakruth.

"Oh, even I didn't know it was you people coming to buy my neighbor land. Prasad told me some business people are coming but I didn't dig details. Anyways, nice to meet you uncle, how are you?" asked Prakruth hugging him warmly.

"I'm Fine, Punya told me you stay somewhere in Bantwal, but didn't know that you were here. Small world" Varun chuckled.

"Punya, how's she?" asked Prakruth.

"She's absolutely fit and fine" replied Varun.

"How do you know her?" asked Pavan with speculation

"Hey they're from same college and when my baby fell from steps, I got best treatment because of him in his father's hospital" said Varun "Sorry I forgot to introduce both of you, Pavan this is Prakruth and Prakruth this is my friend, relative, business partner Pavan" he added.

They shook hands formally but Pavan was closely observing Prakruth.

"Saab, you all know each other, it is very good. Come let's see the land" interrupted Prasad.

"Prakruth if you don't mind, Punya is in the car. She has the desire to see the festival, could you please take her around and bring her back before we finalize everything in our meeting?" asked Varun.

"Sure Uncle, by all means" said Prakruth.

"No no, we'll come and take her. We can't send her alone with him" Pavan said doubting Prakruth.

"We'll be late and she'll miss all the fun, so let's do both simultaneously. I know Prakruth very well... Don't worry" assured Varun.

"Uncle please don't worry, I'll bring her back safely" said Prakruth turning to Pavan and he responded only with a smile.

"Prasad bring them back to the farm house, I'll come back soon" said Prakruth to Prasad and walked away.

These four people started walking in to the farm.... "Saab, this is the farm of 50 acres boundary. River is very close, fertile land and rich soil. Best for areca nuts, coconuts, spices and coffee. See saab" he went on explaining showing on either sides of the lane.

"What does your Prakruth saab do here?" asked Pavan.

"Prakruth saab is very good person, gentleman and ignorant. We all respect him" said Prasad.

"Ignorant??" asked Varun.

"Yes Saab, he thinks very well, teaches us many things and studies well, so he's ignorant right?" asked Prasad.

"That is Intelligent not ignorant" corrected Varun.

"Even Prakruth saab corrects me like this only... Thank you Saab" he said laughing sheepishly.

"Tell me more about him" Varun insisted.

"Our saab is best person I've seen in my life time. He was with his grandparents here when I was working with them. After his grandfather died, he went to live with his parents in city. I don't know what happened one summer day he suddenly came to farms, seeing bad status of the farm, he kicked out the old manager and took the in charge of the whole farms. You should see our farms it is like heaven now. He looks after every plant like his own children, we workers are treated with respect and he'll support all our family members. Our children are going to school because of him. He reopened the school, brought teachers to school and he gives funds for mid-day meals so the strength of the school will not go down. Our Saab learnt many things about farming and has involved many biology here.... Others are jealous of our farm now. I'll show all biology after this land visit" Prasad gave a big lecture about Prakruth. Varun felt very happy whereas Pavan became jealous of him.

"It is not biology its technology Prasad" corrected Varun.

"I don't know pure English saab... I'm learning from our saab... Will learn soon" he grinned.

Varun chuckled softly....