17. Friends....!!!

After few minutes Punya slowly opened her eyes and started blinking.

"Water" she whispered.

Prakruth grabbed the glass of juice and helped her to drink as he held her tight in his arms. She came to conscious. She looked at Prakruth and asked "Why do I fall in your arms always?

It was a unexpected question... He startled. "Drink some more juice. How are you feeling now?" he asked ignoring her question.

"This is not the answer, when there are so many people out there, why is it you again and again? Are you following me always?" she asked sitting up.

"No, not at all. I'm amazed as you. Trust me" he said honestly. His face was so innocent that Punya had to believe him. Silence prevailed for seconds as she started sipping the juice.

Prakruth giggled breaking the silence.

"What? What's so funny?" Punya asked.

"Have you learnt karate?"

"Yeah, from childhood. My Dad feels self defense is a must required skill"

"Good, you were good out there today morning. Black belt?"

"No, will reach that stage soon.... Anyway I just wanted to scare them away, I think I hurt the last boy badly" she said.

"Don't worry, he's taken care of but .."he started giggling again.

"Again? Why are you laughing?"

"The girl who fought so well against three big boys fainted on the sight of blood, I can't control laughing sorry" he burst out laughing.

She started laughing too. "Yeah, the sight and iron-rusty smell of blood puts me off. I feel my stomach heaving" she sighed.

Prakruth chuckled again. "Stop laughing, does my plight entertain you?" she frowned.

"No, No, Its like the Lion fainted seeing the deer's blood after hunting" he explained. She started laughing again.

"Ok. Can we go out? This medicine smell is provocative" she asked.

"I'll ask the doctor once" said Prakruth.

"No need of that, I'm always sent home after such incidents with fruits and juices" she said as she tried to get down from bed. It was a taller bed, she couldn't reach the floor so she looked at Prakruth and asked "How will I get down?"

He immediately held her by waist and lifted her off the bed, slowly landing her on the ground.

"Hey you could have given the stool which is behind you" she smirked and walked towards the door. She was muttering something he couldn't hear.

"Punya Sorry...I didn't think... Sorry" he ran behind her.

Both stopped as they saw a Doctor coming in pushing the door.

"How are you young lady? My staff told you were brought faint" asked Dr. Murthy.

"I'm Fine now Doctor. Thanks" said Punya.

"Wait, let me check" said Doctor and examined her eyes with battery. Held her wrist and checked the pulse, then he told "You're fine, do you feel dizzy or does anything look blur?" he asked.

"No, nothing like that" she smiled.

"She didn't drink her juice completely Dad" Prakruth complained.

"Is this your Dad?" Punya asked.

"Yes" Prakruth shrugged.

"Shall I complain to your Dad about you following me?" she whispered so that only Prakruth could hear.

"Yes you can, go ahead" he said in a normal voice.

"What's that sunny?" asked Dr. Murthy.

"Nothing Doctor, can we go now?" she asked slowly.

"I think you skipped your breakfast. Why don't you drink the juice" Doctor asked.

"I don't like lime juice" she replied.

"Ok Prakruth get her what she likes on your way back. Eat well baby" said the doctor patting on her cheeks. Prakruth just nodded.

"Ok...I will eat... Thanks doctor" she answered.

Dr. Murthy walked out of the ward as he was talking "I heard you hit three boys, you're a pretty brave girl. Keep it up" Doctor appreciated Punya "Son, take her back safely"he said to Prakruth. He just drifted away as he was busy that he wasn't even patient enough to hear what these kids had to say.

"Prakruth... Nice name" Punya said with a smile.

"Oh we haven't introduced ourselves at all. I'm Prakruth, 12th grade in your college. Son of Dr. Murthy whom you just saw and Dr. Sarala who examined you when you were brought here" he explained. First time Punya heard him speak for such a long time. "Handsome, charming, brilliant and exceptionally smart guy"- she thought as she walked next to him, they went to parking lot. His phone started ringing so he said "A minute please" and received the call. She stood there and kept staring at him.

Later he opened his car door and said"Get in". She was just looking at him, he waved his hand over her face, yet no reaction. He shook her, "What happened?" he asked. Punya smiled sheepishly. "Can we go?" he asked, she nodded and sat inside the car.

"You didn't tell me about yourself" he asked.

She gathered courage and started. "I'm Punya, 11th grade. My father's name is Varun, Owner of V&P Iron and Steel pvt ltd. I stay in Kadri". She sighed.

"That's Nice. Can we be friends??" he held his hand towards her for a hand shake before fastening the seat belt.

She shook his hand for a second and withdrew it immediately. She trembled. She felt a electric wave pass down her spine yet again. "We can't be friends" her nerves screamed at her. She sat there muddled in her thoughts.

Prakruth wondered yet he didn't utter a word. They went to a local restaurant. It was a open garden restaurant. Waiter left the menu with a water bottle on their table. Prakruth pushed the menu towards Punya and waited, she wasn't present there.

"Punya" he called. She just looked at him. "Will you order something?" he asked, she just nodded.

"I will take watermelon juice" she said as she closed the menu.

When the waiter came, "Two onion dosa, completely roasted with butter and two watermelon juice" ordered Prakruth.

"I don't want anything to eat" responded Punya. Prakruth just signaled the waiter to leave.

"Punya, relax... Dad told you must eat, remember?" he asked. Again she nodded.

"Aren't you feeling comfortable?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine. I'll be back" she said and headed towards the washroom.

When she was safe inside the ladies room, "Punya be yourself. You're strong girl, don't let your feelings rule you. Don't let him know, he's already following you. If he knows then he'll take step forward. No...not so early, so use this opportunity to know him, Be brave" she said to herself, let out a deep breath and walked out with confidence. She came and sat down with a smile.

"I'm so hungry, thanks for ordering senior" she said and took the plate the waiter brought.

"I know" he said and took his plate.

"So both your parents are doctors, do you intend to be one in future?" she asked

"No! not at all... I don't want to be a doctor. I intend to have a good family life" replied Prakruth.

His answer was brief but had deep meaning. Later the duo conversed about each other families, hobbies, likes, dislikes for more than an hour.