16. Ragging....!!!

Rainy season had just started. Last night's rain had left puddles on the street, light drizzles made the day look gloomy. Prakruth and Prajwal were chatting in the cafeteria. Rahul came running and stopped at their table, he grabbed a glass of water from the table and drank it in a shot, others at the table were waiting for him to speak.

"Prakruth, that girl of first year is in trouble, some guys are teasing her in the parking lot, she might need help" said Rahul in a panicked voice still panting.

"Which girl?" asked Prakruth.

Rahul who had relaxed a little said "I want to talk to you personally...that girl" mimicking Punya's style.

Prakruth rolled his eyes. "Ok, come let's go. Why didn't you yourself help her?" he asked walking towards the parking lot.

"She's quarreling with three of them, I alone cannot fight three guys so I came in search of you both. Moreover you must become hero in her eyes, not me" he winked.

"OK, hurry up. We can discuss later" alerted Prajwal.

.........At Parking lot.................

"Ragging isn't legal? Can't you let us go?" Punya raised her voice.

"No!! Go tell the rules to the authorities baby" a tall dark guy with weird beard and rough face scowled at Punya. All his friends started laughing.

A bunch of degree students were ragging juniors. Today they caught Punya and Siri for their fun. They were assigning some irrational tasks to each student and teasing them.

Tall guy moved forward and held Siri's hand "Come baby, give me a friendly hug, then you can go anywhere" he told in a teasing tone. Two boys behind him were laughing.

"Leave her hand now, or you will face the consequences" Punya threatened him.

"If both of you give hugs to all of us, we'll never trouble you again" said one. "Everyday morning same routine" said the other guy. "Yeah... Hugs to keep yourself safe! Nice bargain" told another.

Meanwhile Prakruth and his friends entered the parking lot. "Man, she's in serious trouble. Look at that guy, he's from degree class I guess" said Rahul who was watching this from a few steps away.

"You're her friend right, come you also join her" the bad guy passed a flying kiss towards Punya.

Prakruth's nerves started bursting with anger..."I'll kill him now." Prakruth started running towards the bad guy. Before he reached, he heard a loud thud.

"Aaahhhh" fell the bad guy on the ground. Prakruth stopped as he saw the bad guy on the ground. He couldn't believe his own eyes. Punya had punched his jaws and kicked him in the center, between the legs which made him lie flat on the ground in pain. Then the other two boys tried to attack her. She lifted her leg and kicked one fellow's head who fell sideways, attacked the other guy by punching him in his stomach and kicked his face by her knee when he bent holding his stomach. This kick was bit hard making the boy bleed from his mouth.

Punya was frowning in anger. The three boys were at Prakruth's feet, they were lying flat on ground and rolling in pain. Siri was still in shock. Punya held her mouth tight as if she was controlling her from vomiting, she closed her eyes and moved two steps in swaying manner. Siri came running towards her but as Prakruth was close, Punya landed safely in his arms. She had fainted. Prakruth carried her to his car. He laid down her carefully on the seat behind and headed towards the driving seat.

"Hello Mr." said the girl who had come running behind him.

"Yes"

"Punya is my friend, I will come along"

"Errrr...What's your name?"

"Siri"

"Siri, you go to class, I will take care of her"

"I can't leave her alone with you" said Siri touching Punya's hand.

"I won't hurt her, I will bring her back immediately after treatment. We have to hurry, please understand" he pleaded.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes, don't worry...It's your first physics practicals, you can't miss on basics. Go" he commanded. She went towards the lab reluctantly. He turned to his friends and instructed them to call the ambulance for those seniors.

Prakruth drove towards his father's hospital as it was just 10 mins away. He parked his car and carried Punya in his arms carefully from the back seat. Ward boys came to help but he refused. He entered the Emergency section and laid her safely on the bed.

A Nurse gasped seeing Punya.

"She just fainted seeing a boy bleed" said Prakruth.

"Oh, let her rest, I'll send the Doctor to check" said the nurse and left the ward.

Dr. Sarala walked into the Emergency ward and checked the pulse of the girl lying on bed. She started checking Punya with her stethoscope.

"Hi Mom" said Prakruth

"Oh Prakruth.... Hi... How are you son?"

"I'm Fine, how's she??" he asked.

"This girl, did you bring her in??" she asked. "Did you know what happened before she fainted?" asked his mother.

"Yeah, she fought with three guys. One of them started bleeding but suddenly she fainted" explained Prakruth.

"Oh, it's Vasovagal syncope then" said Dr. Sarala.

"Oh is that dangerous?" asked Prakruth worried.

"No not at all, She's fine. This phase will pass. She will wake up slowly." Sarala turned to the nurse behind her and instructed to get a glass of juice. Then she asked Prakruth - "Is she your classmate? What's her name?"

"No Mom, she's my junior. Punya- her name is Punya."

"Nice...I'll send a glass of juice, give her after she wakes up" said Dr. Sarala and left.

Prakruth was left alone with Punya. Punya's face had turned pale but Prakruth couldn't help staring at her. He could see her beautiful face peacefully for a long time unlike previous encounters. He touched her face and felt a scintillating sensation. He took her right hand and kissed it closing his eyes. "You're my life dear. I Love you forever" he whispered in her ears. "Hmmmm" She moaned. Prakruth left her hand and put his chair a little away.

Nurse was back with a glass of Juice. She placed it on the desk close to the bed and asked Prakruth.... "Was that boy who's mouth is bleeding hit by this girl?".

"Yes sister, Have they brought him here" replied Prakruth.

"Brave girl. Yes, they're here. I'll go check them" she said and walked away.