Fast Forward

The months passed like days for Punya and Prakruth. As it was second PU for Punya, the stress levels were high, Maths made her life miserable. Thrishul was always with Punya using studied as a reason.

On the other hand Prakruth was enjoying his engineering college with new friends, assignments and related field trips.

Communication got restricted to the phone only. They could meet once in a month that too for only few hours. They sacrificed their urge to meet for their career.

Punya was relieved when her final exams got over on April first week. She decided to sleep whole day.

That day evening, Thrishul came home and asked Narmada "Aunty where's Punya?"

"She will come in few minutes, she just got up few minutes back. How did you do in your exams??" asked Narmada.

"Except Maths, everything else went well" he said.

"Does that mean you'll score less in Maths??" asked Varun who entered the house.

"Yes Uncle might be in 80s" he replied.

"That's not less Thrishul" said Punya who walked in wiping her wet face with a towel.

Thrishul chuckled and said "All other subjects will be 95+, so that's less for me".

"What about you my darling???" asked Varun.

"My overall percentage might be around 70s. I'll thank God, if I don't fail in Maths" she shrugged.

Everyone laughed.

"Appa you may be disappointed with my performance but I'm really sorry, I couldn't understand anything in Maths" said Punya sitting next to her father.

"I will be disappointed if you fail but if you pass, I ensure that I will not force you to take Maths related field in future" said Varun.

"Thanks Appa" said Punya and hugged her father. Varun embraced her and kissed on her head.

"Are you still sticking to agriculture Punya??" asked Thrishul.

"Yes strongly" she replied.

"So you have to study till the CET exams" said Thrishul.

"Yes some books related to agriculture" said Punya and asked her father "Appa, I will need some practical experience. Can I stay in our farm??"

"In our farm?? House isn't ready yet. The construction is going on. How can you stay there??" asked Narmada.

"Yes baby, it is not yet ready to stay" said Varun. Her grandparents walked in after a evening walk.

"Oh then how will I get practical experience? CET agri entrance paper is based on practical terms only" said Punya.

"You can stay in Prakruth's farms, he'll be able to help you too" said Varun. Thrishul folded his fingers into a fist in anger.

"Alone?? No, she can't go alone and stay there" said Narmada.

"We can go with her, don't worry Narmada" said the grandfather Eshwar. Each of their reaction enraged Thrishul.

"So problem solved, I'll talk to Prakruth immediately" said Varun.

Thrishul stormed in anger "All students will not be able to get practical experience, won't they answer the exam? Try through books or join some other course. No need to go to his farms and stay in his mercy".

"Why are you so angry about Prakruth??" asked Gowri.

"Somehow I don't like him, I don't know why this family needs him for everything??" he asked in anger.

"We're constructing his hospital in his farms, so it isn't mercy. You can call it mutual help. He shows a lot of respect to me and my family" said Varun.

"Nowadays Gowri is facing lot of health problems, doctor advised place change. Staying amidst nature will improve her health. So we decided to go somewhere out. Now we'll go to the farms as Punya suggested" said Eshwar.

Punya was overwhelmed with the decision but Thrishul punched the table in anger and walked out of the house.

"We must teach him to behave patiently" said Varun. Eshwar nodded a Yes. They didn't like his behavior.

Varun called Prakruth over the farmhouse land line phone. The maid took the phone and later passed on to Prakruth

"Hello Uncle, anything serious?" asked Prakruth.

"No, I wanted to ask you something so I called at this time" said Varun.

"Tell me Uncle, what's it?"

"I think now your hospital is ready for bringing in patients and old people who need to get treated amidst nature?"

"Yes Uncle absolutely, I told you about the planned inauguration on this Friday. Please come with your whole family and bless us" invited Prakruth.

"I've received that invitation already but there is one thing which I need to ask you.."

"Go on Uncle, why are you hesitant? Consider me as your son and tell me"

"That's so sweet of you dear. When I come on Friday, I would leave behind my family members to stay for a month or so. Is that OK with you??"

"They're absolutely welcome Uncle. Your family is my family now...but who's in need of hospital now?" asked Prakruth.

"My mother, so my father will stay with her" said Varun.

"Great Uncle, It is like my grandparents are coming back to bless me. Please bring them soon".

"Ok will come on Friday. Goodnight Take care" "Goodnight Uncle" said Prakruth and hung up. He wanted to ask whether Punya is coming or not but he controlled his curiosity just to avoid unnecessary suspicion. He was missing her very badly.

On the day of Inauguration, the farm was filled with well wishers, friends, laborers and their families. Prakruth's parents weren't seen anywhere but that hadn't bothered him anyway. Varun and family arrived with Pavan. Thrishul gave some reasons and avoided the event to just stay away from Prakruth.

Prakruth insisted that Varun's parents should cut the tape and inaugurate the hospital. The hospital was built with 150 bed capacity, 4 ICU, 50 beds in Out patient ward, 2 Major and 2 minor operation theatres, seminar hall and all other facilities with high quality equipments. Prakruth had appointed 4 specialists along with residential doctors who worked in shifts to provide 24/7 attention to the patients. All these high tech facilities were free of cost for poor people, middle class and rich class were charged nominally. He had a donation chamber for people who wish to donate happily.

Eshwar was overwhelmed by the hospital and appreciated Prakruth wholeheartedly. Prakruth humbly received their praises. He was overjoyed to have his life partner in his first life achievement.