Fire and Ice

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.

"Yes but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't miss you right??" asked Punya.

"Yes but your cousin protector will kill me, if he sees" he said.

"As if I care for him... He can't do anything" she said and kissed him again.

"I can't concentrate on my food, if you do so..." he said.

"That is not my problem" she hugged him warmly.

He kept his plate down on the table in front of him and tried to get up. Punya loosened her arms and allowed him free. "Ok show your love now" he said standing up.

She ran away blushing.... "Oye, where are you running?" he asked. She hid behind a pillar.

Prakruth didn't follow as Thrishul walked in....he instead headed to the kitchen with his plate.

"Why are you standing here?" asked Thrishul seeing Punya behind the pillar.

Smell of cigarette was in his breath, she knew that Thrishul smokes only when he is tensed or angry. "I.... I...." she stammered... He deepened his gaze.... "I was looking at the painting here... It looks so special" she lied.

"Everything in this house looks special to you.... Can we go now if you've finished talking to your friend ??" he asked sarcastically.

"You haven't seen the river yet. Sunset will be awesome there" she said stating that she was interested to stay.

"My head is bursting Punya... I must go... I wish I could let you stay still sunset but I don't believe people here" he said staring at Prakruth.

"Today the day is cloudy Punya... Sunset might not be visible... It is better you go with him home...." said Prakruth.

"Who are you to instruct her what to do? I'm there to look after her, better keep your nose off us..." Thrishul scowled.

"Thrishul mind your words, he didn't order. He was mindful in his thought" Punya tried to explain.

"Don't take sides, let's go" he held her hand and pulled her out of the house.

"Thrishul that's hurting her, please behave yourself" screamed Prakruth yet Thrishul continued to act rough.

"Thrishul you've held my hand tight.. Leave I know to walk...." Punya pleaded.

"Shut up and walk with me, hereafter I will never oblige your decisions about places" he said roughly pulling her away.

Prakruth came close to them and held Thrishul's shoulders "Bro, relax.... This is not the way you behave with a girl. Leave her" he said in a gentle voice.

"She's my girl, I know how I should behave with her... You better stay away" he yelled. He tightened his grip on her arm hurting her more.

"Thrishul you're showing your anger on me....Wait I'll tell my Dad... Ahhh you're hurting me" Punya quivered.

"Leave her now!!!" ordered Prakruth.

"No... I won't" said Thrishul.

"Hurting the guests is a bad omen according to my grandmother.... That is stopping me from harming you. So listen to me and stop hurting her" said Prakruth calmly.

"Are you a local hunk or something? You think you can get along hurting me??" asked Thrishul picking up a fight.

Prakruth chuckled.... "But I think I won't hurt you today" he said.

"Mercy... Hospitality... Double standards... You can win a innocent girl's heart by these actions but not me" said Thrishul and tried to step ahead of Prakruth pulling Punya behind him...

Prakruth grabbed his grip over her arm and freed her in a second... "Look at this, her arm is completely red" said Prakruth "Are you really a human....?" he added.

Thrishul was so angry that he didn't bother to feel for Punya, he punched in Prakruth's face.

The punch was so strong that Prakruth's lip started bleeding.... "Prakruth" screamed Punya... She approached him and touched his face.

"It is ok.. Please take him away... I can't control my anger anymore but I don't want to hurt guests..." pleaded Prakruth.

Punya's eyes welled up... Prakruth assured that he'll be ok in his eyes. "Go" he said.

"Thrishul enough is enough... Come now" she stormed towards the car.

Thrishul bent towards Prakruth's ear and whispered "She's mine, stay away"....