Fire Lily

Punya reached home with her Family. Everyone silently headed towards their bedrooms, as they had dinner at a restaurant while coming back. Punya was tired completely due to a hectic day at college, so she fell asleep as soon as she rested on the bed.

It was a beautiful forest area, Punya was walking barefoot on the wet grass. As it was early in the morning, sun rays were smooth and enchanting. A good looking guy approached her with a charming smile, she smiled back. He came closer and entangled his fingers with hers and they started walking towards a river. He presented her a bouquet of pure white flowers...

"Wow, they're so beautiful... Thanks" she said excitedly.

"Punya, I Love you....will you stay with me like this forever?" he asked.

"Yes.... I love you too.... Of course I'll stay. I Promise" she assured.

Suddenly he disappeared.

She ran in search of him, ran so far that she lost her way back. She reached a church and decided to pray God for his safety. As she walked into the church, she could see a marriage going on. She walked towards them as the face of the groom gave her a sense of familiarity. As she approached she could recognize him immediately. She wanted to scream but stopped as the Father ordered for ring exchange. She stood there silently out of respect to Jesus and father, groom took the hand of the bride and put the wedding ring on her finger and they kissed. She couldn't control anymore.

"You cheater" Punya screamed and held the collar of groom.

"Punya, I can explain. I married her as an obligation, but I love you only. Trust me" he begged.

"Yeah he loves you, but Punya you know what people call the girl who loves a married man?" asked the bride sarcastically and whispered "Mistress".

That whisper sounded like an atom bomb to Punya... Anger, frustration, disgust and helplessness all together made Punya scream loudly "Noooooooooooooooo".

Punya sat in her bed profusely sweating, she had a dream about Prakruth and Roshni. She was panting, she drank water from the bottle on the table and relaxed. Luckily none of her family members heard her scream. She couldn't sleep later that night.

Next day at college, it was College fest. There was a young and fresh exciting environment in the campus, students were all set for the celebration. Auditorium was decorated with flowers, color paper cuttings, balloons and rangoli at the door. Gradually the whole auditorium was filled with chattering students. Usual teenage behavior to be center of attraction made them dress exceptionally well. Ethnic wear was the theme, so Prakruth wore a white kurtha and pyjama with a brown waist coat. He was handsome as ever but cloudy shades on his face never vanished.

"Did she read the letter? I don't think she did! If she had read, she had to react. Why are you doing like this Punya, I can't stay away from you. I have to talk to you at least once in a day, why don't you understand? At least let me know what's my mistake which made you hate me so much? We were so good with each other. Even at library, I have seen you stare at me without a blink… I enjoyed those moments. That day in rain, you demanded for maize, and we shared it so compassionately. You liked to keep me company, though you didn't have doubts, we used to meet rregularly. Suddenly what happened…OH GOD!!" Prakruth held his head tight in his hands as if he was controlling it from blasting. Programs had started and Prakruth didn't pay any attention at the stage.

"Prakruth look how sensually Roshni is dancing?" Prajwal pointed at the stage.

"Oh when did the program start?" asked Prakruth anxiously.

"Were you sleeping, it's fourth segment already…You're part of next couple dance, go change" Rahul ordered.

"I'm supposed to do Salsa with her. I hate it. Can you do that for me?" Prakruth asked making a disgusting face.

"You hate dance or the dancer?" asked Prajwal...

"The dancer" he replied.

"What on Earth makes you hate Roshni??, she's so hot, perfect and sensual...I think you're the first boy in campus who hates such a damsel" said Rahul who had his drooling eyes set on Roshni.

"She'll be elected as intercollegiate beauty queen, trust me" said Prajwal.

"I know she'll win, but I don't like her artificial beauty. She lacks the natural tinge of beauty, she's dominant, pestering and childish" frowned Prakruth.

"She loves you dude, so she'll be childish as she'll feel comfortable with you" said Rahul.

"Love is a divine feeling and I don't see that pure love in her" Prakruth shrugged.

"You see pure love in simple girls like Punya right?" asked Prajwal.

"Yeah,... What? Who told you,.... Nothing like that, I have responsibilities. I can't think of any one now" Prakruth tried to cover up.

"We know that you love her from long time, tell us why you like Punya so much that makes you ignore dashing darling Roshni???" asked Rahul.

"Don't lie, we want truth" warned Prajwal.

"I'll tell that later. Rahul are you going or should I suffer?" asked Prakruth.

"I can't dude. She looks an inch taller than me because of pointed heels, we'll look odd on stage. So better you finish it and come." He sneered.

"I hate you guys" scowled Prakruth and went to green room. He joined Roshni in 10 minutes, dressed in Black and black suit. He was looking like Greek God. They started dancing to the tunes of a English melodious song.

Punya observed Prakruth and Roshni from below the stage, she was sitting in the fourth row. He was 6 ft tall and she was perfect at 5.8..., she had perfect structure and great stature on stage. They were perfect couple for the picturesque dance but Punya couldn't see the spark or chemistry between them, he was mechanical and she was sensual. As the duo started Salsa, Prakruth held Roshni by her waist and those moves were pretty romantic and close. Punya felt a strange pain in her heart watching them dance together, she got up and walked out of the auditorium.

She went to deserted cafeteria and ordered for a cool drink. "Even in dream, they're together. How come he acted so well in front of me? He has never disclosed his love for me, but Siri keeps on pointing out that he stares at me like there's no one else he cares. Staring is not love Punya, relax." she said to herself. "I'm attracted to him so much, but he likes Roshni. He used to teach me only as a caring friend. Friend? then why did he hug me last night in the theater? If it was care, he wouldn't touch me in such a warm way. Hug so warm and comforting.... He doesn't think bad about me.

No he does, if not....he should've diverted me as soon as I placed my hands on him, he's pervert. OH GOD!! I'm damn confused..." her thoughts ran in opposite directions confusing her even more. She left the cafeteria as she had to sing for Prakruth's team, she didn't want her college to lose fame in intercollegiate competition.

Prakruth, Prajwal and Rahul were at the last row of auditorium. They were getting things ready for Prakruth's group song.

"Prakruth reveal the secrets, now" Rahul demanded.

"Yes, we can't wait, or else we'll write your name with hers on all the walls of the college" warned Prajwal.

"Why are you both pestering me?" Prakruth chuckled.

"You promised you will tell" said Prajwal making a sad face.

"OK,, what you want to know?" asked Prakruth.

"Everything about you and Punya" said Rahul.

"Think of the devil, there she's, but trust me she's looking like an angel today. Good selection bro" said Prajwal seeing Punya walking into the auditorium. He patted on Prakruth's back and demanded "Come on tell the story now". Prakruth looked at Punya and gasped.

She wore a Red-cream white colored saree with large earrings, right hand was full of matching bangles, red strap wrist watch on her left hand. Long pearl necklace around the neck and jasmine flowers around her long plaited hair, face so simple, natural and alluring with an innocent smile on her lips. Face so pretty and divine that anyone could feel the urge to own and protect her against all the odds. "Marvelous master piece" exclaimed Prakruth. His friends looked at each other.

He continued "My First love, Love at first sight. Now I fall in love with her every time I see her...."

He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was surrounded by the girls of singing team.

"Isn't she so simple when compared to Roshni? How did you fall for such an average girl?" asked Prajwal.

"Average??? She's Rare. My rare Fire Lily... Roshni is like a beautiful Rose. So many of you like her.... She looks sensual and red hot like rose - Emotionless, mocking and full of secrets like thorns behind the rose. But I need strong, independent, straightforward fire like girl who's internally soft and fragile like Lily. Punya is my Fire Lily who has a ocean of love hid deep inside her heart reserved for me but strong like stone outside for all others..... " Prakruth explained as if he was dreaming.

"Poetic, Magnificent love but you're really Mad.. Isn't it? Have you told her? When will you tell her?" Prajwal fired Prakruth with questions.

"Not immediately, she hates me now, for reason unknown... I'm waiting for an opportunity, I don't want a NO. We'll see" said Prakruth still his eyes placed on her, she was walking towards the stage.

"If Roshni knows about this, you're finished... Be careful" warned Rahul.

"You both shut your mouth, she'll never know" said Prakruth.

"Are you trying to balance both?" Rahul winked.

"NO, Not at all. I want Roshni to understand love can't be forced. I'll wait for her to realize" said Prakruth.

"Dude you've a lot of patience, I can't tolerate her tantrums" said Prajwal gesturing a hats off.

"I would take that torture lifelong if I can get such a beauty in my bed every-night" Rahul giggled.

"Shameless" scowled Prajwal and Prakruth nodded his head sideways smiling and headed towards the stage for his performance.

Their performance left the whole audience dumbfounded. It was a song portraying immense love between a couple who met each other after getting separated for many years by odd circumstances. Prakruth and Punya sang soulfully according to the soothing and enchanting music from the music team behind them. People could feel the song so much that few emotional people among the gathering literally cried, some were sobbing, all others had their eyes welled up with tears. Almost all of them could feel the love between the couple in the song and wished that they should stay together forever. Both the lead singers took the song to other level with their carefully pitched voice and expressions and ended the song in a blissful feel. They bowed to the audience when they finished. Applauds filled the auditorium for 10 long minutes.