Misunderstandings and Confessions.

"Why did I panic while he held my hand? I studied in co-ed school, shaking hands with boys was never a problem for me. I couldn't sit there peacefully, I didn't even ask his name. I was the one who invited him to talk, What's happening to me? If my Dad knows that I'm behaving like a coward, he'll feel bad about me. It's not that I'm scared, there's a lot of weird things which happen inside me when I see him, I feel a great attraction towards him. His looks are mesmerizing – Punya all that glitters is not gold, control yourself!..." said Punya to herself while riding away from college. She had forgotten about her friends and drove as if someone chased her away.

She came home, changed her dress to comfortable T-shirt and long skirt and decided to focus on the problems she learnt today in class. As she removed books from her bag, she heard her name from downstairs.

"Aunty, is Punya home?" asked Thrishul.

"Yeah, she's upstairs. Sit down I'll call her" said Narmada… "Punya, Thrishul is here, come over" she told in a high tone and entered the kitchen.

"Hi Thrishul, you came directly from college" Punya said as she observed him in same clothes as morning.

"Yeah, I was thinking if we can sit and study together as we're from the same class?" asked Thrishul in a doubtful tone.

"No, I don't have the habit of studying with others" Punya said rudely. Narmada who had brought two glasses of juice didn't like the tone of Punya's voice. She knew that she hurt the boy hence she had to pacify Thrishul.

"College has just started Thrishul, there may be not much to sit and study, so you both can do that during exams… All these years, she was also alone, she'll need some time to get comfortable with you. Right?" explained Narmada as she offered him the juice.

"Yes Aunty, I understand. Sorry Punya, I think I hurried. Do let me know if you need any help in studies or college… I'm always there" said Thrishul as he started sipping the juice.

Punya was about to blast, Narmada held her hand and pulled her back and gestured not to talk, "That's so sweet of you, Thrishul. She'll ask you if she wants anything" said Narmada.

"Ok Aunty, I'll leave now. Mom might be waiting" said Thrishul and walked towards the door.

"Amma, you should have allowed me, I would tell him that I don't need any help from him. I can handle my studies myself. Why is he trying to be so friendly?" frowned Punya after he left.

"Relax dear, he's also member of our family, you can't be rude. I'll see that he won't disturb you further. OK?" asked Narmada.

"Ok. Thanks" said Punya and walked upstairs.

She went through the examples in the text book and could understand the Maths chapter which was thought today in class.

Narmada entered her study room and asked "Do you want any help dear?"

"No Amma. Its just started, so I'm able to understand. Further it may get difficult, I must concentrate in class or else I'll drop in my grades. There's a lot of difference in school teachers and lecturers here. They go too fast, I can't understand" complained Punya.

"Syllabus for the year is more in college, hence your lecturers will be fast. They teach only concepts, you have to learn methods yourself. School is more basics, college is more complex" explained Narmada.

"Amma, will you be able to teach me higher maths also?" asked Punya.

"I can help in Science but Maths No… Appa may be helpful as his background is engineering but he doesn't find time to teach. We can do one thing, we can try some tutorials instead"

"No Amma, I'll handle myself now, we'll see that option for 12th grade"

"Yeah, that's also a good plan. Won't you go to your music classes it's 4pm" said Narmada pointing at the clock.

"Yeah, I'll go now" said Punya putting her books back into her bag.

...…

Prakruth had come home after 7 weeks. His 6 weeks of vacation and first week of college, he stayed in farm house. He came here to shift all his things to farm house, he had decided to stay there. At least he had people there who showed love and respect, here in this house loneliness used to kill him.

"Prakruth, it's been so long since I saw you. Thank God you're back" his mother expressed her happiness by hugging him as soon as she saw him. Prakruth hadn't expected them to be home by 6.

"How are you Mom?" he asked formally.

"I'm Fine, how are you? Why did you take so long to return? You liked the farm stay so much that made you forget your parents? Huh?" she showed concern in her voice.

Prakruth saw his father coming out of his room buttoning his shirt at the arm. His mother was also dressed up nicely, more to show off. He guessed that they're going out for some occasion – "must be a dinner party at some VIP's residence" Prakruth thought.

"Oh Prakruth, how are you? How's your farm house?" Dr. Murthy gave him a warm hug.

"Prakruth" he continued, "I didn't know you were interested in farm and related work so much, if I knew I wouldn't try to sell it. That manager started misusing the funds, so I took this decision hastily. If you can manage the farms yourself, you can" he explained.

Prakruth gave a deep thought to it and said "Yes, I will"

"Will you be able to focus on studies and farms together, won't that stress you out?" asked Dr. Murthy.

"No, I'll do my best in both but I need some funds for a couple of months. I can earn something from the farms only after that. Hope you don't mind that. I can give you accounts for the expenses"

"That's not at all a problem, I like the farms too but I'm completely occupied by the hospital, you know" Dr. Murthy explained his helplessness.

"I know. I can understand that. One more thing, I'm shifting to farm house, it's more peaceful and gives me new energy. I came to pick my things up" said Prakruth.

"Oh No, we were already missing you, I can't endure your absence in the house. Can't you stay here and look after the farms" said Sarala in a worried tone.

"Mom, you will be busy at the hospital all the time, I feel all alone for this big bungalow. Moreover with 12th grade pressure, studying in my room is impossible." Prakruth said in a plain voice raising his eyebrows.

"You can go stay there but visit us twice in a month" said Dr. Murthy patting Sarala on her back and said "Don't worry dear, we'll go whenever you feel like seeing him. Peaceful mind is important for studies, this city is too noisy" to her in a consoling way. She just nodded.

Prakruth was feeling guilty for misunderstanding his father, "Err… Sorry Dad, I mistook you and shouted at you, over the phone that day" he apologized sincerely.

"It's OK. You're similar to your mother in misunderstanding me" Dr said looking at his wife. She smirked and punched his shoulders.

"Come we'll be late. Minister will be waiting for us" said Dr. and walked out.

"Dad was in a good mood I think, he agreed to everything I asked. Good, now I can stay happily at the farm house" thought Prakruth.