Preparatory phase

Whole college was busy with preparation for first pre-board examination. Submission of records, assignments, internal marks and attendance shortage were main topics of discussions between the students.

Roshni walked up to Rahul and asked "Hi, where's Prakruth? He's not seen nowadays?"

"He's not coming from a week, we don't know his whereabouts" said Rahul.

"His mobile isn't working too" Roshni complained.

"He's not using mobile outside the campus from past 8 months" said Prajwal.

"Oh, OK then I'll call his mother" said Roshni turning away.

"We had called doctor yesterday, even she doesn't know. No use of trying there" said Rahul.

"Where can he go without informing his mother too, either she's hiding something or he has asked her to do it. Anyway he'll come for exams right?" asked Roshni.

"I think he won't miss his pre-boards" said Prajwal.

"Ok thanks... See you later" said Roshni and walked away.

"Even Punya is not seen from three days, are they hanging around?" winked Rahul.

"Shut up you filthy head" scolded Prajwal.

.......................

Punya was also bewildered in Prakruth's absence but couldn't ask anyone as Prakruth didn't like any kind of unnecessary gossips. She followed the college routine for three days in his absence but after that she stayed at home. As there was revision classes going on, she couldn't catch up with the speed of the syllabus. She decided to study at her own pace.

One evening, when Punya sat blankly on the couch in terrace.... Thrishul walked in. He hadn't met her after the proposal, he thought his actions were keeping her away from college, so he came to talk to her.

"Hi Punya...."

Punya looked at him an said "Hi, How are you?"

"Fine.... Punya" he sat on the opposite chair.

"So how's preparation for pre-boards?" she asked.

"Going on.... You're lucky to miss them"

"Hey I didn't miss by luck, I missed many classes so I got the permission. That's it. You break your bones, get permission" she argued.

"Hmmm sorry. I came here to apologize for my behavior that day"

"Please don't talk about it now, go study" she ordered.

"How can I? I need to tell you what made me blurt out?"

"I told you to stop.... Please" she pleaded.

"Punya please let me speak.... all these days I have stored my feelings but it bursted out in anger. You never responded to my previous signals.... Moreover that senior of yours is my big hurdle"....

"Prakruth hasn't troubled you in anyway, so better don't drag him into this" she warned.

"Ok I won't bring him between us. Please think about us now.... We're childhood friends and relatives too.... I developed a kind of attraction when I saw you after so many years. That attraction made me possessive about you, protective of you and I couldn't take anyone bullying you... That day I didn't like that senior Roshni plan against you and you enraged me with questions.... so I had to open up" he explained.

"I've never thought about you in this angle.... Attractions and infatuation are common at this age... I want my own career before relationship so better don't force me" said Punya strongly.

"Punya I'm not forcing you now but before you decide about your partner consider my plea too" he pleaded.

"If you never show possession on me in college, I will be happy..." she demanded... "I may consider" she added.

"Ok.... Never" he promised.

"Go study... You need to write well or Uncle will ground you" she warned.

"Well yes, ok here I go" he waved and walked away.

Punya lifted her head to see the full moon between the light white clouds passing over him, strange beautiful lovely feelings triggered her senses. Prakruth occupied her mind within seconds.... "Where did he go? I don't even have his number, I heard he won't use mobile when he is not in campus... Did he not remember me? I see my mobile when there's a notification but I get disappointed every time.... I can't call his friends as they'll be busy studying. Probably he'll come to attend exams... I've to wait till that. Now let me study for sometime"... She removed thoughts off her head and concentrated on studies.

At the same time in the farm house, Prakruth was watching the same full moon... He had fever from three days... Today he had recovered from it. He took a deep breath and said "Miss you Punya" looking at the moon.

"Saab" said Prasad.

"Yes Prasad" said Prakruth bit startled.

"Saab Friday there's feast in the village, you must come" he invited.

"What feast Prasad?"

"Saab, first crop of the year we harvest, we offer to the great God as Thanksgiving. So all farmer families celebrate this occasion like a festival of harvest... We'll have to clean and decorate our houses, our cows and bulls, our farm vehicles and equipment and arrange a bonfire that evening. It will be a great experience for you" he explained.

"That's awesome, I'll come then. I'm also a semi farmer now" said Prakruth.

"Semi... No saab, you know how to farm on your own, you've brought technology to our farms, you know which crop needs what, you take lessons on net... that neighbor estate owner was asking for help with his pump set. He wants to make it automatic like ours. I said it was impotent"

Prakruth burst out laughing.... "That's not impotent, imported..." he chuckled.

"That only I told... He will come to ask you saab, don't help. He's kind of cunning person" Prasad complained.

"Ok I will look at it, anything else?" he asked.

"Saab, don't cut anything tomorrow, Friday we'll cut good cashew fruits, coffee beans and areca nuts as first harvest for God" he requested.

"OK"

"Ok saab, tomorrow I'm not coming. I'm going to city to get clothes for my children. Friday I'll come early in the morning. You take rest tomorrow also, don't go to college. Goodnight saab"

"I will. Goodnight Prasad" said Prakruth. He liked the way everyone respected him, cared for him and showed unconditional love....

"Prasad wait.... Can you do me a favor?" asked Prakruth.

"Tell saab, I'll do whatever it is"

He wanted to send word to Punya and invite her to the feast through Prasad....but he thought "if Prasad goes and speaks so much there, everyone will have some stuff to gossip. No that shouldn't happen". Instead he got up and removed some money from his wallet and said "Get a saree for our maid, she never asks anything from me" handing over to Prasad.

"Saab this is more for a saree" exclaimed Prasad.

"Get good pair of clothes to kids from my side and use rest for your wife. Don't drink!!!" he warned.

"No saab, in your money.. I won't drink" he grinned widely.

Prakruth chuckled... "Remember I'll get information from your wife... Now Go"

He saluted and departed.