True or Fake

It was the month of July and Prakruth joined Engineering college. He started slowly acclimatizing to the new environment, new people and new challenges. Luckily he had Rahul with him, Prajwal had joined medicine in Bangalore.

As the boys got used to the college, they made new friends mostly boys except two girls Tara and Riya who got close to them. Tara was attracted to Prakruth's looks from day one, she used to flirt with him directly and Prakruth somehow didn't get angry at her. He used to smile and ignore her gently. Riya and Rahul were partners in lab work so it was easy for them to get along.

"Hi Darling, Good Morning" said Tara who sat with Prakruth.

He smiled and wished "Good Morning Tara".

"See we have wore same color today, this shows we're made for each other" she said.

He chuckled "This is our uniform, everyone in the classroom have wore the same. You think all of us are made for us??" he asked.

"Can't flirt with you...You never use dear, darling, sweetie, sweetheart and other words" she smirked.

He just laughed.

"Look at Rahul, he loves Riya so much. He is so romantic, why are you so boring? Any love failures?" she asked curiously widening her eyes.

"No no...everyone can't be alike. Now concentrate or else Professor Sinha will throw you out" he warned.

"Let him, I'll go out and flirt with Rajesh" she said.

He chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Silly girl" he thought.

Late evening, Prakruth had dinner and called Punya. She didn't receive his call, instead she texted "What's up?"

Text message from Prakruth "What has kept you busy my angel...?"

"Nothing.... I was working on Biology record...with grumpy Thrishul" she replied.

"HA ha ha..... Show the record" he texted.

She clicked the picture and sent. Thrishul was annoyed by her clicking the record picture.

"Nice" replied Prakruth. She was smiling looking at the phone.

"Give me your phone... I don't like distractions during studies" Thrishul frowned.

"Sorry Thrishul.. OK OK. We'll get back to work" she said.

"Better. Punya I know it is that senior of yours.... Please stay away from him. He's not a practical man. He's irresponsible and clueless about his future... How will he suit dynamic girl like you??" he said.

"Thrishul let's not discuss his matter. That is my personal... Please" she said.

"How can I not?? I love you and safeguarding my girl is my duty" he said.

"I haven't agreed to your proposal yet.... You can't call me your girl" she frowned.

"But you haven't told No too..." he screamed.

"Now I'll tell you, hear about it..." but Thrishul interrupted "Now I know it's a clear No... But I won't give up easily... You're blinded by that jilt.... Once you get to know the difference between true love of mine and fake affection of his... You'll come back to me. I'll wait for you.." he said and left packing his bag.

"I know who's true and who's fake" she said but he had walked away.

She went upstairs into the balcony and called Prakruth.

Prakruth was amazed "Hello my angel" he said.

"Hello my dear, how is college?" she asked.

"Good, interesting lecturers and great environment" he said "How's yours?" he asked.

"Same as you left...but boring without you. I don't feel like going there. I feel your presence everywhere and that makes me miss you badly" she sighed.

"Dear you must get used to it, you know we can't stay together always. We need to focus on present for a beautiful future"

"I know but the very thought of that we can't be together, made me crazy and you know what happened"

"That brought us close"

"Exactly....but missing that closeness now...badly"

"Baby don't say so. Remember I'm all alone here. You at least have a loving family, for me you're the only one. You can talk, love and fight with them but what about me? How bad should I feel?"

"Don't say I'm alone....I'm there for you, forever" she said.

"I know, but far from eyes. If you say you miss me, that makes me vulnerable and weak. Talking to you makes me strong so I want to talk to you for 10 minutes in a day. That gives me energy for the following day. Your love is keeping me alive and energizing my life my love!!!" he said in a excited tone.

"Does that mean I shouldn't miss you?" she said.

"No baby No.... I'm just telling that don't say that frequently. I will feel like I should drop everything and run to you but that isn't so easy. I can't bring you out in college time and after that it is not at all possible. I don't want you to get into trouble. Trust me I'm also missing you badly"

"Oh that makes me shiver"

"Same here. Hence I told don't use those words"

"OK...Any new friends in college?"

"Yeah a couple of boys"

"Any girls?"

"You know me, I'm not that open to new people. Rahul is there with me, he has brought two girls into our group"

"What's their name?"

"Should I name all boys and girls??" he exclaimed.

"No only girls..."

"One is Tara and other is ...I don't remember"

"Tara, Is she beautiful?"

"Yeah she's quite beautiful"

"More than me?"

"Don't ask the routine questions Punya" he said.

"What routine questions??"

"Is she beautiful than me? Have you lost interest in me? You may forget me in new girl's friendship etc etc....Then the most irritating one Have I put on weight, Am I fat? ....Please never ask these. Remember I will never get bored of you. You're enough for me for this life and births thereafter"

She started laughing hearing his questions and continued till the end of his conversation.

"See you laugh at these questions, but trust me they're silly" he said.

"Nowadays you talk so much. You were branded as 'Reserved' in college"

"I open up only with you, I literally have no clue WHY??!!" he said.

"Good, how is Tara?"

"Again?? No Dear please"

"I'm asking whether she's like Roshni or just a friend?"

"Oh you think anyone can be your competition???"

"No....There's only one PUNYA!!"

"And I'm lucky to get that Punya...Well Tara is a silly, happy go lucky girl. She flirts with boys openly. Luckily she has no heavy feelings for me. That I can guarantee but she won't allow any other girl to stare at me"

"Wow...I'm glad that there's a confused protector"

"LOL....Do you think I will fall that easily?"

"You fell for me even before trying, so I don't know" she teased.

"Oye, Ask Roshni she'll tell you all her stories"

"I know, I'm just joking. By the by how's she?"

"She has joined Fashion technology college in Bangalore. Must be fine. No contact"

"Suddenly??!! What happened to her love?"

"Punya stop yaar, you don't want me to have peace of mind or what??"

"OK ...I won't ask. Had Dinner??"

"Yup You?"

"Not yet....I'll have now. OK Bye. Goodnight hubby"

"What ???!!" he exclaimed.

"Keep relishing on that word. Take care" she chuckled

"Ok Goodnight my angel" he hung up.

Punya kissed the phone and ran downstairs for dinner. Prakruth closed his eyes to fill Punya in his dreams.....