บท 14: Apology

Punya walked ahead towards the library past the badminton court. She stopped as she saw the new guy playing in the court with the college coach. He was too quick on his toes, so tall that he could cover the court length sideways in few steps, his face was shining as sun rays fell on his sweating face, he was gorgeous. "He must've been a champion, he had the game in him..." thought Punya who stood there like a statue looking at him, and when he paused to serve the ball, their eyes met sending electric shock down her spines. He had honey colored eye balls which twinkled as sunlight fell on them. He continued to play as coach whistled at him.

"Punya" Siri interrupted Punya's gaze "you're here, I searched you everywhere in the campus"...

"I... I ju jus just came in search of Jyoti, I mean yesterday her game was amazing so" lied Punya.

"Jyoti is in class, she kept asking for you" Siri explained... Punya was caught.

"Oh yeah, I didn't go to class anyway so I don't know" said Punya covering herself.

"Come let's go, class is about to start" said Siri as she pulled her away.

"I've spent my whole leisure hour looking at him, how could I do that? What's so special about him?... I also felt guilty when I spoke about him to dad, I had butterflies all the time I sat at the dining table. Even now they're flying inside me, I just wanted to thank him. I could've just walked to him and said that but what made me stand there for an hour?" Punya's mind went crazy.

"Punya, hey where were you?" asked Jyoti as she gave her a friendly hug.

"Just lost myself searching someone" blurted Punya.

"What? Who someone?" exclaimed Siri.

"Mmmm uh Jyoti who else? I told you I went in search of her" said Punya in an assuring voice.

"Yeah she went in search of you, she didn't know that you were in class" said Siri turning to Jyoti.

"Everyone settle down" came a loud voice from the lecturer who had walked onto the dias. Punya sighed a breath of relief and thanked the lecturer in her mind.

It was Maths class, she didn't understand anything that was taught. She tried to focus a couple of times but she couldn't concentrate as her thoughts were lingering on the handsome guy in the badminton court. She simply copied everything that was written on the black board. Next hour of Analytical chemistry also passed over her ears without entering her brain. Her classes ended up in Kannada poetry. She tried to be attentive as the lecturer made students read the lines randomly but she escaped as bell rang before her turn. She hit her head softly, saying herself that she shouldn't be so inattentive in class.

As everyone were walking down the steps, someone stepped on her flat sandals from behind and she stumbled forward and would fall down the stairs...

"Punya...." both Jyoti and Siri screamed together.

But she landed safely on Prakruth who was climbing up the stairs...placing her hands on his shoulders... He held her by her waist. They were lost in each other's eyes for a couple of seconds.

"Prakruth, let her go...." said Rahul who patted him from behind in a giggling voice.

Punya came to conscious and stood properly...searching for words. Siri and Jyoti who stood just behind her were giggling.

Prakruth moved to the other side of steps making way for the girls to move and started climbing the steps....

" Excuse me Mr." Punya's sweet voice stopped Prakruth from stepping further "I want to talk to you..." she said.

"Well, tell me...." he replied in a casual tone. Punya loved his charming voice.

"Personally" she added as he had two of his friends with him. Prakruth was startled by her courage. Her friends giggled and walked away.... Prakruth's friends made howling sounds as they walked up the stairs. Prakruth was literally shocked yet he gestured by waving his hand to walk and led her to the cafeteria. Punya was silently walking next to him and he kept admiring her, he felt proud walking next to the girl who was already the talk of the campus.

.....

"Why did I call him personally, I just wanted to thank him, just two words - Thank you... There was no need of privacy for this, oh I'm crazy..."thought Punya while she was walking next to him.

"Yes Miss, take your seat" Prakruth said pulling a chair for her and he took the other chair opposite her. He wondered if she would talk again. She was moving her eyeballs randomly, Prakruth thought she was nervous about the people around, he coughed twice to catch her sight. She looked at him like a lamb looks at a Lion.

"I think I scared her. It has been 2 months since I have been seeing her, I have learnt to control myself and gushing in feelings but I don't think I'll stay calm for longer" thought Prakruth.

"Thank you, Thanks for saving me twice, oh thrice" she blurted out...

Prakruth knew she was nervous as she spoke fast. "Welcome, but watch out when you walk... Don't wear headsets..." he warned her.

She just nodded. Silence slept between them again.

"Sorry for hurting you the first time at beach" Prakruth broke the silence now. "Were you hurt badly??" he asked.

"Huh, I think you apologized that day. I had a sprain at my wrist not a bad hurt" she answered showing her wrist.

He held her wrist gently and asked "Does it hurt even now?"

"No, nnnno not at all, I have to leave, I'm getting late... Bye...." she stammered. Punya stood up, pulled her bag and walked away. She turned to look at Prakruth just before she left the cafeteria. Prakruth sat there wondering "What happened? Do I look so scary? But she was looking gorgeous in her red dress, matching accessories and I think there was a light make up, her lips were tantalizing. Oh God, help me control myself...." he thought and ran towards the door to call her. She had disappeared again from his sight.